When we travel there’s usually two kinds of trips we like. The first — the icons, the bucket-lists, the ones that show up on top-10 lists. The second — the hidden gems, the quiet sleeply little spots, the places that have have devotees but generally are never crowded.
Encinitas is the second kind.
Welcome to Start Here. Our series where we hand the map to a local and ask them to build your trip from the inside out. Our insider insider guide, if you will.
Our first guide is Steph Daily (@stephaniedaily/@stephswings on IG), a San Diego-based writer and content creator who has spent her whole life in and around Encinitas. She grew up in Leucadia, knows every stretch of the 101, and has strong opinions about which beach to send you to and which one to keep for herself. She is currently in my (Bryce) neck of the woods for a little sabbatical in NYC, you can follow along with her adventures here.
Fun fact: Bryce grew up here too — surf PE was a real class, and yes, it was exactly as good as it sounds.
You grew up in Encinitas and never left San Diego. What keeps you there?
I grew up in Leucadia, a little beach town within Encinitas that most people haven’t heard of, and honestly, I kind of love it that way. The lifestyle here is relaxed in a way that’s hard to explain until you’ve lived it. Everyone’s outside: surfers, bikers, people just walking along coastlines like they have nowhere to be (and genuinely don’t). Incredible weather, delicious healthy food, and friendly people. All of it is hard to leave.
What do you love about Encinitas specifically versus the rest of San Diego?
Encinitas quietly has it all, you just have to know where to look. People here prioritize staying active, going to the beach, and finding a good lunch spot along the main strip. If you’re craving big(ish) city energy, Downtown San Diego is about 30 minutes away. Del Mar and La Jolla are gorgeous and elevated, but they can get a little sleepy after dark. Encinitas doesn’t have that problem as there are some late night bars open. It’s also right next to Cardiff, which has a very similar vibe; even smaller, same laid-back energy, just a little more under the radar and the locals like to keep it that way.
How has it changed since you were a kid?
Growing up in Leucadia, it felt like the best kept secret. Very low key beach town and I never really knew how spoiled I was living less than a mile from the ocean. Over the years, some of the local staples I grew up with got swallowed up by big residential developments, and the best pizza and Hawaiian food spots I loved as a kid got replaced by upscale, trendy restaurants. It’s sad to see, honestly. Leucadia and Encinitas had this slightly funky, hippy flair that’s harder to find now; there’s even a local phrase, “Keep Leucadia Funky,” that says everything about how the community feels about it.
People come to San Diego and might day-trip or drive through Encinitas. What are they missing by treating it that way?
Honestly, Encinitas is small enough that you could treat it like a day trip… but why would you want to? It’s a gorgeous place to slow down, recharge, and just be. You’re not going to get that from a quick drive through town. The whole point of Encinitas is that there’s no rush. Stay a few days, wake up and walk to the beach, find your coffee spot, stumble onto a good lunch on the 101. That’s the experience… and you shouldn’t squeeze it into a pit stop!
What’s the difference between doing Encinitas right versus doing it like a tourist?
The beaches, honestly. Moonlight Beach is beautiful and very well-maintained. Part of me wants to recommend it just so you can see it. But the local part of me wants to send you to Beacons, Swami’s, or Grandview instead. That’s where you’ll find the surfers, the regulars, the people who’ve been showing up to the same spot for years. It’s a completely different energy, and that’s really what Encinitas is all about.
Is there a street, a stretch of coast, a block within Encinitas that you’d send someone to first?
Get in the car and drive down the 101. Start in Leucadia, go through Encinitas, into Cardiff, and if you’re up for it, keep going into Solana Beach. It’s only about 7 miles but it feels like its own little world. Surf shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, and the ocean just a few blocks away the whole time. If you’re not up for the drive, head straight to the main strip in Encinitas. That’s where most of the energy is; the best restaurants, bars, and shopping are all right there!
Best meal in Encinitas (and why is it Juanitas - haha). Where and what?
I hate this question because my answer changes depending on what I’m craving! But here are my non-negotiables:
If you want a proper California burrito, go to Juanita’s or Raul’s Shack. For a great vibe with live music, and delicious food, Le Papagayo is a must- sit outside if you can. Fish 101 is your spot for fish tacos and poke bowls. If you want sunshine, cold beer, and solid American cuisine, Biergarten is exactly where you want to be. For something more elevated, Herb and Sea and Sago both deliver.
And Cardiff is close enough that I’m including this: go to Seaside Market and order the Cardiff Crack. They’ve perfected the most tender burgundy pepper-marinated tri-tip, and it would be a crime if you didn’t taste it at least once in your life. If you’re barbecuing, buy a full slab. Otherwise, order a plate or a sandwich, you won’t regret it.
Coffee — where do you actually go?
Pannikin Coffee & Tea. I’ve been going there since I was three years old. My parents used to take me and we’d sit together over morning coffee (cheese danish for me) and just enjoy the slow start to the day. It’s been a staple in Leucadia/ Encinitas for as long as I can remember, and walking in still feels like home. An absolute must-visit.
If you want something a bit more main-stream, there is a Philz Coffee near the end of the Encinitas strip. Lofty Coffee is also a good option if you want a grab n go.
Best beach in Encinitas (or nearby) and why is it better than the ones in San Diego proper?
Over the summer every beach is going to be packed. But Encinitas is smaller and has a more intimate feel than the bigger beaches in San Diego, which makes a difference even on a crowded day. Moonlight is beautiful, well-maintained, and easy to access. This would be my recommendation for a family wanting a classic summer vacation. If you’re a surfer, Swami’s and Beacons are where you want to be; different energy entirely, and worth every bit of the walk down. But keep in mind, parking at any of these places on a summer day is its own adventure.
What’s it like having Torrey Pines essentially in your backyard?
It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, if you’re a golfer and someone finds out you’re from San Diego, Torrey Pines comes up immediately. It never gets old. It’s a bucket list course for a reason and the views alone are worth it
What do first-timers miss about playing golf there?
What first timers don’t realize until they’re actually there is that golf is almost secondary. The ocean cliffs, the air, the sunsets, the wildlife, the history... the overall energy of the place is something else entirely. You’re playing a major championship venue on the edge of the Pacific. Think of it as the Pebble Beach of SoCal.
North or south course for a first timer?
I’d say South if you want the full iconic Torrey experience and don’t mind getting humbled a little. North is more playable, arguably prettier throughout the round, and just more enjoyable for a lot of golfers. Ideally? You play both. The 3rd hole on the South course is a downhill par 3 with the ocean as your backdrop and it will stay with you forever.
Where would you stay if you were visiting Encinitas for a long weekend?
Ideally an Airbnb near Moonlight beach, in Leucadia or near the 101 strip! It just fits the vibe of Encinitas better than a traditional hotel. You want to feel like you actually live there, even if just for a weekend.
It Girls Tip: If a hotel is a must, we love Alila Marea for an adults focused weekend getaway. Book the Ocean View King rooms over the Coastal or Lagoon views. You’ll wake up to the sea and avoid looking over the pool area. Children are allowed, but only 2 people per room (no rollaways or queen bed set ups).
What does a perfect 48 hours there look like? What are you anchoring your trip around?
Wake up and get an acai bowl from Swami’s Café, then head straight to the beach (Moonlight, Swami’s, Beacons, Grandview). Lounge, surf, float around, there’s nowhere else you need to be. When lunchtime hits, someone’s making a run to Juanita’s or Raul’s Shack for California burritos. Pro tip: don’t give up your beach spot. Play rock paper scissors and make the loser go pick up the food. Burritos on the beach, an afternoon dip, and then head back and slowly get ready for the evening. Dinner at Le Papagayo, SAGO, or Herb and Sea, then a night out on the 101. Start at Roxy, walk across the street to Shelter for a more elevated lounge vibe, or just wander down the strip until something feels right. That’s the beauty of it, everything is that close.
Day 2: If you’re a golfer, hopefully you made a tee time at Torrey Pines well in advance. It books out fast. If you’ve still got energy after your round, stop by Monarch in Del Mar on your way back, grab a spot on the terrace, and catch the sunset. Then make your way back to Encinitas for one more night on the 101.
Best time of year to go?
San Diego’s weather is so good year round that you really can’t go wrong. But if you want the full summer vacation experience: bluebird skies, warm weather, the kind of day that makes you feel genuinely guilty for staying inside... June and July are it. That’s Encinitas at its best.
Encinitas is truly one of our favorite little beach towns in all of the United States (in the world?). Have you been?
Planning a trip to San Diego or the west coast? This is exactly the kind of intel we live for at It Girls Collective. Reach out here and let us build your trip — we’ll make sure you know which beach to go to, where to stay on the 101, and how to get a tee time at Torrey Pines before it books out.
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—Bryce | It Girls Collective