Encinitas is a laid-back surf town about 25 miles north of San Diego, reached in 45 minutes by COASTER from Santa Fe Depot or about 35 to 45 minutes by car on I-5. Its main attractions are on the coast: Moonlight Beach has a sandy cove, snack bar and volleyball courts, Swami's Reef is a well-known surf break below the Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens at 215 K St, and the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve has walking trails among coastal wetlands. The Meditation Gardens are free and open most days, with ocean views and koi ponds. Downtown 101 (the old Highway 101) has independent shops, surf stores, cafes and tacos, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea to the south has tide pools and the Cardiff Kook statue. The COASTER station at 765 Vulcan Ave is a short walk to Downtown 101, which makes Encinitas the easiest beach-town day trip without a car. Spring brings lines at nearby Carlsbad flower fields, and winter is good for whale-watching from the bluffs.
| Distance | About 25 miles (40 km) north of Downtown San Diego |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 45 minutes by COASTER or 35-45 minutes by car |
| Getting there | Ride the NCTD COASTER from Santa Fe Depot to Encinitas (about 45 minutes, $6.50 one way) or drive I-5 north (35-45 minutes); the station is a short walk from Downtown 101. |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Encinitas COASTER Station, 765 Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024 |
How to get there
- Mode
- COASTER commuter train
- Cost
- $6.50 adult one way, $3.25 reduced
- Frequency
- Several trains daily; limited evenings and weekends
- Operator
- NCTD (gonctd.com)
- Departure point
- Santa Fe Depot, 1050 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
- Mode
- Rental car or own vehicle
- Cost
- Fuel plus parking; beach lots often free or low cost
- Frequency
- Daily
- Operator
- Self-drive
- Departure point
- Downtown San Diego via I-5 N
Location
Encinitas COASTER Station, 765 Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024
33.0457, -117.2950 View on map
Highlights
- Watch surfers at Swami's from the Meditation Gardens
- Spend an afternoon at Moonlight Beach
- Walk the San Elijo Lagoon trails
- Browse shops and cafes along Downtown 101
- Check the tide pools at Cardiff State Beach at low tide
Tips for visiting
- Ride the COASTER to Encinitas and walk to Downtown 101; return trains are limited on weekends and evenings, so check gonctd.com.
- The Self-Realization Fellowship gardens request quiet and modest dress.
- Check the tide chart before visiting tide pools.
- Moonlight Beach parking lots fill by late morning in summer.
When to visit
April to October for beach weather; December to March for whale-watching and fewer crowds.
Accessibility
Downtown 101 and Moonlight Beach have accessible paths; the stairs down to Swami's Beach are steep.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Encinitas without a car?
Ride the COASTER from Santa Fe Depot (about 45 minutes, $6.50 one way); the Encinitas station is on Vulcan Ave, close to Downtown 101.
Is the Meditation Garden free?
Yes; the Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens at 215 K St admit visitors without charge during posted hours.
Are the beaches good for swimming?
Moonlight Beach has lifeguards in season; Swami's is a surf break with strong currents, so swimmers use staffed beaches.