11 Great Beaches: This great weather is also ideal beach weather and Encinitas has 11 great beaches. The main beach, Moonlight Beach, is located near the foot of Encinitas Boulevard, at the west end of “B” Street and 4th, at the bottom of a gently sloping hill, and in a residential neighborhood. Many of these homes are Encinitas ocean view homes. Moonlight is a wide sandy beach that is great for volleyball. Facilities there include picnic tables, fire pits,benches, recreational equipment rentals, a snack bar, showers, rest rooms and volleyball courts. The parking lot for Moonlight Beach sits high above the beach on the bluff. In addition to parking, it is used for popular car shows such as the annual gathering of Woodies.
Surfing and Water Related Activities: For the surfer enthusiast there is Swami’s Beach which was forever immortalized in the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA.” There is great diving just off the shore at Swami’s at the Encinitas Marine Life Refuge, North County’s only underwater park. At the end of Neptune Avenue is an elaborate stairway access to another great beach, Stone Steps Beach. Further south is the famous “D” street beach. Other water related activities include swimming, sunbathing, and ocean kayaking.
Golf, Gardens and Spa: Golf is also a popular outdoor activity in Encinitas. The world class La Costa Resort and Spa is nearby with two 18 hole golf courses, 19 tennis courts, a resort and much more. Encinitas Ranch has 18 championship holes, a golf school, a pro shop and a snack bar. The panoramic views from this course are spectacular. Near the Encinitas Ranch course located along Quail Garden Road is the Quail Botanical Garden. This amazon rainforest type garden is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of rare and endangered plants. It is the only such garden in San Diego north county real estate area.
Balloon Rides and Lagoons: Along Quail Garden Road in the evenings you can take a hot air balloon ride and enjoy the beautiful San Diego sunsets over the Pacific. In the south part of the Encinitas real estate area is San Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve. This is the largest coastal wetland in San Diego County. You can take a nature walk through the lagoon or go bird watching. The lagoon is home to over 300 species of birds. Encinitas also has a superb public park system with dozens of ball and soccer fields. There are also miles of great walks and hiking trails through out Encinitas Ranch and other areas of the city.
Excelent School System: Many people move to the Encinitas real estate area for the excellent school system. For the younger children, there is the Encinitas Union Elementary School System. For the older ones, there is the San Dieguito Union High District. Encinitas also has many excellent private schools for all ages. Mira Costa College, in the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, offers regular daytime courses and many adult education programs.
For more home information see Encinitas Homes for Sale and Encinitas History. Gary Harmon has been one of the top North County Realtors for over 20 years. For more information about Encinitas homes for sale, Encinitas ocean view homes, or Encinitas whitewater view homes, contact Gary Harmonyour Encinitas Realtor.