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Encinitas Activities and Events

Encinitas, California

Encinitas (Spanish for “Small Oaks”) is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in California and is known for its excellent surfing conditions.  It is a laid-back chilled surfer town that is divided into four distinct areas—old Encinitas (Olivenhain), new Encinitas (downtown 101), Leucadia, and Cardiff (Cardiff-by-the-sea).

Encinitas, California

 

Encinitas is a classic SoCal town with its dramatic beaches, palm trees, blue skies, surfers, taco shops, and stunning sunsets.

Things to do in Encinitas:

Encinitas, California

  • Shop 101: Stroll through the downtown area

Encinitas is home to cute sidewalk cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

  • Hit the Beach

Encinitas

Moonlight Beach

Moonlight Beach ranks #1 in our list of the best beach beaches in Encinitas.  It is the happening place for picnics and bonfires in the moonlight of course.

Swami’s Beach.

Encinitas, California

Swami’s Surf Beach is one of the most well-known local surfing spots. Surf’s up come on down.

Surf Lessons in Encinitas are also available for the adventure seekers

a man riding a wave on a surfboard in the ocean

Go Stand Up Paddleboarding

The best way to experience Encinitas coast is to get in the water, whether you are swimming or stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) it a fun way to embrace the ocean breezes and feel like a local.

Explore the Tide Pools

Cardiff State Beach has some of the best tide pools in Encinitas.

Beacon’s Beach 

A secluded beach that is great for sunbathing and relaxing.

 

Visit the famous Surfing Madonna

a graffiti covered wall

The Surfing Madonna is a beautiful mosaic of the Virgin de Guadaloup on a surfboard.

Check out the Cardiff Kook

a statue of a person jumping in the air

The Cardiff Kook bronze statue of a surfer that rides a wave it is located next to San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff.

Take a Local Guided Electric Bike Tour to Encinitas – highlights include visiting The Del Mar Raceway and the San Elijo Lagoon.

Tour the local Historical Society

a house with trees in front of a building

The Encinitas Historical Society is in an 1883-era one-room schoolhouse.  Discover Encinitas unique history through photographs and exhibits.

San Diego Botanic Garden

a close up of a tree

The Botanic Gardens are home to an incredible diversity of plant life and native flora and fauna.

Cal Pacific Orchid Farm

Take a stroll through the Orchid farm.

Visit the Self-Realization Fellowship Gardens

Encinitas, California

Stroll the Meditation Gardens

It’s a secret local only spot!

Self-Realization Fellowship, a non-profit spiritual organization founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda to share the teachings of Kriya Yoga, an ancient Indian spiritual.

Enjoy the practice of Yoga

Encinitas, California

Desha Yoga & Ayurveda, take a yoga class or learn all about ancient Indian spiritual science.

Coffee at the Pannikin

The Pannikin is a converted train station that now serves up delicious coffee and pastries. Look for the big yellow house.

Take a Hike in Encinitas:

Encinitas

San Elijo Lagoon is a great place for the outdoor enthusiast. It has some of the best hiking and walking trails in the area. Check out Annie’s Canyon Trail for some beautiful views.

Encinitas Ranch Trail also has some stellar views.

Relax in the Park

Encinitas Community Park includes 44 acres of multi-use open space. The park has a dog park, skate park, children’s playground, picnic tables, restrooms, shaded areas, baseball fields, and soccer fields.

Encinitas Plant-based Food Scene

Private Group Mini Food Tour

Calling all vegans Encinitas has something special for you!

Encinitas has many healthy vegan and vegetarian options. Enjoy an Encinitas Food Tour to taste your way through the town.

Farmers Market

Support local farmers and try new foods

Visit the Boat Houses

Encinitas Boat House

Local Music

Encinitas street scene comes alive after dark, the bars, pubs, and wineries are the happening places. on the historic 101.

Catch a Show at La Paloma

La Paloma Theater is San Diego’s oldest theater.

Events in Encinitas include:

Seaside Bazaar

Every Saturday and Sunday, The Seaside Bazaar opens in the heart of Encinitas on Highway 101. The Bazaar is an offbeat European style open-air flea market

Encinitas Cruise Nights

from May through September the streets of Encinitas turn into Encinitas Cruise Nights! Old-school hot rods, foreign automobiles, classic cars, and woodies take a trip down Hwy 101.

Taste of Encinitas

The annual Taste of Encinitas event comes to the streets of historic downtown in the month of August every year. This is a great way to enjoy some of the best Encinitas eateries.

Summer Series at the Lumberyard

The Lumberyard Shopping centers host a Summer Concert Series, not to be missed.

Annual Holiday Street Fair

Every December, 450 food, arts, and crafts vendors and live entertainment bring joy to the holidays in Encinitas.

  • Posted in:
From $68

Come experience the world-famous Southern California food culture, through a delectable 6-course plant-based meal from local eateries!

  • Learn all about the history and culture of North County San Diego, while sipping on local beer, and munching on cultural cuisine in the laid-back beach town of Encinitas.
  • Known as the birthplace of the California yoga movement, the coastal surf vibes and glamorous celebrity history of Encinitas have led to a world-class plant-based food scene that’s sure to impress vegan and non-vegan guests, with a variety of gourmet sweet and savory eats.
  • Join our tour and grab your plate as the laid-back vibe of Encinitas’ surf community rolls into a hand full of the best restaurants in San Diego.

 

 

 

 

  • Most Popular
From $68

Eat like a local! Experience the historic city of Carlsbad through food and wine. Indulge in tasty bites and sips from various restaurants while you learn about our unique culinary scene.

  • Your tour guide helps you to easily navigate the main streets of Carlsbad which house a wonderful concentration of museums, restaurants, and historic landmarks uniquely mixed with shops and art galleries and vibrant street murals.
  • Along the way you discover the diverse history, architecture, and culture in Carlsbad.
  • Stop by the Twin Inns and learn about our secret speakeasy and of course our miracle water.
  • Carlsbad is all about the water we are surrounded by including the lagoons and ocean.
  • Enjoy Carlsbad’s history, culture and architecture while eating your way through the village.
From $75

Offered daily 11:30 am. Celebrate your event or outing with a private food tour!  Enjoy some of the favorite restaurants in the village.  Wine tasting, pasta, gelato…

  • Let the village be your celebration venue of choice. There are so many great new eateries in our “Village by the Sea”.
  • Carlsbad is becoming quite the international foodie destination.
  • We have great Italian, Mexican, French, Latin and American Nouveau.
  • What is your flavor choice?  Can’t decide, then join us and check out 6 places in one day, find your favorites and return for dinner.
  • If you’re looking for the EASY button to set up your party or team building event, we can do the planning for you.  We plan it, You enjoy, local eateries for unique & delicious food.

Food is the Ingredient that Brings us Together!

  • Private Group Tour Experiences must have a minimum of 2 guests per tour.
  • 6 tastings locations
  • Let the village be your corporate event venue of choice with Carlsbad Food Tours. Choose your favorite tasting locations in the village.
From $75

Carlsbad Food Tours Private & Custom Group Experiences are the perfect way to get a taste of Carlsbad while enjoying the company of friends, family or co-workers.

We are happy to tailor a unique culinary experience to your group’s needs.

FOOD is the ingredient that bonds us TOGETHER, which makes it a perfect team building activity!

If you’re looking for the EASY button to set up your party, we can do the planning for you!

Visit five-six tasting locations where you’ll sample delicious food, wine, and beer tastings (enough for lunch or dinner). Number of locations will depend on time available for your group. Evening tours often move at a slower pace than daytime tour, allowing the guest to drink and linger a bit more, which is especially good for team bonding and celebrations.

Late afternoon to evening tours (4-7pm) available upon request. (Not available on Fri or Sat evenings)

Customizable to your group needs. Choose your time and day, we do the rest!

Call (760) 215-9433 or email: [email protected] to schedule your private group experience.

Up to 20 guest per tour. Large groups may be split up into 2-3 separate tours.

 

 

 

From $68

Give the gift of a great food experience with Carlsbad Food Tours Gift Cards.  Good for all of our tours: Taste of Carlsbad and Private Group Experience Food Tour.

The holidays are coming up fast!

Choosing the perfect present for your loved ones is tricky business, and it’s even more difficult to find something you can be sure they’ll love.

This holiday season try gifting an experience!

Discover why they make for the best presents below!

  • Experiences Lead to Long-lasting Memories
  • Gifting someone (or receiving) an experience is highly personal and indicates that effort and thought have been put into the gifting process.
  • Moreover, experiences can cater specifically to an individual. Does your friend love food? Buy them a food tour experience.
  • Looking Forward to an Experience Makes Up Half the Fun
  • Experiences Let Us Try New Things
  • Experiences Initiate Human Connection