Driving tour
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.Place 1
Moonlight State Beach and Downtown Encinitas Recommended starting point
Distance: 0.00 mi · Attraction: Shopping and Dining 101 County Hwy S21, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA
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Just north of Downtown Encinitas, you’ll find the popular Moonlight State Beach, located just down the street to your right. Before you cross B street, you may be able to smell the roasting beans of Lofty Coffee, which operates their original cafe on your right and their roasting works on the left.
The beach itself is well-known for its volleyball courts and is a regular practice spot for professional players. It has been a popular spot for beachgoers since the early 20th century. Early settlers of the area would do their laundry in nearby Cottonwood Creek, and hold family picnics on the beach while their clothes dried. By the 1920s, the beach had become a popular spot for North County residents and included a boardwalk, bathhouse, and even facilities for horse races.
Though that early beach infrastructure is long gone, Moonlight State Beach remains busy as ever. In addition to volleyball, this is a great spot for new surfers to learn the ropes – three local surf schools provide options for folks of all ages to get started.
Across the way from the beach, you’ll find Cottonwood Creek Park, where locals head for tennis, pickleball, and half-court basketball. There’s also a large playground where kids can run and play to their hearts’ content.
The north side of Encinitas is also home to the San Diego Botanic Garden, with 37 acres of plant life from around the world. The garden is a destination for plant lovers of all ages – it has the largest children’s garden on the west coast. With four miles of trails, you can get lost among exotic and native foliage as you learn about the history and cultivation of over 5,000 plant species.
Highway 101 will carry us most of the way on our journey today, serving as the main shopping street of most of North County’s beach towns. As you pass under the Encinitas sign that welcomes visitors to the city’s downtown area, you’ll pass the Encinitas train station on your left. Part of the COASTER line that connects North County with San Diego proper, this train provides fast and easy commuter transportation into the city. Parking at the station is free all day, and you can even ride the line three stops north to catch an Amtrak to LA in just a couple of hours.
Downtown Encinitas itself has a lot to offer. As you coast down the street, you’ll pass the bars and restaurants that keep the city fed and entertained. If you’re looking for a quick bite, consider stopping at the spot simply known as “The Taco Stand”. This local San Diego chain has recently expanded to include outposts as far away as Miami – they’re becoming well-known for their fresh, warm tortillas and authentic Baja flavors across the country.
The beach itself is well-known for its volleyball courts and is a regular practice spot for professional players. It has been a popular spot for beachgoers since the early 20th century. Early settlers of the area would do their laundry in nearby Cottonwood Creek, and hold family picnics on the beach while their clothes dried. By the 1920s, the beach had become a popular spot for North County residents and included a boardwalk, bathhouse, and even facilities for horse races.
Though that early beach infrastructure is long gone, Moonlight State Beach remains busy as ever. In addition to volleyball, this is a great spot for new surfers to learn the ropes – three local surf schools provide options for folks of all ages to get started.
Across the way from the beach, you’ll find Cottonwood Creek Park, where locals head for tennis, pickleball, and half-court basketball. There’s also a large playground where kids can run and play to their hearts’ content.
The north side of Encinitas is also home to the San Diego Botanic Garden, with 37 acres of plant life from around the world. The garden is a destination for plant lovers of all ages – it has the largest children’s garden on the west coast. With four miles of trails, you can get lost among exotic and native foliage as you learn about the history and cultivation of over 5,000 plant species.
Highway 101 will carry us most of the way on our journey today, serving as the main shopping street of most of North County’s beach towns. As you pass under the Encinitas sign that welcomes visitors to the city’s downtown area, you’ll pass the Encinitas train station on your left. Part of the COASTER line that connects North County with San Diego proper, this train provides fast and easy commuter transportation into the city. Parking at the station is free all day, and you can even ride the line three stops north to catch an Amtrak to LA in just a couple of hours.
Downtown Encinitas itself has a lot to offer. As you coast down the street, you’ll pass the bars and restaurants that keep the city fed and entertained. If you’re looking for a quick bite, consider stopping at the spot simply known as “The Taco Stand”. This local San Diego chain has recently expanded to include outposts as far away as Miami – they’re becoming well-known for their fresh, warm tortillas and authentic Baja flavors across the country.
