Encinitas

Encinitas is the home of the San Diego Botanic Garden, a feast for the eyes if you are a plant lover, with a number of different fairs, festivals and special activities during the year.  Swamis, at the far southern end, is probably the best known surfing beach in the area. It is located below the bluff where the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple and Ashram Center was built back in 1937 – locals began calling the beach Swamis (it was originally named Noonans Beach) and the name stuck [this beach was immortalized by the Beach Boys’ famous hit, “Surfin’ USA”].  Other beaches to the north include Stone Steps, Beacon’s and Grandview beach, all of which are popular with surfers and beach-goers alike and known for their views from the bluffs above.