Beaches of Encinitas

When picturing San Diego, a common scene is one of miles of sandy beaches filled with surfers and sunbathers. Located about a half-hour north of downtown are the beaches of Encinitas, which fulfill this dream flawlessly. However in Encinitas, you can trade overwhelming crowds for a genuine, laid-back beach culture.

If you're looking for an active, family-friendly beach with the convenience of amenities like showers and snacks, consider Moonlight Beach. Here you will find volleyball nets, restrooms, and a snack-shop, where you can grab a popsicle or burger to keep energized while spending an afternoon in the sun. When the heat becomes too much, venture into the blue-green ocean for instant rejuvenation. At Moonlight, lifeguards are always on duty and swimmers and surfers are separated to insure safety and enjoyment for all.

Just a minute's walk from Moonlight is the beach deemed D Street because of its location. This beach is less crowded than Moonlight and provides plenty of sand to spread out towels and enjoy a relaxing day sunbathing and swimming. Walk up the wooden staircase that leads from the beach and you'll find many casual restaurants where shirt and shoes are not required, like Kaelanis, which offers traditional Hawaiian food, and Raul's Taco Shop that provides walk-up window service.

Venture only a few more minutes south to Swami's, one of San Diego's world-famous surf spots, featuring incredible 25 foot waves in the winter and colorful tide pools year-round, Swamis is certainly a beach to explore and discover. Swami's is named after the Self-Realization Center adjacent to the surf spot and hosts an abundance of budding gardens to meander through after a day of riding the waves and walking the shoreline.

- Megan Marrs