The Library

Encinitas

With six miles of coastline and 11 public beaches, Encinitas is characterized by natural sceneries and diverse communities.  For tourists, surfing and beaches are major attractions to this laid back beach town.   The City of Encinitas has an approximate population of 60,000, and has had a crime rate lower than the state average for more than 8 consecutive years.  The city is made up of a few smaller communities, each with its own personality.  Leucadia and Cardiff-by-the Sea are small beach communities with many hillside properties offering ocean views.  Olivenhain is a low density community with about 1500 large homes on lots that average about 2 acres.  Olivenhain has many eucalyptus trees and horse-friendly properties.

Encinitas is home to the San Diego Botanical Gardens (formerly Quail Botanical Gardens) and the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, the largest coastal wetland in the county.  

Characteristic of the rest of the area, home prices are higher than the county average.

What Staff are Saying:

  • The quality of Encinitas schools were rated one of the top qualities of this city by its residents.  Along with the schools, staff also enjoy the availability of free parking, easy access to local grocery stores, friendly neighbors, quiet noise levels, and the family friendly feel.  
  • “Encinitas residents lead very active lifestyles.  You'll always see walkers, joggers, bikers and surfers.  Watching the sunset from a nice vantage point is great-people from all over the neighborhood gather in certain spots to watch it, giving every sunset a festive feeling.”
  • “Close to beach, wonderful downtown with old movie theater, coffee houses, funky restaurants, excellent hiking trails, bird-watching and natural beauty at lagoons”
  • “Where I am (about 4 miles from the beach) I have an interesting mix of 'burbs with lots of green (grass) space, playground, pool, & tennis courts, but one block away is old Olivenhein which is more wooded & less suburb like.  Still within easy access to grocery stores (even Trader Joes), vets, and big mall shops.  Better yet, it is just a quick trip to Moonlight Beach and downtown Encinitas.  Encinitas has a nice community feel downtown & has special all community events a couple times a year for which they close down the highway.”
  • “The stores - little & big - are all in one area - a mile stretch on a main drag.  Convenient shopping, but creates some traffic and the visual effect of a mile worth of stores is a bit much.”

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