Are you attracted to the cozy beach lifestyle? If so, Encinitas, California is probably one of the best places in the country to live.
This thriving West Coast city has some of the most beautiful weather and beaches anywhere. However, the weather and the beach are not the only things that make this surfer town a great place to live. Let’s take a deep dive and discover what’s amazing about this North County coastal town in San Diego.
What to Know About Living in Encinitas
If you ask yourself, “Where is Encinitas?” The answer is near the bottom of the Southern California coast. This surfer town is in the North County area of the Greater San Diego region.
Encinitas is a town known by locals for many things, including beautiful beaches, restaurants, and culture. Here’s what you need to know about living in Encinitas, California.
Fun Things to Do in Encinitas
There are many fun things to do in Encinitas, including going to the beach, discovering the local nightlife, and dining at many of the area’s great restaurants. We’ll discuss some of those options later, but there are also many other things that can be done in Encinitas if none of those options appeal to you.
Due to the good weather, Encinitas regularly hosts street fairs and surfing competitions. The Leucadia area is an art haven, with many galleries and boutique collections available to browse.
Yoga, meditation, and healing are everywhere in Encinitas-including in the careful Self-Realization Fellowship meditation garden. If you like plants and the natural world, the San Diego Botanic Garden is also in Encinitas.
How’s the Beach in Encinitas?
One of the many things to do in Encinitas is going to the beach. It’s a local hobby that almost everyone participates in because Encinitas has some of the best beaches in the country. Of course, the city’s reputation as a surfer town is unintentional.
Some of the best beaches in Encinitas include legendary surfing hotspots like Beacon’s, Moonlight State Beach, and Swami’s. Even if you’re not a surfer, these beaches are also some of the best in the country for sunbathing, relaxation, or spending a day at the beach with the family.
Great Restaurants is in Encinitas
If you can live to eat, you will find yourself in paradise in Encinitas. Due to the proximity to Mexico, the entire San Diego area has some of the best Mexican food north of the border.
But beyond Mexican cuisine, Encinitas is a hip spot with great gastropubs, microbreweries, and fine artisanal dining restaurants. You can expect everything from top Indian cuisine to delicious California Coastal food.
The city is also a happening spot for nightlife, which you can check out for yourself in the top 10 bars in Encinitas.
What is the Encinitas Period
Encinitas is a seaside city with a similar climate to neighboring San Diego – a city known for having some of the best weather.
The average daily temperature climbs to around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 40 degrees are rare, as are temperatures over 85 degrees.
In other words, you can expect the city to feel almost “air-conditioned” year-round. Although it can be a bit naughty in the winter and hot in the summer, the ocean has a stabilizing effect on a good climate.
What is the Cost of Living in Encinitas, CA?
Living prices in Encinitas are certainly on the higher side compared to the national average. The median property value of a city home is $ 820,400, four times higher than the national median and nearly double the California median.
Transportation costs are generally about 20% to 25% higher than other areas, while rents average $ 1,800 per month. Property owners can expect to pay upwards of $ 3,000 in property taxes each year.
Demographics of Encinitas
Encinitas is a relatively small city by California standards, with 62,160 residents by the most recent count. The population density reaches approximately 2,997 people per square mile.
The median age of the population of Encinitas is 42, with the largest age brackets consisting of children ages 5 to 7 and adults 25 to 34. Approximately 60% of people living in Encinitas have spouses, and 44% are part of families with children under 18.
Nearly everyone in the city has graduated from high school, with 67% achieving at least an Associate’s degree and 61% earning a bachelor’s degree. The city is certainly richer, with the median household income reaching $ 100,698 per year.
Is it safe to live in Encinitas?
Yes, Encinitas is a very safe place to live. According to statistics, the crime rate in Encinitas is approximately 45% lower than the national average. There is a total crime rate of approximately 13 per 1,000 residents.
But Encinitas is a San Diego County neighborhood, so a good question is, “Is San Diego safe?” Although this varies by neighborhood, the overall answer is that crime rates in San Diego are lower than the national average.
Property crimes are more common than violent crimes, but Encinitas and San Diego County are still safe residential areas, relatively speaking.
How is the Job Market in the Encinitas Area?
The job market in the Encinitas area – as well as the greater San Diego County region – is leading.
One of the top employers in the area is, of course, the U.S. government due to the presence of the Navy and Marine Corp. However, the military is not the only employer.
Some high-profile technology companies are also top employers in and around Encinitas. This list includes chipmaker Qualcomm, aerospace firm General Atomics, Google, Intuit, and ServiceNow. Biotechnology is also emerging in San Diego, along with companies like Illumina.
Hello Encinitas Schools
Encinitas is a well-educated city by most standards. There are a total of 63 schools in Encinitas, a list that includes both 12 public schools and 51 private education centers.
The number of schools isn’t the only factor, either. Two of the major public schools – La Costa Canyon High School and San Dieguito Academy – in Encinitas are highly rated, with a 9/10 rating on greatschools.org.
There are also top colleges near the city, including the University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University.
Is Encinitas a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Encinitas is a great place to live. There are great schools in the city, great job opportunities in the surrounding area, and many things to do in Encinitas.
The city is not the cheapest on the West Coast – or in the country. However, those with wealth will probably tell you that living in Encinitas is pretty close to living in paradise.
About the author: Mike Peterson is a freelance journalist and writer based in North San Diego County. He wrote and worked for several local media outlets, including San Diego Union-Tribuneang North Coast Currentand the Oceanside Blade.
The banner image in this article is from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 license.