By: Terry Hunefeld

Inn at Moonlight Beach is located in Encinitas, California, a community that Men's Journal identified at one of the best neighborhoods in the United States. A number of hotels and motels line Historic Highway 101 in Encinitas, but none have the character or close proximity to Moonlight Beach enjoyed by our Inn at Moonlight Beach.

Encinitas is Spanish or "hills of live oaks," describes the native vegetation found by the first Spanish expeditions in the mid 1700's. Our beach community is located on 6 miles of rugged cliffs along the Pacific Ocean in Northern San Diego County.

At the northern edge of Encinitas, the Coast Highway still has a few of the old hotels and motels built in the 1950s. Most of these hotels and motels are now "two star" motels with weekly accommodations that allow smoking. Proceeding southward, the Historic Coast Highway gives way to trendy restaurants, chic boutiques and art studios - great for walking around in the sunshine. The Old Coast Highway continues south through Old Encinitas, through the heart of our lost-in-time "old downtown" - right past Swami's Surf Beach, known far and wide for it's awesome surfing.

Forever immortalized in the Beach Boys 1963 hit song Surfin USA, Swami's is still a "surfer's heaven" where you can watch the greatest surfers in the world practice their skills every day. Swami's is a delightful walk down the beach from Inn at Moonlight Beach.

  
Beach chairs reserved for. . . YOU Take surfing lessons. . . it's FUN

Downtown Encinitas - a 1960's Beach Town

Encinitas called So Cal's Last Sleepy Surf Haven by Men's Journal Magazine in March, 2009

Swami's Temple and Surf Beach

Encinitas has dozens of artsy shops, chic boutiques and funky art studios - great for walking around and enjoying in the ever-present sunshine while you soak in the laid back feel. How laid back is it? Only in Encinitas will you find that some shops close early if the surf is good - and how many communities have their very own Swami's Temple and surf beach? Every evening you will find business men and women, moms, dads, kids, surfers and tourists congregating at every beach to share the sunset and celebrate the end of another day -- a custom unique to this little community at the sea.

Encinitas Restaurants

Encinitas is well known for its outstanding dining. Guests at Inn at Moonlight Beach Bed & Breakfast enjoy walking along historic Coast Highway 101 to any one of our many excellent sidewalk cafes, trattorias and restaurants. 2 miles south along old Highway 101, restaurants in picturesque Cardiff-by-the-Sea feature ocean front dining right on the beach with a diverse choice of cuisine, while another 3 mile drive right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean brings you to Del Mar. Our Encinitas restaurant reviews and ratings will give you real reviews by our guests.

Encinitas Beaches

Encinitas is blessed with 6 miles of gorgeous beaches -- eleven of them! Whether it's surfing, swimming, scuba diving, boogie-boarding, sunning, reading a book, jogging, volley-balling or just basking in the serenity of a secluded beach, Encinitas has it all. The Inn At Moonlight Beach is closer to the ocean than any other Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Cardiff or Solana Beach hotel or inn. More about Encinitas Beaches Swami's Beach Surf lessons

Six Things You Must Do
When Visiting Encinitas, California

By Terry Hunefeld

What is it about Encinitas California that's so intriguing, so special? Yes, it's a beautiful beach town, but what makes it so different from other beach towns in San Diego county? The answer is, in part, the fact that Encinitas is "lost in time" -- back in the 1960's, when California was a simpler place. You can experience some of that feel by visiting the following "must see" places:

1. Take A Walk In A Rainforest

San Diego Botanical Gardens consists of more than 30 acres dedicated to the conservation of endangered and rare plants from around the world. Every day tours and nature walks take visitors down scenic trails, through unique gardens, desert gardens, rare bamboo groves, native plant gardens, a tropical rainforest, climate landscapes of the Mediterranean, a succulent garden, a tropical fruit garden and a one-of-a-kind children's garden. The Gardens are a lovely and peaceful; a place where you can see myriad butterflies, birds and an occasional rabbit hopping across your path. Here you will find a special place where you can easily spend an entire day simply enjoying the nature and all its beauty - a garden that everyone will enjoy.

2. Learn To Surf

Kahuna Bob's Surf School has been a local legend in Encinitas for nearly 25 years. His distinctive and engaging teaching style puts brand new surfers at ease during his group or private instruction. In 2009, the City of Encinitas honored Kahuna Bob for his years of expert instruction with beginning surfers.

3. Watch World-Class Surfers Every Morning

World renown Swami's Beach was made famous in 1963 by the Beach Boy's hit song "Surfin USA." Only two blocks from downtown Encinitas on U.S. Highway 101, Swami's still draws the finest surfers in the world on a daily basis, making for wonderful watching from the cliffs above. A mammoth wooden staircase with built-in benches takes you down to the beach. The picnic tables along the cliff edge at the top are a breathtaking spot to sit and take in the sweeping views of the ocean and witness phenomenal surfing feats.

4. Visit an Historic Theater

If you wax nostalgic for a real old-time movie theater, take in a film at La Paloma Theatre, where they feature first-run hits, "art movies" and surf/skate/snowboard/music film premieres. It's THE place to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. La Paloma Theatre was built in 1928, and was one of the first theatres to show "Talkies" in 1927 with the Warner Brothers film "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson.

5. Meditate At The Swami's Temple

Swami Yogananda came to Encinitas in 1936 and built the Self-Realization Temple on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. His philosophy of love and introspection still attracts thousands of followers from around the world. The beautiful Self-Realization Fellowship grounds' lush gardens and Koi ponds are open to the public each day. Here you can walk, meditate, breathe deeply and put life into perspective. The only sounds you might hear are singing birds and the pounding of the surf on the cliffs below.

6. Seriously Work On Your Tan

The most popular beach in all of North County San Diego is Moonlight Beach, just two blocks from the Inn at Moonlight Beach. It's a wonderful spot to soak up sun, enjoy a picnic, play volleyball, surf, boogie-board, body surf, read a book, watch other people people-watch or simply take it easy. It's a state park complete with plenty of parking, fine life guard stations, beach-gear rentals, showers, playground, snack and lunch shop and even fire-rings on the beach where you and your friends can enjoy bonfires late into the night.

Read More About Our Beautiful Inn

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TOP TEN VACATION DESTINATIONS
in Southern California?

Read about the Inn that an
L.A. Newspaper selected as one of the:
TWELVE BEST CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS

Encinitas California Hotels

There are many commercial motels and hotels in Encinitas and the surrounding communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach, but only the Inn At Moonlight Beach is quiet and close to the ocean. If you're looking for a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Encinitas, you've found it! Compare us to Hotels in Del Mar California, Carlsbad Hotels or Cardiff California Bed and Breakfasts.