Leucadia is an eclectic little beach community on the Pacific Ocean shoreline
within the city limits of Encinitas. It once was a mecca for hippies and surfers
- remnants of those 1960s days can be seen throughout this north San Diego
community. Here you will find palm trees, wooden cigar store Indians, tie-dyed
T-shirts and blue jeans, barefoot kids playing in the streets, funky lawn art
and glowing beads.
Settled by English spiritualists in 1870, Leucadia was named after a Greek
island. Its streets are named after mythological figures. Not too many years ago
Leucadia was primarily agricultural; today, many of the wholesale flower-growing
businesses are gone, replaced by homes.
Leucadia is home to some of San Diego's finest Italian restaurants, eclectic
"head" shops, heated-sauna yoga studios, mysterious palm readers and ultra-hip
art galleries. Local hangouts include the very popular Pannikin Coffee & Tea in
the old Encinitas train station (very chic); world-famous Lou's Records (home of
a huge collection of new and used CDs and records); and Karina's Taco Shop,
where you can experience the best Shrimp Burritos ever invented.
Talk to any Leucadian and he will tell you that the best thing that ever
happened to Leucadia is that nothing ever happened to it. Leucadia's beaches are
seemingly forever locked in time in the 1960s - they're neighborhood surf breaks
that have been surfed for more than 50 years. Four very popular surf spots are
Moonlight, Grandview, Beacon's and Stone Steps; all are hidden diamonds, tucked
away at the bottom of steep staircases.
Fitness enthusiasts will get a great workout at Stone Steps Beach. These killer
stairs lead down from the bluffs to the ocean offer incredible views while you
huff and puff. At high tide the ocean beats at the bottom of the stairs, at low
tide, the beach is wide and sandy.
If you want to learn to surf, you can take a lesson or two from the one and only
Kahuna Bob, an icon in Leucadia - just Google Kahuna Bob. Dolphins and whales
are regularly seen. And it you look closely on a clear sunset, you will see the
"green flash" as the sun sets behind the Pacific Ocean.
Moonlight Beach is often called "the beach with everything" because it has
lifeguard towers, a children's playground, big parking lots, play areas,
fire-rings, showers, restrooms, beach rentals and a snack bar... and, of
course... a wide sandy beach!
Sunset at Moonlight Beach