Leucadia is an eclectic little community on the Pacific Ocean. 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 can get a daily workout at Stone Steps Beach where a 97 step staircase lead down from the bluff top to the sandy beach; all along the workout you have phenomenal views of the ocean while you get fit. When it's high tide, the ocean comes right to the stairs - at low tide the beach is sandy and wide.
Surf lessons are given year around at Beacon's Beach from the world-famous Kahuna Bob - a champion surfer and highly popular celebrity in Leucadia. You can see Bottlenose Dolphins and Gray Whales from the high-bluff beach entrances at Stone Steps, Grandview and Beacon's Beaches. Look carefully to see the "green flash" (something most people have NEVER seen) as the sun dips behind the vast Pacific Ocean.
Moonlight Beach is a Leucadian treasure - often called "the beach with everything" because it has lifeguard stations all year long, a big new playground for children, multiple spacious parking lots, fire-rings, restrooms with clean showers, beach rentals and a wide sandy beach.
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 can get a daily workout at Stone Steps Beach where a 97 step staircase lead down from the bluff top to the sandy beach; all along the workout you have phenomenal views of the ocean while you get fit. When it's high tide, the ocean comes right to the stairs - at low tide the beach is sandy and wide.
Surf lessons are given year around at Beacon's Beach from the world-famous Kahuna Bob - a champion surfer and highly popular celebrity in Leucadia. You can see Bottlenose Dolphins and Gray Whales from the high-bluff beach entrances at Stone Steps, Grandview and Beacon's Beaches. Look carefully to see the "green flash" (something most people have NEVER seen) as the sun dips behind the vast Pacific Ocean.
Moonlight Beach is a Leucadian treasure - often called "the beach with everything" because it has lifeguard stations all year long, a big new playground for children, multiple spacious parking lots, fire-rings, restrooms with clean showers, beach rentals and a wide sandy beach.
About the Author:
The author retired in 2008. He loves the ocean. His special interest is marine animals. He operates a small inn in Encinitas. Visit: Encinitas Hotels or Encinitas B&B.
