San Diego’s town of Encinitas has more than six miles of lovely beaches. Whether its swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, reading books, running, jogging, playing volley ball or just loafing in the sun, Encinitas really does have it all.

If you’re into fitness, you’ll get a great workout at Stone Steps Beach. The author ran these stairs 5 times every morning when visiting and was in the best shape of his life. These awesome leg-building stairs lead down from the bluffs to the ocean offer fantastic views to enjoy while you work out. At high tide the ocean laps the bottom of the stairs, at low tide, the beach is up to 300 feet wide with lots of room for volleyball.

Swami’s Surf Beach, made famous in California’s own Beach Boys Surfin USA, is only six blocks south of Moonlight Beach, either walking the beach or driving down old Highway 101. Swami’s draws the finest surfers in the world every day. You can often see people scuba diving and snorkeling just offshore from Swamis at the Encinitas Marine Life Refuge, an underwater preserve.

Moonlight Beach is a only a four minute walk from a wonderful little Bed and Breakfast Inn called the Inn at Moonlight Beach. Stone Steps Beach, Beacon’s and Grandview surfing and bathing beaches are north of Moonlight Beach, all within walking distance or a brief drive up Neptune Avenue.

Anyone can learn to surf by taking surfing classes with world-famous Kahuna Bob, an icon in Encinitas. You can find him by Googling Kahuna Bob Surfing.

Moonlight Beach is my favorite beach in Encinitas because it has lifeguards, a big playground, easy-to-use parking lots, safe play areas for the kids, fire-rings (popular year-round), showers, clean restrooms, extensive beach rentals, a snack bar and, one of the best sandy beaches in all of Southern California.

Here are two links with accommodation information for when you visit the Carlsbad, San Diego or Encinitas area: Carlsbad B…Bs and Hotels in Del Mar.

Terry Hunefeld moved to Encinitas in 1998. After taking early retirement as President/CEO of a national training company in San Diego, Terry now pursues his life’s passion of sailing the Pacific Ocean observing seabirds and marine mammals. Terry recommends you visit: Bed and Breakfast in Cardiff or Encinitas California Hotels.