Encinitas, CA

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ENCINITAS (KGTV) — It was a brutal ending to a 10-year friendship.

“My very best friend, love of my life,” said Encinitas resident Carol Kelly.

Kelly's cat, Luke, often slept at his favorite spot near the window of their home. The window is usually closed, but it was especially hot on Saturday morning, so Kelly kept it open.

A coyote on the hunt took advantage of the opportunity, and Kelly said it jumped through the opening and dragged Luke away.

“I can't believe it because that’s a high window. That’s about eight feet," she said.

The coyote tore through the window screen to get to Luke. The attack broke the frame in half.

“The screen was in the middle of the street. The whole place was demolished because I guess there was a big fight," said Kelly.

The next day, Kelly's son found Luke’s remains a couple blocks away.

“Now, I'm afraid at night when I go to bed. I lock my door, make sure all the windows are closed," said Kelly.

This happened in the Park Encinitas Mobile Park. Neighbors say they’ve seen more coyotes this year than ever before.

“A lady stopped last week, she was out at 7 a.m. and there was four at the top of the street, four coyotes,” said Carl Walker, Kelly's neighbor.

Carl Walker said they created a neighborhood group chat to report sightings. Pet owners come prepared when taking their pets on walks.

“People have whistles, a few people have stun canes or whatever. I carry wasp spray if I'm out by myself,” Walker said.

But Kelly said nothing could have prevented her tragedy.

Encinitas, a coastal city in San Diego County, is known for its stunning beaches, relaxed lifestyle, and vibrant health and wellness scene. With a year-round Mediterranean climate, this SoCal gem offers residents and visitors endless opportunities for outdoor activities, healthy dining options, and a thriving wellness culture. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top benefits of living in Encinitas, from the best farmers' markets to scenic hiking trails, to inspire you to explore this hidden gem.

Farmers' Markets Galore

One of the best things about living in Encinitas is the abundance of farmers' markets. From the Leucadia Farmers Market on Sundays to the Encinitas Station Farmers Market on Wednesdays, residents can find fresh, locally-sourced produce, artisanal cheeses, organic meats, and much more. The farmers' markets also offer a variety of food trucks and live music, making for a fun and festive atmosphere. Some of the top vendors include Seabreeze Organic Farm, Gourmet Tamales, and Sunshine Alchemy.

Yoga, Surfing, and Outdoor Fitness

Encinitas is known as the yoga capital of the United States, with numerous yoga studios and outdoor classes available for all levels. Some of the top yoga studios include Yoga Six, Soul of Yoga, and Yoga Tropics. In addition to yoga, Encinitas is also famous for its world-class surfing spots, including Swami's Beach, Cardiff Reef, and Moonlight Beach. If you prefer land-based activities, there are plenty of outdoor fitness options, such as hiking the San Elijo Lagoon trails, biking along the coast, or joining a boot camp class at Encinitas Fit.

Healthy Dining Options

If you’re looking for healthy dining options, Encinitas won’t disappoint. From vegan cafes to gluten-free bakeries to farm-to-table restaurants, there’s something for everyone. Some of the top spots include Honey’s Bistro and Bakery, a cozy and rustic cafe that serves organic coffee and fresh-baked goods, and Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar, a vegetarian restaurant that offers a range of dishes from smoothie bowls to vegan burgers. Another must-try spot is Naked Cafe, a popular brunch spot that specializes in healthy and organic breakfast dishes.

Scenic Hiking Trails

Encinitas is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, which is home to over 700 species of plants and animals. The reserve offers several hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, with breathtaking views of the lagoon and ocean. Another popular hiking spot is the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail, a 3.1-mile loop that takes you through a variety of habitats, including salt marshes and coastal sage scrub. For a more challenging hike, head to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, which has over 11 miles of trails and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Encinitas Beach Culture

Encinitas is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California, each with its own unique charm. Moonlight Beach is a family-friendly spot with a playground, snack bar, and volleyball courts, while Swami's Beach is known for its world-class surf break and stunning cliffside views. Other must-visit beaches include Cardiff State Beach, which offers tide pools and a long stretch of sandy beach, and Beacon's Beach, a secluded spot that's popular with surfers and locals.

In conclusion, Encinitas offers a unique blend of coastal beauty, outdoor activities, healthy dining options, and wellness culture. Whether you’re a surfer, a yogi, a hiker, or a foodie, there’s something for everyone in this hidden gem.

Historical Bus Tour of Encinitas

Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Begins: 1883 School House, F & 4th Streets, Encinitas, CA

From Encinitas 101 Main Street Association:

"The Encinitas Preservation Association (EPA) will once again be hosting the historical bus tour on Saturday, August 12 from 10am – 1pm.

"The tour includes over 50 historical points of interest and scheduled stops at OIivenhain Town Hall, San Dieguito Heritage Museum and a drive through the old Ecke Poinsettia Farm.

"The highlight of the tour will be a rare opportunity to tour the historic Bumann Ranch which was homesteaded in 1886. This ranch has been carefully preserved and represents rural life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity to see a working ranch with many historic buildings. Three generations of the Bumann family have called this home for the past 125 years.

"The buildings and contents are totally original and unchanged. Of the many Encinitas homestead ranches that once dotted the back country, this is the only one to survive into the twenty first century.

"Each ticket supports the preservation of two of Encinitas’ most iconic historical buildings, the Boathouses. The EPA acquired the SS Moonlight and SS Encinitas in 2008 in order to maintain them and make sure they remain in place for future generations.

"Tickets are $50 at the iconic 1883 one room schoolhouse.

"They may be purchased through https://www.eventbrite.com/.../summer-encinitas-historic...

"The tour will depart from the 1883 School House at F ST and 4th St at 10am and return at 1pm.

"The 1883 School House will be open for viewing following the tour. Parking will be available at Pacific View."

MORE INFO & TICKET LINKS HERE

--Shutterstock image

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ENCINITAS, Calif. — A North County beach town has earned some bragging rights as the only city in California to make Forbes Advisor Magazine’s “Best Places to Travel in 2023” list.

The Encinitas Visitors Center said Thursday it’s proud to announce the city was one of the top 50 destinations the publication listed to help inspire readers’ travel lists for the present year.

The Forbes article states, “California summons thoughts of a sun-swathed swell and palm-flecked streets thronged by cool cafes and beautiful boutiques — and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Encinitas, a surfer’s haven just about 25 miles north of San Diego.”

Forbes’ also gave praise to Encinitas sandy beaches which bend along the Pacific West Coast.

“Grandview Beach is favored by board-toting wave hunters, while sunset seekers call Moonlight Beach home come dusk — neither of these sandy stretches, however, are spoiled by the crowds of California’s big city beaches,” the Forbes article noted.

Also noteworthy, the magazine complimented Encinitas for its dining options, particularly applauding Herb & Sea and the Fish Shop. The publication described the North County beach town as a “sophisticated seafood sanctuary.”

While highlighting Encinitas, Forbes also noted the “heap of hotels” for visitors who want to pay in travel perks like Hilton Honors points, Wyndam rewards or points earned at Hyatt hotels.

“We are thrilled to be included in Forbes ‘Best Places to Travel in 2023.’ We always knew our seaside gem was special — where better to sip, shop, surf, sun, stay, play and feed your soul than in Encinitas,” said Carol Knight, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center Director. “With our unique neighborhoods, laid-back vibe and jaw-droppingly beautiful and swimmable beaches, Encinitas captures the true essence of a Southern California vacation.”

Luckily for San Diegans, a top travel destination is right here at home. A calendar of events and a weekly blog on current and upcoming happenings in Encinitas can be found here.

Here are some other U.S. cities that made Forbes’ list:

-Chattanooga, Tenn.

-Athens, Ga.

-Colorado Springs, Colo.

-Hocking Hills, Ohio

-Kanab, Utah

-Marathon, Fla.

-Page, Ariz.

-St. Albans, W.Va.

Repairs to the Stonesteps Beach staircase have moved into the active construction phase, but it still will be weeks before the popular beach access point can possibly reopen to the public, the city reported last week.

Contractors were expected to finish shoring up the existing, winter storm-damaged staircase and getting the site ready for major construction activity late this week. Next comes “the demolition of the deck and beams,” a city news release announced Thursday.

“Once demolition is complete, the contractor anticipates the repairs will take approximately two weeks, pending the arrival of the (new) structural beams,” it continued.

Those beams, which had to be custom-made, are now in transit from Northern California, it added.

Located at the western end of South El Portal Street, the Stonesteps Beach staircase was damaged during severe weather in January. Engineers “red tagged” the staircase and closed it to public use after an inspection found the main support beam for the upper deck and the lower stairs was structurally unsafe and needed to be replaced.

The staircase is a two-part structure — the upper area has concrete steps, while the lower portion consists of a wooden staircase. The stairs connect the upper cliff bluff top with the sand some 70 feet below.

Initially, city officials had hoped to reopen the staircase earlier this spring, but then discovered the work was more involved than anticipated, city officials have said.

In addition to needing custom-made support beams, the project requires special timing considerations, City Manager Pamela Antil told the City Council. Some work needs to be done during low tide when the ocean is further away from the base of the staircase.

During the many-months-long closure, the city has been encouraging Stonesteps Beach users to go to Beacons or Moonlight Beach. For project updates, visit the city’s web site at: https://www.encinitasca.gov/home