Time to Zoom away from Zoom: Beach Hopping
Time to Zoom away from Zoom: Beach Hopping
Anna Valaik / Assistant A&C Editor
When anyone asks what I love most about San Diego, I say it’s the fact that San Diego has it all. Each neighborhood in the county has a unique aura to it, and I only discovered this by immersing myself within each and every part. North Park’s quirkiness, Ocean Beach’s strong surf culture, and Old Town’s liveliness breathe life into the city, and those places are only the tip of the iceberg.
With online Zoom classes comes a strong desire to get out of the house, out of where we work, and go play. When staring at a computer gets tiresome and pain inducing, here are a few places, day trips, and experiences that may be of value checking out. First stop in this series: Encinitas.
Beach hopping in Encinitas
Posting up at one beach, from sunrise to sunset, and just relaxing is a weekend tradition in San Diego, but beach hopping is definitely worth a try. Beach hopping gives people the opportunity to change up their scenery while enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at different places. Every beach has its own special shorebreak, crowd, and environment, which provides ample opportunities to play in the water, be awed by the surfers, and people watch. There is no better way to see all of Encinitas, the coziest beach town in San Diego county, than beach hopping.
A long day in the sun calls for an early wake-up call and some planning. With packed bags, full of the essentials—sunscreen, beach towel, water bottle, speaker, and snacks— prepare to have the most chill, vitamin-D filled day ever. The route to Encinitas is crucial, especially because it includes some of the best ocean views in San Diego. Driving up to Encinitas on Highway 101 is a must for its close proximity to the beach and to each neighborhood along the coast.
An early beach day calls for a morning caffeine fix, so Pannikin Coffee & Tea is a must. They have been serving Encinitas since 1968, so it is most definitely approved by the locals. Enter into their bright yellow storefront, grab a coffee or tea drink, and make sure to check out their large selection of baked goods. There’s nothing better than munching on a chocolate croissant while catching the sun’s rays.
With Pannikin in hand, it is time to go back down the coast; the first beach on the tour is Moonlight Beach, Encinitas’ main state beach. The large sandy area, volleyball courts, and public restrooms make it the perfect place to spread out and chill in the morning hours.
If you bring a speaker, here are some playlists that radiate bliss and stress-free vibes:
At noon, when the baked goods start wearing off and hunger takes over, it’s time to head to lunch. Not even a mile down from Moonlight Beach, right on Highway 101, there is a cafe that specializes in serving fresh, natural foods: Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar. Because it has a wide variety of food items, it’s perfect for every member of your beach crew. The Lotus Bowl and Acai Bowl are classics, but be sure to save room for one of their refreshing fruit smoothies. You can either dine in or takeout.
Bellies full, it’s time to head to the next beach: Swami’s. Swami’s, a surfer’s paradise, is one of most well known breaks in Southern California. Come here to check out the bluffs and watch surfers glide on crystal clear waters. The beach park is a great vantage point to watch, and it even has grassy areas to bring a picnic lunch, such as your Lotus Bowl or fruit smoothie. Also, in the fall starting around October, tide pools begin opening up because the tide changes and goes way out. During the fall and winter months, you can spot sea stars, mussels, and hermit crabs. Overall, Swami’s is the perfect spot to have a relaxing afternoon watching what Southern Californians do best: surf.
Lastly, a stop at Best Pizza & Brew in Cardiff is a must. Whether it be before or after the sunset, the atmosphere of the restaurant is the perfect way to end any beach day. Because it’s right on Highway 101 and has large, open windows, the sunset views are gorgeous, and even prettier when consuming some garlic knots and a slice. Choose from their classic pepperoni pizza or, if feeling a bit adventurous, their pesto goat cheese pizza does the trick. It’s the ideal way to end a busy, yet lazy day on the coastline.
It’s easy to get stuck in one neighborhood of San Diego, find some favorite restaurants, activities, and places, and never want to leave. Every part really is that special, but adventure is always around the corner in this city. Considering USD students live primarily on campus or down in Mission Beach, Encinitas often goes unnoticed. Even though it may be a quiet beach town, it’s worth the trip of the coast to discover its many hidden gems.