1. San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (760) 436-3944
Address: 2710 Manchester Avenue
Description: There are nearly 300 different species of birds that can be seen at this North County Coastal reserve. One Insider spotted egrets, blue herons, coots, and an array of ducks. This is one of the county’s best-preserved wetlands. The 900-acre reserve has more than 5 miles of walking trails that wind through chaparral and marshes. Depending on the season, you’ll see ferns and wildflowers.Docent-led nature walks are held every second Saturday of the month at no cost. The walks begin at 9:00 a.m. Call for starting points and routes.
2. Pacific Q Billiards Club
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (760) 943-9929
Address: 1454 Encinitas Boulevard
Description: Play pool on one of eight gorgeous tables for $3.00 to $6.00 per player per hour, with a table maximum making it more economical for four players. Domino’s Pizza delivers from next door, and the bar itself serves basic pub grub: chicken wings, fries, burgers, and so on. It’s an all-ages billiards room despite the fact that more than 30 brands of beer are served.
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 200 Saxony Road
4. Hansen’S Surf & Ski
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (800) 480-4754
Address: 1105 South Coast Highway 101
Description: Hansen’s is the place to go for all the fashion-conscious surf lines of clothing and water-sport accessories. That said, many Insiders think of Hansen’s as too touristy. They still come here, though, during sales and if they need something the other stores just don’t have. The store carries body boards, water skis, wet suits, new and used surfboards, and in-line skates, too. The store is about 2 blocks north from Swami’s (see our Beaches section in this chapter). If you want the surf report in Encinitas, you can call (760) 753-6221.
5. Longboard Grotto Surf Shop
City: Encinitas, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (760) 634-5250
Address: 978 North Coast Highway 101
Description: Want to browse and buy at a store that real surfers enjoy? Then Longboard Grotto is it. The store has been selling long boards and books, videos, and memorabilia on surfing and the sport since the 1980s.