| Leucadia is located on Coast
Highway 101 on the north San Diego County coast. Heading south out
of Carlsbad, the signs are everywhere, announcing your arrival to
this old-fashioned beach town that ranks as the top beach community
on the California coast for surfing. If the large surfboard sign
that says, "Welcome to LEUCADIA", and attached smaller surfboard
that states: "A community of Encinitas", aren't a clue, keep driving
just a block or two. Flagpole banners tell you about it, and a road
marker points to the beach...you just have to go there!
Californiabeaches.com declared
Leucadia the best old-fashioned beach town in California. The city
begins with a grove of eucalyptus trees that line the street where
traffic lanes are divided and a train track runs right down the
middle of the road. Train passenger service to downtown San Diego
goes all day long, but more often you'll see groups of bicyclist
speeding by in their colorful garb along the thoroughfare. Leucadia,
like San Diego, is an outdoor mecca. The finest weather in the
United States offers many opportunities to stay fit.
What stands out in Leucadia's
unique lifestyle is the abundance of sports activities, and a clear
focus on surfing. Although cities to the north declare themselves
the best surfing spots, the locals in Leucadia simply scoff. "Just
look out at the set of waves," one surfer told us. "They speak for
themselves."
Leucadia lives and breathes
surfing and as such, outranks the other spots for its per capita
participation in the sport, and its no-apologies approach to
protecting the rights of surfers. From the generous beach hours
(open from 4 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily), to the carved, wooden surf signs
with cool designs, head for your nearest beach to discover just how
big surfing is. First stop: Grandview Beach on the north side of
town. From 101, just look for a sign that says Beach Access and
follow it up the hill to the parking lot tucked in a neighborhood of
expensive homes. If you don't see a surfer somewhere, you probably
aren't at Grandview Beach. Park the car and head over to the
palm-lined steps that descend to the beach. "This is our stairway to
paradise," a surfer told me.
Looking out from a perch on
the steps of scenic Grandview Beach, you can
clearly see surfers in a row, catching multiple sets of waves. If you stand on
the stairway to watch, you'll most likely experience the rush of
surfers with boards supported on their heads, going up and down the
steps. This serious stuff, you'll find out, if you don't politely
step aside. While the surfers I met were polite, most seemed
singularly focused on getting in and getting out. Surfing wasn't
about socializing, but about living.
As one
of 4 communities within the City of Encinitas incorporated together in
1986, Leucadia's surfing charm should be part of you 101 journey, but do stop to
eat at the restaurants along the highway. Outdoor cafes and tables
allow you to dine and people watch, then shop a little at the cute
boutiques or sports stores. You can even combine your beverage with
your sports activities in a shop that sells coffee drinks and bikes!
While we bragged about its charm, Leucadia
has definitely changed in the past several years. The post office, local markets
and small hotels are still there, but many new shops and restaurants have been
introduced, replacing businesses that once included services such as tax
preparation, for instance. Fortunately, the stores and restaurants moving in
retain the flavor of old-fashioned.
Founded in 1885 by
British immigrants, Leucadia means "sheltered paradise" and aptly describes
this unique area of 6,250 residents. A mix of agriculture (the flower industry thrives here),
residential and a few shops make this a highly desirable spot for those
seeking a less hectic pace than California's second largest city, San Diego,
with its over 1 million people. That's not to say that Leucadians
are removed from city life. Many commute daily to jobs in San Diego
which can take half an hour or so to get to. There is a train which
conveniently passes through town and is bound for San Diego and Los Angeles. Leucadia State Beach is a small, rocky beach 11
acres in size and is fully utilized for swimming, surfing, fishing and
picnicking. The beach access is via an improved trail at the foot of Leucadia
Boulevard. On the maps, it's “Leucadia State Beach,” but locals
and surfers know it as Beacon's.
Location-Directions: The park is located north of San Diego,
west of I-5, at Neptune in Encinitas. State Parks Management District:
San Diego Coast, Telephone: 619-642-4200 Operating Hours: dawn to
sunset. Call the park to confirm. Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing:
summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing
is advised.
Encinitas Chamber; 345-H First Street, Encinitas, CA
92024 760-753-6041
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