Leucadia is an eclectic little community on the Pacific Ocean. It once was a mecca for hippies and surfers - remnants of those 1960s days can be seen throughout this north San Diego community. Here you will find palm trees, wooden cigar store Indians, tie-dyed T-shirts and blue jeans, barefoot kids playing in the streets, funky lawn art and glowing beads.
Leucadia was settled by English spiritualists in 1870 and named islands in Greece. Many of its streets are named after Greek mythological figures. Once primarily agricultural (the Poinsettia Capitol Of The World) many of the former flower-growing businesses are now gone.
Leucadia is home to Italian restaurants, funky shops, yoga studios, palm readers and cool art galleries. Local hangouts include Pannikin Coffee & Tea, a former 1880s train station much favored by the arts crowd; world-famous Lou's Records housing an enormous collection of new and used CDs and records; and Karina's Taco Shop, home of the best Shrimp Burritos on earth.
Talk to any Leucadian and he will tell you that the best thing that ever happened to Leucadia is that nothing ever happened to it. Leucadia's beaches are seemingly forever locked in time in the 1960s - they're neighborhood surf breaks that have been surfed for more than 50 years. Four very popular surf spots are Moonlight, Grandview, Beacon's and Stone Steps; all are hidden diamonds, tucked away at the bottom of steep staircases.
Fitness enthusiasts will get a great workout at Stone Steps Beach. These killer stairs lead down from the bluffs to the ocean offer incredible views while you huff and puff. At high tide the ocean beats at the bottom of the stairs, at low tide, the beach is wide and sandy.
You can learn to surf by taking a class at Beacon's Beach from world-famous Kahuna Bob, a Leucadian celebrity. Dolphins and whales are regularly seen, especially from the "high-bluff" beach entrances at Stone Steps and Beacon's. If you're lucky, you'll see the famous "green flash" as the sun takes its final dip into the vast Pacific Ocean.
Moonlight Beach is a Leucadian treasure - often called "the beach with everything" because it has lifeguard stations all year long, a big new playground for children, multiple spacious parking lots, fire-rings, restrooms with clean showers, beach rentals and a wide sandy beach.
Leucadia was settled by English spiritualists in 1870 and named islands in Greece. Many of its streets are named after Greek mythological figures. Once primarily agricultural (the Poinsettia Capitol Of The World) many of the former flower-growing businesses are now gone.
Leucadia is home to Italian restaurants, funky shops, yoga studios, palm readers and cool art galleries. Local hangouts include Pannikin Coffee & Tea, a former 1880s train station much favored by the arts crowd; world-famous Lou's Records housing an enormous collection of new and used CDs and records; and Karina's Taco Shop, home of the best Shrimp Burritos on earth.
Talk to any Leucadian and he will tell you that the best thing that ever happened to Leucadia is that nothing ever happened to it. Leucadia's beaches are seemingly forever locked in time in the 1960s - they're neighborhood surf breaks that have been surfed for more than 50 years. Four very popular surf spots are Moonlight, Grandview, Beacon's and Stone Steps; all are hidden diamonds, tucked away at the bottom of steep staircases.
Fitness enthusiasts will get a great workout at Stone Steps Beach. These killer stairs lead down from the bluffs to the ocean offer incredible views while you huff and puff. At high tide the ocean beats at the bottom of the stairs, at low tide, the beach is wide and sandy.
You can learn to surf by taking a class at Beacon's Beach from world-famous Kahuna Bob, a Leucadian celebrity. Dolphins and whales are regularly seen, especially from the "high-bluff" beach entrances at Stone Steps and Beacon's. If you're lucky, you'll see the famous "green flash" as the sun takes its final dip into the vast Pacific Ocean.
Moonlight Beach is a Leucadian treasure - often called "the beach with everything" because it has lifeguard stations all year long, a big new playground for children, multiple spacious parking lots, fire-rings, restrooms with clean showers, beach rentals and a wide sandy beach.
About the Author:
Adventure and travel interest the author. He spends months each year at sea. His passion is photographing seabirds. He operates a small inn near San Diego. Visit: Encinitas Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts in Encinitas.
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