At a glance
Encinitas in five facts
Median sale price
$2.05M
Downtown San Diego
About 25 miles, 30 minutes without traffic
Sorrento Valley
About 15 to 20 minutes without traffic
Train
Coaster station in downtown Encinitas
Schools
Encinitas Union and Cardiff elementary districts, San Dieguito Union for middle and high school
Median sale price is from Redfin, all home types, for the three months ending August 2026. Drive times are approximate.
Who it suits
Is Encinitas right for you?
Encinitas suits people who want to walk or bike to coffee, the beach and dinner, and who care more about character than square footage. Surfers, gardeners and people who never want to wear a tie again do well here.
What the homes are like
Housing is varied and mostly older. Expect beach cottages, mid-century ranch homes, custom rebuilds and a handful of newer developments. Lots are larger in Olivenhain and smaller near the coast. Many buyers plan a renovation.
A perfect Saturday in Encinitas
- Check the waves at Swami's, then coffee in Leucadia
- Lunch and a wander along Highway 101 downtown
- Sunset on the sand at Moonlight Beach
In our quiz, Encinitas is "The 101 Local".
Find my matchNeighborhoods
The parts of Encinitas to know
Encinitas neighborhoods
Where buyers look, and what each is like
- Leucadia
- The funkiest stretch of the 101. Eucalyptus-lined streets, older cottages and beach access at Beacon's and Grandview.
- Old Encinitas
- The historic downtown, Moonlight Beach and Swami's, with the highest walkability in the city.
- Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- A hillside village with ocean views, its own small school district and a famous reef break.
- New Encinitas
- Inland of the freeway, with 1970s to 1990s neighborhoods, shopping centers and a golf course.
- Olivenhain
- Semi-rural, with large lots, horse trails and dark night skies, ten minutes from the beach.
Before you buy
What surprises newcomers to Encinitas
- The rail line runs along the coast. Listen for trains when you tour homes west of the freeway.
- Many homes are older than they look in photos. Budget for inspections of sewer lines, roofs and foundations.
- Bluff-top homes come with erosion questions. We bring in a geologist's report early.
- Parking near the beach is tight in summer. A garage is worth more here than almost anywhere.
Buying here
How we help you buy in Encinitas
Andrew Luria and Jaime Chambers have reported on San Diego's neighborhoods for decades and know Encinitas well. We tour by video for out-of-town buyers, ask around about homes before they reach the public sites, and get inspection and insurance answers early.
Relocating? See the Moving to San Diego guide, buying at the top of the market, or practice the decisions in The Smart Move.
Encinitas, San Diego
Questions people ask about Encinitas
Is Encinitas a good place to live?
Encinitas is a favorite for buyers who want a walkable beach town with character. It has well-known surf breaks, a lively downtown on Highway 101, the San Diego Botanic Garden and well-regarded public schools.
How much does a home cost in Encinitas?
The median sale price in Encinitas was about $2.05 million for the three months ending August 2026, across all home types. Homes west of the freeway and with ocean views cost considerably more.
What are the neighborhoods of Encinitas?
Encinitas has five communities: Leucadia, Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, Olivenhain and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. The first, second and last are on the coast. New Encinitas and Olivenhain are inland.
Is Encinitas or Carlsbad better?
Neither is better, they are different. Encinitas is more compact and walkable with older homes and a stronger surf culture. Carlsbad is larger, with newer homes, more space and somewhat lower prices.
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