Lisa's Travels

Posts Tagged ‘lodging’

Leucadia is an artsy beachside community within the picturesque South California beach community of Encinitas. At one time it was a mecca for surfers and hippies alike; remnants of the 1960′s era are still very much in evidence. Where else can you see tie-dye T-shirts, eclectic lawn art, cigar store Indians, hippie love beads and surfboard mailboxes?

Settled by English spiritualists in 1870, Leucadia was named after some Greek islands and its streets were named for mythological figures. You won’t find a Home Depot, McDonald’s or shopping mall in Leucadia, but you will still find some of the flower farms that made it the Poinsettia capitol of the world.

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.

Leucadia’s residents say that the best thing that ever happened to Leucadia was that nothing ever happened to it. Leucadia’s beaches are lost in the 1960s and are old neighborhood surf breaks where hundreds of Leucadian’s have been surfing for thirty or more years. There are four especially popular surf beaches – Moonlight, Grandview, Beacon’s and Stone Steps – all are hidden treasures.

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.

Surf lessons are given year around at Beacon’s Beach from the world-famous Kahuna Bob – a champion surfer and highly popular celebrity in Leucadia. You can see Bottlenose Dolphins and Gray Whales from the high-bluff beach entrances at Stone Steps, Grandview and Beacon’s Beaches. Look carefully to see the “green flash” (something most people have NEVER seen) as the sun dips behind the vast Pacific Ocean.

Moonlight Beach is often called “the beach with everything” because it has lifeguard towers, a children’s playground, big parking lots, play areas, fire-rings, showers, restrooms, beach rentals and a snack bar… and, of course… a wide sandy beach!

The author retired in 2008. He loves the ocean. His passion is photographing seabirds. He operates a small inn in Encinitas. Visit: Encinitas Inns or Encinitas B&B.

Carlsbad is a lovely, upscale beach-side community just north of San Diego in what locals refer to as North County, a community of quaint beach towns lined along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean.

The North San Diego beach communities include Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia and Carlsbad. Each community is blessed with magnificent ocean views and cooling sea breezes.

Legoland is a fun attraction for families when they are visiting Carlsbad – it’s a well thought out, colorful and a very agreeable theme parks for parents as well as children. The lines much shorter than those at Disneyland plus the atmosphere is quiet relaxed for a children’s theme park. Adults enjoy the lovely landscaping and appreciate the healthy caf with healthier menu items.

Carlsbad has phenomenal beaches. Carlsbad State Beach extends along the ocean from its southern boundary with Encinitas all the way to downtown Carlsbad. The beach is wide and sandy with walkways along the bluff tops for romantic sunset walks and people watching. A couple miles south is South Carlsbad State Beach (Ponto Beach) which is very popular with surfers. Ponto has a state campground on the bluffs overlooking the ocean.

A popular attraction is the Flower Fields, open in the spring from March through May where you can walk through acres of vibrantly colored fields of flowers along the Pacific Ocean.

Carlsbad hotels and inns are represented by all the big chains including the Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Motel 6, and Courtyard by Marriott. More information about Carlsbad hotels.

Many vacation time-share condos serve as Carlsbad resorts. Very pricey spa resorts are also in Carlsbad. The more upscale Carlsbad hotels and lodging accommodations are wonderful, albeit expensive.

A very prestigious and well-known upscale resort is La Costa Resort and Spa. The ambiance of this resort surrounds you from the moment you enter the gates. The grounds and facility are lovely and picturesque, the beauty and leisurely charm of Southern California enveloping you.

La Costa is rated among the best resorts in the United States by Cond Nast because it offers a world class spa, an extraordinary championship golf course, sophistication and unequalled personalized service.

Of all the Carlsbad Beach Inns the only one that is (1) quaint and (2) romantic with (3) views of the ocean for (4) under $160 a night is the Inn at Moonlight Beach. Closer to the ocean than other Carlsbad area bed and breakfasts, the Inn At Moonlight Beach features lovely ocean views with suites starting at $129.

Carlos Hunnefeld works for a travel company, globetrotting to every nook and cranny in search of new adventures and lovely places to stay. He is most partial to accommodations near the ocean. When asked where to stay in Carlsbad, Carlos will endorse a lovely Carlsbad Beach Bed and Breakfast or the most excellent San Diego Beach Hotel.