Encinitas
Moonlight Beach -
This is a great family beach, with easy access, picnic tables, flat sand beach, large playground, restrooms, lifeguards.
Rent umbrellas, beach chairs, boogie and surboards, beach toys and towels to buy. Snack bar has cold drinks, ice cream sandwiches, shaved ice.
Perfect for boogie boarding and kite flying, dig your toes into the soft sand, relax and watch the waves roll in.
Learn to surf – If kids are going to learn to surf, Moonlight is a great beach for this. And also, kids will have fun watching experienced surfers out on the water.
San Diego Botanic Garden – San Diego Botanic Garden has 35 acres of plants, from a huge bamboo grove to a tropical rainforest, desert cactus and exotic plants from Africa and the Mediterranean.
Head over to the Hamilton Children's Garden, very popular with local families. Climb through a tree house, play music on wooden drums and marimbas, check out the edible garden (sugar cane, berries, beans), flowers for hummingbirds, butterflies, arts and crafts, plus picnic tables.
In summer are family nights, and the Garden of Lights in December.
