Live Like a Local in This Quirky and Secluded Surf Town
Just north of downtown Encinitas, Leucadia has garnered the reputation of a charming surf town with a tight-knit community and lots of local pride. Unlike some of the beach towns in North County, Leucadia has a more secluded feel that sets it apart. Over the past several years, however, it has evolved quite a bit, with tons of new restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops and breweries popping up. Although, despite all the newness, it has retained much of its original Leucadia quirkiness and old surf town vibe. Want a taste of that famous local pride? Here’s your full-day itinerary for a day in Leucadia.
8 a.m.
Rise and Shine at Coffee Coffee
Driving down the 101, you’ll see plenty of cute coffee shops along the little 2.5-mile strip that makes up Leucadia. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, but we like to start our day off with a latte from Coffee Coffee. This place has been around for over a decade, and they’ve got all your standard espresso drinks, incredible housemade chai and cold brew on tap. You’ll see plenty of locals sitting and enjoying chats over coffee or stopping for an espresso shot on their way to catch some waves.
10 a.m.
Watch the Surfers + Take a Stroll at Beacon’s Beach
Before all the shops and restaurants started popping up, there was always Beacon’s, and you can’t visit Leucadia without checking out this local surf spot. When you pull up to the lot, you’ll be right at the edge of a bluff overlooking miles of ocean and all the local surfers. You can pop a squat on a bench up top and get a bird’s-eye view of the swells or head down to the sand and take a long walk on the beach (and a steep hike back up).
Noon
Brunch at Atelier Manna
Even though it opened just a few years ago, Atelier Manna has been a town favorite ever since. If you’ve been to Jeun et Jolie, the Michelin-star French restaurant in Carlsbad Village, you know that Chef Andrew Bachelier knows what he’s doing. Atelier Manna is his latest passion project, where he uses locally sourced ingredients to create his masterpieces. If you’re popping in for brunch, you’ll want to try the coffee cajeta bread pudding, torrija (Spanish-style French toast) or scallop & grits—and maybe one of their vitality tonics, too.
1 p.m.
Explore the Leucadia Farmers Market (Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Something you should know about Leucadians is they love their farmers market (seriously, good luck finding parking). Locals know that if you ride your bike, you might be handed a “bike buck” on the way in to use for a discount at any of the stalls. Enjoy an afternoon wandering around tasting green juices, shopping for clothes and listening to live music. You could easily spend hours here browsing through over 100 local vendors (or just deciding what to eat). We know you just had brunch, but we hope you saved room for dessert!
2 p.m.
Shop at Thread Spun
Just next door to Atelier Manna, there’s a lovely little boutique called Thread Spun, which is perfect for post-brunch browsing. It’s a great place to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts or maybe even a new outfit for yourself (“Oh thanks, I got it at this super cute boutique in Leucadia!”). They sell a mix of home decor, skincare products, clothes and accessories, like stylish sun hats and genuine leather bags. Whether you’re swiping your card or just window shopping, you’ll appreciate how beautiful this place is. Warning: You might want to redecorate your house.
2:30 p.m.
Lunch at Hamburger Hut
Hungry again? Another local favorite is Leucadia’s famous Hamburger Hut. Right off the 101, you’ll see a cute little white building that looks like a house with red and white umbrellas out front. This place not only serves up the best burgers in town but also has a full bar with beer on tap and delicious handcrafted cocktails. You’ll likely see lots of sunkissed surfers coming straight from the beach to meet up with friends, hang out and stay a while. Let’s just say this isn’t your average fast-food joint.
3 p.m.
Embrace Plant Parenthood at Leucadia Floral
If you live close enough to take home a new leafy friend, you’ll be filling your backseat with monsteras and succulents after a visit to Leucadia Floral. The owner, Debi McCarver, is usually there, and she knows her plants better than anyone. She brings so much warmth and care into this little shop—you can tell it’s more than just a business to her. She sells fresh flowers, indoor and outdoor plants and locally made goods. Take some home or just stop by and smell the roses.
3 p.m.
Shop for Goodies at MRKT Space
It’s picnic time! Pop into MRKT Space where you’ll find shelves stocked with goodies, like bottles of wine, fancy cheeses, artisan snacks, fresh produce and baked goods. We recommend heading over to the cafe side too and trying one of their giant chocolate chip cookies (pro tip: ask them to heat it up for extra gooeyness). And if you need a lil caffeine boost, order the cinnamon honey latte.
3:30 p.m.
Enjoy a Picnic at Stonesteps Beach
You’ve seen Beacon’s, and now it’s time to saunter down to Stonesteps, another one of the neighborhood’s famous beaches. As the name suggests, you’ll walk down several steps to get there—but trust us, it’s worth the trek. When you reach the bottom, you’ll see a large stretch of sand perfect for picnicking. Compared to other beaches in the area, this one tends to be a bit less crowded, so if you brought your swimsuit, it’s a great spot for a dip. And if the tide is low, be sure to explore the tide pools!
4:30 p.m.
DIY Handbuilding at The Mudd House
Whether you’re an experienced potter or have only ever touched Play-Doh, there’s something for everyone at Mudd House. You can take lessons to learn the ropes or book unstructured wheel time if you already know your way around the wheel. The friendly staff will set you up outside to just play with some clay and make something awesome. In other words, you’ll get to focus on the easiest and most fun part of pottery! Your masterpiece will be glazed, fired and ready to go in a few weeks.
5:30 p.m.
Facial + Massage at Four Moons Spa
You’ve had a long day so far—all that brunching and shopping probably took a lot out of you. How about a facial and massage at Leucadia’s stunning Four Moons Spa? Walking into this wellness haven, you feel like you’re in Bali. There’s lush greenery everywhere, a beautiful koi pond, plush daybeds and bungalows. It’s so gorgeous that people actually get married here! Schedule yourself a spa treatment, sip some tea on a daybed in the courtyard, and make sure you stop by the boutique/apothecary before you head out.
7 p.m.
Dinner at Valentina
We’ve “visited” Bali; now, it’s time to head to Spain for dinner at Valentina. This bistro/wine bar has a charming ambiance, incredible food and a serious appreciation for vino. We suggest making a reservation so you’re sure to get a spot—people love to come here any night of the week. For the full experience, we recommend ordering a bunch of tapas, sharing some paella and pairing it all with a bottle of wine from their selection. If the weather’s nice, snag a spot on the patio for an alfresco feel and an extra dose of charm.
8:15 p.m.
Brews at Duck Foot Leucadia
No matter what time of day you walk past Duck Foot, you’ll always see people kicking back and knocking back a few cold ones. They have 20 of their unique beers on tap (with great names like the Kook Slams IPA and Drink This or the Bees Die). Locals love this Leucadia brewery for its central location and fun calendar of events. They often host bluegrass jams, trivia, taco nights, bingo and unique rotations of featured food trucks to enjoy with your brew. It’s the perfect place to end your perfect Leucadia day.
