Encinitas, CA

The Self Realization Fellowship is an icon in the seaside town of Encinitas, California. People come from around the world to study yoga and mediation. The Fellowship sits on prime oceanfront land adjacent to the famous Swami's Beach, perhaps one of the most famous surfing beaches in Southern California.

Read more about the Self Realization Fellowship.

And a visit to the Meditation Gardens overlooking the ocean are, well, amazing.

A very successful and enjoyable second annual Brasil Jazz Festa was held last Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at the Encinitas Public Library in Encinitas California. 

While last year's Brasil Jezz Festa was a tribute to Brazilian composer and guitarist Chico Pinheiro, this year's offering was a more eclectic tribute to other Brazilian composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim. 

Local jazz artist Allison Tuckers Adams, who lives in Leucadia, and San Diego musician/flutist Louisa West co-founded the first festival, inspired by West's inspirational participation a couple of years ago in a Brazil jazz camp held annually in the Sonoma area for the last 11 years.  

Other local jazz musicians who participated included include pianist Danny Green; guitarist Jimmy Patton; bassists Grant Clarkson, Evona Wascinski (bass), Justin Grinnell (bass); guitarist and singer Andy Villas-Boas; and percussionists/drummers Enrique Platas, Mark Lamson and Ruben Mello. Three ensembles performed  during the 2 hour concert to the delight of the audience. 

Enjoy the video (it's 6 minutes).

These musicians started the event with an interesting percussion entrance - as they did last year.

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If I can provide more information about Encinitas and Leucadia real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler "The California Relocation Dude" Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Encinitas Juice Bar Fountain of Youth Juice WOWs Customers

The best Encinitas juice bar, from what I've been told by lots of folks, is Fountain of Youth Juice on El Camino Real near Encinitas Boulevard. I know a number of folks who stop in religiously for various fresh fruit and organic vegetable juices, their famous 3-day cleanse, the very popular WOW juice combination, or to grab one of their terrific sandwiches.

You can read more about Fountain of Youth Juice here. And visit their Facebook page. 

I had the opportunity to talk with owner Abdul a couple of days ago (he and his wife, Tania run the show with only a couple of employees) and thought I would share his thoughts about why Fountain of Youth Juice is so popular and what makes it special. 

It's all about family and being healthy. Find out why and how from Abdul himself.

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If I can provide more information about Encinitas real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler "The California Relocation Dude" Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Lots of people feel that Queen Eileen's is the best Encinitas gift shop around to look for gifts of all kinds in downtown Encinitas California.

A visit to this amazing store in the heart of Encinitas's shopping area near the beach will quickly show you why that's so.

READ MORE: Encinitas - An Eclectic Seaside Community

Queen Eileen's was established in 1989 by owner Eileen Burke, "Queenie," and the store has become somewhat of an institution among shoppers and Encinitas residents. Here's just a small sampling of what you can find at Queen Eileen's (take the virtual tour to see more):

• Jewelry from Bali
• Scarves
• Pajamas
• T-shirts (fun or serious, for all ages)
• Glassware (the martini and beer glasses are very popular)
• Holiday items - wonderful ornaments, decorations for Easter, etc
• Magnets - some are hilarious (the one we have says "I Took the Road Less Traveled, Now Where the Hell am I?").
• Gifts for all occasions - birthdays, retirement, weddings, get well, etc.

The list goes on and on and it is impossible to cover everything - you just have to visit!

A big selling item are the beautiful gift baskets which they will create for you, or you can pick what you want included in them. You can order these in the store, over the phone or on-line at the Queen Eileen's website. During the busy season they make as many as a hundred baskets a day.

And a huge part of her success is Queenie herself, and her friendly staff - Penny and Denise. You might not meet Rosario but she helps with making hundreds of gift baskets throughout the year (she and her husband own the popular Auggie's House of Crab in Leucadia which is a terrific casual seafood eatery for lunch and dinner).

Queen Eileen's also sponsors fun events - their Martini Fridays during the holiday season are very popular - bring a friend, have free martinis, and get discounts on your shopping (10% with 1 friend, 20% with 2 or more).

They also have pajama parties, and events for the guys too.

If you are attending the Encinitas Fall Street Fair this Sunday November 22, why not stop in - they'll be making fresh baked cookies all day.

Queen Eileen's is located at 548 S. Coast Highway just south of D Street.

Call them at 800.233.4386 (toll free) or 760.436.4845 (local).

Hours are 9 - 7 Monday through Saturday and 9:30 - 5 on Sundays.

You may already be a fan of the store, but you can become a Fan of Queen Eileen's on-line - visit their Facebook business page.

Enjoy the tour of Queen Eileen's. And check out my interview with Queenie herself.

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If I can provide more information about Encinitas real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler "The California Relocation Dude" Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

The annual Encinitas Fall Street Fair will be held this Sunday, November 22, 2009 in the downtown area from 9 until 4 pm. As we are getting closer to the holidays this is a terrific opportunity to get your holiday shopping done.

The Encinitas Fall Street is very popular, and as an annual event for two decades, folks have come to known that this festival is the place to be the weekend before Thanksgiving, just 3 blocks from the ocean in the heart of downtown.

The Encinitas Fall Street Fair is large, with over 450 vendors scattered along main street (the Coast Road/101) with arts, crafts, plenty of food. You can also visit the 200 or so shops along the route or dine in one of the 40+ restaurants between D and J Streets. They will have live music at The Lumberyard (the large shopping strip mall to the South) and at a Community Stage set up by F Street. My favorite local latin music band, Luna Llena, will be playing from 1:30 - 3:30.

The main road will close beginning at 6 but there is plenty of parking along the side streets as well as parking lots including the one at the Coaster Station just 1 block over from the Coast Road (why not take the train?).

To learn more, visit the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association 101 website. Or jus stop by on Sunday - I'll be there in the early PM before heading over to a Brazilian Jazz Concert (the second annual) at the Encinitas Public Library at 2:00.

READ MORE:

Encinitas - An Eclectic Seaside Town

Downtown Encinitas Dining and Shopping Extravaganza

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Subscribe in a reader

If I can provide more information about Encinitas real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler "The California Relocation Dude" Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits