Leucadia - Surfers' Beach Community in Encinitas, CA

Leucadia (virtual tour with music so turn up the sound and relax), on the north side of Encinitas, borders on Carlsbad, and for me is the most appealing area of this seaside town.

It bears many reminders of its surfing roots, yet at the same time is undergoing a renaissance of sorts, with many new and expensive homes for sale, disappearing nurseries, and more upscale dining and shopping. Yet, it retains much of the rustic, quaint seaside charm that has attracted so many residents and vacationers over the years, despite the move into the 21st century.

Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of San Diego, along the coast, and Leucadia is one of the 5 communities within town.

Leucadia was named after one of the Greek Isles by English spiritualists who settled in the area in the 1870s.

Leucadia is known for the many Eucalyptus trees that line the main road running north and south, the Coast Highway (a.k.a. historic Route 101) and along the railroad tracks that parallel the coastal route.

Leucadia is bordered on the north by the Batiquitos Lagoon, the east by the freeway and the west by, of course, the ocean. And Carlsbad is just around the corner.

There is much to appeal to visitors and residents alike in Leucadia. The main street is lined with surf shops, tattoo parlors, quaint old restaurants, charming newer eateries, and the typical amenities you so often see in seaside towns - rustic inns, liquor stores, donut shops, hair salons, a drug store, bike rental places, pizza shops,a few galleries, clothing stores, the 7-11 and so on.

The town is a popular vacation destination because of its beaches (Grandview, Beacon's), and there are many vacation rentals in the area, mixed in among larger homes, some smallish hotels, apartment buildings, a few trailer parks, the few nurseries that remain, and oceanfront luxury homes - some of the most expensive in the area.

Leucadia real estate covers a broad spectrum, apart from the vacation rentals, apartments, and trailer parks. You might be interested in a quaint beach cottage, sandwiched in between rental properties. Some of these are not much more than bungalows, while others have been expanded and upgraded.

Leucadia homes include a good number of condos in this area, across the coast highway from the beach as well as along the bluff overlooking the ocean.

Neptune Avenue runs along the top of the bluff from one end of Encinitas through Leucadia and offers a diversity of housing, most of which is very pricey (in excess of $2 million to about $7 million).

You will find rustic cottages next to $6 million dollar contemporary homes, all with spectacular ocean views, and a number of properties are being completely remodeled at a significant price tag.

Slightly inland you will find several new subdivisions with homes starting in the low $1 millions - one features Caribbean style colonials while another is more reminiscent of Nantucket in New England (and indeed, carries that name).

Interestingly there are still nurseries sprinkled throughout Leucadia, in and around more upscale housing, although these seem to be disappearing.

You will be hard pressed to find a detached home for sale in this area for under $700K and not much under $800K, and you can easily spend $2 - $7 million for a bluff top home above the ocean.

Unlike Encinitas Ranch, Leucadia homes exhibit a very broad range of styles - one surely must call it eclectic - and many of the older homes defy classification as to a particular style; on many of the streets you will find a host of styles and types of housing all chockablock down the road.

So what is there to do in Leucadia?

Well, there are the beaches, and the beaches (Beacon's, Grandview, and Stone Steps being the best known for surfing). Walking, sunning, sunset watching and surfing are probably the most popular activities in the area. You can even learn to surf at the Leucadia Surf School. You will see a good number of bicyclists as well.

Other than the few small shops and restaurants (le Papagayo is terrific and offers live jazz, blue, rock, and latin), the town is really a beach town...and people like it just as it is. But the main drag in Encinitas proper is just down the street, with more than 50 restaurants, lots of shopping, movie theatres and more to keep you busy. There is a good farmer's market every Sunday in Leucadia at thh elementary School on Vulcan Avenue offering local produce, and wares from a variety of artisans.

Some folks simply like to drive around and explore all the town has to offer, head north to the Carlsbad State Beaches, or gather along the Leucadia beaches or atop the bluff to enjoy the sunsets and the surfers.

The Leucadia 101 Main Street Association has lots more information on the revitalization efforts in the area along the 101 and will give you a good feel for the local color of the community and the pride its residents and business owners have for preserving the community while sustaining its growth. Nearby you will find the Quail Botanical Gardens and the Self Realization Center. There is also a large artists colony; the town had its second art walk last August.

The school district is San Dieguito Union School District which services students from Encinitas (including Leucadia), as well as Solana Beach and Del Mar, and some nearby unincorporated area. There are 9 elementary schools in the area along with several private schools.

If living in a charming yet rustic beach town brimming with an obvious surfing culture, providing easy access to the larger cities of San Diego and Los Angeles, with a diversity of housing styles and prices, Leucadia may be just your ticket. Be sure to bring your surf board!

Don't hesitate to ask if I can provide more information.

If you are considering a relocation to the area, visit Relocation A to Z for all you need to know about making a big move.

And First Time Buyer Central offers a wealth of information for new buyers.