Encinitas, California


Encinitas is a beach city in the North County area of San Diego County, California. Located within Southern California, it is approximately north of San Diego, between Solana Beach and Carlsbad, and about south of Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 59,518, up from 58,014 at the 2000 census.

History

The first people to live in Encinitas were Indians called the San Dieguitos, the La Jollans, and the Dieguenos. Gaspar de Portolá, governor of Baja California, was who led the very first expedition to Encinitas in 1669. The town was settled in 1881 by Jabez Pitcher who is considered the founding father of Encinitas.
The city was incorporated by 69.3% of the voters in 1986 from the communities of historic Encinitas, new Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Olivenhain. The communities retain their identities and distinctive flavors.
Encinitas is a Spanish name meaning "little oaks".

Communities

Encinitas can be divided into five areas:
Encinitas lies on rugged coastal terrace. The city is bisected by a low-lying coastal ridge that separates New and Old Encinitas. In the north of the city, the coast rises in elevation and the land is raised up in the form of many coastal bluffs. These cliffs are subject to collapsing on the narrow beach. The city is surrounded by Batiquitos Lagoon and San Elijo Lagoon to the north and south, respectively.
Encinitas is located at. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of. of it is land and of it is water. The city's elevation ranges between sea level and above sea level.

Climate

Encinitas has a very mild, Mediterranean climate. Average daily high temperature is. Temperatures below and above are rare. Average rainfall is about per year. The wet season lasts during the winter and spring, when temperatures are usually cool. Average daytime temperatures hit 65 °F in winter and spring, when rain and marine layer are common. Nighttime lows range from 45-55 °F. The dry season lasts from summer through fall, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 75-85 °F, and nighttime lows being from the upper 50s–60s°F. Ocean water temperatures average 60 °F in winter, 64 °F in spring, 70 °F in summer, and 66 °F in fall. In winter, strong Pacific storms can bring heavy rain. During the winter of 2015–2016, the area saw rounds of severe thunderstorms.

Demographics

2010

At the 2010 census Encinitas had a population of 59,518. The population density was 2,977.5 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Encinitas was 51,067 White, 361 African American, 301 Native American, 2,323 Asian, 91 Pacific Islander, 3,339 from other races, and 2,036 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8,138 persons.
The census reported that 58,990 people lived in households, 123 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 405 were institutionalized.
There were 24,082 households, 6,997 had children under the age of 18 living in them, 12,113 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,950 had a female householder with no husband present, 981 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,359 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 169 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,303 households were one person and 2,118 had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45. There were 15,044 families ; the average family size was 2.98.
The age distribution was 12,285 people under the age of 18, 3,767 people aged 18 to 24, 16,584 people aged 25 to 44, 19,239 people aged 45 to 64, and 7,643 people who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males. Females comprise the majority of Encinitas' population at 50.5% as of April 2010.
There were 25,740 housing units at an average density of 1,287.7 per square mile, of the occupied units 15,187 were owner-occupied and 8,895 were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 39,101 people lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,889 people lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 58,014 people in 22,830 households, including 14,291 families, in the city. The population density was 3,035.6 inhabitants per square mile. There were 23,843 housing units at an average density of 1,247.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 86.60% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 3.10% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 6.28% from other races, and 2.85% from two or more races. 14.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 22,830 households 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 25.7% of households were one person and 6.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06.
The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.
The median household income was $63,954 and the median family income was $78,104. Males had a median income of $51,132 versus $38,606 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,336. About 3.8% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Encinitas Ballet. Encinitas Ballet is a classical ballet studio in Encinitas. It was established in 2008 by Sayat Asatryan, former principal dancer of the Kremlin Ballet Theatre, and Olga Tchekachova, former soloist of the Mariinsky Ballet II.

Regular events

In 2011 Mark Patterson and Robert Nichols illegally installed a mosaic of a surfing Virgin de Guadalupe on the north concrete support wall of the train bridge on Encinitas Boulevard, leading to a battle over whether it should be removed or preserved. It was named "the Surfing Madonna" by the media and public.

Museums and other points of interest

The , San Dieguito Heritage Museum, and are located in Encinitas. Other points of interest include the San Diego Botanic Garden, Self-Realization Fellowship temple and Hermitage, as well as the gardens which are routinely open to the public, the historic La Paloma Theater, Moonlight Beach, and one of California's classic downtown areas along historic Coast Highway 101. Surfing is a popular activity in Encinitas, particularly at Swami's, which is rated in the top 5 surf locations in the world, and is mentioned in a verse of The Beach Boys' song "Surfin' U.S.A." A bronze statue "Humanity" was installed at J Street Overview in 2018. Sculptress is Maidy Morhous. Donors are Sue & Jay Vicory. Manchester Reserve is great for nature walk and light hiking.

Cardiff Kook - Magic Carpet Ride

The Magic Carpet Ride, or more affectionately known by Encinitas locals as the Cardiff Kook, is a 16 ft bronze statue located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, in the city of Encinitas. The San Diego Architectural Foundation, in its annual "Orchids & Onions" awards for the best and worst architecture of the year, awarded the Kook an Onion in 2007. The nickname comes from a derogatory surfer slang term for a "wannabe" surfer, as surfers in the area realized that the statue's form whilst "surfing" was far from correct. However, the Kook has become a local favorite in the city and has many wonderful traditions associated with it. At various times during the year, the Kook is "vandalized" and dressed up bringing local flair and tourists constantly to the statue.

Economy

Since 1982, the Encinitas 101 Main Street Association has helped keep downtown Encinitas economically viable yet historic and beachy. Downtown Encinitas is vibrant and full of thriving local salons, restaurants, shops, bars, and art galleries.

Transportation

trains stop at Encinitas station multiple times a day, 7 days a week with service from Oceanside to San Diego. Between 2013 and 2017, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner also stopped here, but discontinued this stop due to low ridership.

Government

Local government

The city is currently governed by a five-member city council, elected at-large to staggered four-year terms at two-year intervals, with a mayor chosen by, and from, the city council members.
In elections held in November 2012, Encinitas voted yes on ballot measures to allow them to directly elect its mayor, with term lengths of two years, rather than the mayor being chosen by members of the city council, for one year terms. The first such direct election for mayor took place in 2014.
The city has been repeatedly sued over policies which are allegedly aimed at undermining state affordable housing laws.

State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Encinitas is in, and in.
In the United States House of Representatives, Encinitas is in California's 49th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +4 and is represented by.

Education

School districts