We enjoyed the gardens with what little time we had. We, unknowingly, purchased tickets 1 hour before closing. We would have appreciated a warning from the associate that we had 1 hour left. We should have done our research, but this was an impromptu visit. Surprisingly, tickets are full price whether you have all day or 1 hour. We will possibly visit again, with plenty of time to enjoy the whole gardens.

Another fun weekend activity with our son during our San Diego visit! The San Diego Botanical Garden may be small, but it’s packed with plants from all over the world. We especially enjoyed the South African section — very unique species you don’t see every day — and the fun “plant mariachi band” in the Mexican garden made us smile. They even had a magic show for the kids, which was a nice surprise. For those who love gardening, there are plants available for sale too. The bamboo garden was another highlight — really interesting to see how different types of bamboo grow. Overall, a cool and relaxing visit surrounded by nature.

Amazing gardens situated not far from the coast. You can see the Pacific from an observation tower at the back of the gardens. These gardens are not as big as the Golden State Park gardens but the San Diego Botanic Garden has a large variety of ecospaces packed into it. The bamboo forest is amazing. Make sure you go through it. The plants attract a variety of animals including monarchs in the butterfly garden. The hummingbirds are found throughout, and the pond is a delightful place to see water plants and turtles. Some of the garden's standouts are olive trees, cork trees, and an artistic Mexican fiesta garden.

I expected so more from a botanical garden. It's in desperate need of a face lift. Half of the plants didn't have signs letting you know what they were. And the signs they do have are faded, tiny and really hard to read. It seems like there is a serious lack of plant maintenance. There were some really beautiful areas though, like the lily pond. And it was a nice place for a peaceful morning stroll. Be advised they do not accept cash, only credit cards.

In all of my time in San Diego this was my first time to visit the Botanical Gardens. The Light Scape Walk was well worth the time. On my next visit I have to try to make time to visit during the day.

Calling all the plant lovers! this is a really cool spot! Way bigger than I expected and super relaxing to walk through. The bamboo garden was definitely my favorite — super peaceful and felt like its own little world. The rainforest section was awesome too, with all the greenery and little paths winding through it. Perfect place to just stroll and chill for a bit. Would totally go back.

An awesome array of plants to see. Unfortunately many of the signs seem to have been removed from the children's areas. Additionally, the layout and map were rather confusing. Thankfully they have printed maps at major intersections with ideolocators (the 'you are here' mark)

The garden is out of someone’s imagination. It does not feel real. It’s like the Elysian Fields. The ocean and views are dramatic. People flock here. They don’t let you see the sunsets or they would never be able to empty the garden. It always gets overcrowded. It’s beyond beautiful as the garden and ocean meet.

Clean, beautiful, and cozy. Yes, there are always visitors here, but it doesn’t prevent you from being alone with yourself. You can stroll along the well-kept paths among flowers and trees or find a modest bench and enjoy some solitude. Part of the park overlooks the ocean, offering magnificent views and fresh sea air. When I was there, I noticed an unhealthy-looking foam on the surface of the koi pond. I hope the fish are not in danger. I will definitely come back.

The Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens in Encinitas are absolutely stunning. The gardens are peaceful, beautifully maintained, and offer incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place to slow down, reflect, and enjoy a quiet moment away from the busyness of life. The pathways, koi ponds, and flowers all add to the serene atmosphere. A true hidden gem that feels almost magical—highly recommend stopping by.

There is a large two door fenced gate open with a donation to see this must see fellowship garden. Being there feels amazing and meditation scenery is available all around. It is the most lively garden I have ever seen.

Such a beautiful gem! Beautiful gardens. I wish it had a quiet rule. I wanted to meditate uninterrupted but there were a few loud visitors.

Been wanting to go to this place for a long time, but just never have time to go there. So finally decided to go there today. It not as big as it seems on video clip everyone see, but it very peaceful n very nice to go and just wondering around to get rid of stress. Glad I went here. So go, you will not regret it. Just make sure you don't speak too loud and leave your phone volume very high...

This is such a gem in the San Diego county. Peaceful with sound of ocean, bird singing and running water in the fish pond. Blooming flowers with pollinators. Respectful of this nature beauty and the peace it brings to the community.

This is our favorite beach in Encinitas. We like it because it's small and romantic at sunset. There are a lot of surfers here and it's fun to watch them. The Easter Island statues are cool and the view from the parking area overlooking the beach is amazing. The steps down to the beach are steep but the view of the reef break is worth it. The sand on the beach is firm so it's nice to walk on. Depending on the tide you can walk to the Boneyard for more cool views. The parking area and facilities are always maintained and very clean every time we come here to walk. It's a small parking area, but there is plenty of parking in the street area with a scenic walk. If you're here in Encinitas just visiting, you should definitely make this a stop.

Lovely little getaway beach. Visited on a Wednesday around noon and although the parking lot was full (and small) there were a lot of parking spots available on the street. Free and no time limit. The staircase down to the beach is long, but lots of surfers and people of all ages get up and down just fine. A blanket of clouds lasted a few hours before the sun finally came out around 2:30pm. Pretty seashells are found along the coastline but there are signs prohibiting the removal of shells or sea creatures from the beach. Heard there were tide pools but we arrived too late in the day to see them. Compared to other SD beaches I’ve visited, Swami’s wasn’t nearly as crowded. We had such a calm, peaceful beach day! Even spotted some dolphins and seals in the water. The bathrooms were clean and well-maintainer which was nice. Lots of good food spots nearby too. Highly recommend checking it out!

Swami's Beach is so nice anytime of year! Small parking lot but plenty of street parking. Take the stairs down to the beach when the tide is low. There are some nice tide pools along the cliffs that are full of sea creatures. There are restrooms here and you don't have to pay to park.

Beautiful beach with panoramic view of the ocean and perfect spot for watching surfers and sunsets. The beaches dotted along Encinitas are some of the best. Parking lot at Swami is small but there’s road side parking along hwy 101. Beach is only accessible by stairs.

Such a lovely beach with a stairway to the tidepools. The best time to see it is couple hours before 6:30pm sunset and to see the tides.

Great place to be, lots of cool rocks and wildlife, clean sand and people jogging.

Beautiful Beach I Highly Recommend It...Not Too Crowded...Calm Over All...Loved It

Good beach and beach park with lifeguards. Beach also has volleyball area and snack bar. Parking is above beach on lot. D street surf break is just south of Moonlight and favored by locals. Benches above beach in parking lot are a good place to watch the waves…4:20 is a prime time.

One of the besr beaches in California. Lots of parking and easy to get to. Well maintained and very clean. The public restroom is perfectly locat d steps from the beach and park. There's a snack bar too! Endless sand and space for people to enjoy. One of my favorite beaches. Definitely worth the visit. Be back soon.

Moonlight beach is a beautiful beach in Encinitas CA. While on vacation we came here for an afternoon on a weekday. It was rather crowded and finding parking was time consuming but worth the effort.

I really enjoyed visiting this beach! It was clean, spacious, and had a friendly atmosphere. The location is super convenient just a short walk to plenty of food spots and shopping areas. It’s the perfect place to relax or hang out with friends and family. I think I’ve found my new go to beach.

Moonlight Beach is a Beautiful beach. Free parking. Amazing place

Free parking, lifeguards a plenty, outside showers, snack bar and grill, rentals, BBQ, and a playground! And the biggest plus!? No rocks, just sand, seaweed, good waves and sand crabs! Best beach all around! Yes, it's very crowded at times, especially when all the local camps and junior lifeguards are there during the summer, but Moonlight Beach is worth it!

It's Moonlight in Encinitas. That's all you need to know. Local and tourist favorite. New amenities - well kept - showers, volley ball courts. Bathrooms are OK. Beach isn't as soft as say Coronado or Mission Beach and not as flat so walking is harder but it's better surf. Pretty crowded as it's not a big beach.

I love this theater. They show classic movies and it brings back such a sense of early 2000s nostalgia. I came here to see the Phantom Menace and attack of the clones five stars for being able to choose our own seat, great customer service, and great quality concessions.

Crazed Imaginations was in fine form on Halloween and we had a blast at their sold out show!

Cash only. Admission is $12, but the candy and popcorn is all $5, which is overpriced in my opinion. Seats were uncomfortable and the overall theater is poorly maintained. Has a lot of potential to bring new indie films to the area, but instead choose only cult classics. Which is fine, but personally it could have a more impact on the community by having events and showings.

Perfect novelty. A lovely treasure for San Diego history and film lovers. Also the perfect place to watch David Lynch’s Eraserhead. A worn theater but still so nice.

Wonderful historic theater in downtown Encinitas! Fun venue hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show on the 2nd & 4th Fridays at midnight🎭😎 👄

as history buffs and movie lovers, this was a highlight of our trip to the area. beautiful place and we enjoyed our time there. it is cash only and you can feel the history in the place (seats are old, place is a bit dark) but still highly recommend!

Watch " On Sacred Ground" Documentary about the oil pipe being built throughout private lands and the mistreatment of the Native American Tribes. Felt like I went back in time while I was seated in the theater. While looking to the ceiling, admiring all the artwork.

Best authentic Mexican food! The tacos are always delicious, and the churros are made fresh, they’re absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is very lively and happy, making it such a fun place to eat. Sometimes it does get pretty busy, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Every time we’re in town, we make sure to stop by. We love this place! 🌮❤️

I’ve been hearing about this place so I stopped to try it out. I have it a 4 star because the first taco I tried was Al Pastor. I did. It like that mix with the pineapples. It was ok. Next I tried carne Asada. This taco was really good. 5 stars. Fresh and delicious. The I had a Burrito. Carne Asada. One the best burrito I have ever eaten. Freshly made. The wait wasn’t bad. Place was packed. There’s a backyard too for seating

Taco Stand never disappoints!! Well worth the wait. My fave is the Pollo Asado burrito, add cheese. The chips and guac are amazing/fresh, and the salsa bar is stacked. Taylor provided excellent service today!

Ibheard this place was good, so had to try it out. Tried the al pastor, Carne asada, and the grilled pollo. All pretty good. Not great, but definitely better than a lot of taco trucks I have had.

Taco Stand basically remains undefeated for price vs quality Mexican taco stand classics. Authentic and hot, served fresh. Plus an amazing lineup of sauces and salsas. Get the Mar y Tierra fries for a great combo of everything - or a California Burrito for a good time.

This place is amazing. Just go!!! Chips and fresh tortillas are the best I’ve ever had! Guac was awesome and the salsa bar has plenty to choose from to keep it simple or keep it spicy! Shrimp and carne asada were totally worth it. Super good food. Long line for lunch, but long lines means good food. The service was quick and super friendly!

If you're searching for authentic taco flavor in Encinitas, this stand is a must-visit. Each bite transports you straight to Mexico with its perfectly seasoned meats and fresh, vibrant toppings. The tortillas are soft and flavorful, complementing the rich fillings beautifully. It's a genuine taste of traditional tacos, proving that sometimes, the simplest spots offer the most profound culinary experiences.

AMAZING experience. Seriously one of the best date nights we’ve had in a while. Patrick, our server, was outstanding. So attentive, friendly, and you could tell he really loves the restaurant and cared about our experience. So refreshing. The food was FANTASTIC. We got a couple specials- the special ceviche (literally one of the best ceviches we’ve ever had) and the slow cooked tri tip. The empanada was amazing and the sauce that came with it was to die for. We will most certainly be returning.

I’ve been wanting to try this place but i was quite disappointed when I left. The place was quaint and dozy. I loved the ambience. The staff were friendly. We got seated right away. We ordered many dishes to share. The special of night - ceviche mixto was a disappointment. It was loaded with onion with maybe 5 shrimps and a few small pieces of fish (i didn’t even find one piece that looked like a piece of fish). Papa Rellena was good and it came out first. After we finished first two dishes, they brought out an empanada alone. It wasn’t anything special. We waited for a long time after we finished the first three dishes. We wanted to cancel the rest at the end but then the waiter said they were almost ready. They brought out maduros alone. They were very sweet but I liked them. And then they finally brought out Sudado de Pescado. It has a good flavor but it was very salty even with white rice. I ordered a glass of sangria. It didn’t have a wine taste. When we paid for our bill, we noticed that they charged us 5% surcharge which is higher than other restaurants. Overall, the food isn’t worth the price.

Incredible food! Simple, flavorful, perfectly cooked. Amazing value! Can’t wait to return! (No A/C tho!)

Everything was great from food to drinks, yet there were some wiered charges on the bill 5% service fee, 3% credit card use andist of the suggested tips starting from18% lol Patrick, the server was great nevertheless.

The flavors of Peru that I dearly love, right in the heart of Encinitas. These something special about the bright flavors of Peruvian ceviche that are unmatched in other cuisine and Q'ero brings them beautifully. The Lomo Saltado was similarly savory. Topping it all, the Pisco Sour was the best I've ever tasted - so good I had to have two! Highly recommend.

Loved this place! It’s very cute, tucked between shops and other establishments, but stands out in all aspects. The chicken soup was the soup of the day and I almost licked the bowl. Next time I’m going to order the empanadas to go. Definitely recommend coming here!

I had to jump in just to say that this was the BEST Aji de Gallina I had since I moved from Peru. Patrick was the best waiter he was attentive and very nice. I enjoyed every moment at Q’ero sipping my Chismosa

The pizza was looked nice and was decent. However, I wholeheartedly agree with the cost/value situation of these pizzas. Maybe it’s because I am from the east coast but $24 for a 12” pie with underdone crust is insane. The mozzarella sticks, $14, were absolutely gorgeous, but the ooey gooey stretchy filling was sacrificed for the sake of its beautiful, in-retrospect-slightly-overdone dark golden crust. 3 of them were completely hollow, with only a trace of mozzarella left. However, the staff was very kind, clearly hustling, and I didn’t have to wait too long.

Outstanding food. I was very impressed with everything and I got so hungry I forgot to take pictures of the best part, the pizza! That crust is a real standout. The perfect chew and crunch. Starters were great too. Pizza did take a little while to come out. Luckily kids could run around the patio with plenty of room. Great servers.

Great place to get brick oven wood fired pizzas! Amazing selection and variety of options. Loved their appetizers as well - risotto balls with prosciutto and parmesan cheese, and fried ravioli with ricotta cheese. Their beer selection was great as well - a lot of nice local beer on draft. Loved the Choco porter :) and the dessert, butterscotch pudding, is to die for!!! If you are ever in the Encinitas area and love pizza do try, and you won't be disappointed!!!

Well, the food is absolutely amazeballz. Every pizza I've had here has been hella good and unique/special. The staff is the greatest. Temple and Brittany make my visits truly memorable and fun. I love the music, the vibe, the friendliness, and this whole spot. Go in and get the BTB Pizza (my favorite now) and a nice cold beer on tap. You wont be let down! A+++ for food and outstanding service! Love it!

It’s a good, solid pizza place that serves consistently tasty pies and great appetizers. They also have a good beer selection. I’ve been here 4-5 times and always have a nice time and enjoy the food. Unfortunately, a couple things happened on my last visit that were negative. First, the hostess claimed they had no reservations when I had clearly made one and confirmed it via the restaurant website. Second, they seated my friends and I at a slanted table. Because of this, two glasses slid off and shattered over the course of the meal. They ready should not have a table there at all.

We have been coming to this restaurant for years, but something is really different now. All of Our favorites were not the same anymore. The truffle popcorn lost a lot of its flavor. The pizza was doughy, undercooked and way smaller than it used to be, and our very favorite butterscotch. Dessert tasted like it came from a mix instead of the way it used to. Sad to taste these changes

Best pizza and truffled popcorn in all of San Diego! I have been coming for over a decade and it never disappoints. I also highly recommend the signature dessert- butterscotch pudding. You will have one and want 5!!

We were brought to this restaurant by locals who visit it often. It certainly met expectations. As you enter, you walk up to the order counter, where there are about 10 choices of fish displayed in an iced chilled, glass cooler. Once you choose your preference and sides, your meal is brought to the table when ready. Service is very fast, food is well prepared, staff is courteous. I chose the halibut, grilled, with lemon butter. There are several options for sauces. The restaurant is dog friendly! Our group of 8 had no problem with seating. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

Great spot for fish tacos and plenty of options. Service was great and plenty of seating. The flavors were good but not amazing. The corn tortillas were thick and hearty but not fresh. The Taco Stand down the street serves authentic Mexican tacos and this place served more “gringo” versions. 6 pieces of shrimp seemed too little. Very flavorful.

Food was good for sure. Visiting from out of town and I wanted to bring my family over to try something local, and this won out the competition based on others' reviews. The service was so-so as it felt more of a fast casual restaurant akin to a Panera than a sit down restaurant. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but that's what it's like. Overall, if I'm in the area again, I might go here again.

Low gps was not helpful in finding this restaurant. But, it's easy to spot the sign. I ordered a mahi corn tortilla taco and a jumbo shrimp taco online for pick up and it was ready quickly. I'm glad because it was the best taco ever. It was my first time and I look forward to coming back.

Had some fish tacos and my friend had the sea bass plate. Her kid had the kids meal of coconut shrimp and we shared the onion rings. All and all, it was a fine meal. Nice staff. You order at the counter.

Awesome ambiance. Food is absolutely delicious, the Clam Chowder soup is insane! but some items are a bit pricey but worth it, like the elote taco. No sit down service, order at counter and they will bring your food to you.

One of the finest seafood restaurants I’ve experienced. The food was so exceptional that I returned the very next day.” I had the fresh catch (Opah)on salad with seaweed salad Scallops Shrimp All were amazing

Absolutely delicious restaurant. Definitely top notch chicken, which is ethically sourced from great farms. Prices are good & portions are fair. Their fries are tasty & have lots of sauces to choose from. Fast service with very friendly staff. Overall a great place to grab a bite.

Incredible fried chicken and huge range of beer in a large informal space with lots of natural light. The fried chicken is the main event and it doesn’t disappoint. The crust disintegrates with a satisfying crunch and spicy tingle, the free-range chicken inside is super juicy. A great range of self-serve sauces means you can drench the chicken as you please. The ranch is insane, the pineapple mustard and bbq are also very good. SAUCE HACK: I would recommend mixing 2/3 bbq and 1/3 pineapple mustard to make a Chick-fil-A style sauce. Goes down so good. The sides were also amazing - both the fries and mini-biscuits were divine. Great place for a group, couples, or solo at the bar watching sports.

Order at the counter and then head in to take a seat. There’s quite a few different sauces to try and they are all pretty good, just depending on your personal preference. The food is pretty standard quality consistent with the other branches they have. Worth dropping by if you’re in the area.

You literally order outside and are presented a number. When I return and have a small party I will skip that and sit at the bar. There you can order and get “normal” service. The restaurant is large and bright with an indoor/outdoor feel and potential. The food is good. We ordered the whole bird 4/5 (perfectly cooked and nicely spiced just not the best I have ever eaten) and fries 4.5/5 (order large they are addictive). The beer selection is solid. Wine by glass or bottle in each main variety. Craft cocktails.

First time here. We got the small meal for four of us and brought some home. Very simple menu. Choice of five dipping sauces. Great atmosphere ( watching the cars go by ). The coleslaw is fantastic. Good spice on the fries. Rugged furniture. A++ joint . 👍🏿👍🏿

We went there while we were on our way to the airport to head away from all of the delicious food that we had in the area. A pal had recommended it, and they basically had me at ‘chicken.’ Holy cow were they right. It was beyond worth the stop. We were initially confused at the order outside and eat inside setup - and a little sign would’ve helped with that. We just wandered on in and saying ‘Oop.’ Once we figured that out, and got over the overwhelming ‘maybe I should get that - or that - or that - or that’ menu, we found a table and really enjoyed the atmosphere. There was baseball on the tv, there were kids having fun, and when I went to the restroom - the wallpaper made me giggle. Oh - and before I forget, the fries were some of the most tremendous fries that I’ve ever had. I’ve had dreams about them …

Really good gluten free fried chicken option, the pineapple mustard sauce is awesome. The fries from Mexican Poutine were a little overly greasy, the sauce was a little too heavy too. Overall very chill place