Encinitas

The San Diego Botanic Garden includes nearly 4,000 kinds of plants from all over the world and more than 37 acres of exhibits including rare bamboo groves (the largest collection in the U.S.), desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, Mediterranean climate landscapes, an undersea succulent garden, a subtropical fruit garden and the largest interactive children's garden on the West Coast called the Hamilton Children's Garden.

The historic former Pacific View Elementary School, overlooking the ocean atop the bluffs of Encinitas, has been transformed into a vibrant hub for the arts. The center hosts scores of classes in everything from painting to printmaking to poetry, and is a beautiful spot to take in on any visit to Downtown Encinitas.

Named for the nighttime picnics that local residents enjoyed in the early 1900s, Moonlight State Beach is a wide and inviting family beach with volleyball courts, recreational equipment rentals and an full-service snack bar. Moonlight Beach also offers fire rings for post-sunset bonfires and barbecues, a rarity at many beaches these days.

The annual Encinitas April Street Fair takes place over two days each spring. This free, family-friendly event features arts and crafts vendors, children's rides, unique foods and live music on multiple stages. And the Encinitas Fall Festival is a holiday street fair with live entertainment on two stages, children's rides, food and shopping at over 400 vendors plus 200 local stores specializing in arts and crafts, antiques, clothing and items from around the world. The winter season culminates in the annual Encinitas Holiday Parade, an early-December must-see for thousands of spectators.