A town can pick up some serious surf cred when it's name-checked in the ultimate ode to the sport, "Surfin' USA." And among the other names you'll hear in the Beach Boys classic is Swami's, one of Encinitas' 11 beaches and probably its best known.
That said, it's not the nicest spot for just relaxing. At high tide, the rocky beach is submerged and you'll have to go straight into the water. With lots of surfers in the water, this isn't the best spot for newbies, either.
Other beaches worth checking out are Cardiff and Stone Steps, on either side of Swami's. To gear up, stop by the two classic surf shops in town, Encinitas Surfboards and Hansen's.
And if you're skipping the surf for some reason, the Encinitas Garden Festival is happening on May 3. But check out the waves you'll be missing after the jump...]]>