Two Different Beach Towns...

Today's outing took us to not one but two seaside towns: Encinitas and Carlsbad, both exciting in their own way and so worth sharing.

Encinitas, which means little oaks in Spanish, was established in 1881. One day we will return for a more through explore, for today we're looking at this quaint city's more recent history.

We have driven past this unique place and have never stopped. Wouldn't you know that the one time we wanted to visit, it's closed due to COVID?

According to the Self-Realization Fellowship website, "Born in India in 1893, Paramahansa Yogananda has come to be recognized as one of the preeminent spiritual figures of our time. Through his universal teachings and the example of his life, he contributed in far-reaching ways to an acceptance and understanding in the West of the spiritual wisdom of India."

Shortly after Paramahansa Yogananda received the gift of the Encinitas Hermitage from one of his closest disciples, he began plans for the construction of the Golden Lotus Temple, which he dedicated on January 2, 1938. The temple was designed by Paramahansa himself with the intention of revealing as much as possible the panorama of nature’s beauty. Magnificent views of sea and sky were afforded by the four-story glass observation tower and immense windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which was visible directly behind the low altar. During the next four years, thousands attended the Thursday and Sunday services conducted by the Guru at this site (in the present-day Meditation Gardens).

In 1942, the erosion of the shoreline caused the Golden Lotus Temple to become unstable, and it subsequently had to be removed. Through the ensuing decades SRF services have been held at various locations in Encinitas. A wander around town revealed many of them, all unique and all worth discovering.

Oh and Encinitas is a surf town! Its influence is found throughout.

We had to head next to Swami’s (a first for us), the name ascribed to the popular surf break at the southernmost end of town, below the bluffs where the golden-spired Self-Realization Center resides. A great surf break, this spot is highly coveted by local surfers. If you’re a surfing worshipper this is definitely the place to paddle out and join the line.

After ogling surfers, we strolled through some of the old neighborhoods. Many of the homes remain untouched and look as they did almost 100 years ago.

We were super excited to see O.U. Miracle had worked his concrete magic here as well as in Oceanside.

Steve and I have admired these homes several times. Located on a quiet street of quaint beach houses and mismatched cottages, this incongruous sight of two seemingly enormous boats always surprises. Interestingly, they have never been to sea. Despite their 19 portholes, mariner’s wheels and quirky starboard list, the SS Encinitas and SS Moonlight have only ever been homes for landlubbers. They were built by architect Miles Kellogg in 1928 using timber salvaged from the local bathhouse and a hotel that failed to survive Prohibition’s dry years, the 1888 Moonlight Beach Dance Parlor. I am always delighted by these 90+ year old beauties. Cool right?