Encinitas Food Tour

Encinitas Food Tour

Surf, sun, savory bites

A Culinary Journey Through Coastal California

Located along the beautiful coast of North County San Diego, Encinitas is a place where beach boho culture, spirituality, and healthy living converge in a quintessential California town. Known for its surf history, vibrant local food scene, and a deep sense of spirituality, Encinitas offers more than just stunning ocean views. With So Diego’s Encinitas Food Tour, you’ll experience the true essence of this laid-back, health-conscious, and surf-loving community, all through the flavors of its best local eateries.

Encinitas’ Surfing and Spiritual Roots

Encinitas is a place that perfectly balances its rich surf heritage with a modern focus on healthy living and spirituality. Whether you’re drawn to the pristine beaches, the yoga and meditation centers, or the casual yet refined food culture, Encinitas has something to offer for everyone. From the surf shacks to the organic cafés, this town lives and breathes the essence of coastal California life.

  • Surf Culture: As one of California’s top surfing destinations, Encinitas is steeped in surf history. You’ll feel the local surf vibe in everything from the murals to the cuisine.
  • Spiritual Living: Encinitas is home to the renowned Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple, a beacon for those seeking inner peace and reflection. This temple and meditation garden, perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, perfectly represents the town’s spiritual essence.
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Fitness, cycling, and fresh, wholesome foods are part of everyday life in Encinitas, influencing its food scene to reflect this vibrant, health-conscious culture.

Taste the Best of Encinitas on Our Food Tour

Our Encinitas Food Tour is a perfect introduction to the local food scene. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an immersive experience that connects you with the flavors and stories that make this town special. You’ll visit four carefully selected local restaurants that capture the essence of California cuisine, including the town’s famous tacos, vegan options, and farm-to-table fare.

  • 3 Savory Restaurant Stops: Enjoy a curated selection of savory bites from local hotspots. Expect everything from tacos and fresh seafood to innovative vegan dishes, each prepared with the freshest ingredients.
  • 2-3 Drink Samples: Sip on local craft beers, kombucha, or fresh-pressed juices, selected to complement your meal and give you a taste of Encinitas’ vibrant beverage scene.
  • 1 Sweet Treat Stop: No tour is complete without something sweet! Indulge in a locally-made dessert that wraps up the tour on a perfect note.

What You’ll Experience on the Encinitas Food Tour:

  • Authentic Flavors: From street-style tacos to fresh, organic dishes, you’ll taste the best of what Encinitas’ local food scene has to offer.
  • Cultural Insight: Learn about the surf history, spiritual roots, and local pride that give Encinitas its unique vibe, all while enjoying carefully crafted dishes that reflect these influences.
  • Relaxed Atmosphere: Our food tours are designed to give you an authentic experience. You’ll get to know the town’s culinary highlights in a casual, fun, and engaging way.

Whether you’re a food lover, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who just wants to explore the town’s spiritual side, the Encinitas Food Tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in everything this charming coastal town has to offer.

Join us on the next tour and discover the soul of Encinitas through its food, people, and culture!

Surf History

Discover the roots of surf culture in Encinitas. From legendary surf spots to surfboard art, you’ll get an insider’s look into how the ocean shaped this community.

Brewery Tours

Locals Only 

Encinitas thrives on its local pride. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll feel the friendly, laid-back vibe that makes it a welcoming place for all.

Open Hearts

The spirituality of Encinitas is as much a part of its identity as its beaches. Whether it’s a yoga class at sunrise or a meditation retreat, the town’s heart is open to those seeking a deeper connection.

Encinitas Food Tour FAQs

Please let us know in advance if you have dietary restrictions or allergies. We’ll try to accommodate restrictions as best we can, but it is not always possible. We can provide a copy of the itinerary and pre-set menu before the tour for your convenience. We’re also happy to direct you to the website of the local restaurants for more information.

The Carlsbad tour is offered to private groups only at this time.  All booking must be made in advance, either online or over the phone. Tickets will not be available at the tour site.

You’ll visit 2-3 local restaurants in Carlsbad California, each with a different food and drink sampling. Depending on your tour, you might experience a mix of the city’s celebrated cuisines, including Italian, Mexican, or California-American. After delicious food and drink pairings at two Carlsbad dining institutions, you’ll enjoy a third and final stop for dessert.

You’re certainly welcome to shop on the tour! Your tour guide is a valuable source of information on local prices, artisan items, and any relevant cultural or historical background. Be sure to notify your tour guide if you’re interested in a certain souvenir or looking to check out a particular shop.

For a comfortable experience, visitors are recommended to wear lightweight and comfortable clothing, along with practical footwear. Don’t forget a camera to capture the experience! A smartphone works fine, too. Snapping photos is an excellent way to preserve memories of the delectable meals you’ve enjoyed at the local eateries, as well as the eye-catching street art of Carlsbad California.

Our San Diego Tour Guides

Our San Diego Tour Guides

Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city. 

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories. 

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.

Kaylee Killebrew

Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide

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Magdalene Medofer - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: my whole life, I was born here.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: meeting new folks and sharing San Diego with them.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Barrio Logan, I love the history of Chicano Park, the eclectic artisan shops, and extensive food scene.  The weekend is the best time to explore and watch the lowrider car clubs cruise the neighborhood and visit the shops.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Artifact at the Mingei in Balboa Park.  Any dish off their international food menu will blow your mind.  They also host monthly themed dinners that highlight a particular cuisine and region.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Go for a hike at Cuyamaca State Park and swim at Green Valley Falls.

Magdalene Medofer

Tour Guide

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Aparna Thakur - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 1 ½ years!

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people, showing them around and telling stories and history of the city.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: La Jolla because of its beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping as well as abundance of sea life.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Brigantine

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Watching sunset in point loma Ocean Beach

Aparna Thakur

Tour Guide

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Raul Torres Valadez - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: One year recently and also when I was a teenager.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Pacific Beach and Coronado.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Oscar’s Mexican seafood and Birrieria la Huasteca.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Hike in the canyons.

Raul Torres Valadez

Tour Guide

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Ben Schorr - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city. 

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories. 

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.

Ben Schorr

Tour Guide

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Bleu Ford - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: A long time!  I moved to San Diego in 1986 so I have lived here for most of my life.  I consider it my adopted home town.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is:  I love both meeting new people and sharing knowledge about this beautiful city.  After retiring from USPS I wanted to do work that brings me joy and I have found that being a guide.  I love getting a laugh from a group or seeing the spark of excitement when I share a bit of San Diego’s colorful history.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  I am partial to my own hood, North Park.  I love living here!  We lost so many great places due to Covid but it warms my heart to see that this neighborhood is returning to being a vibrant and fun place.  It always seems like there is something new or some fun event happening.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is:  A few of my go-to favs are Buona Forchetta in South Park for relaxed patio dining with great food Jimmy Carter’s in Hillcrest for the comfortable and colorful ambiance and great Mexican comfort food and Shwarma Guys food truck (which parks regularly at 30th and Grape in South Park).  It is my go-to “I’m super hungry and too tired to cook” take home.  It always hits the spot.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: I recently got an e-bike and my new love is re-discovering the uptown area on two wheels.  It is pretty amazing how differently you see the city on a bike.  I love strolling through Balboa Park with my wife.  We are so lucky to have this awesome park with such a rich history so close to our home.  Finally, you can’t beat an early morning walk along the harbor.  The waterfront is beautiful in the morning quiet with a bit of fog hanging in the air.

Bleu Ford

Tour Guide

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