Here we go again, shocking ourselves with our open and honest - yet prideful gesture of letting you all know where you should with out a doubt stop by if you're in the beautiful San Diego area! Swami's has been an [Encinitas] Local hangout for as long as we can remember. Whether you're stopping by for a quick cup of java before work, a smoothie between errands or refueling after an exhaustive tanning or surf session - Swami's takes care of you & your friends. With a casual and comforting (outside) ambiance, smiling hosts and talented Chef's, Swami's offers a broad menu which accommodates everyone's taste buds & appetites. Breakfast, lunch & dinner with a tremendous smoothie/juice bar - you will feed your body and mind the most healthy & wholesome selections, most locally grown. Our favo... 02/17/2009

We have been hearing for quite some time now of layoffs from many companies throughout the country, retailers as well as most other industries. Given how things are in the current economy we can likely expect more store closings. Recent big news of layoffs included Home Depot, with the announcement of closing their Home Expo showrooms that carry higher-end home remodeling supplies and furnishings for every room in the house. Our local Home Expo Store in Encinitas (right over the Carlsbad line off of El Camino Real and Leucadia Boulevard) is included in those closings. The time could be right to stop in and see what kind of deals remain on all the great products they offer for your kitchen, bath, your floors or elsewhere in your home. My understanding from friends is that things are get... 02/11/2009

Shopping lovers will have something to keep their interest for an entire day very soon. Encinitas is having a citywide sidewalk sale on SATURDAY February 21st from one end of town to the other, along the coast road/historic Route 101 that runs through the downtown area just several blocks from the beach.  READ MORE: Encinitas Shopping and Dining Extravaganza  This event will be huge! ALL retailers, businesses or services that are registered with the City of Encinitas are invited to participate (so this includes Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia and Olivenhain), and IT'S FREE to do so. Imagine the possibilities, for both businesses AND consumers along this popular stretch of road just a short hop from Carlsbad?   I know Queen Eileen's, a very cool shop in the heart of town, will be participa... 02/11/2009

Yes, you read that right!  Unbelievable but true.  I am out in the field talking to homeowners every day.  Here is a TRUE story of California home owners who are fighting back and winning against these greedy giant corporate banks.  It's shocking to know that OUR taxpayer bailout money is being used to support such bad business practices by lenders like Citibank.  This homeowner's story has developed over the past year. The Homeowners refinanced their house in the Spring of 2004, with a 6% ARM fixed for 2 years.  No problem, they would refinance into a better loan at the end of 2 years.  Unfortunately by that time, the market had changed and they couldn't refinance out of that ARM loan. 1. Due to the interest rate on the ARM loan increasing to approximately 11%, the homeowners' payments... 02/07/2009

As a buyer or seller in the Encinitas real estate market, it is important for you to have data about the market conditions in order to make a more informed decision about what to do with regard to buying, or selling, your Encinitas home. Here is a summary of the Encinitas real estate market for January 2009 based on statistics from the MLS (private sales are not included nor are manufactured and mobile homes). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed. In January 2009 there were 29 homes sold in Encinitas (a 21% increase in sales over December). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.   TOTAL HOMES Detached Attached Number 29 21 8 Days on Market 71 69 76 Median Sales Price $546,000 (up 5%)  $640,000 (down 2%)    $449,000 (up 50%)  Average Sales Price  $717,732 (up 12%)  $... 02/03/2009

There is some great news for buyers in the Encinitas real estate market who are looking for new construction near the Encinitas beaches. The Lofts at Moonlight Beach are nearing completion and they are ON SALE. While they have been marketed for some time, the developer has recently announced a significant price reduction of all units of approximately 15% - 19%  Prices for this high-end condos 3 blocks from Moonlight Beach and a block from the downtown area of Encinitas range from $1,209,465 (there are 2 at this price, with 1561 SF of living space) up to $2,143,679 for the largest unit (about $743/Sf to $857/SF). Two of the residential units are now reserved and units are available to show. Give me a call and I will happy to assist you with these new condos, or other Encinitas real estat... 01/28/2009

I just went to El Nopalito.I must say I was some what surprised.It is a little Mexican market in the 7-11 shopping centerjust East of the 5 on Santa Fe rd in Encinitas.My wife and I stopped by to pick up some tortillas for dinner tonight. When I reached down and picked up apack of corn tortillas I noticed the package was warm.Not because they were sitting in the sun or anything badlike that, but because they were fresh off the grill.Needless to say, from here on out this is going to be mystop for fresh Mexican food. They also have a whole meat counter with fresh meat, they sell their fresh made salsa and just about anything else you are going to need for your Mexican fiesta or just dinner that night! Stop by and check them out!   560 Santa Fe Dr(between Gardena Rd & Regal Rd)Encinitas, ... 01/24/2009

As a buyer or seller in the Encinitas real estate market, it is important for you to have data about the market conditions in order to make a more informed decision about what to do with regard to buying, or selling, your Encinitas home. Here is a summary of the Encinitas real estate market for December 2008 based on statistics from the MLS (private sales are not included nor are manufactured and mobile homes). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed. In December 2008 there were 24 homes sold in Encinitas (a 33% increase in sales over November). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.   TOTAL HOMES Detached Attached Number 24 15 9 Days on Market 64 61 69 Median Sales Price   $520,000 (down 24%)    $650,000 (down 16%)    $315,000 (down 16%)  Average Sales Price $640,725 ... 01/07/2009

Environmental and internationally-known artist Kirkos (Kirk Van Allyn, a long-time Leucadia resident) is known for his elaborate designs in the sand along the Encinitas/Leucadia coastline, usually at Stone Steps Beach. Today's event was especially interesting - a meditation labyrinth at the base of Stone Steps beach drew a large crowd on a misty, foggy, cool wintry New Year's Day. There was an article on-line announcing the creation in process encouraging folks to stops by and bring environmentally sensitive/biodegradable objects (e.g., flowers) to add to the maze. Visitors also brought candles (hard to see in the photos) that will be removed before the tide washes the labyrinth away. We elected to stay up top to look, but you can enjoy the photos. READ MORE: Art on the Beach in Leucad... 01/01/2009

This isn't intended as a joke, just a clever title to catch your attention. You're reading this so it worked. Gotcha. The railroad tracks run roughly parallel to the ocean through North County San Diego (Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff) and as a result provides a bit of an obstacle for folks wanting to get to one side to the other, especially surfing enthusiasts who either live there or park on side streets. The problem, apart from it being a safety issue, is that crossing the tracks is a form of trespassing, which, if caught, can result in a fine of up to $1000. Encinitas is doing something about this issue. The town now has approval from the Planning Commission to go ahead and build 3 railroad underpasses, thus creating an even more pedestrian friendly community in Encinitas. T... 12/27/2008

Leucadia is a community in the northern part of Encinitas, clustered along historic Route 101 (the Coast Highway), right next door to Carlsbad. The community stretches for over a mile along the road (on the west side only; to the east are the railroad tracks) with retailers, business services and other commercial enterprises bordering the densely built residential area between the 101 and the ocean just a couple of 2 blocks away  READ MORE: Leucadia - Surfers Beach Community Leucadia offers an eclectic mix of retail and dining, the sort one would expect in a small beach town with a strong surfing history and a resistance to becoming gentrified and upscale.  Want a tattoo or need acupuncture? No problem. Places to buy pet food or have your dog groomed. Got it. Mexican markets and Hair sa... 12/27/2008

Pannikin Coffee and Tea is a popular coffee shop on the Coast Road (Route 101) in the Leucadia area of Encinitas. This place always seems to have a crowd both inside and out (on the patio or upstairs on the porch) in this gathering spot where you can have all sorts of goodies (pastries, muffins, pie, cookies, egg bagels) along with your coffee or tea in an cozy, eclectic eatery and country store/gift shop (tea, coffee and tea cups and all sorts of assorted knick knacks). Because of its popularity the Pannikin can get quite crowded and reviews on Yelp give it rather a mixed review. The food is not outstanding but the ambiance as a place to hang out seems to be the big draw, and has for 40 years.     The Pannikin is housed in the old 19th century train depot in Leucadia where it fits rig... 12/24/2008

Encinitas Discount Mobile Notary & Apostille Service- I COME TO YOU!!!!!!!! Need a Notary done in Encinitas ASAP? Call now I come to YOU Please add my cell number760/271-9242to your cell phone under Notary.You never know when you need meI meet you any place - any time!     to email us:     Member National Notary AssociationBonded, licensed and insuredfor your protection!                         SAVE GASOLINE SAVE TIME SAVE MONEY I COME TO YOU !!             RATES FROM $5.00/SIGNATURE WE ALSO OFFER APOSTILLE SERVICE - FAST AND DISCOUNTS       I KNOW I CAN SAVE YOU MONEY PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN ESTIMATE   Background checked Discount for multiple signatures Thousands of notarizations performed Available 24/7 Apostilles - many times same day (notary fee usually included) Most documents... 12/19/2008

In this article we'll explore the residential areas surrounding the downtown commercial area of Encinitas, which, happily, is also just a few blocks to the beach. Thus Encinitas buyers in this area can acquire a home that offers walking distance to the downtown area with more than 40 restaurants and 200+ eclectic stores, as well as a short jaunt on foot to the beach - Moonlight Beach in this case at the north end of town, but some folks may walk south to famous Swami's Beach, the best surfing beach in the area (so I've been told). Downtown Encinitas offers a wealth of shopping (clothing, home and garden, second hand clothes, galleries, jewelry, gifts, bookstores, etc.) and dining, with a broad mix of eateries - Italian, Japanese, Thai, California, to name a few - with a trend toward the... 12/07/2008

As a buyer or seller in the Encinitas real estate market, it is important for you to have data about the market conditions in order to make a more informed decision about what to do with regard to buying, or selling, your Encinitas home. Here is a summary of the Encinitas real estate market for November 2008 based on statistics from the MLS (private sales are not included). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed. In November 2008 there were 18 homes sold in Encinitas (less than half the number that closed escrow in October). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.   TOTAL HOMES Detached Attached Number 18 12 6 Days on Market 53 63 33 Median Sales Price $680,500 (up 7%) $777,000 (up 18%) $417,750 (down 5%) Average Sales Price   $948,750 (up 19%)    $1,231,250 (up 42%   ... 12/07/2008

New construction in the Encinitas real estate market, especially near the beach, is rare. I first wrote about these new condos being built in Encinitas just around the corner from one of the nicest beaches in the area, Moonlight Beach. Here are some recent photos from a few days ago.     READ: Encinitas Real Estate - The Lofts at Moonlight Beach Here is some updated information. Homes will be ready for occupancy around the end of January 2009 (residential and commercial). There is a list of folks who are waiting for spaces to lease An investor can buy a group of spaces of all, depending on negotiations with the builder  Seller financing is available (10% down is required) Projected lease rates for the commercial spaces (15 of them, on the first floor) are about $3.50/SF triple net. Pric... 12/06/2008

Need a special fun gift for the holidays? Heading to a party and want to take along something for your hosts? Want to show clients or employees how much you care by sharing a gift basket over the holidays? Queen Eileen's IS the place in Encinitas to visit. Here's why. GIFT BASKETS - They make them right there (yep, I was there to grab a few pics and chat with Queenie [Eileen] herself in the midst of creating - see the show) and there are many choices for all occasions. They ARE impressive and beautiful! The holidays are especially popular for these baskets -  choose one of their pre-arranged baskets or, better yet, customize your own. From $25 and up. Locals can bring in their own special wine to include or Queenie will select for you. Order on line from anywhere in the country but plea... 12/02/2008

I am a big fan of things Brazilian, and an 8-day trip some years ago led to a love of its music, food, beaches, and caiparinhas, the Brazilian version of mojitos I'd say (@Ines and @MrMiamism - stay tuned for my video on how to concoct the perfect caiparinha...my opinion of course - perhaps it will compete favorably with your mojito video). And San Diego is becoming a place where you can find more than a taste of Brazil. There was a terrific concert yesterday at the Encinitas Library (and more are planned) overlooking the ocean featuring 3 sets of Brazilian jazz by a mix of musicians, some Brazilian, some not, but all lovers of this wonderful, sultry music style that grabs your heart, and somehow steals you away to a place you never knew existed. The theme? A tribute to music by Brazili... 11/24/2008

Another one of the numerous outdoor street fairs in the North San Diego County coastal communities is here. The Encinitas Holiday Street Fair takes place this coming Sunday, November 23, 2008 in the downtown area of Encintias along historic Route 101 (the Coast Highway), between D and J Streets. The fiar runs from 9 am until 4 pm and will have something for everyone. Hard to believe the holidays are upon us again. Given the economy, perhaps this will be a great place for you to find some terrific bargains and enjoy our beautiful fall weather. The Encinitas Street Fair is smaller than the monster in Carlsbad that happened just a few weeks ago, but will have about 450 vendors, with 40+ restaurants and 250 stores in the local area taking part. As you always find at these events, there will... 11/18/2008

The landscape in funky Leucadia is going to be changing (along with Encinitas). It has already changed over the years, but still retains much of the funky, surfing atmosphere that endears it to so many residents and visitors. A streetscape project was initiated this year in Encinitas to change the landscape, so to speak, along the 2-mile stretch of Historic Route 101, the coast, that runs along the coast through downtown Encinitas and Leucadia - the affected area is from A Street in downtown Encinitas to La Costa Avenue at the north end of Leucadia at the Carlsbad line. The changes are significant - beautification, adding landscaping, parking and circulation of traffic improvements, and much more. The city is getting residents involved to help with design concepts regarding plants, stre... 11/15/2008