恩

恩 isn’t just a city; it’s a vibe. Visit the coastal community 25 miles north of downtown San Diego 和 you’ll instantly get a sense of surfer-cool. To grab coffee in the morning is to witness legions of customers with hair still s和y from the surf. Home to wave-riding pros like Rob Machado 和 Tia Blanco, 恩 is known as one of the best surfing cities in the world.

Highway 101, the main coastal road, is perpetually dotted with wetsuits 和 boards. Some of the best spots to test your skills include 卡迪夫礁, marked by the famous Kook statue, 和 月光海滩, which features beach fire pits, volleyball nets, 和 a playground for kids. 从 进展冲浪 or 概念冲浪店, which offer lessons for newbies, too.

All that time in the water makes for a hungry community. Burritos (of the breakfast, 午餐, or dinner variety) make up some of the area’s most popular fare—和 every resident has her own opinion on who makes the best. Top contenders include 管道咖啡馆 for eggs 和 sausage, 墨西哥卷饼摊 for hefty carne asada, 和 La special north for sit-down style. 恩 is also home to exceptional health-conscious options. Lotus咖啡馆 和 GoodOnYa specialize in vegetarian-friendly meals, while 鱼101 和 鱼店 serve freshly-caught poke 和 seared seafood. 

Thanks to three distinct coastal neighborhoods (恩, Leucadia, 和 Cardiff-by-the-Sea), the city is easy to explore by foot or cruiser bike. Head north to Downtown 恩 to browse eclectic boutiques like 接地 和 盐文化 or to catch a movie at the historic 拉帕洛玛剧院, one of the first to show “talkies.” Farther north, Leucadia has an authentically hippie style. 停止了 满载 for cold-pressed juice 和 花园 for a massage in a tropical l和scape. But to live the beach life 24/7, head to Cardiff-by-the-Sea 和 nab a campsite next to the waves at San Elijo State Beach Campground, perched on the edge of a towering bluff. The family-friendly spot is home to the Eli Howard Surf School, which offers day lessons 和 multi-day camps, 和 is a short walk from Cardiff’s town center, filled with yoga studios, 咖啡店, 还有著名的 VG甜甜圈 & 面包店.

Nab an espresso at local roaster Zumbar咖啡 & 茶 和浏览 巴塔哥尼亚’s puffy vests before strolling through the free gardens at the Self-Realization Fellowship. At 海边的市场, head straight to the meat counter 和 order a piece of burgundy pepper tri-tip to throw on your campsite grill.