What is Downtown Encinitas like?

You'll be sure to have fun exploring Encinitas's Downtown Encinitas neighbourhood. Make sure that you visit Moonlight State Beach and San Elijo State Beach as part of your Downtown Encinitas travel plans.

Where is the best place to stay in Downtown Encinitas?

Based on our traveller data, The Encinitan Hotel & Suites is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Encinitas. This hotel is a short 9-minute walk from Moonlight State Beach, and it offers free breakfast and an outdoor pool. Another good choice for your stay in the neighbourhood is Days Inn by Wyndham Encinitas Moonlight Beach .

How many hotels are there in Downtown Encinitas?

Expedia has 123 hotels and other accommodation options in Downtown Encinitas to choose from, making this an ideal home base for exploring the greater Encinitas area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown Encinitas, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of hotel reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might still have the option to cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to view the best deals available in Downtown Encinitas.

What are the top things to see and do in Downtown Encinitas?

Dip your toes in the water at Moonlight State Beach, San Elijo State Beach and Swamis Beach while you're in Downtown Encinitas. You could also plan a visit to Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens or Encinitas Surfboards while you're in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown Encinitas include D Street Viewpoint, I Street Viewpoint and J Street Viewpoint. Self Realization Fellowship and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Encinitas.

The Best Hotels in Downtown Encinitas, Encinitas - 2026 Updated Prices

A beach with a lifeguard tower, palm trees, and a sunset.

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Our top choices for Downtown Encinitas hotels

A heated outdoor pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a building with multiple balconies.

1. The Encinitan Hotel & Suites

Downtown Encinitas

Antonio

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A beach with palm trees, a lifeguard tower, and a sandy walkway.

2. Moonlight Beach Motel

Downtown Encinitas

Scott

includes taxes & fees

21 Oct - 22 Oct

A bedroom with a bed, a chair, and a window with a view of a parking lot and buildings.

3. Brisa Pacific Hotel Encinitas

Downtown Encinitas

Steven

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

4. Days Inn by Wyndham Encinitas Moonlight Beach

Downtown Encinitas

Helli

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A modern kitchen with a central island, pendant lighting, and a wall calendar.

5. Inn at Moonlight Beach

Downtown Encinitas

Cesar

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

Two wicker lounge chairs with striped cushions, a blue umbrella, and a small table with a decorative fountain between them.

6. Leucadia Beach Inn

Leucadia, 1.8 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Ava

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A swimming pool with a clear blue edge, a metal ladder, and a stone wall in the background.

7. Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach Encinitas, CA Near Del Mar

1.7 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Sylwia A

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and a building with multiple windows and balconies.

8. West Inn & Suites

6.5 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Juan

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A modern dining area with high tables and chairs, a kitchen counter with appliances, and large windows providing natural light.

9. Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea

4.3 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Rosie

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A swimming pool area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and safety signs.

10. Hampton Inn Carlsbad-North San Diego County

5.6 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Jamie

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A pool area with a view of palm trees and a sunset.

11. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area

4.3 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Christine

includes taxes & fees

7 Oct - 8 Oct

An outdoor seating area with a fire pit, surrounded by chairs, under a pergola.

12. Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Carlsbad

5 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Andrew

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

An outdoor patio area with turquoise chairs, a fire pit, and palm trees.

13. Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad

5.2 mi from Downtown Encinitas

cynthia

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A multi-story hotel with a modern design, featuring a covered entrance area and multiple balconies.

14. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

5.2 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Rosa

includes taxes & fees

30 Oct - 31 Oct

A modern lobby with leather seating, a fireplace, and a large plant.

15. Hyatt Place San Diego/Vista-Carlsbad

7 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Jonathan

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

An outdoor seating area with chairs and a fire feature, overlooking a body of water and a distant mountain range.

16. Lakehouse Resort

7.3 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Blanca

includes taxes & fees

5 Oct - 6 Oct

An outdoor seating area with sofas, chairs, and tables, surrounded by a stone wall and string lights.

17. Ayres Hotel Vista Carlsbad

7.2 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Shannon J

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A modern hotel with a landscaped garden, palm trees, and a well-lit entrance.

18. Hilton San Diego/Del Mar

5.2 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Neil

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

An outdoor seating area with modern furniture, a fire feature, and a building with large windows in the background.

19. Holiday Inn Carlsbad by IHG

6.1 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Lizette

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

A rooftop pool area with lounge chairs and tables, surrounded by palm trees and modern buildings.

20. Residence Inn by Marriott Carlsbad

6.1 mi from Downtown Encinitas

Priyesh

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Encinitas

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Moonlight Beach Motel	2.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 646 reviews	View
Inn at Moonlight Beach	3.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 146 reviews	View
Brisa Pacific Hotel Encinitas	2.0 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,009 reviews	View
The Encinitan Hotel & Suites	3.0 star property	8.2 Very good 1,704 reviews	View
Days Inn by Wyndham Encinitas Moonlight Beach	2.0 star property	7.0 Good 1,342 reviews	View

Where to stay in Downtown Encinitas

Find the best Downtown Encinitas areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A sunset over a calm sea with surfers in the water.

Leucadia

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Leucadia. A stop by Leucadia State Beach or Grandview Surf Beach might round out your trip.

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A coastal landscape with cliffs and a sunset over the ocean.

Olivenhain

Olivenhain might not have many top sights, but La Costa Golf Courses - North and South and San Elijo State Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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Top Downtown Encinitas Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk, San Diego Area

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent place! Highly recommend this place"

La Jolla Shores Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Great hotel location and staff was very helpful and friendly. Our room had a great view of the park next door and the beach from the balcony. Beds were very comfortable and having the restaurant attached was very handy if we were too tired to venture out for dinner. I would highly recommend this hotel!"

San Diego Marriott La Jolla

10/10 Excellent

"I love staying here! It is always comfortable, clean, I love the bedding. I enjoy the fabulous $19.95 breakfast buffet each day! The staff is always great. I love the bar/restaurant area. I love the fact that this is in walking distance to UTC mall, many restaurants and coffee shops. It"

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Diego - Miramar

8/10 Good

"We stayed in a King room with a sofa bed. I noticed there was no available bedding for the sofa bed. It was challenging to get extra towels, etc. Breakfast is barely basic. To be fair, there is limited space for the breakfast area. It is quiet, clean, and appears to be safe."

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Diego North, CA

8/10 Good

"Room was good. Service is good too. Hot tub pool was small just for 4 ppl at a time. Parking was paid, it should be free if they are not taking responsibility of vehicles. Restaurant was BAD, Got Gauvac with Chips, it was spoiled one, even after they gave replacement. Nachos was very bad out of 20 Nachos chips only few had cheese on i, looks not interested in giving food. Totally Waste of money."

Search Hotels in Downtown Encinitas, Encinitas

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Our top choices for Downtown Encinitas hotels

1. The Encinitan Hotel & Suites

2. Moonlight Beach Motel

3. Brisa Pacific Hotel Encinitas

4. Days Inn by Wyndham Encinitas Moonlight Beach

5. Inn at Moonlight Beach

6. Leucadia Beach Inn

7. Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach Encinitas, CA Near Del Mar

8. West Inn & Suites

9. Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea

10. Hampton Inn Carlsbad-North San Diego County

11. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area

12. Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Carlsbad

13. Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad

14. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

15. Hyatt Place San Diego/Vista-Carlsbad

16. Lakehouse Resort

17. Ayres Hotel Vista Carlsbad

18. Hilton San Diego/Del Mar

19. Holiday Inn Carlsbad by IHG

20. Residence Inn by Marriott Carlsbad

Compare popular hotels in Downtown Encinitas

Where to stay in Downtown Encinitas

Leucadia

Olivenhain

Top Downtown Encinitas Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk, San Diego Area

Frequently asked questions