Look out for: An all-levels bike park and zipline thrills
Just a short drive North of SD County is the La Jolla Indian Campground, where Mother Nature will rejuvenate your body and spirit. If you want to get away from the city for the weekend, this is a great spot to enjoy fresh air, build a campfire, roast some s’mores, and go tubing down the San Luis Rey River. The Luiseño Bike Park offers an expansive network of trails for riders of all skill levels across varying terrain, from leisurely beginner’s paths to quad-busting inclines and thrilling descents. In season, you can also take an electrifying ride on the longest, fastest zipline in Southern California, and this summer, a brand new water park will debut. Online reservations are required for camping, and outside firewood is prohibited due to the gold spotted oak borer, but there’s a general store near the campgrounds where it can be purchased, along with food, ice, and other necessities.
Look out for: A Mediterranean grotto with aromatherapy
Located inside The Seabird Resort, this sleek, chic spa brings Southern California vibes with a view overlooking the iconic Oceanside Pier. Services range from an express menu of ten of the spa’s most popular services in a quick, 30-minute session to an extravagant The Soul Ritual—an exfoliating body scrub, healing wrap and full body massage with aromatherapy sound bath, breath work and special attention to your scalp, hands and feet customized with your choice of six different aromatherapy options. Reconnect with a special someone by scheduling Duo in the Suites, a curated spa experience for two that combines a massage with facials, wraps and scrubs. Whatever you choose, leave yourself plenty of extra time in The Cove, a modern take on the traditional Mediterranean grotto experience that includes a dry warming space, cooling mist and an aromatherapy sanarium.
Look out for: All sorts of outdoor sports
Get outside and explore nature, breathtaking scenery, and endless activities at Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos. The resort itself boasts 143 rooms, including an Adventure Suite with a king bed, a sunken living room with a children’s bunk bed, and a play area with a whimsical play tent. A full-service marina offers everything from paddleboarding and kayaking to sunset cruises, boat rentals, and fishing gear. Also on the property are eight pickleball courts, three tennis courts, a par-71 golf course, The Links at Lakehouse, two pools, and two hot tubs.
Look out for: A wide array of options at affordable prices
Four Moons Spa offers one of the most extensive menus of services and experiences in San Diego County, including traditional spa services, alternative healing techniques, naturopathic medicine, longevity services, skin and body treatments and events from yoga classes to moon phase rituals. If you’re not sure where to start, schedule a free, 15-minute consultation call with one of the naturopathic doctors, who will discuss your concerns and guide you to the best course of treatment. Prices at Four Moons Spa are relatively affordable; sauna or mineral soaks start at $35 for 30 minutes.
Look out for: Yoga and meditation in a serene garden
The founder of modern yoga, Paramahansa Yogananda, was the first major teacher of the practice to spend most of his life in the West, and for a time, he called Encinitas home. Visit his old digs just north of Swami’s beach, where there’s a meditation garden with ocean vistas that’s open to the public, a temple, a retreat center, and the hermitage where he wrote his critically and commercially successful Autobiography of a Yogi.
Look out for: Nutrition counseling for peak performance and digestive health
Shine Natural Medicine promotes optimal wellness with the use of natural treatments, including nutrition, botanical medicine, and intravenous nutrient therapy. During your initial appointment, Shine’s naturopathic doctor will spend a full hour getting to know you and your health and wellness concerns, conducting comprehensive lab testing to analyze your body’s systems, which may consist of blood-work, hormones, stool testing, neurotransmitter testing, and other diagnostics. Treatments include dietary and lifestyle guidance, nutritional supplements, micronutrient injection therapy, IV therapy and detox programs.
Things to Do
Restaurants
Bars & Nightlife
Get Out of Town
More City Guides
Discover the best things to eat, drink, and do
with our expertly curated city guides.