Leucadia Travel Guide

Have a cup of coffee at the Pannikin. Although it has become a small chain, it's not Corporate Coffee like Starbucks. Each Pannikin has it's own special feel. The Encinitas (Leucadia) location is in a yellow Victorian style house and is very popular amongst the locals. Sunday morning will find it packed w/ bikers, joggers and neighborhood folk.

As with anyplace in Southern California, you'll have to drive to get here! The closest Amtrak train station is Solana Beach, five miles or so to the south. The Oceanside train station is about 10 miles north. The closest airport is Carlsbad (you would have had to change planes in Los Angeles), but it's only about 45 minutes from Lindbergh Field (San Diego Airport).
Driving is easiest, but you will see tons of people on bicycle as well, some with surf racks attached. Most of the cyclers are on road bikes and are exercising rather than commuting. Same with the rollerbladers you will see on the road.

If you are headed to other parts of San Diego, the Coaster is a commuter rail with a station just south of Encinitas Blvd. It goes south to Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, Old Town and Downtown San Diego, north to Carlsbad (two stations, the Carlsbad Village stop is in more of a commercial district) and Oceanside.

The bus system is run by the North County Transit District (NCTD), but the bus system in San Diego pretty much sucks.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Beach clothing! Please note, we frown on Speedos. If you want to blend in most of the surfers wear longer shorts, about down to the knee. Ladies, board shorts and tank tops over your bikini and a pair of flip flops and you can pretty much go anywhere. Hats are usually baseball caps or visors. Don't forget, it actually gets quite cool at night so bring a sweatshirt and jeans.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can pretty much buy whatever you've forgotten, but do bring sunscreen and probably some aloe vera gel for that first sunburn.

If you're a little daring and a little crazy and not scared of heights, this is just for you. Climb a 20-something foot ladder to a platform, get hooked in to your safety harness and jump! No fear - there is a safety net below. And don't think that it's a piece of cake either. Form and timing are important and this sport requires good upper body and abdominal strength. It can also be tough on your hands.

Equipment: Tighter clothing is better so it won't fly up in your face when you're upside down or get caught in anything. Running tights or leggings and a close fitting t-shirt or tank top, a light sweatshirt for cold mornings.

Bare feet or socks are most appropriate, but have some flip flops or something for when you're on the ground as there's nothing but dirt and astroturf.

Tender hands may need some extra care. Gauze or athletic tape can be used to guard against rips. They may have grips you can use, but it's dependent on your hand size. Dowel grips are not recommended. A cold bottle of beer is. Seriously, when your hands are close to ripping, holding a cold bottle of beer will relieve some of the pain. Much better than a can of soda, too.