Beach to Brew Times 2

Beach Hiking Between Breweries in North San Diego County

Nothing represents North County San Diego better than a walk on the beach and a stop at a local brewery—or two. For a classic brewery-to-beach-to-beach-to-brewery trek, we’ve brewed up a 5-mile round-trip that highlights the best of funky NoCo seaside towns Leucadia and Encinitas, so you can wet your whistle and your feet along the way.

Park on the street at the Saint Archer Brewing Co. taproom in Leucadia, appropriately located next to a “Welcome to Leucadia” mural. Maybe start with something refreshing, such as the famous blonde ale, a gose, or a Tropical IPA, before heading west on Jasper St. Turn left at Neptune Ave., which lands you at the cliffs of Beacon Beach. Switchback your way down the picturesque path to the shore, kick off your shoes, and head south.

It will be 2 miles before you reach the final beach. Enjoy the serenity of the beautiful coastal stroll, passing by scurrying sandpipers, sandstone bluffs, alluring private staircases (avoid eye contact if allergic to envy), and surfers searching for the best break. At the halfway point, you’ll pass by Stonesteps, the second of three public entryways to this pristine stretch of sand. Finally you reach Moonlight State Beach, an amenity-filled shoreline power center, with plenty of volleyball courts, palm umbrellas, restrooms, concession stands, and a spanking new marine safety center.

Head to the Moonlight Overlook and continue south on Moonlight Lane for more coastal vistas at D Street Viewpoint Park. (To the south is famous Swami’s Beach, inaccessible by sand from here.) You are now in Encinitas; to reach the next brewery, go east on D Street to the Coast Highway. Culture Brewing Co. will be across the street on your right. If you’re hungry, nearby Taco Stand serves up fantastic fish tacos. Culture Brewing has plenty of great options (we love Keyhole IPA, a hoppy, grapefruity masterpiece), but the free pretzels and natural, marine-inspired setting seal the deal for a perfect post-beach stop.

You can take the Coast Highway all the way back to your car, but we recommend turning left on B Street and stopping at Dave’s Rock Garden, with its hundreds of individually painted rocks set among bright succulents. From here, walk down to Moonlight and take the beach route back to your car, or stay for sunset. Gnarly, dude!

To get to Saint Archer Brewing Co, take the I-5 to the Leucadia Blvd. exit, heading west. After 0.3 mile, turn right onto Coast Hwy. 101 and find street parking near the intersection of Jasper St. (the brewery is on your left). No dogs on the beach or in breweries.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View