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Leucadia bears many reminders of its surfing roots, yet at the same time is undergoing a renaissance of sorts, with many new and expensive homes for sale, disappearing nurseries, and more upscale dining and shopping.
Despite these changes, Leucadia retains much of the rustic, quaint seaside charm that has attracted so many residents and vacationers over the years, despite the move into the 21st century.
Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of San Diego, along the coast, and Leucadia is one of the main neighborhoods within the town.
Leucadia was named after one of the Greek Isles by English spiritualists who settled in the area in the 1870s.
Leucadia is known for the many Eucalyptus trees that line the main road running north and south, the Coast Highway (a.k.a. historic Route 101) and along the railroad tracks that parallel the coastal route (aka the Coast Highway and Route 101).
Leucadia is bordered on the north by the Batiquitos Lagoon, the east by the freeway, and the west by, of course, the Pacific Ocean. And Carlsbad is just around the corner, just to the north along the coast.
There is much to appeal to visitors and residents alike in Leucadia. The main street is lined with surf shops, tattoo parlors, quaint old restaurants, charming newer eateries, and the typical amenities you so often see in seaside towns - rustic inns, liquor stores, donut shops, hair salons, a drug store, bike rental places, pizza shops,a few galleries, clothing stores, the 7-11 and so on. And new places are opening up as the town grows and changes.
Leucadia is a popular vacation destination because of its beaches (Grandview, Stone Steps, Beacon's), and there are many vacation rentals in the area, mixed in among larger homes, some smallish hotels, apartment buildings, a few trailer parks, the few nurseries that remain, and oceanfront luxury homes - some of the most expensive in the area, especially along Neptune Avenue on the bluff.
You might be interested in a quaint beach cottage, sandwiched in between rental properties. Some of these are not much more than bungalows, while others have been expanded and upgraded.
Leucadia's homes for sale also include a good number of condos on the west side of Route 101, across the coast highway from the beach, as well as along the bluff overlooking the ocean, some offering fabulous ocean views and frontage.
Neptune Avenue runs along the top of the bluff from one end of Encinitas through Leucadia and offers a diversity of housing, most of which is very pricey because of the ocean frontage (typically well in excess of $2 million to over $20 million).
Leucadia is a very eclectic community, so you will find rustic cottages next to $6 million homes, some with spectacular ocean views, and you will occasionally find properties being completely remodeled at a significant price tag.
Slightly inland you will find several newer subdivisions with homes starting in the $1 millions - one features Caribbean style colonials while another is more reminiscent of Nantucket in New England (and indeed, carries that name).
Interestingly there are still nurseries sprinkled throughout Leucadia, in and around more upscale housing, although some of these have disappeared to make room for more housing.
In general, you will be hard pressed to find a detached home for sale in this area for under $1M, and you can easily spend $5 - $20 million or so for a bluff top home above the ocean along Neptune Avenue.
Unlike Encinitas Ranch, Leucadia homes exhibit a very broad range of styles - one surely must call it eclectic - and many of the older homes defy classification as to a particular style. On many of the streets you will find a host of styles and types of housing all chockablock down the road, in a range of prices. Know that this area is pretty dense and lot sizes tend to be small, and the housing is very mixed.
Well, there are the beaches, and the beaches (Beacon's, Grandview, and Stone Steps being the best known for surfing). Walking, sunning, sunset watching and surfing are probably the most popular activities in the area.
You can even learn to surf at the Leucadia Surf School. You will see a good number of bicyclists as well, especially along the Coast Road/Route 101.
Other than the small shops and restaurants (Le Papagayo is terrific and offers live jazz, blue, rock, and latin music), the town is really a beach town...and people like it just as it is. But it is changing somewhat with new retailers and eateries.
The main drag in down town Encinitas proper is just down the street, with more than 50 restaurants, lots of shopping, movie theatres and more to keep you busy. I think the vibe there is a little different, too!
There is a good farmer's market every Sunday in Leucadia at the elementary School on Vulcan Avenue offering local produce, and wares from a variety of artisans.
Some residents and visitors simply like to drive around and explore all the town has to offer, head north to the Carlsbad State Beaches, or gather along the Leucadia beaches or atop the bluff to enjoy the sunsets and the surfers.
The Leucadia 101 Main Street organization has lots more information on the revitalization efforts in the area along the 101 and will give you a good feel for the local color of the community and the pride its residents and business owners have for preserving the community while sustaining its growth.
Nearby and slightly further inland you will find the San Diego Botanic Garden and the Self-Realization Fellowship Center in downtown Encinitas to the south just off the Coast Rod - you can't miss it!
There are 9 elementary schools in the area along with several private schools.
If living in a charming yet rustic, and funky as they say, beach town brimming with an obvious surfing culture, providing easy access to the larger cities of San Diego and Los Angeles, with a diversity of housing styles and prices, Leucadia may be just your ticket.
You'll find charming bungalows and cottages, spectacular bluff top/oceanview homes, tract housing (newer and older), condos, town homes, mobile home parks and more.
FOR CURRENT INFORMATION ON HOUSING INVENTORY, PRICING AND RECENT SALES PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME AT (760) 840-1360.
Click on the link OR on the photo to the right.
And if you decide to make the move to Leucadia, be sure to bring your surf board!
Please don't hesitate to get in touch (760-840-1360) if I can provide more information about Leucadia, Encinitas, or other nearby communities.
And check out my relocation video series at Relocation Tips and Advice on my YouTube channel if you are thinking of a move! |
Leucadia real estate covers a broad spectrum, apart from the vacation rentals, apartments, and trailer parks. 
So what is there to do in Leucadia?
The school districts for Leucadia are the 
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