Explore Encinitas local geography, civic resources and voter guides, with dated official population and registration facts for San Diego County.
At a glance: Encinitas is an incorporated city in San Diego County. Population: 62,193 (California Department of Finance estimate as of January 1, 2026). Registered voters: 45,249 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
Encinitas occupies a stretch of Pacific coastline in northern San Diego County, with beaches, rolling hills and the San Elijo Lagoon coastal wetland along its southern edge. The city’s community overview describes distinct communities that came together to form the city — New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Olivenhain and Leucadia — which still give different parts of the city different characters. Encinitas is a general-law city; its budget publication records incorporation in October 1986 as a historical fact. The City Clerk coordinates the legislative process, administers city elections, manages city records, records council decisions, prepares agendas and minutes, publishes legal notices and receives required political disclosures. The city’s overview highlights San Elijo Lagoon Reserve as a coastal wetland and bird habitat, and the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course as a public facility with ocean views. For registration and vote-by-mail questions, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters is the county administrator, separate from the city.
New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Olivenhain and Leucadia.
San Elijo Lagoon Reserve, a coastal wetland and bird habitat.
The City Clerk permanently records council decisions and prepares meeting agendas and minutes.
45,249 (California Secretary of State, as of September 4, 2026).
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