Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego онлайн

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The North County beach vibe finds its best expression in coastal Encinitas, where laid-back surfing and New Age cultures blend. Right below the high perch of the Asian-styled Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) retreat, called Swami’s in deference to founder Paramahansa Yogananda, lies one of San Diego County’s most popular surfing spots. Just take it from the Beach Boys, who referred to Swami’s in their 1960s song “Surfin’ USA.” On most days throughout the year, you can view surfers in action or bobbing astride their boards just outside the breakers awaiting the next perfect wave. Bottlenose dolphins occasionally show up too, seemingly playing in the surf and sometimes even catching their own rides. Birds of many varieties—including gulls, terns, and shorebirds large and small, along with the ever-entertaining peeps (small sandpipers)—are likely to be present during a Swami’s walk.

Our walk down the beach from Swami’s Park, overlooking Swami’s Beach, is flat and easy, with no more than a few cobbles here and there to trip you up. If you want, on the way down the beach or on the way back, you can ratchet up the exercise by climbing up and down several staircases. The staircases lead to the clifftop campgrounds of San Elijo State Beach. These sideways diversions involve little added horizontal distance and plenty of elevation gain and loss if you’re game for it.