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A surf shop on the highway greets you with a sign announcing your arrival in Leucadia. Tucked comfortably between Carlsbad to the North and Encinitas to the South, Leucadia is a quaint, seaside community that extends for three and a half square miles from the coast inland just past Interstate 5 ending at El Camino Real.
Home to a diverse mix of surfers, artistic types, singles and families who enjoy a casual lifestyle, Leucadia maintains a small-town feel while being close to big city services. Its primary personality is the 100-year old downtown shopping district, a strip of antique shops, boutiques, surf shops, motels, sidewalk cafes and art galleries that hug coastal Highway 101. Downtown is reminiscent of a quiet, unspoiled, un-crowded beach town of pre-World War II. It retains much of that feel of earlier times with its beach, art and Highway 101 culture. The beaches are some of the best surf spots in the world and hold contests throughout the year. Sunsets are frequently enjoyed by residents and tourists on the bluffs overlooking Grandview, Beacon’s or Stone Steps beaches. The quiet, waterfront street of Neptune Avenue lined with million dollar homes from beach shacks to palatial estates, is host to dog walkers, bikers and joggers any time of day. |
Leucadia is known for its surf, culture, and "beachy" charm | 
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Leucadia is one of four communities within the City of Encinitas |
History
Founded in 1885 by British immigrants who seemingly had a taste for Greek mythology, Leucadia means “Sheltered Paradise” in Greek and many of the street names reflect Mt. Olympus. Hygeia, Hermes, Vulcan, Jupiter and Orpheus are just a few. The earliest buildings here date back to the 1880s, but the majority of growth came in the 1920s after water became available from the Lake Hodges Dam. The downtown district with its unique architecture and natural resources, reveals the past history and development of Leucadia. Once acres of avocado trees, flower and plant nurseries inhabited the area, and the agricultural heritage continues with abundant tree-lined streets, lush gardens and a few remaining nurseries like Weidner’s Begonia Gardens, established in 1973. Leucadia is one of four towns in the City of Encinitas, which incorporated in 1986. After the dramatic restoration and beautification of downtown Encinitas, business, property owners and residents of Leucadia felt the same should happen for their downtown area. In 2004, Leucadia 101 Main Street was established with the goal of revitalizing the historic Highway 101 corridor between Encinitas Blvd. and La Costa Avenue to some of its original glory. Training and technical support from the California Main Street Program will facilitate this transformation that will affect the roughly 225 businesses and property owners in the project area. |
Demographics
Home to more than 11,000 residents, Leucadians enjoy their remote, rural community, while many commute to work—a half hour drive to San Diego or a trip on the Amtrak South or to points North like Orange County or Los Angeles. As of the 2000 census, the average age of the residents was 36 years and average family income $56,500. Like other Encinitas residents, children attend the schools in the Encinitas Union School District and San Dieguito Union High School District.
Points of Interest and Events
Best known for its outstanding beaches, Leucadia’s Grandview, Beacon’s and Stone Steps provide the best waves for surfers, as well as somewhat rock-laden, kelp-strewn sand for walking or sunbathing (mostly at low tides). In addition, the two beach parks, Leucadia State Beach and Encinitas County Beach, draw locals and visitors looking for a remote place to fish, swim or picnic. Public access to the beaches is available by several steep stairways leading down from Neptune Avenue. Among the numerous antique shops along the Highway 101 corridor one of the most notable is Caldwell's Antiques, a family-run business specializing in old radios, advertising, jukeboxes and slot machines since 1963. Next door is ABC Trading Company, selling vintage vinyl records and life sized statues of the Blues Bros., Betty Boop and Marilyn Monroe. A long-time fixture in Leucadia is the Panniken, formerly the Encinitas Train Depot. When the station was to be demolished in 1975, a local resident saved it, turning it into a popular coffee house/art gallery and it remains one of the most significant rail and historical structures in San Diego County. The first ever Taste of Leucadia International Food Festival took place in April 2004 and promises to be an annual event. Featuring food from more than 15 local restaurants, the festival also hosted art displays, live music and other performance art along Highway 101.
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Beacon's Beach in Leucadia has great waves for surfers
Steep stairways from Neptune Avenue provide access to Leucadia's public beaches |
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Leucadia's thriving flower industry has made room for exclusive real estate developments |
Real Estate
Leucadia real estate, Leucadia homes and Leucadia condos consists of a blend of older homes, townhouses, custom homes and waterfront estates. The more than 5,000 housing units comprise small cottages (mostly downtown) intertwined with newer custom-built properties (many along Quail Gardens Road, near Encinitas Ranch Golf Course) and a few apartment and condominium projects (lining Vulcan Avenue)—a truly eclectic housing mix. Prices for condominiums start at $450,000 and go up to $2 million+, while single-family homes range from $700,000 to more than $5 million for homes with unparalleled ocean views. Greenhouses and flower fields are being demolished and small exclusive developments built. The bulk of Leucadia homes are generous in size with even more generous lots. Few streets have curbs or sidewalks and flower and tree-lined streets often lead a walker or lost driver into unpaved roads that wind up at a beautiful, hidden home. | It's our job to know EVERYTHING about Leucadia! Ask us any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and we promise to get back to you quickly... 
Investment Real Estate >Investing in Your Neighborhood
Some neighborhoods have the reputation of being terrific places to live, and the difference is often the investment that people make in their community. These neighborhoods embody a community spirit that reflects the pride of the people who live there. In addition to the financial investment the residents have in their property, they also invest their time by participating in local affairs.
How can you become active in your community? You can participate in your neighborhood association by volunteering to serve on committees. You can keep abreast of issues that could impact your area by testifying at hearings or writing letters to local government officials. There may be ways that you can help your neighbors if they are having a hard time with a serious illness or job loss. If your children are grown, you can make a tremendous difference by doing volunteer work in after-school tutoring programs. When some people begin to get involved in making a difference in their neighborhood, others soon follow.
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| Q |
What house is considered to be the first house with running water in America?
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| A |
John Headly's home built in Newport, RI in 1723, was equipped with an underground pipe from the nearby spring.
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- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
