The City of Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department offers hundreds of opportunities for residents of all ages to get active, learn new skills, and connect with the community. Your support of The Encinitas Project helps ensure these programs remain accessible and fully equipped.
Find Your Next Adventure
Everything you need to register for classes, view facility availability, and plan your recreational activities is managed through the City of Encinitas’s Recreation Programs web page.
- Activity Guide:Â View the latest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Activity Guide to explore current offerings at the Community Center, Pacific View Arts Center, and more.
- Registration: Â Register for classes, workshops, and programs.
Age 50+ Classes & Activities: Easily find registration information and schedules for all age 50+ programs, including fitness, arts, and educational offerings. - Gym Calendar:Â View the current gym calendar for open hours and specific activities like pickleball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball and more.
- Oakcrest Cafe Monthly Menu: Â View the current month’s nutritious and affordable lunch menu for seniors.
Support the Programs You Love
Remember that scholarships, equipment, and facility enhancements are funded by community efforts. When you register for a class, you may be enjoying the results of The Encinitas Project’s fundraising mission.
City Arts: Celebrating Culture and Creativity in Encinitas
The arts are essential to the spirit and vitality of our community. The Encinitas Project is committed to supporting the City of Encinitas’s diverse cultural programs, public art installations, and educational initiatives that enrich the lives of our residents.
The Pacific View Arts Center: A Creative Portal
The historic Pacific View site has been transformed into an active, multi-use cultural center offering classes to the community. This facility is a major investment in our city’s cultural infrastructure, providing dedicated space for creation, exploration, and education.
Pacific View Arts Center, located at 380 West F Street, hosts a variety of engaging programs, including visual, music and performing arts classes for all ages. The Encinitas Project champions initiatives that support the growth and programming of this vital community asset.
Support the Arts
The Encinitas Project is committed to ensuring these programs and facilities, including the development and programming of the Pacific View Arts Center, continue to thrive. Your support helps fund specific arts initiatives, facilities, and public displays that make Encinitas an inspiring place to live.
Encinitas Community & Senior Center: Arts, Recreation, and Connection
The Encinitas Community & Senior Center, located at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, serves as the central hub for cultural, social, and physical activities in the city—connecting residents of all ages.
View Programs & Register: Explore the full range of recreation, senior, and cultural classes offered at the Community and Senior Center.
The Center is equipped with amenities that support every facet of community life:
- Recreation & Wellness:Â It hosts a variety of organized activities, including pickleball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, dancing, youth day camps, a variety of classes and more.
- Social & Leisure:Â Amenities include pool tables, public computers, TV and game room, outdoor patio and fitness equipment.
- Senior Services:Â The facility hosts nutritional lunch programs and dedicated programming for the 50+ community.
- Arts & Display:Â The Center features a rotating community art gallery featuring local artists.
- Community Space:Â The Center, along with the Encinitas Library, also offers extensive room rental options for community groups and private events.
- View Programs & Register:Â Explore the full range of recreation, senior, and cultural classes offered at the Community and Senior Center.
Support the Arts & Recreation Programming
The Encinitas Project is committed to ensuring these programs and facilities, including the development and programming of the Encinitas Community & Senior Center, continue to thrive. Your support helps fund specific arts initiatives, recreational facilities, and public displays that make Encinitas an inspiring place to live.
Where Creativity Thrives: Public Arts, Exhibitions, and Performances
Encinitas believes in integrating art into our daily lives. The City has a growing collection of programs that bring creativity and culture to residents and visitors.
- Arts & Events Calendar: Â Find out about upcoming performances, workshops, and exhibitions hosted or supported by the City.
- Art Night Encinitas : Â This free, family-friendly event engages residents, artists, and visitors with open galleries featuring music, refreshments, performances, hands-on workshops, and creative exhibitions.
- Seasonal Concerts & Performances: Â The City offers programming throughout the year, including the Music by the Sea series (bringing world-class musicians to Encinitas), the free Wednesday-at-noon concerts (featuring a range of musical tastes), and seasonal presentations like DÃa de los Muertos and The Nutcracker.
- Public Art Collection: Â Explore the City’s permanent collection of murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect our history, environment, and creative community.
- City Juried Exhibitions: Â These exhibitions showcase the talents of local artists in all civic buildings (City Hall, Library, Community Center) with new shows rotating throughout the year.
- Sculpture Loan Program:  This is a rotating public art program that temporarily installs sculpture by local artists at sites in each of Encinitas’s community districts, enhancing public space with dynamic art.
Support the Arts
The Encinitas Project is committed to ensuring these programs and facilities continue to thrive. Your support helps fund specific arts initiatives, facilities, and public displays that make Encinitas an inspiring place to live.
Our Public Spaces: Parks, Facilities & Beaches
Encinitas’s quality of life is defined by its beautiful public spaces—from our pristine coastline to our vibrant community parks and essential civic facilities.
Places to Play in Your City
The map to the right serves as your guide to the many assets The Encinitas Project works to champion and fundraise for, ensuring they remain beautiful, functional, and accessible for residents and visitors alike.
Every location on this map represents a crucial investment in the health, recreation, and spirit of our community.
When you support The Encinitas Project, you are directly funding enhancements and new initiatives for these very parks, facilities, and beaches.
Encinitas Trail Network: Paths to Recreation
Discover the public assets we work to support by exploring the City’s three premier trail systems. Use the trail guides below to plan your next adventure across Encinitas Ranch, Manchester Preserve, and Olivenhain, and experience the natural charm of our community.
Our Community Trail Steward
The preservation and expansion of our trail network is supported by the tireless efforts of organizations dedicated to these natural spaces.
We would like to acknowledge the Encinitas Trails Coalition, a vital nonprofit working to advocate for and ensure a comprehensive network of well-maintained, multi-use trails across the city. Their commitment helps create the incredible recreational opportunities we all enjoy.
You can learn more about their work and trail advocacy efforts at trails4encinitas.org.
Explore Encinitas with the OuterSpatial App
Unlock the full potential of Encinitas’s parks, beaches, and trails by downloading the free OuterSpatial app—your digital guide to local recreation.
OuterSpatial is an easy, engaging tool designed to help you discover and plan your next adventure across our city’s incredible public spaces. Think of it as a dedicated visitor center, right on your phone – providing the current, accurate information you need for a better experience.
On the app, you’ll find details on:
- Upcoming City of Encinitas events
- Hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails
- Park amenities and facility details
- Beaches and scenic viewpoints
- Photos, detailed descriptions, and links to all the best in Encinitas
For more information and direct links, visit the Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts page on the OuterSpatial website: outerspatial.link
Download the FREE OuterSpatial app today from the App Store or Google Play.
Report and Improve with the MyEncinitas App
The MyEncinitas App is the most effective way for residents to partner with the City to keep our parks, beaches, facilities, and public spaces in top condition.
This free app allows you to quickly and easily report non-emergency issues—such as potholes, graffiti, illegal dumping, or maintenance needs at a playground or park—directly to the appropriate City staff. Your reports ensure the assets we help fund remain safe and beautiful for everyone.
How it Works:
- See an Issue? Â Snap a photo of the problem (e.g., a broken irrigation head at a park).
- Submit Instantly: Â The app uses GPS to pinpoint the location and sends the report directly to City maintenance staff.
- Track Progress: Â You can monitor the status of your request until the issue is resolved.
By using the MyEncinitas App, you become an active steward of our community.
Plus the app serves as a central hub for civic information, providing city updates, agendas, and webcasts, wildfire emergency preparedness resources, and information on our beaches, parks, and trails…and so much more.
Download the FREE MyEncinitas App today from the App Store or Google Play and help us ensure a vibrant Encinitas.
Scholarship Programs: Fostering Access and Equity
Fostering access and equity is core to our mission. The City of Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department offers distinct programs to ensure every Encinitas resident, regardless of age or financial circumstances, has the opportunity to participate in enriching activities. The Encinitas Project advocates for and raises funds to support these crucial opportunities in our community.
Youth Scholarship Program
The City of Encinitas maintains a dedicated Youth Scholarship Fund to ensure that our younger population can access diverse recreational and cultural arts programs.
Who Qualifies? This program is designed to make camps, classes, and activities more accessible to the City’s children and teens who demonstrate an economic need. Scholarships are capped at a maximum of $300 per person, per calendar year, helping to foster health, skill development, and social connection for our youth.
How to Apply: To view the program guidelines and apply for the Youth Scholarship Fund, please download the application form below.*
*The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department administers this scholarship program. Contact them at (760) 633-2740 or prca@encinitasca.gov to apply or request more information.
Senior Scholarship Program
While Encinitas senior residents currently receive discounts on programs specifically reserved for the 50+ community, they must pay full price for general recreational programs open to all ages.
The Senior Scholarship Fund is specifically designed to address this gap and support our senior residents who require financial assistance. This fund ensures low-income seniors can participate in the full range of activities—from fitness courses to art workshops—that are crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. Scholarships are capped at a maximum of $300 per person, per calendar year, maximizing the fund’s reach across our 50+ community.
How to Apply: To view the program guidelines and apply for the Senior Scholarship Fund, please download the application form below.*
*The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department administers this scholarship program. Contact them at (760) 633-2740 or prca@encinitasca.gov to apply or request more information.
Support Future Opportunities
These essential scholarships are partially funded by the generosity of donors like you. You can choose to support our mission generally, or direct your gift to our current matching campaign:
- Senior Scholarship Challenge:Â We invite you to donate to our current matching challenge to double your impact for the new Senior Scholarship Fund! This challenge ends on December 31, 2025.
- General Support:Â Donate to the general fund to support our ongoing advocacy and fundraising efforts for all arts, parks, and recreation initiatives.
City Commissions: Guiding Arts, Parks, and Recreation
The mission of The Encinitas Project is to champion and fundraise for the City’s arts, parks, and recreation. But who guides the vision for these critical areas of our city?
The answer lies with the dedicated volunteer members of the four City Commissions affiliated with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA) Department. Working closely with City staff, these commissioners review proposals, study complex issues, and provide well-informed recommendations directly to the City Council.
When you donate to The Encinitas Project, you are providing the vital funds that help turn these commissions’ well-researched plans and policy recommendations into tangible community enrichments.
By learning about their work, you can see exactly where the need for funding exists and how you can engage directly with the future of Encinitas.
Meet the Commissions
| Commission | Primary Focus | The Initiatives Your Donation Supports |
| Commission for the Arts | Visual, Performing, and Literary Arts. | Recommends policies and plans ensuring public art, arts education, cultural programming and arts venues thrive across Encinitas. |
| Parks & Recreation Commission | Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Programs. | Recommends policies and plans for the acquisition, development, improvement, and use of all city parks, open spaces, and recreation programs. |
| Senior Citizen Commission | Programs and Services for Adults 50+ | Recommends policies and plans for the development and operation of programs and services that directly enhance the quality of life for the Encinitas senior community. |
| Youth Commission | Youth/Teen Services and Programs. | Recommends policies and plans that ensure high-quality recreational, educational, and service programs meet the needs of our youth in Encinitas. |
Stay Engaged: Access Commission Information
These commissions conduct their business in public, giving every resident a voice in shaping our city’s future. We encourage our donors and sponsors to attend a meeting and see the decision-making process firsthand!
To get information on agenda items, webcasts, contacts and more, please visit their city website pages:
Meet the Commissions
| Commission | Regular Meetings | No Meetings |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | 1st Monday | 5PM | July |
| Youth | 1st Wednesday | 4:30PM | July & August |
| Senior Citizen | 3rd Tuesday | 2PM | July & December |
| Parks & Recreation | 3rd Tuesday | 5:30PM | July & December |
All regular commission meetings are held in City Council Chambers located in City Hall at 505 South Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024.
Supporting the Commissions, Staff, and Council’s Initiatives
Your donations allow The Encinitas Project to fund and champion the critical initiatives envisioned by these four commissions, PRCA staff, and City Councilâ”…ensuring that Encinitas remains a vibrant place to live, play, and create.
Community Network: Shared Vision, Local Action
The success of Encinitas relies on a network of dedicated organizations working to enhance every neighborhood. The Encinitas Project is proud to support and collaborate with the following groups who share our commitment to arts, parks, recreation, and community vitality.
Main Street & Community Vitality
These organizations focus on preserving and promoting the unique character, economic health, and cultural vibrancy of our city.
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
Promotes and supports the economic growth, vitality, and prosperity of local businesses to enhance the overall quality of life in the Encinitas. They provide essential resources, host networking events, advocate for local businesses, and promote the city as a premier destination through its Visitor Center.
Arts, Parks & Environmental Stewardship
These local groups are directly aligned with cultural enrichment, public access, and ecological preservation.
Vet Arts
Vet Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the health and well-being of veterans, active military, and their families through the therapeutic power of arts and creative expression. They provide a range of free programs, workshops, and exhibitions to facilitate healing and community connection.
We Believe in the Power of Shared Vision & Collaboration
The Encinitas Project is committed to supporting this network of dedicated organizations and looks forward to collaborating with them to amplify our collective positive impact on Encinitas’s arts, parks, and recreation.