Serene Scene

Peace, reflection, and rejuvenation are gifts that any mother will love, and all are in abundance at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple in Encinitas, where serene gardens overlook a stunning stretch of SoCal coast.

Calm flows over you from the moment you walk through the gates, as you enjoy the various succulent gardens, smell the blooming flowers, and gaze into mesmerizing koi ponds. Founded on the teachings of early 20th-century Indian yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, the temple welcomes visitors to enjoy, explore, and meditate in these lovely gardens. Once you’ve walked the interior, make for the periphery and a view of the breathtaking Encinitas coastline, where surfers are taking advantage of the day’s swells.

Among Yogananda’s major messages was “balanced health and well-being in body, mind, and soul.” Such is the experience of strolling these grounds, and it’s all the more special when shared with Mom.

EXTRA TREAT: For a delicious post-visit meal, take a 15-minute drive down Highway 101 to Poseidon Restaurant in Del Mar. Complete with grilled mahi-mahi fish tacos for lunch and a towering mud pie for dessert, the beachside restaurant ties a wonderful bow around this Mother’s Day outing.

To visit the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, take I-5 to Exit 42 and head west on Encinitas Blvd. Continue straight onto B St. before turning left onto 3rd St. Free parking is available on nearby streets; be sure to heed the signs. Walk through the entrance gates at 215 W. K St., and a security guard will direct you to the gardens. No dogs.