Serene Scene

Walking the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas

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.

- Your safety guaranteed by the local event management and security service.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View