Home Care In Encinitas, CA

ENCINITAS — The city’s Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission met on March 11 to hear from the community as part of a third-party study to provide clear guidelines for establishing new permit parking zones and their operation throughout the city.

During the meeting, the first of two planned community-involved meetings, Dixon Resources Unlimited, a municipal parking and transportation consultant, introduced a new permit parking study that has been underway since January.

According to Dixon, the firm plans to review existing municipal codes for future developments, draft recommendations for the parking permit program based on community feedback, and present its findings to update the municipal code on establishing permit parking zones to the Encinitas City Council in June 2024.

“We’re also going to launch a citywide survey that should hopefully be out to the public within the next week,” said Dixon associate Ben Verdugo. “We understand that density is going to be coming on board here fairly soon over the next few years in the city. With increased density comes increased traffic and parking. So we’re going to definitely be aware of that when we put this (study) together for the city.”

The consulting firm and commission also heard from residents, who voiced concerns and suggested improvements, including more parking enforcement. The city launched the permit parking program in June 2023 in response to numerous complaints from residents living on Via Molena and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The complaints stem from reports of overoccupancy at The Resort at Encinitas Luxury Apartments, located at 1320 Via Terrassa. When a new management company at The Resort started charging a $25 parking fee per spot, residents and tenants began looking for free street parking along the nearby streets of Via Molena, Via Tavira, Via Sarasan, Via Palacio, and Via Villena.

Tenants looking to avoid additional parking costs have caused issues with the residents of those neighborhoods.

“We have lived in an apartment complex for over 30 years without problems. And all of a sudden, about two years ago, everyone began to park on our streets at all hours of the night,” resident David Stegman said. “The source of our problem is the chronic overoccupancy at The Resort.”

In response, the council established a permit parking zone in the Via Molena area in June 2023.

Under the program, each resident living on Via Tavira, Via Sarasan, Via Palacio, Via Villena, Via Terrassa, Via Solaro, and Via Morella received one “resident” permit for each vehicle for a fee of $5 each. Residents also have the opportunity to purchase up to three “visitor” permits.

However, homeowners like resident Michael Macau have not seen an improvement in the parking situation since the program was launched, citing “little to no enforcement” in the permit parking zone. Macau said he has frequently observed “cars parked for several days, and then the owner comes, removes the car, another car parks in its place and trades the parking pass.”

A parking project kickoff was held on Jan. 8, 2024, and onsite assessments of parking zones and residential parking permit zones have been completed, according to a project overview from the city.

Residents can inquire about the permit parking program study by contacting [email protected].

Changes in state law allow 5 mph reduction, and city plans to pursue it for areas with 30 mph speeds or higher, plus areas near schools

ENCINITAS —

Plans are on track to reduce speed limits on many Encinitas roadways, ranging from major arterials, such as El Camino Real, to residential streets near schools, starting this summer.

City traffic engineer Abe Bandegan told the City Council at a meeting Wednesday he’ll likely have a proposed ordinance ready for council approval within the next month. The signage could be up by June and enforcement could start July 1.

“Tonight, we wanted to see if the council blessed this,” he said as he displayed a rough, tentative map that showed the many streets proposed for speed limit reductions.

Council members unanimously voted to give him the green light to proceed with the plans. They also suggested adding a few roads, including Eulos and Hymettus avenues where residents have mounted a campaign to have speed bumps installed.

To set roadway speed limits, cities must follow state standards, or any speed tickets they might issue would not be valid in court. One key state requirement is known as the 85th percentile rule — cities must use traffic study data and establish a road’s speed limit based on the speed that 85 out of 100 drivers are doing in good weather during daytime hours. There’s a bit of flexibility — if the average speed is found to be 47 mph, cities can round that down to 45 mph.

Encinitas can now lower its speed limits on some roads by an additional 5 mph because of changes in state law, Bandegan said. Assembly Bill 43, which passed in 2021, now allows Encinitas to lower speed limits on two types of roadways.

The first category is “safety corridor” roads — ones that have a high number of serious injuries and fatalities, based on their collision history. Cities can put up to 20 percent of their roadways into this category. That amounts to about 34 miles of roads in Encinitas, Bandegan said.

Streets in Encinitas that are now under consideration for inclusion in this category include El Camino Real, Encinitas Boulevard, Leucadia Boulevard, Manchester Avenue, Melba Road, parts of Coast Highway 101, Olivenhain Road, Piraeus Street, Rancho Santa Fe Road, Santa Fe Drive and Vulcan Avenue.

The second category where additional 5 mph-speed-limit reductions now are permitted consists of “roadways with a high concentration of bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Bandegan said he is currently recommending that the city only include roads that are within a quarter-mile of schools into this category for now, but Encinitas could expand the eligible streets later.

The proposed street list currently includes Birmingham Drive, El Camino Del Norte, Garden View Road, La Costa Avenue, Lake Drive, Lone Jack Road, Mountain Vista Drive, Quail Gardens Drive, Quail Hollow Drive, Saxony Road, Via Cantebria, Via Molena and Via Montoro.

Most of the council members said Wednesday they had no problem accepting the draft proposal and would like more roadways included, but Councilmember Bruce Ehlers asked to remove a few roadway segments in his district — District 4, which includes Olivenhain and part of New Encinitas.

“I did not anticipate this many roads (being included), especially cul-de-sacs,” he said, later adding, “where it’s a cul-de-sac a half-mile away (from a school), and it’s going from 25 to 20, I just can’t see the sense.”

The council ultimately agreed to have Ehlers work with Bandegan in the coming weeks to remove some roadway sections in his district.

With the vibrant blooms of spring come a refreshed schedule of workshops at San Diego Botanic Garden!

From DIY plant workshops and wellness classes to must-see blooms, including the blue-hued Jade Vine in the Conservatory and the newly renovated Bamboo Garden, San Diego Botanic Garden is the perfect spot to celebrate the start of Spring.

New Workshops at San Diego Botanic Garden

Soak in the fresh springtime air while being surrounded by lush gardens during Open Air Yoga on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 10 AM on March 16, March 23, and March 30.

The class is outside with limited shade, so please also bring a towel or padding and sunscreen. Walk-ins are welcome.

On Wednesday evenings, melt the day away and surround yourself with lush greenery with the calming atmosphere of a rainforest and a gentle yoga flow during Conservatory Yoga.

March 20, and March 27, inside the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory for a truly unique yoga experience.

Tickets can be purchased online and are $12 for members and $24 for non-members. To guarantee your space, register by 5 PM the day before the class.

Create the perfect table-top bunny decoration for your Easter tablescapes on Thursday, March 14, from 10 AM to 12 PM. All materials are provided, including a variety of succulent cuttings from the Garden.

Tickets can be purchased online here and are $52 for members and $60 for non-members.

Join herbalist Corinne Feinberg on Monday, March 18, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM, as she teaches how to communicate with the natural world through an intuitive method of herbal medicine.

This class will feature playful learning, meditative medicine, pleasure for the senses, and the ever-unfolding wisdom of the plant kingdom. Explore non-psychoactive plants through various herbal preparations and sit amongst the diverse medicinal plants on the verdant grounds of the Garden.

Tickets are $40 for members and $48 for non-members. To guarantee your space, register here by March 16.

Join San Diego Botanic Garden on Saturday, March 23, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM to learn how to end hunger in our community by growing a garden.

Taught by Mim Michelove of Healthy Day Partners and sponsored by the City of Encinitas, the workshop includes organic seedlings, organic seed packers, garden tools, a local garden resource and planting guide, tricks of the trade for a zero-waste kitchen, and more.

This workshop requires a $10 refundable deposit. To guarantee your space, register here by March 22.

Create a beautiful succulent arrangement with Succulent Designer Ileana Canada of IIy the Plant Lady on Saturday, March 23, from 2:30 PM to 4 PM.

During the workshop, you’ll decorate a handmade 10” wood heart-shaped planter with a variety of succulents, soil or sphagnum moss, and more to enjoy your living piece of art for years to come.

Tickets can be purchased online here. They are $75 for members and $90 for non-members. Register by March 21 to guarantee your space.

Join Sandy Zelasko of Sandra Lee Photography to learn how to use your smartphone to create striking garden images on Wednesday, March 27, from 2 PM to 4:30 PM. This immersive program in the Garden will help you “see” your subject with a skilled photographer’s eye.

You’ll explore composition, light, color, and shape while watching for patterns and complimentary backgrounds before you take the picture. Learn a long list of tips and tricks to help you create beautiful garden images!

This class will be held both in the classroom and outside in the Garden. Tickets can be purchased online here, priced at $45 for members and $54 for non-members. Register by March 25 to guarantee your space.

Learn the Japanese art of “kokedama” on Saturday, March 30, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

During this hands-on workshop, you’ll create your own Kokedama, where plants are grown in a moss-covered ball of soil, using materials provided, including moss, soils, choice of orchid, and more.

Gloves and aprons are not provided, so dress accordingly for working with soil. Tickets can be purchased online here. They are $58 for members and $62 for non-members. Register by March 27 to guarantee your space.

See you there!

San Diego Botanic Garden is located at 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Ecke Ranch Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024.

For more info, visit the website here and follow them on Instagram, X, and Facebook for updates.

See you there, San Diego!

ENCINITAS, CA — Encinitas residents woke up to rain Thursday as the first of two back-to-back winter storms reached the San Diego region.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for all of San Diego County because the fast-moving storm is expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds, heightened flood risks and mountain snow to Southern California. The flood watch will remain in place until 10 a.m. Friday.

"A fast-moving Pacific storm will bring strong gusty south winds this morning with widespread moderate to heavy precipitation into this afternoon with a slight chance of thunderstorms, then showery through tonight with decreasing showers for Friday and Friday night," NWS San Diego wrote Thursday morning.

Through Friday night, rainfall is expected to range from 1.5 to 2 inches near the coast, 2 to 3 inches in the mountains, and a quarter to a half-inch in the deserts, according to the NWS.

Forecasters warned that excessive runoff could result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas. Residents are encouraged to monitor later forecasts and be on alert for emergency notifications.

Find out what's happening in Encinitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A high wind advisory will also remain in place until 2 p.m. Thursday for the county's coastal areas, including Encinitas. South winds between 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph are expected, according to the NWS.

Forecasters warned gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs and palm fronds could also be blown down.

"South winds and precipitation will intensify this morning with the strongest southwinds this morning ahead of the cold front," NWS San Diego wrote Thursday. "Winds for coastal areas could gust to 45 to 55 mph with the stronger gusts near higher coastal terrain. The stronger winds behind the front will be over the mountains and deserts for tonight and Friday."

A high surf advisory will also remain in place until 6 a.m. Saturday for the county's coastal areas, including Encinitas.

Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet are expected, according to the NWS. The surf will peak late Thursday into Friday before gradually lowering Friday night and Saturday.

Forecasters warned of dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.

After a break in the rain Saturday, another storm is expected to arrive Sunday or Monday, according to the NWS.

"More precipitation from a slow-moving low pressure system off the California coast may develop later on Sunday into Monday with more widespread moderate to heavy precipitation centered some time around Tuesday," NWS San Diego wrote.

Firefighters from over 30 departments will hit the streets with their boots to collect donations at intersections throughout the county.

Patch Staff

ENCINITAS, CA — Firefighters on Thursday will be stationed at more than 100 intersections across San Diego County for the annual Firefighter Boot Drive to help raise money for the Burn Institute.

This year, firefighters from more than 30 departments will hit the streets with their boots to collect donations during the morning and afternoon commute throughout the region, including in Encinitas.

The proceeds will be used for the San Diego-based organization's fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support services such as Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children. In addition, a portion of the Boot Drive donations will be used to sustain the Red Line of Courage Fund, designed to provide financial support to members of the fire service who sustain a burn injury while on duty.

The Burn Institute's annual Firefighter Boot Drive, which started in 1999, is the organization's largest one-day fundraiser. All funds raised through the fundraiser stay locally in San Diego County.

"For the past 25 years, fire departments throughout San Diego County have participated in the Boot Drive to reinforce a profound truth: Healing is an act of community," said Tessa Haviland, executive director of the Burn Institute. "The unwavering support from the San Diego community and those in fire service have empowered healing, making each contribution much more than just a donation — they are a testament to our collective capacity for compassion."

Find out what's happening in Encinitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anyone who misses the firefighters, can still make a donation to help support burn survivors.

Boot Drive Locations

Alpine Fire Protection District

Barona Fire Department

Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District

CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire Authority

Carlsbad Fire Department

Chula Vista Fire Department

Encinitas Fire Department

Escondido Fire Department

Federal Firefighters

General Dynamic NASSCO Fire Department

Heartland Fire and Rescue

Imperial Beach Fire Department

Lakeside Fire Protection District

National City Fire Department

North County Fire Protection District (Bonsall, Fallbrook and Rainbow)

Oceanside Firefighters

Pala Fire Department

Pauma Fire Department (Pauma Valley)

Poway Fire Department

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

Santee Fire Department

Solana Beach Fire Department

Sycuan Fire Department (El Cajon)

Valley Center Fire Protection District

Viejas Fire Department (Alpine)

Vista Fire Department

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