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    Self-Realization Fellowship

    4.8 (56 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Cindy T.

    I was in the area for vacation, and someone recommended I take my kids here to check out the koi fish. My kids loved it, and there was a beautiful view of the ocean!

    Nowell D.

    This place will transport you to beautiful tranquil views of lush vegetation and views of the ocean. I went on a Friday morning only a few people that day. Please be respectful and mindful of those around praying and meditating. I enjoyed sitting in various spots under shaded trees to enjoy the sights of koi fish, different flowers, plant life, and soak in the breeze of the ocean waves. Views are amazing! This place is free and there is a box for donations. One of my top places to take friends and family that are visiting

    Carmen V.

    Walk. Meditate. Breathe. Contemplate nature. You can do all that in this fabulous place, plus a little bit of more enlightenment if you are into religion or want to disappear for a bit from the mundane. I would change the name of this building-gardens-view point (too long, too generic, don't know who are those fellows). I just call it the cake-temple, as it looks like something edible and pretty, and just in the heart of Encinitas, so new age, inspirational, mystical and fit town. Whether you see the light or not, this is a must visit from anyone, local or tourist, because the views of the sea are breathtaking (remember you breathe a lot here, so can have some taken away with these gorgeous seascapes!). Watching the kona fish in the pond or just smelling the flowers is another pleasant activity to do here. Very relaxing.

    Keo N.

    A delightful garden right at the edge of the pacific ocean. This is a good pit stop if you happen to be driving by. The place was meticulously kept with several koi ponds and a manicured landscape. A drought tolerant garden to the west opens up to beautiful views of the ocean and beyond. Will definitely return to enjoy this wonderous place.

    Amazing Vistas
    Scott B.

    Now, I'm not a super crazy religious guy. I feel that I see proof the big guy and his work in each and every zany adventure I go on. Be it the wondrous scenery, the strange crafted art or just simply the batshit crazy cool shit I that drive around to see. I feel my relationship with the man upstairs is good. So, while planning a trip for a donut sandwich nearby, Yelpers informed me of this place, and then I read more about it in one of the books I'd acquired recently. I parked the car at the bottom of the hill, and then spent some time walking around trying to find the entrance. Eventually I found a gate, and I walked in and began some exploring. I avoided the temple as to not disturb any sermons or services or whatnot that were going on. This place is downright amazing. Blooming flowers, manicured lawns, gargantuan trees spreading their branches far and high. Multi-Tiered Koi ponds with healthy fish swimming about. Incredible vistas of the ocean. These gardens are absolutely beautiful. Truly proof of goodness and trust and purity that somebody so long ago made this and just lets random people just wander about through it. Generously sprinkled about the place are lil benches. Presumably for meditation? Centering? I dunno. But they're all over the place in lil natural alcoves. By koi ponds. By nature. By water. I even sat down at one, tried to contemplate my place in the universe and even 'ohhhhhhhmmmmmmmm'ed' for a lil bit. Turns out, I'm a terrible terrible meditator. Here's a beginner meditation tip: Don't park your butt on a bench next to a real pretty flower on a trail. Turns out lots of people come up that trail and then photograph said pretty flower. Even talk with the other people about said pretty flower. Every few minutes. Seriously. Park your butt on a bench elsewhere. So, I spent an hour or so meandering through the well trailed gardens, sitting in the benches here and there and was simply being inspired by the beauty and calmness of the place. It's just so very much 'Zen' and is actually pretty incredibly calming and relaxing. Not that my life is crazy excitement and worry to need that stuff. Thank you to the dude who started it, and I'll likely be coming back to this place.

    John C.

    I have been visiting this place since the mid 90's. Its a great spot to relax and clear your head. Amazing views of the pacific and very well maintained gardens. There are some very well hidden spots to practice meditation or simply veg out and get lost in the beauty of the coast. Lots of free parking on the street and really close to the lumberyard and Cardiff.

    Andy C.

    This place is super amazing and totally beautiful!!! Just take a look at the photos that are posted!!! This place is the place to come to when you want to just relax or to just walk around. The sights of this place are amazing and the beautiful flowers are just so amazing. Also, this place has breathtaking views of the ocean and an enchanting garden to walk around. Recently, I was there with a friend and we had a great time sitting by the edge of the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. This is an awesome place to come too when you just need to get away from it all and kick back.

    SRF outdoor hallway
    Nguyen T.

    Nice, simple temple grounds with several lecture halls, friendly people/families, reading material, refreshments after Sunday lecture. It's located on a clean,normal residential street, with a few surrounding businesses. Several volunteers with name tags stand around if you have any questions. Very small parking area, but ample, free street parking. I came here solo, and it was a very non-intimidating experience. There's no main office here, but People smile at you and don't hesitate to answer any questions you may have. The demographic was mostly older people, few families. They even have a greeter, Naheim, who's so down to earth and friendly. I sat with her on one of the many seating areas, and we chatted it up, and she made me feel very welcome. She told me a temple location exists in downtown San Diego! Id check out this place in Encinitas though, because the meditation gardens on K St is beautiful and worth checking out. In between services, I walked down the street to browse the nearby businesses, ordered a Bombay latte and almond croissant at Darshan cafe, and just chilled out. They have other yoga/meditation studios nearby, Indian restaurant, a bar, etc. Check out their website and calender under "events" at https://www.yogananda-srf.org. I'll be back when I need my fix for spirituality !

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful gardens very peaceful and free what can I say. I enjoy seeing the fish and ocean, amazing view

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    3 years ago

    I've been coming to this place for over 20 years. I'm so thankful to know I can escape to this place when I need to clear my head of stress.

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    19 years ago

    I walked in there in 1989. I realized I was myself and walked out. I'll be damned if this place worked. Five stars!!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Self-Realization Fellowship

    How much is the entrance fee to walk round the gardens?

    It is free. Donations can be made at the drop box as you are about to walk up to the gardens.

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    Review Highlights - Self-Realization Fellowship

    It has the most gorgeous garden settings with Koi fish pond, flowers, plants, walkways, paths and ocean views.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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    Lightscape San Diego

    Lightscape San Diego

    2.9
    (100 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    We've attended this glowious event several times and each time it is a slightly different…read moreexperience. We tend to stop for treats before walking around. The vendors are very friendly and ready to serve. I like the hot mulled apple cider and a simple hot dog. I don't like to eat too heavily since it involves walking around the venue. I carry the cider. It helps to keep me warm on the cooler nights it usually falls on. The last time we came it was the night that was designated for ages 21 and up. Although we did see some kids with their families there was significantly less littles and strollers under toe than our previous times here. We brought our adult kiddos and they ventured around among themselves. We went around twice...once with the steps and second time on the flat trails. The light displays are all synced with fun music and sounds. Each zone has a fun theme. Pleasantly stimulating experiences every time! Check it out if you haven't already.

    Let there be lights! This was a beautiful exhibit. Not…read morespecific to the holiday but a mix of color scapes. I took my husband for his birthday which falls on Thanksgiving week. Paid for parking and anytime tickets for flexibility. Along the lit path are benches to sit and sip. Booths with hot cocoa and other snacks and beverages. I ordered the spiked hot chocolate. We look forward to visiting other botanical gardens to experience the holiday lights in the future - as it has been a trend from LA to SF too. Fan of the California Poppies!' #LetThereBeLights #Encinitas #BotanicalGarden #Holiday

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    Coastal Kiddos

    Coastal Kiddos

    5.0
    (13 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Our 5-year old really enjoys this camp. We signed him up for ski week and he had tons of fun during…read morea very rainy week. Coach Brooks is amazing! We get funded through San Diego Regional Center and she was really great in accommodating our request and even offered an additional week of Spring Break camp because our school district had a different timeline than the other coastal schools. Coach Brooks and Coach Zora introduced our kid to lots of fun activities such as building forts, tide pooling, building and flying kites, hiking the slot at Annie's Canyon, and even encountering rattlesnakes. This was such a great outdoor activity for our kid in a safe and supportive environment. Being an only child, his exposure to interacting with multi-aged kids has been a tremendous experience. Thank you, Coastal Kiddos, for helping us build one of our child's best core memories!

    My 4 year old daughter went for Memorial Day camp and loved it. She said it was her favorite camp…read moreever (we've tried quite a few). Run by two young women, well organized, and so much fun for the kiddos - some of the favorites were holding beetles, face painting, and making tie dye shirts. We even got pictures and a recap over email which was a nice personal touch and gave us curious parents more insight into the day's activities. We will definitely be back this summer!

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    Hi I'm Brooks. I am an outdoor educator from La Jolla with over 8 years of experience working with children.
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    San Diego Botanic Garden

    San Diego Botanic Garden

    4.2
    (616 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I had the opportunity to experience the botanical garden both as a general visitor and as a…read moreprospective wedding venue. It was one of the most beautiful venues we toured, though there were some limitations regarding event spaces and accessibility. There were two primary areas capable of accommodating our guest count of 150: the Lawn Garden and the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. I preferred the ceremony setup at the Conservatory, while the Lawn Garden offered a more appealing space for cocktail hour. However, the Lawn Garden is entirely outdoors, so couples should have a weather contingency plan. The amphitheater adjacent to the Conservatory felt relatively plain and undersized compared to the lush surroundings. Both venues were conveniently located near parking lots and restrooms, though the restrooms themselves resembled standard public facilities. The garden grounds were expansive and quite hilly. The Lawn Garden parking area required navigating a significant incline that could be difficult for some guests. While a shuttle service exists, we were informed it is volunteer operated and unavailable for private events. Venue rentals included ceremony chairs and cocktail hour belly bar tables. Most other services and rentals must be booked through approved vendors. During our tour, we explored many of the garden's attractions and found it to be highly family friendly, though less accommodating for elderly guests or those with mobility concerns. Children would love the children's garden, streams, and treehouse areas. Meanwhile, sections such as the Rainforest Garden and New Zealand Garden featured steep pathways that may be challenging to navigate. My favorite areas were the Walled Garden and the dancing topiaries, where flowers were sculpted into whimsical musicians and dancers. We also attended the Orchid Showcase inside the Conservatory, which featured an impressive collection of orchids. The volunteers were exceptionally knowledgeable and eager to share information beyond what was available on the website, adding a great deal to the experience. The gift shop was an underrated highlight. I picked up a pressed flower magnet where each one featured a unique arrangement. Ultimately, the venue felt a bit too small for our wedding, but it remained one of our top contenders. For couples who value greenery and natural beauty, this would be an incredible choice for a smaller guest count. Just be aware that much of the planning, design, and personalization will fall on the couple.

    I always enjoy the Botanic Gardens but 2024 is the first time I attended the Lightscape festival…read more It was so worth the time and the trip and the parking! I took my Mom who I learned my gawking skills from and we had an excellent time walking and gawking at all of the amazingly designed lighting exhibits. It is very dark in the area say take time to slow down and watch for the entrance and parking signs and people. There were quite a few parking attendants around to point people toward spots and away from full lots. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was full but it didn't take us long to find a parking spot. There were signs and the attendants also pointed everyone in the direction to the entrance. At the front, security checked bags and scanned tickets and ushered people into the park. Guides at the front suggested a route which included following the arrows lighted along the routes through the garden. It was so gorgeous! People were quite respectful of others trying to get photos of displays and couple and group photos. At one location I became the honorary photographer after helping out a few people. We walked around and posed and all for over three hours. It was a well spent wholesome family evening. You're killing it, SD Botanic Garden!

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    Self-Realization Fellowship - recreation - Updated June 2026

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