Encinitas Ranch Town Center

When I grew up, this shopping center was a huge flower field. It was a huge deal when the Encinitas Ranch shopping center was proposed, and all the doomsayers that want Encinitas to never change said Encinitas would never be the same. Personally, I was just happy that we wouldn’t have to drive to San Marcos to go to CompUSA or Del Mar Heights to go to Barnes and Noble. It was great that everything we needed was right there, and it was also the age where big box stores were still new and exciting — «Wow, we can get EVERYTHING we need RIGHT HERE!». Fast forward 15 years and big box stores have lost their luster, CompUSA is out of business, and some of the stores in this center are getting to be a bit passé.
Still, for the average shopper, it’s got everything you need between Target, Stater Bros, Best Buy, etc. The food could be better, although Off the Hook is a hidden gem. I’ve heard Buffalo Wild Wings is going into the old El Torito spot which is good, I guess. Better than vacant at least. Between the Carlsbad Forum across the street and Encinitas Ranch, most of La Costa and Encinitas is served by these behemoths. Is it great urban planning? Probably not. Is it convenient? Most definitely.

They’ve got all your major shopping bases covered, and they have for years!
These days (early 2013), it’s anchored by Stater Bros, Best Buy, Target, Sports Authority, Office Depot, and Ross.
Amazingly, the Barnes & Noble still keeps its doors open. (And it has a great Starbucks attached.)
Wahoo’s, Einstein Bros Bagels, Philly Mike’s, KC’s Tandoor, and a lot more. Plenty of choices for food.
All in all, I’m definitely a big fan of the ol’ Encinitas Ranch Town Center. I’ve only just scratched the surface of what can be found there. Go check it out if you want a good snapshot of your typical modern SoCal shopping center.