Our parents’ guide to local city parks wraps up this week in Leucadia.
(1309 Blue Heron Ave.)
This slice of park in the hills off Quail Gardens Drive, near Saxony and La Costa avenues, offers lovely hillside views. A large grassy area is great for romping or, as on a recent day, an informal baseball game. The path that runs alongside the lawn heads down to the playground and another grassy patch. There aren’t any restrooms, but plenty of picnic tables under shady trees by the play area, plus another set under a gazebo.
(1511 N. Vulcan Ave.)
It’s right by the railroad tracks and Coast Highway 101, but this park has a bucolic feel thanks to artful landscaping and a blanket of green space that buffers the playground from the road. In addition to a swingset area and a large jungle gym, the park also has a sand volleyball court, basketball hoops, and a mini-skateboard bowl—making this park ideal for kids of all ages. No restrooms.
(482 Orpheus Ave.)
If you’d like your kids to have a slide with an ocean view, this is the place to go. Walk down the grassy slope from the street and take the path to the playground. There is a covered area with long picnic tables, but not many other shaded benches; but when you can gaze out to the horizon where the blue ocean meets the blue sky, it’s not too shabby. The sandy play area is expansive and a good spot for kids who may be scared of dogs—this is an off-leash park. Like the other Leucadia parks, there aren’t any restrooms.
Picture-Perfect Pets
The new pet-centric exhibit at the , “My Best Friend,” has a free opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. July 23. Guests can see the 55 two- and three-dimensional works in the show, meet the artists, sample refreshments, and check out an Elvis-themed kissing booth and a pet adoption drive sponsored by Rancho Coastal Humane Society, which presents the exhibit along with the city and Cardiff’s Dog Days of Summer. 540 Cornish Drive, 760-753-7376.
Classic Cars Rolling In
It’s time for this month’s edition of Classic Car Cruise Nights, which takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 21. Classic rides of all kinds will be parked along Coast Highway 101 between D and K streets, with entertainment provided by Rob Mehl and Gil Orr, and Tower 7. The event, sponsored by Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association, is free. 760-943-1950, encinitas101.com.
