Finding Peace at the Encinitas Meditation Gardens

Some places you visit to see the sights. Others, you visit to feel something. The Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, California is one of those rare gems where beauty and peace come together, wrapping around you the moment you step inside.

🌿 Learn more: Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple

A Garden for Stillness

As soon as I walked through the gates, I noticed what wasn’t there. No chatter, no phones buzzing, no coffee cups in hand. The rules are simple: leave distractions behind. And honestly? It felt like a relief.

What you find instead is quiet. The kind of quiet you can feel. You’ll wander along pathways lined with palms, succulents, cactus, and flowering plants.

There are nooks designed for sitting in silence, benches that face the Pacific, and shaded spots that invite you to stay as long as you need.

In that silence, the garden becomes more than just a place—it becomes an experience.

Beauty at Every Turn

It’s hard not to be taken in by the details. The koi pond shimmers with orange and gold, the surface occasionally rippling as if even the fish know to move gently here.

A small prayer garden offers space for reflection, while the bright flowers and perfectly placed trees frame the coastal view like a painting.

And then there’s the ocean. Below the bluff, surfers paddle out and ride waves, their movements rhythmic against the backdrop of the endless horizon.

It’s mesmerizing—this dance of energy and calm, unfolding right below a garden built for stillness.

A Spiritual Sanctuary

The gardens are part of the Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, who brought yoga and meditation to the West nearly a century ago. That legacy of peace and reflection is still alive here.

Beyond the gardens, the temple itself offers meditation and inspirational services. On Thursdays and Sundays, their chapel is open for gatherings that draw both locals and travelers.

You don’t need to be deeply spiritual to feel welcome—it’s more about connection than doctrine, and the sense that you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

Supported by Love, Not Tickets

There’s no admission fee. Instead, the gardens are supported by donations, which makes your visit feel less like a transaction and more like a gift. Every dollar goes back into preserving the koi pond, the flowers, the trees, and the sense of peace that greets each guest.

It’s a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful experiences don’t come with a price tag.

Lessons from the Garden

Walking through the Encinitas Meditation Gardens, I realized how rarely I give myself permission to be still. We’re so quick to fill every minute with noise—scrolling, planning, worrying, doing. But here, you’re gently reminded that it’s okay to just sit. To breathe. To let the moment be enough.

I left the gardens not just refreshed, but a little more grounded. And that’s the real gift: the peace doesn’t stay behind when you leave. It travels with you, nudging you to slow down, to listen, to be present.

Tips for Visiting the Encinitas Meditation Gardens

If you’re planning a visit, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Hours: The gardens are typically open Tuesday–Sunday, but hours vary by season. Check their official website before you go.

• Cost: Admission is free, but donations are appreciated and go directly toward maintaining the grounds.

• What to Bring: Leave food, drinks, and phones behind. This is a place for presence, not distractions.

• Accessibility: Paths are paved and relatively gentle, but there are some stairs. Plan accordingly.

• Parking: Street parking can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Arrive early if you can.

• Services: If you’d like to go beyond a garden stroll, check the calendar for meditation or inspirational services at the temple.

My Takeaway

If you ever find yourself in Encinitas—or anywhere near Southern California—make time for this little sanctuary by the sea.

Go without your phone. Sit by the koi pond. Watch the surfers. Let the garden remind you that life isn’t meant to be rushed.

It’s not fancy, but it’s ours—a place where stillness feels like abundance. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.