Beautiful setup with a view of the coast. Checkouts and returns are very easy to navigate and there was a small coffee/pastry setup right outside which was convenient. The reason for 4/5 stars is with it being a very beautiful location, it comes with the crowds of course so you have to be understanding of the noise level being much higher than a library with less foot traffic, particularly with children. It is not an issue for me but something to consider if you're the kind of person that prefers quieter study type environments. read more

You'll come for the books but find yourself staying for the stunning view and ambience! You'd be hard pressed to find a library out there with a more gorgeous view of the ocean. On top of that though the staff is also very friendly and accommodating. The book selection is great and you can also reserve titles ahead of time in case it's a popular one. There's a great little coffee cart right outside the doors so you won't run the risk of falling asleep while studying. Lots of great comfy chairs to sit in and a beautiful outdoor patio that faces the ocean as well. My favorite little quiet spot in town when I have extra time to kill. read more

Encinitas Library - A library with this view = perfection!!! - Libraries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Great view of the ocean. It's a little crowded. Friendly staff, and a excellent kids area.

What they said on all the positive points. Best Library Ever. On the downside, they close too early for such a hip library. Should be open until 9 or 10 all week. Main downside is the library brass does nothing about people taking up the comfortable seating areas for their long afternoon naps. Many of these people are homeless and make the plush seating areas their personal motel space from opening until close every day. Perhaps the library's code of conduct should include a rule about not using the library for sleeping. It's one thing if you fall asleep while reading, but if the librarians see the same people using the library for sleeping daily, something should be done about it. With the hip lounge-like atmosphere, you have many people who treat it like a coffee house (there is a coffee cart outside) what comes along with that is the noise. People often talk too loud and can be inconsiderate of others. Not bagging on the coffee cart, I like that it is there. But please people, this is still a library. I appreciate the freedoms of the library, but I would not mind one designated librarian to be assigned to the floor to keep the library, a library. The restrooms are typically very messy. There is often more toilet paper on the floors in the restrooms than on the dispenser rolls in the stalls. Could do without the loud speaker announcements. This is not walmart! Perhaps an electronic bulletin board would be less intrusive. Those interested in library events could check the board or there's always the Internet where they could be posted. Though the Encinitas Library is not perfect, it's a huge step in the right direction of what a modern library should be. Can't beat the ocean views and outdoor patio. The library designers did reach perfection here! read more

I love this library, it is beautiful and well done. Much like the neighboring libraries near by. Pros; Beautiful veiws new architecture eco friendly tons of activities to do lots of nooks to read in tons of tables to study on Cons; limited selection :( A slightly frigid staff. read more

I LOVE this library! The location is beautiful and the architecture is cool. They allow you to bring coffee into the library and you can sit outside on the balcony and enjoy the view of the ocean while sipping coffee and reading. They offer ESL classes and I have a relative who is trying to learn English. This class was extremely helpful (offered through a high school but taught right there at the Encinitas Library). They have a huge selection and lots of community activities like plays, artists, and music. read more

I frequent libraries a lot especially with my five month old son. I like to get a new stack of books for him every couple weeks and enjoy reading myself. This library has a nice amount of space, a great space for kids, good kids book selection, tasty coffee bar out front and an amazing patio with ocean views. I cannot give it five stars though because it's regular book selection is pretty lacking. Current up to date things aren't present and the literature is on the older side. This surprises me because I have actually bought quite a few new good books from the bookstore. I think those books would have been much better served on the library shelves themselves and would be a much bigger asset to the community. I also understand we are turning to a digital age but some of us still like to read the old fashion way! read more

Library is clean and has a nice view. I appreciate that they are open late and hold events for the community.

What happened to libraries? They used to be places you could go to get some quiet and get some work done, this one is far from that. People talk out loud and it's hard to concentrate. I'd you need a quiet place to assist, this isn't it. Even the librarians are loud. Nice facility, but I'll take a quiet place to get work done over a loud office space like this library. read more

I am so lucky that this is my local library because it's the best library. Panoramic ocean views and outdoor seating. Lots of on hand selection and it's part of the SD County system so you can get whatever you want delivered there. They have cool high tech RFID things that check out your books all at the same time. There is a small used bookstore that sometimes gives free books and a small coffee cart outside. Parking can sometimes be full but if you wait a few minutes someone will be on their way out. read more

Beautiful building. The structure faces the ocean with ceiling to floor sized windows. It's hard to believe a library exists in this real estate. Amazing! read more

What can I say? Gorgeous in every respect. Their music programs are marvelous - free concerts Weds. at noon every week. Friday night once a month with small admission fee. Everyone we have heard perform there has been great. The library is lovely; the people friendly; wonderful light; wonderful view. We don't live in Encinitas, but are in San Diego part time and have spent plenty of road time going back and forth between Clairemont and Encinitas; so worth it. read more

My favorite library. Great kids area, kids only bathroom, and patio with ocean views. Park across the street.

Perhaps one the best located libraries I have experienced with an outdoor view of the ocean in downtown Encinitas. This library is moderate in size that hosts several events that includes small musical instrument concerts such as international violinists, and family orientated activities happening here. There are conference rooms also available for use. My 3 year old son loves this library with their book selection, and numerous seating areas. read more

This is one of the few public libraries I actually like walking into. The employees are very nice and helpful, the location is perfect and there are sweeping oceans views. There is also free wi-fi, conference rooms, and coffee for sale outside. This place really blows my mind and I highly recommend this library to anyone for checking out a book, studying, or picking a good spot to relax and read a book. read more

I love this library!!! They are always so welcoming to me and my children. The story times rock and the librarian is so engaging for the children. I love their free dvd selection as well! read more

Definitely one of the nicer county libraries - for any reason you might go. Ample free parking and a popular coffee cart outside, lots of books and other info inside, good community meeting and restrooms, plenty of outlets and excellent WiFi (inside) and nice views and seating both inside and out. read more

The most beautiful library in San Diego County! I love the helpful staff and the gorgeous ocean views!

This library has a great view of the ocean! Don't forget to go to Global Grind Coffee in front of the Encinitas Library because they have great coffee. Also Friends of the Encinitas library is a great shop. Don't forget to check out the free cart in front of the Encinitas library to get free books. read more

On vacation in San Diego, exploring the area, saw the library, decided to drop in. Spent a marvelous hour sitting on the deck, reading, looking at the sea and sky, absorbing the warmth of the sun. As a native New Yorker, my favorite library had always been the massive edifice on 42nd street and 5th avenue, with its soaring steps and lion sculptures. But now? Sorry, Manhattan! To expand on a previous poster, the view from Encinitas is worth a million bucks...and a million books! read more

If I were going to a library for the view - this would be 10 stars! Its beautiful and who could complain? Well, the view is nice and the library is in good condition and has a great book shop to buy used books at great prices. BUT the seating is awkward - lots of "4" seat small tables that really only 1-2 fit comfortably in and a few rooms are always taken. The wifi is slow. There are lots of cushioned seats where people sit and watch movies - mostly homeless looking people. They have a huge deck to sit on but in the winter that's not really an option. It seems more of a meet and greet place than a library/resource place for books and research. Im surprised they don't have more books - most of the shelves are half full and the bottoms are all empty. read more

I took my grandson here recently. It's a very attractive library, with friendly professional staff and a marvelous view of the ocean. I spent my time in the Children's Section, and I thought it was excellent. What a great place to get a child started on a lifetime of reading! Five stars. read more

I love this library. Amazing exterior and interior and newest technology in checking out media. I remember once a librarian was a bit on the rough side and so I left feedback on the comment card. ( I was a brand new guest trying to get a library card and she had less than normal patience for my application process.) I received a call within the week with an apology. Sweet, sweet people. Love the Global Grind coffee out front, they have a male barista that is so kind and always happy. Super nice. Love the art gallery as well. Kudos on being all around grand. read more

This is my absolute favorite place in SD county to study. Beautiful architecture, coffee cart outside with tasty delights (you can bring drinks inside!? YES!!!), big windows, spacious atmosphere, kind people that work there, fabulous outdoor patio with a spectacular ocean view. Oh yeah, and they have a great selection of books, movies, music, etc (like any library should). What more could a student ask for? read more

The Encinitas Library is a wonderful asset to our town. Who ever designed it did a great job. The place flows with really good feng shui . It is more like a community center and a great place to hang and meet your neighbors. Get rid of your Netflix subscription and just get your dvds here. If your computer dies, just come here and never get behind on your emails or cat videos. They have everything and what they don't, the librarians will try their best to get for you somewhere else. They also offer e books for Kindle's and E readers. Get some CDs to add to your I Tunes collection. Get that book that everyone's reading but your too cheap to buy (me included). There are tons of programs to get kids into reading, yoga for grown ups, movie screenings,live music and cultural events. Check it out. read more

We are so lucky to have such a beautiful library here in Encinitas! Great for bringing work, renting movies and grabbing a drink outside

Beach feel, have view of the ocean. Bigger than a couple of San Diego County Libraries I've been to plus it's close to where I work. Will come back here again.. read more

This library is like, the Richard Branson Resort of libraries. It has an outdoor balcony with a view of Moonlight Beach. Amazing! The book/cd/movie selection is really quite plentiful considering it's not a central branch. Staff is pleasant and the coffee bar right outside is the perfect treat. read more

Beautiful view & great kid's section. However, I can rarely find the specific adult fiction I'm looking for, so I have only checked out a few books for myself. read more

The building is wonderful and the bathrooms are some of the best I've ever seen in a public building. The overall library system is solid and the front desk is reasonably well staffed. The only major complaint is the dirty keyboards and mice. read more

Beautiful ocean view library with deck to sit outside and watch the ocean. The best library that I have been to in San Diego yet!

A beautiful library, open, easy to understand set up, with great selection and good programs. Great place to bring kids, or come for a coffee, or just to wander. Up on the hill overlooking Encinitas and across from a nice park, it's a perfect destination for school/work or just for a fun afternoon. Lovely library, if they had a nice garden area outside/more of a natural setting, it would be perfection. But the huge windows with a view of the ocean on a clear day is fab. read more

Beautiful, relaxing, quiet, new, parking. The only downside is lack of book options.

Very spacious library. Lots of padded seats and tables to work at. Even has plenty of outside seating and balcony. Plenty of computers. Group study rooms available. Nice little surprise coffee cart outside and allowed to bring drinks in. Unfortunately expresso machine not running after 4 so had to get a regular coffee but still was happy to get a little afternoon caffeine for my study time. Only real complaints I love my private study cubicles and I walked around and even asked an employee and they don't have any. So settled for group table and guy that was already sitting there was kind enough to let me work there too. Also bathroom sinks are weird. The spouts are really low so your hands partially have to rub against the sink to be able to get under the spout... But overall nice library and open till 8pm on Thursdays read more

This library is stunning. The indoor children's patio area is the perfect place to let them run off some energy while still keeping them in a contained area. The gray cement exterior blends well with the coastal surroundings, and the views of the ocean from each wing of the library are breathtaking. read more

Great location in Encinitas with spectacular ocean views. They have many activities going on for everyone from infants to seniors. They have computers and Wi-Fi available. The selection is quite expansive with something for everyone. In the back are rooms where groups can sin up to meet. In front they have free magazines and books where I occasionally snag a great find. There is a coffee and drink cart in front also for those who may need a drink or snack. read more

Really amazing atmosphere. Took the kids here because I was trying to find a cross section book that I had when I was in grade school (the one with the Titanic on the cover). Ended up staying much longer than anticipated and almost missed a meeting back at the office! Anyway, really nice staff and a lot less hectic then the Carlsbad library on El Camino Real. read more

Wifi sketchy. Laptop not getting signals in some places, but my phone is. Hello IT? #EncinitasPublicLibrary #SanDiegoPublicLibrary

LOVE this library best out of all the county libraries for location, design, book collection for teens, kids and adults. It's spacious enough to wander the aisles without feeling that you're waiting for the next browser to move on. All of the computers are usually in use and many people come for the free wifi, so the facility is well-utilized. read more

This is a beautiful library with a phenomenal view. Staff is very kind. I also really liked the art on display and the snack cart outside. That being said, the shelves seemed awfully empty and the selection was not great. Perhaps I'm just used to bigger libraries in NYC with more funding, but I feel like there were a ton of empty spaces on the bookshelves. There are some homeless people who hang out and sleep there which is nothing new to me. I was surprised to see it here though. And even in NYC I was never asked for money by anyone loitering in the library. I suppose it's a free country and a library is a public service to all, but it was awkward. read more