Self Realization Temple & Meditation Gardens

The Meditation Gardens at the Self Realization Temple in Encinitas are free to the public until 5pm every day except for Monday. I have passed this place many times and was always curious about it, so today I decided to go in and see what it was all about. It was absolutely beautiful!

There is parking along the street near the entrance to the gardens, and when you go in you go up a staircase that is immediately on the right hand side and into the gardens. There are many beautiful plants and trees and it is a quiet, serene place. A sign is posted at the entrance asking people to please not make much noise, as this is a place where people come to relax, pray, and meditate.

I just walked the gardens to get a feel for them. There are many benches all over the area in quiet, beautiful places where people can go to have a moment alone with themselves. Once you reach the top of the staircase, there are beautiful panoramic ocean views of the Encinitas coastline, and sevral benches where people can hang out and enjoy the view.

Go back down in to the gardens and you will find streams with waterfalls and koi ponds filled with large, gorgeous koi so big and healthy that they will amaze you!

The whole place is full of flowers and various types of plants, and there really is a peaceful feel to the place. The best part about it is that it is absolutely free to get in!


There is also a store about a block away from the gardens where they sell books and many different types of incense and Indian artwork and crafts. My favorite is the large area with all the beautifully colored scarves that one can buy.