Oddity Odysseys
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    • 2020 Episodes >
      • The Lummis Castle
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      • The Global Angel Wings Project
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      • Solstice Canyon
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    • 2019 Episodes >
      • The Shoemaker Tunnels
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      • Amir's Garden
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      • East Jesus
      • Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark
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    • 2018 Episodes >
      • Devil's Gate Dam
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      • The Cat House
      • The Sutro Bath Ruins
      • Bring Your Own Big Wheel
      • The Wave Organ
      • The Bay Bridge Troll
      • The Peephole Cinema
      • Nike Missile Site LA-88L
      • The High Tower Elevator
    • 2017 Episodes >
      • The Bridge to Nowhere
      • The Musical Road
      • The Old Los Angeles Zoo
      • The St. Francis Dam
      • Phantasma Gloria
      • The Sunken City
      • Nike Missile Site LA-96C
      • The Prohibition Tunnels
      • Vasquez Rocks
      • Big Horn Mine
      • The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
    • 2016 Episodes >
      • The Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
      • The Great Wall of Los Angeles
      • Murphy's Ranch
      • The Chemosphere
      • The Los Feliz Murder Mansion
      • The Music Box Steps
      • Bronson Cave
      • The Shakespeare Bridge
      • The S.S. Dominator Shipwreck
      • The Last Bookstore
      • Picnic Table #29
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THE ENCINITAS BOAT HOUSES

Location: Encinitas, CA
​Accessibility: Private Property

Built: 1920s
The Encinitas Boat Houses are a unique and iconic architectural landmark in the beach community of Encinitas, California. These two houses are situated right on the beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and are one of the most photographed and recognizable structures in the area. The houses are owned by two different families and were originally built in the 1920s as a summer vacation spot for a wealthy San Diego family.

The Boat Houses, as the name suggests, are designed to resemble two boats that have been docked on the shore. They are built using redwood timber and cedar shingles and have a distinctive, nautical style. The roofs of the houses are shaped like the hulls of a ship, and the walls are curved to mimic the shape of a boat. The houses were originally painted white, but over the years, the sun, sea, and salt have weathered the wood, giving them a rustic and natural appearance.

The interior of the houses is compact but cozy, and both are decorated in a beachy and maritime style. The smaller of the two houses has a living room, kitchen, and bathroom on the first floor, while the bedroom is located on the second floor. The larger house has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and can accommodate up to six people.

The Boat Houses have been the subject of many local legends and stories over the years. It is said that during Prohibition, the houses were used to smuggle illegal alcohol, and during World War II, they were used as lookout posts to spot enemy submarines. Today, they are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and many visitors stop to take pictures and admire their unique architecture.

​In recent years, the Boat Houses have faced some challenges due to erosion and rising sea levels. The houses are built on a narrow strip of land between the highway and the beach, and the shoreline has been slowly eroding over time. The owners have worked to protect the houses by installing sea walls and other erosion-control measures, and they continue to be a beloved and unique landmark in the community.
  • New Episodes
  • Adventure Archive
    • 2023 Episodes >
      • Zzyzx
      • The Encinitas Boat Houses
    • 2022 Episodes >
      • The Salton Sea Naval Base
      • Desert Christ Park
      • Rubel Castle
      • The Radford Art Walk
      • George Air Force Base
      • The Cal-Earth Institute
      • The Venice Canals
      • Mount Rubidoux
      • Queen Califia's Magical Circle
      • Scary Dairy
      • Fort MacArthur
      • Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch
    • 2020 Episodes >
      • The Lummis Castle
      • The Sky Slide
      • The Galleta Meadows Sculptures
      • Burro Schmidt Tunnel
      • The Global Angel Wings Project
      • The Topanga Time Tunnel
      • Solstice Canyon
      • The Kea Mill
      • Tankland
      • Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village
      • Cabot's Pueblo
    • 2019 Episodes >
      • The Shoemaker Tunnels
      • The Canned Heat Suicide House
      • Angels Flight
      • Echo Mountain
      • Amir's Garden
      • The Amboy Crater
      • Hazel's Volcanic Gardens
      • East Jesus
      • Rock-a-Hoola Waterpark
      • The Mojave Lava Tube
      • The Mosaic Tile House
      • The Krampus Run
    • 2018 Episodes >
      • Devil's Gate Dam
      • Salvation Mountain
      • The Cat House
      • The Sutro Bath Ruins
      • Bring Your Own Big Wheel
      • The Wave Organ
      • The Bay Bridge Troll
      • The Peephole Cinema
      • Nike Missile Site LA-88L
      • The High Tower Elevator
    • 2017 Episodes >
      • The Bridge to Nowhere
      • The Musical Road
      • The Old Los Angeles Zoo
      • The St. Francis Dam
      • Phantasma Gloria
      • The Sunken City
      • Nike Missile Site LA-96C
      • The Prohibition Tunnels
      • Vasquez Rocks
      • Big Horn Mine
      • The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
    • 2016 Episodes >
      • The Laguna Beach Pirate Tower
      • The Great Wall of Los Angeles
      • Murphy's Ranch
      • The Chemosphere
      • The Los Feliz Murder Mansion
      • The Music Box Steps
      • Bronson Cave
      • The Shakespeare Bridge
      • The S.S. Dominator Shipwreck
      • The Last Bookstore
      • Picnic Table #29
  • Map
  • Contact Us