Architectural Digest Puts Encinitas Among Its Top Winter Escapes

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Architectural Digest magazine, known for its glossy pages featuring luxurious interior design and landscaping, recently announced its 2023 "top hidden" U.S. escapes for snowbirds, and three of its picks are in San Diego County.

If AD's affluent and style-conscious readership takes getaway advice from the Oct. 2 article titled "The Top Hidden Gem Cities for Snowbirds: Find Your New Winter Escape," Borrego Springs, Oceanside and Encinitas will see a bump in well-heeled visitors.

The AD story by Amanda Lutz ranked Borrego Springs at #50, while Oceanside was #51 and Encinitas #70.

AD touts itself as the "The International Design Authority," so local tourism officials are likely thrilled with the rankings, which included the "top 75" cities, with #1 being best of the best.

"This study identifies a collection of 'hidden gem' cities — warm places waiting to be discovered by those keen on avoiding the cold and the crowds," Lutz wrote.

Rankings were based on housing and lodging availability, Yelp ratings for activities and eateries, home sale prices, and winter weather conditions, according to the article.

"To ensure these destinations are hidden gems, each location boasts establishments with high ratings — between four and five stars on Yelp — but only six to 75 reviews, indicating that they are still relatively undiscovered," the article continued.

New Orleans took the #1 spot, while Duck, North Carolina, ranked #75.

Other California locales that made the AD cut were:

• #4 Palm Springs
• #42 Temecula
• #43 Santa Clarita
• #45 Idyllwild
• #55 Catalina Island
• #61 Santa Barbara
• #62 Cambria
• #67 Ojai
• #68 Paso Robles

Read the full AD article here.