Encinitas Magazine · February 2015 – present

Encinitas Magazine Stories by Kyle Thomas
The Director's Cuts

Encinitas Magazine has published Kyle Thomas's words and photographs since its first issue in February 2015. The magazine's digital edition carries only the current issue: when a new one goes out, the previous issue leaves the public web, and there is no online back catalogue. These pages are the director's cuts — the stories as Kyle originally wrote them, before editing for print, with photographs that never ran. Every story names the issue it appeared in. They are published here by their author, from his own manuscripts and negatives; the magazine's edited versions and printed layouts are not reproduced. Twenty-four stories, February 2015 to the present, on the people, places and history of Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Leucadia.

4 of the 16 stories chosen for the magazine's 10th Anniversary Greatest Hits issue (Oct–Nov 2025) were Kyle's. They are starred below.

Kyle Thomas was honoured with a City of Encinitas Proclamation, presented by Mayor Tony Kranz on October 9, 2024.

City of Encinitas Proclamation honouring Kyle Thomas, presented by Mayor Tony Kranz, October 9, 2024

The stories 24

  1. The Archivist — Hillel Schwartz

    Aug 2026

    The Archivist — Hillel Schwartz

    Encinitas's historian and archivist, and the records he's putting in order.

  2. Hometown Hero — Denise Mueller

    Oct 2025

    Hometown Hero — Denise Mueller

    The fastest human on earth on a bicycle — 183.9 mph.

  3. Terry Michael Weaver — The Mosaic Man

    Aug 2023

    Terry Michael Weaver — The Mosaic Man

    Encinitas's most colorful citizen.

  4. Leucadia Soul — Darius Degher

    Oct 2022

    Leucadia Soul — Darius Degher

    Why a local songwriter traded words for instrumental surf music.

  5. Leucadia Soul — Wally Passet

    Sep 2021

    Leucadia Soul — Wally Passet

    The last real rocker in Leucadia — published here as it was written.

  6. John Hester — The Embodiment of Neighborhood Soul

    Feb 2020

    John Hester — The Embodiment of Neighborhood Soul

    The artist behind every Stonesteps contest poster since 2006.

  7. Encinitas Music Legend Joe Wood

    Oct 2019

    Encinitas Music Legend Joe Wood

    The quiet giant of the local music scene.

  8. Twisted Between the Ears — Mary Fleener

    Aug 2019

    Twisted Between the Ears — Mary Fleener

    Inside the mind of an Encinitas underground comics legend.

  9. The Daley Double Saloon

    Mar 2018

    The Daley Double Saloon

    Encinitas's first and oldest bar.

  10. Thomas DeSoto

    Oct 2017

    Thomas DeSoto

    The amazing life of an Encinitas photographer and cinematographer.

  11. The Historic Bumann Ranch of Olivenhain

    Jun 2017

    The Historic Bumann Ranch of Olivenhain

    A working homestead, unchanged since 1886.

  12. Mayor Catherine Blakespear

    Feb 2017

    Mayor Catherine Blakespear

    Up close and personal with Encinitas's new mayor.

  13. The Art of John Peugh

    Dec 2016

    The Art of John Peugh

    An original Stonesteps local, cutting recycled surfboard resin into birds, fish and mosaics.

  14. The Life & Times of Fred Ashley

    Oct 2016

    The Life & Times of Fred Ashley

    An Encinitas legend.

  15. Bruce Logan & the History of Skateboarding

    Aug 2016

    Bruce Logan & the History of Skateboarding

    The roots of a sport, told by someone who was there.

  16. Surfing Legend Linda Benson

    Jul 2016

    Surfing Legend Linda Benson

    Encinitas's hometown hero, in her own words.

  17. Captain Keno's Restaurant

    Apr 2016

    Captain Keno's Restaurant

    Just ask any local.

  18. Kevin Anderson

    Apr 2016

    Kevin Anderson

    Encinitas's most prolific artist.

  19. My Memories of the Leucadia Flea Market

    Feb 2016

    My Memories of the Leucadia Flea Market

    The heartbeat of Leucadia, before it was gone.

  20. Peter Sprague

    Dec 2015

    Peter Sprague

    Beloved San Diego jazz guitarist, in his element.

  21. Potato Shack Cafe

    Dec 2015

    Potato Shack Cafe

    Quality American breakfast, no apologies.

  22. Summer of 1975 — Stonesteps Surfing Contest

    Jun 2015

    Summer of 1975 — Stonesteps Surfing Contest

    Eighteen years old with a camera — photographs unseen for forty years.

  23. Good Morning Cardiff

    Apr 2015

    Good Morning Cardiff

    The morning light over Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

  24. The Rock 'n' Roll House

    Feb 2015

    The Rock 'n' Roll House

    Artist Richard Margolin and Encinitas's most eccentric home.

Every photograph on this site is available as an archival print. Ask Kyle.