This is where it all started. The Rock 'n' Roll House photo, published on Facebook, was seen by Encinitas Magazine Editor-in-Chief Chris Cote. Chris asked Kyle if they could use his photo for a story they wanted to write. Kyle responded saying, "Why don't you let me write the story?!" Chris replied, "300–350 words and 3 photos." The rest is history.
The Rock 'n' Roll House, Encinitas · Photograph by Kyle Thomas
I've been writing and photographing for Encinitas Magazine since its launch in February 2015. These are the stories, most recent first.
Aug 2026 The Archivist — Hillel Schwartz — Encinitas's historian and archivist, and the records he's putting in order. Oct 2025 Hometown Hero — Denise Mueller — The fastest human on earth on a bicycle — 183.9 mph. Aug 2023 Terry Michael Weaver — The Mosaic Man — Encinitas's most colorful citizen. Oct 2022 Leucadia Soul — Darius Degher — Why a local songwriter traded words for instrumental surf music. Sep 2021 Leucadia Soul — Wally Passet — The last real rocker in Leucadia — published here as it was written. Feb 2020 John Hester — The Embodiment of Neighborhood Soul — The artist behind every Stonesteps contest poster since 2006. Oct 2019 Encinitas Music Legend Joe Wood — The quiet giant of the local music scene. Aug 2019 Twisted Between the Ears — Mary Fleener — Inside the mind of an Encinitas underground comics legend. Mar 2018 The Daley Double Saloon — Encinitas's first and oldest bar. Oct 2017 Thomas DeSoto — The amazing life of an Encinitas photographer and cinematographer. Jun 2017 The Historic Bumann Ranch of Olivenhain — A working homestead, unchanged since 1886. Feb 2017 Mayor Catherine Blakespear — Up close and personal with Encinitas's new mayor. Dec 2016 The Art of John Peugh — An original Stonesteps local, cutting recycled surfboard resin into birds, fish and mosaics. Oct 2016 The Life & Times of Fred Ashley — An Encinitas legend. Aug 2016 Bruce Logan & the History of Skateboarding — The roots of a sport, told by someone who was there. Jul 2016 Surfing Legend Linda Benson — Encinitas's hometown hero, in her own words. Apr 2016 Captain Keno's Restaurant — Just ask any local. Apr 2016 Kevin Anderson — Encinitas's most prolific artist. Feb 2016 My Memories of the Leucadia Flea Market — The heartbeat of Leucadia, before it was gone. Dec 2015 Peter Sprague — Beloved San Diego jazz guitarist, in his element. Dec 2015 Potato Shack Cafe — Quality American breakfast, no apologies. Oct 2015 Encinitas Community Garden — A ribbon-cutting and what it says about a city. Jun 2015 Summer of 1975 — Stonesteps Surfing Contest — Eighteen years old with a camera — photographs unseen for forty years. Apr 2015 Good Morning Cardiff — The morning light over Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Feb 2015 Encinitas Magazine Launch Party — A new voice for the city, born at the Pannikin. Feb 2015 The Rock 'n' Roll House — Artist Richard Margolin and Encinitas's most eccentric home.