The History Behind Encinitas’ Boat Houses

One of the most memorable landmarks in Encinitas is tucked just a few blocks from the beach, and if you’ve driven past it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Boat Houses are one of those places that instantly stop you. They are playful, unexpected, and full of character, which is probably why they have become some of the most photographed buildings in town.

Known as the S.S. Encinitas and the S.S. Moonlight, the homes were built in the late 1920s by Miles Minor Kellogg, a designer and builder with a strong maritime influence. Rather than building conventional beach cottages, he created two houses shaped like ships, complete with portholes, deck-like details, and a sense of whimsy that still feels unusual today.

Part of what makes their story even better is how they were built. Local preservation sources say Kellogg used salvaged materials from the old Moonlight Beach bathhouse and lumber from a hotel project that had failed. That kind of creative reuse gives the homes even more connection to Encinitas itself. They are not just quirky architecture, they are literally built from pieces of local history.

Over time, the Boat Houses became more than just unusual residences. They turned into a symbol of old Encinitas, a reminder of a coastal town that once felt smaller, scrappier, and more handmade. While so many beach communities gradually lose their odd little landmarks, these homes managed to survive, and that is part of why people feel so attached to them. The Encinitas Historical Society describes them as examples of early California courtyard architecture and part of the historic character tied to old Highway 101.

In 2008, the Encinitas Preservation Association purchased the homes with the long-term goal of preserving them and eventually turning them into a museum space. For now, they have continued to operate as private dwellings while preservation efforts move forward. In 2019, the Boat Houses were officially added to the National Register of Historic Places, which helped solidify their place in the city’s story.

What I love about the Encinitas Boat Houses is that they capture something a lot of coastal towns try hard to preserve, originality. They are imperfect, charming, and unmistakably local. In a place where real estate is often defined by upgrades, pricing, and square footage, they are a reminder that some properties matter just as much for the story they tell.