TV channels & antenna towers in Encinitas, California

Encinitas has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, CW and Telemundo. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KHAX-LD (Univision), 14 miles to the NNE.

25TV transmitters within 70 miles
7networks over the air
14 mito the closest tower
62,930population

Network channels in Encinitas

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIKHAX-LDUnivision49 14 mi26° NNE WeakVista, CA
UNIKBNT-CDUnivision17 14 mi170° S FairSan Diego, CA
UNIKDTF-LDUnivision36.17 14 mi170° S FairSan Diego, CA
ABCKGTVABC10 14 mi170° S GoodSan Diego, CA
CWKFMB-TVCW8.2 14 mi170° S GoodSan Diego, CA
PBSKPBSPBS15 31 mi138° SE GoodSan Diego, CA
NBCKNSDNBC39 31 mi139° SE GoodSan Diego, CA
TLMKUAN-LDTelemundo48 31 mi139° SE GoodPoway, Etc., CA
FOXKSWB-TVFox69 31 mi139° SE GoodSan Diego, CA
PBSKVCR-DTPBS24 64 mi0° N FairSan Bernardino, CA

Over-the-air TV in Encinitas

Encinitas, California has a population of about 62,900. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 7 full-power, 2 Class A, 14 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.

8 of them are within 25 miles of Encinitas, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Seven of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to San Diego, so most of the network channels you will find here come from San Diego's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 10 (KGTV), NBC on channel 39 (KNSD), Fox on channel 69 (KSWB-TV), PBS on channel 15 (KPBS), CW on channel 8.2 (KFMB-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KUAN-LD) and Univision on channel 17 (KBNT-CD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KPSP-CD in Cathedral City, CA, 76 miles to the northeast. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (fair signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Encinitas

Point your antenna SE, at about 146°. The main network towers for Encinitas sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, KBNT-CD, KGTV and KFMB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles south of Encinitas (170° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Encinitas at fair strength or better, 43% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Encinitas, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Encinitas

The farthest main network tower for Encinitas is KSWB-TV (Fox), 31 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Encinitas

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KZTC-LDLow power19 mi 96° EFairSan Diego, CA
KVSD-LDLow power19 mi 96° EFairSan Diego, CA
KSKT-CDClass A19 mi 96° EFairSan Marcos, CA
KSDX-LDLow power31 mi 138° SEPoorSan Diego, CA
KRPE-LDLow power31 mi 139° SEPoorSan Diego, CA
KSDY-LDLow power31 mi 139° SEWeakSan Diego, CA
KUSI-TVFull power31 mi 138° SEGoodSan Diego, CA
KZSD-LDLow power31 mi 139° SEWeakSan Diego, CA
K03JB-DTranslator39 mi 12° NNEPoorTemecula, CA
K21MO-DLow power57 mi 33° NNEPoorRiverside, CA
KVHD-LDLow power64 mi 1° NPoorLos Angeles, CA
KRMV-LDLow power64 mi 1° NPoorRiverside, CA
KZSW-LDLow power64 mi 1° NPoorRiverside, CA
KILA-LDLow power64 mi 0° NPoorCherry Valley, CA
KRVD-LDLow power70 mi 334° NNWPoorSanta Ana, CA

How Encinitas compares with the rest of California

With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Encinitas ranks 832nd of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 14 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

48% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Oceanside, 12 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Encinitas: step by step

  1. Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
  2. Point it toward 139° SE, the direction of KSWB-TV (Fox), 31 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 13 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Encinitas, CA?

ABC is on channel 10 from KGTV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Encinitas, CA?

NBC is on channel 39 from KNSD, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Encinitas, CA?

Fox is on channel 69 from KSWB-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is PBS in Encinitas, CA?

PBS is on channel 15 from KPBS, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Encinitas, CA?

CW is on channel 8.2 from KFMB-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Encinitas?

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Encinitas; around 13 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.

Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Encinitas?

Point your antenna SE, at about 146°. The main network towers for Encinitas sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Encinitas?

Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Encinitas?

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Encinitas?

Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.

TV channels in nearby California cities

More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Encinitas; signal estimates ignore terrain.