ENCINITAS — Several local nonprofits supporting public libraries are hosting the 3rd annual Coast and Ranch Book Crawl this week, a self-guided event in which participants visit local bookstores and collect stamps on a “passport” to become eligible for prizes.
From Feb. 7-14, participants can start at any of the four bookstores in Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Solana Beach to receive a passport, then travel to the remaining locations throughout the week to collect stamps. Those who collect all four stamps are eligible to win prizes donated by local sponsors.
“The Coast and Ranch Book Crawl is a free event to the public, hoping to bring awareness to the used bookstores that support the local county libraries in Cardiff, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe,” said Diann Jewitt, event coordinator. “We are all nonprofits and are volunteer-run.”
According to Jewitt, Friends of the Library organizations in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe are partnering to host the event, which is in its third year and drew more than 300 participants last year.
Participants can start at any location, receive a passport, and visit the remaining stores throughout the week to collect stamps, Jewitt said. Each store offers a special during the crawl, which runs for one week and includes varying store hours. Completing all four stops makes participants eligible for prizes.
The prizes range from gift cards at Seaside Market, Solana Sumptuous Cookies, and Sister Snack Shack to experiences such as free tickets to North Coast Repertory Theatre and a docent tour at the Oceanside Museum of Art.
“We have 14 total prizes ranging from $20 up to over $100,” Jewitt said.
Jewitt said the event is a fun way to keep the younger generation interested in reading and to connect with their community.
“Our main goals [are to promote] reading for all ages [and] awareness of our local nonprofit used book stores that support the county libraries,” Jewitt said. “Offering an event to the community that is free and fun for all ages.”
Participating bookstores include:
- Rancho Santa Fe Book Cellar, 17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
- Cardiff Book Nook, 2081 Newcastle Ave., Cardiff, CA 92007
- Title Wave Bookstore, 157 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075
- Friends of the Encinitas Library Bookstore, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
