By SDCN Staff
Encinitas, CA–Arielle Golden has announced her candidacy for the Encinitas City Council’s District 3 seat, launching a campaign focused on climate resilience, growth management and age-friendly infrastructure.
“Encinitas deserves better than an approach fixated on our past,” Golden said in a statement. “I will make decisions focused on our future while honoring our community character. Let’s turn the tide.”
Golden earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and a bachelor’s degree with honors from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
She previously served as elected chair of the North County Food Policy Council, where she worked with cities, nonprofits and private organizations on regional food system initiatives. Golden also represented North County on the California Food Policy Council.
In the private sector, Golden worked with plant-based ingredient manufacturers and distributors to expand sustainable production efforts globally.
A key part of her campaign platform centers on managing growth as new housing developments continue across the city. Golden said coordinated planning is necessary to avoid infrastructure strain, reduce traffic impacts and preserve community spaces.
“With new neighbors moving in, we need to plan ahead,” Golden said. “Proactively managing our growth will protect our equity, boost affordability, and allow us to stay focused on preserving our community character.”
Golden also said climate resilience would guide her approach to city policy and decision-making, including efforts to address coastal impacts tied to climate change.
Her platform further emphasizes age-friendly infrastructure, including safer crosswalks, bike lanes, school routes and park access designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities.
Golden said becoming a parent increased her awareness of accessibility and public safety issues throughout the city.
“I became so aware of it all: which sidewalks had accessible ramps, which parks felt welcoming to all, which routes had separated bike lanes,” she said. “At the root of these observations came the question we all ask ourselves: how does living in this town shape who we become?”
While caring for her two children, who attend local schools, Golden said she expanded her volunteer work involving reproductive justice, support for local and newly arrived families, and community advocacy.
Golden described herself as a consensus builder focused on collaboration and community engagement.
“I enjoy the challenge of negotiating and listening to create solutions that work,” she said. “I am committed to fighting for our community needs and listening to the voices of all neighbors.”
Encinitas City Council District 3 includes the city’s southwest area, stretching from the coastline east to Santa Fe Drive, north to Encinitas Boulevard and south along Manchester Avenue.
