Food Scene
The Compass
300 Carlsbad Village DrHang with the Hipsters and enjoy GREAT food
Barrel Republic Carlsbad
2961 State StBEER BEER BEER and more BEER. Good food too!
Café Topes
3091 Roosevelt StAmazing breakfast. Usually a wait on weekends
The Goods
2965 State StGourmet Doughnuts
Board & Brew - Carlsbad Village
201 Oak AveSandwiches at the Beach
Indoor/Outdoor atmosphere, upstairs chill area with fire pits. House smoked meats and much more
24 locals recommend
Park 101
3040 Carlsbad Blvd Indoor/Outdoor atmosphere, upstairs chill area with fire pits. House smoked meats and much more
Seriously the best breakfast and Bloody Mary's ever! Worth the 15 min drive. Very cool space
26 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Encinitas
407 Encinitas BlvdSeriously the best breakfast and Bloody Mary's ever! Worth the 15 min drive. Very cool space
Dini's Bistro
3290 Carlsbad BlvdOne of only a couple local places for sunset dining at the beach
Vigilucci's Seafood & Steakhouse
3878 Carlsbad BlvdFine Dining with sunset views. Great Happy Hour
Lot's of MX choices in the Village and we've tried them all. We like Las Olas best!
22 locals recommend
Las Olas Mexican Restaurant
2939 Carlsbad BlvdLot's of MX choices in the Village and we've tried them all. We like Las Olas best!
Pizza Port Carlsbad
571 Carlsbad Village DrGreat pizza and salads, unique beers.
GelatoLove (Gaia Gelato)
300 Carlsbad Village DrGELATO!!!!
Craft Burger
300 Carlsbad Village DrBest high quality burgers
Highly innovative menu- all cooked over wood fire. A bit pricey but fun and unique small plates and entrees. Creative drinks too
100 locals recommend
Campfire
2725 State StHighly innovative menu- all cooked over wood fire. A bit pricey but fun and unique small plates and entrees. Creative drinks too
Baba Coffee - Coffee Carlsbad
2727 State StWalking distance. Great coffee and tea
One of our favorite newer restaurants. Huge place with many choices of areas. Mondo beer selection and great food
112 locals recommend
Bagby Beer Co.
601 S Coast HwyOne of our favorite newer restaurants. Huge place with many choices of areas. Mondo beer selection and great food
Local Tap House
308 S Coast HwyGreat food!!!
Mikko Sushi
1025 Carlsbad Village DrOur favorite local sushi!
Fun to eat outside when band below at Coyote's is playing on weekends. Great food. Don't expect great service :)
Sushi Yama
300 Carlsbad Village DrFun to eat outside when band below at Coyote's is playing on weekends. Great food. Don't expect great service :)
GREAT breakfast. Huge portions. Tip- sit outside! Usually a wait on weekends-
39 locals recommend
Swami's Cafe Carlsbad
2780 Carlsbad BlvdGREAT breakfast. Huge portions. Tip- sit outside! Usually a wait on weekends-
BEST healthy smoothies, fresh juice, cold pressed coffee, vegan snacks. Cool outdoor area
24 locals recommend
Choice Juicery
430 Carlsbad Village DrBEST healthy smoothies, fresh juice, cold pressed coffee, vegan snacks. Cool outdoor area
The Land & Water Company
2978 Carlsbad BlvdHigh end seafood and sushi
Fresco Trattoria & Bar
264 Carlsbad Village DriveFine Dining Italian
Ruby's Diner
1 Oceanside PierWe love to walk the Oside pier and grab lunch at Ruby's
333 Pacific
333 N Pacific StHigh end steakhouse near Oside Pier. Great Happy Hour
Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar
2958 Madison StGreat full range of Japanese entrees. Nice bar area
Drinks & Nightlife
OAK + Elixir - Wine. Beer. Eatery.
2917 State StWine bar and good apps
Intimate venue with big name acts and lesser known music too. Super fun. Check website for schedule and tix.
271 locals recommend
Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveIntimate venue with big name acts and lesser known music too. Super fun. Check website for schedule and tix.
The food here is good but we feel a little overpriced. Lately they have been booking some great bands so we go for the music and beer :) Check website for schedule
12 locals recommend
83 Degrees Bar & Kitchen
660 Carlsbad Village DrThe food here is good but we feel a little overpriced. Lately they have been booking some great bands so we go for the music and beer :) Check website for schedule
Fun laid back locals down the coast in Encinitas. Good cover bands and great prices.
37 locals recommend
The Kraken
2531 S Coast Hwy 101Fun laid back locals down the coast in Encinitas. Good cover bands and great prices.
If you're into the whole Irish pub thing. They sometimes have Irish bands.
20 locals recommend
O'Sullivan's Irish Pub & Restaurant
640 Grand AvenueIf you're into the whole Irish pub thing. They sometimes have Irish bands.
Parks & Nature
World Famous Ranunculous Fields open Feb to Mother's Day every year
172 locals recommend
The Flower Fields
5704 Paseo Del NorteWorld Famous Ranunculous Fields open Feb to Mother's Day every year
Only state-sanctioned nude beach. Steep trail steps. Not for those with bad knees, hips, etc. Turn right at the bottom and pick a spot! People of all ages, shapes and sizes. Please read posted signs at the beach
144 locals recommend
Black's Beach
Only state-sanctioned nude beach. Steep trail steps. Not for those with bad knees, hips, etc. Turn right at the bottom and pick a spot! People of all ages, shapes and sizes. Please read posted signs at the beach
OUR beach for 8 years :) Tamarack beach is just 1/2 mile south with easy access parking. Bathrooms at both
51 locals recommend
South Carlsbad State Beach
OUR beach for 8 years :) Tamarack beach is just 1/2 mile south with easy access parking. Bathrooms at both
Moonlight Beach
400 B StUnique beach area. Fire rings available
One of the best hikes in the county with trail levels for all abilities. Also nature center there
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadOne of the best hikes in the county with trail levels for all abilities. Also nature center there
If the sun isn't shining at the coast- it will be in Escondido! Great hiking
47 locals recommend
Daley Ranch
3024 La Honda DriveIf the sun isn't shining at the coast- it will be in Escondido! Great hiking
Nice big beach. Over on the harbor end you can observe sea lions basking and swimming by he small "fishing pier". Restaurants and bars over there too
239 locals recommend
Oceanside Harbor Beach
North Pacific StreetNice big beach. Over on the harbor end you can observe sea lions basking and swimming by he small "fishing pier". Restaurants and bars over there too
There are multiple companies that do the La Jolla Kayak tours. One of our all time fave things to do!!! Advanced reservations required
109 locals recommend
La Jolla Kayak
2199 Avenida De La PlayaThere are multiple companies that do the La Jolla Kayak tours. One of our all time fave things to do!!! Advanced reservations required
Shopping
Trader Joe's
2570 Vista WayClosest to us
Double Take
2931 Roosevelt StWomen' s clothes. LOVE this place
Blues and Shoes
457 Carlsbad Village DrJeans and shoes!
Regular type mall but recently remodeled. Movie theater and chain restaurants.
67 locals recommend
The Shoppes at Carlsbad
2525 El Camino RealRegular type mall but recently remodeled. Movie theater and chain restaurants.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Used to drive 45 min to shop here when I lived further inland
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteLOVE THIS PLACE. Used to drive 45 min to shop here when I lived further inland
Vons
985 Tamarack AveClosest large supermarket
CVS
1631 S Melrose DrClosest drug store
Flashbacks Recycled Fashion
570 Grand AveFUN STUFF
Our local farmers market! Every Wednesday from 3-7. Great organic produce and meats, prepared hot food and other hand crafted items from local vendors
42 locals recommend
State Street Farmers Market
2907 State StOur local farmers market! Every Wednesday from 3-7. Great organic produce and meats, prepared hot food and other hand crafted items from local vendors
Arts & Culture
Moonlight Amphitheatre
1250 Vale Terrace DrSummer productions. Outdoors.
New Village Arts
2787 State StSmall live theater with productions throughout the year
Oceanside Museum of Art
704 Pier View WayART
The USS Midway permanently docked in SD and is now a museum. Tour the whole ship! Fascinating!
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrThe USS Midway permanently docked in SD and is now a museum. Tour the whole ship! Fascinating!
California Surf Museum
312 Pier View WaySurf history!
Entertainment & Activities
Oceanside Amphitheater & Pier
301 The Strand NOutdoor concerts in the summer
By appointment only- a rare inside look at the GIA- the Gemological Institute of America is right here in Carlsbad!
19 locals recommend
Gemological Institute of America
5345 Armada DrBy appointment only- a rare inside look at the GIA- the Gemological Institute of America is right here in Carlsbad!
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdOlder but fun and not gigantic
Everything Else
If you need your hot yoga fix, this is the place! 5 min away and I've been a regular here for 7 years :)
Peace Love And Yoga
2588 El Camino RealIf you need your hot yoga fix, this is the place! 5 min away and I've been a regular here for 7 years :)
Woven We Are
5 min away. Great regular types of yoga classes