Guidebook for Carlsbad
Food Scene
If you love Hawaii or have never been, you'll get a little taste of local Hawaiian flavor, hibiscus teas and a cozy little bungalow feel.
6 locals recommend
The Lanai
1114 N Coast Hwy 101If you love Hawaii or have never been, you'll get a little taste of local Hawaiian flavor, hibiscus teas and a cozy little bungalow feel.
The BEST fish tacos, Shrimp Po'boy, oysters and casual ambience.
138 locals recommend
Fish 101 Leucadia
1468 N Coast Hwy 101The BEST fish tacos, Shrimp Po'boy, oysters and casual ambience.
NaPizza
615 S Coast Hwy 101Square pizza... enough said :)
Best vegan and vegetarian options in town... love the quality of their food and ingredients. Also get the Kombucha on tap.
41 locals recommend
GOODONYA® Organic Eatery
1051 S Coast Hwy 101Best vegan and vegetarian options in town... love the quality of their food and ingredients. Also get the Kombucha on tap.
Chicken everything... but responsibly sourced!!! Owned and operated by Top Chef Winner Richard Blais. Make sure to get the deviled eggs :)
26 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Encinitas
407 Encinitas BlvdChicken everything... but responsibly sourced!!! Owned and operated by Top Chef Winner Richard Blais. Make sure to get the deviled eggs :)
Philz Coffee
1060 S Coast Hwy 101Pour over coffee and across the street from some Surf shops.
Lofty Coffee Company
90 N Coast Hwy 101 Trendier coffee spot but great tasting coffee.
Next to Surfy Surfy... great, casual local spot to grab a cup of coffee.
64 locals recommend
Coffee Coffee
970 N Coast Hwy 101Next to Surfy Surfy... great, casual local spot to grab a cup of coffee.
Literally a "hide away" cafe tucked away in the heart of Solana Beach. Small, cozy and the food reminds you of home.
Hide Away Cafe
150 S Acacia AveLiterally a "hide away" cafe tucked away in the heart of Solana Beach. Small, cozy and the food reminds you of home.
GREAT Mexican and just right next door is it's competitor (separate owner) Tony's Jacal... another great Mexican spot.
47 locals recommend
Fidel's Little Mexico
607 Valley AveGREAT Mexican and just right next door is it's competitor (separate owner) Tony's Jacal... another great Mexican spot.
Amazing food and you have to call for reservations. Sit's right next door to a wine bar. You can't go wrong between Duck and Crispy Brussel sprouts...
100 locals recommend
Campfire
2725 State StAmazing food and you have to call for reservations. Sit's right next door to a wine bar. You can't go wrong between Duck and Crispy Brussel sprouts...
Zenbu Sushi
2003 San Elijo AvenueReally.good.sushi.
Reminds you of an upscale, homey cafeteria with comfort foods AND really good.
54 locals recommend
Urban Plates
12857 El Camino RealReminds you of an upscale, homey cafeteria with comfort foods AND really good.
EVE Encinitas
575 S Coast Hwy 101Vegetarian option with great acai bowls and lunch bowls.
Large and very busy Mexican restaurant complete with Mariachi singers. In the middle of the Forum Shopping Center with Urban Outfitters, Tilly's and an Apple Store.
32 locals recommend
Casa De Bandini
1901 Calle BarcelonaLarge and very busy Mexican restaurant complete with Mariachi singers. In the middle of the Forum Shopping Center with Urban Outfitters, Tilly's and an Apple Store.
You can get really good pizza, baked wings and a variety of beers on tap, IPA's Stouts... they support local craft breweries. Kids can use the few arcade machines and candy/toy vending machines.
98 locals recommend
Pizza Port Carlsbad
571 Carlsbad Village DrYou can get really good pizza, baked wings and a variety of beers on tap, IPA's Stouts... they support local craft breweries. Kids can use the few arcade machines and candy/toy vending machines.
Leucadia Donut Shoppe
1604 N Coast Hwy 101Homemade donuts and family owned. Good coffee too.
Best donuts and variety of donuts in town as well as assortments of cookies and other pastries.
73 locals recommend
VG Donut & Bakery
106 Aberdeen DrBest donuts and variety of donuts in town as well as assortments of cookies and other pastries.
Jersey Mike's Subs
5657 Balboa AveThe BEST sub sandwiches... Jersey style.
If you're vegetarian or Vegan, excellent place for fast food. Non GMO, Gluten free, organic options... Get their dairy-free, meatless chili fries...
29 locals recommend
Plant Power Fast Food
2204 Sunset Cliffs BlvdIf you're vegetarian or Vegan, excellent place for fast food. Non GMO, Gluten free, organic options... Get their dairy-free, meatless chili fries...
The closest thing to Chicago Style Deep dish and thin crust pizza. Still not as good as Chicago but will do...
Rosati's Pizza and Sports Pub
337 N El Camino RealThe closest thing to Chicago Style Deep dish and thin crust pizza. Still not as good as Chicago but will do...
SusieCakes
7610 Via CampanileBest cupcakes in town.
Great hamburger joint and a way better alternative than Mc Donald's.
21 locals recommend
The Habit Burger Grill
4175 Genesee AveGreat hamburger joint and a way better alternative than Mc Donald's.
Luna Grill - La Costa
7615 Via CampanileReally good Mediterranean Food
If you're hungover and broke, this is a good breakfast place to go to :) Greasy, cheap but good. Not great, good.
15 locals recommend
Captain Keno's Restaurant
158 N Coast Hwy 101If you're hungover and broke, this is a good breakfast place to go to :) Greasy, cheap but good. Not great, good.
Pandora's Pizza
828 N Coast Hwy 101Great pizzas and love their gluten free pizza.
King's Fish House
5625 Paseo Del NorteGreat family spot for seafood.
Pacific Coast Grill
2526 S Coast Hwy 101Higher end restaurant with scenic views of the ocean...
Drinks & Nightlife
The most L.A. place here in North County. If you're a Millennial, you'll love it... Baby Boomer, not so much.
51 locals recommend
SHELTER Encinitas
540 S Coast Hwy 101The most L.A. place here in North County. If you're a Millennial, you'll love it... Baby Boomer, not so much.
FUN, intimate venue for live music... you'd be pleasantly surprised what bands appear.
271 locals recommend
Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveFUN, intimate venue for live music... you'd be pleasantly surprised what bands appear.
Amazing food... and great tasting beer. Scenic views of their manmade garden. If you're a vegetarian, you'll be shocked that their veggie burger takes like meat.
232 locals recommend
Stone Brewing
1999 Citracado ParkwyAmazing food... and great tasting beer. Scenic views of their manmade garden. If you're a vegetarian, you'll be shocked that their veggie burger takes like meat.
Famous for their black IPA's... next to Napizza (excellent pizza) and shopping downtown.
23 locals recommend
Culture Brewing Co | Encinitas
629 South Coast Highway 101Famous for their black IPA's... next to Napizza (excellent pizza) and shopping downtown.
Parks & Nature
We LOVE this beach because of the Surfing and a lagoon that kids can swim in during low and high tides. If you are interested in going, please ask us for the PARKING PASS. Parking gets a bit frustrating but if you're patient, people do come and go or you can park on the street.
99 locals recommend
Cardiff State Beach
We LOVE this beach because of the Surfing and a lagoon that kids can swim in during low and high tides. If you are interested in going, please ask us for the PARKING PASS. Parking gets a bit frustrating but if you're patient, people do come and go or you can park on the street.
Sandy beaches and great surf. Only a 7 minute drive from the house at the bottom of La Costa Avenue.
49 locals recommend
Ponto State Beach Jetty
Sandy beaches and great surf. Only a 7 minute drive from the house at the bottom of La Costa Avenue.
A stunning garden that overlooks the ocean. You'll find many people meditating here and brings a sense of calm, ocean breezes and breath taking botanical plants and florals.
130 locals recommend
Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple
939 2nd StA stunning garden that overlooks the ocean. You'll find many people meditating here and brings a sense of calm, ocean breezes and breath taking botanical plants and florals.
Entertainment & Activities
The seats recline and you can order food & alcohol directly to your seat.
87 locals recommend
Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas La Costa Paseo Real
6941 El Camino RealThe seats recline and you can order food & alcohol directly to your seat.
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrGreat zoo with tons of open spaces to allow you to get closeup to wildlife.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdGreat zoo with tons of open spaces to allow you to get closeup to wildlife.
Shopping
ONLY ON SUNDAY MORNING'S from 10am - 2pm... homemade root beers to locally grown vegetables to a carnival like line-up of food vendors from Indian to South African... a fun, local market to get a bit of everything.
59 locals recommend
Leucadia Farmers Market
185 Union StONLY ON SUNDAY MORNING'S from 10am - 2pm... homemade root beers to locally grown vegetables to a carnival like line-up of food vendors from Indian to South African... a fun, local market to get a bit of everything.
From Sound healing bowls to clothing, local finds from local vendors and close to store shopping. ONLY OPEN on Saturday and Sunday.
6 locals recommend
Encinitas Bazaar
459 S Coast Hwy 101From Sound healing bowls to clothing, local finds from local vendors and close to store shopping. ONLY OPEN on Saturday and Sunday.