There are so many fun things to do in Carlsbad, California! From the beaches, murals, and flowers to the food and drink options, there's something for everyone. We often camp at Carlsbad State Beach, but this last trip we decided to stay in the town and enjoy all the offerings of staying at an Airbnb. We walked the town and the beach each morning. We explored the restaurant scene, the shopping and found many things to do while staying in Carlsbad!
Where to Stay in Carlsbad
We stayed at an Airbnb near the Village in Carlsbad. We had 9 people in our group so a rental house worked well for us. We happened to find a great house with an attached apartment so my parents had their own space. There are a lot of great options for hotels near the village as well. A few options with awesome locations near the village are Tamarack Beach Resort, Best Western Plus Beach View Lodge, and Carlsbad Seapointe Resort. Staying at the Four Seasons Residence Aviara is another amazing option.
The Beaches in Carlsbad
Carlsbad has 7 miles of coastline in California and there are plenty of spots to enjoy! We went to Tamarack Surf Beach during our stay. It's a very nice sandy beach with restrooms and a long boardwalk. There are grassy areas on top before walking down the ramp or stairs. We typically go to Carlsbad State Beach when we are camping which also has a great beach for swimming or surfing.
The Sights to See in Carlsbad
There are so many beautiful areas to see in Carlsbad in addition to the amazing coastline. The village and surrounding areas have all sorts of murals. I love this butterfly mural, painted by Taylor Gallegos Art. There are streets lined with vibrant flowers and The Flower Fields are an awesome sight to see! If you do check out the Flower Fields in the spring, be sure to check out Picnics + Flowers from our friends at Pop Up Picnic! If you're in Carlsbad a few days, be sure to head to Legoland! We also love the Legoland Castle Hotel!
Food and Drink Options in Carlsbad
There are so many awesome restaurants in Carlsbad! One of my favorites for breakfast is Shorehouse Kitchen! They have the most delicious lavender cortado! They also have a breakfast menu full of tasty options like angus short rib & hash brown potato cakes. The kids loved the beach bowl made with vanilla bean or lemon Greek yogurt, blended acai, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, housemade cherry granola and honey! Village Kitchen & Pie Shop is a good local spot for classic breakfast dishes.
Lunch and Dinner Options
One of our favorite spots for an evening out with the family in Carlsbad is The Coyote Bar & Grill. The Coyote Bar and Grill is a happening spot in the evening with live music and tasty food! Fresco Cocina has a nice rooftop bar and the Mexican fusion cuisine is great. Tortilla Mia has delicious authentic Mexican food with a fun atmosphere. Pitfire Pizza is an awesome fast casual spot with options like pizza, cocktails and amazing salads. Park 101 is a fun spot to grab a drink and tacos!
Dessert in Carlsbad
The most iconic spot in Carlsbad to get dessert is at the Strawberry Shack. Carlsbad is well known for their flower fields and fresh grown strawberries. The Strawberry Shack has all the strawberry desserts you could think of including ice cream, floats, lemonade, shortcake and so many others. Other dessert spots to check out include The Goods, GelatoLove, Vinaka Cafe, Dolce Aroma Italian Bakery, Little Fox Cups and Cones and Handel's Homemade Ice Cream!
Family Travel and Staycations
There's nothing quite like a beautiful sunset on the coast to finish up your family trip, especially in Carlsbad. We had an amazing stay with our family. We saw so many beautiful spots and enjoyed our daily walks in this charming coastal town. We loved enjoying the delicious restaurants and lounging on the beach. Have you been?! Tell us your favorite spots or drop us any questions in the comments below. xo, Bri
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