Carlsbad is a fun and quirky beach town located in San Diego County, just north of Encinitas. The area has a 7-mile stretch of pristine beaches and is close to family-friendly LEGOLAND and bursting flower fields in the Spring. The climate is Mediterranean, and it’s not as crowded as many of the beach towns along the Southern California Coast.
At the center of town is Carlsbad Village by the Sea, which features an eclectic mix of outdoor cafes, bars, craft breweries, boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and quaint shops. Surfers love it, and there are plenty of surf shops and shops offering unique beachwear.
Watch my short video tour
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa
I spent the night at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, about a 16-minute drive from Carlsbad Village, mainly because my daughter had extra points that were on the verge of expiring. I had wanted to visit the resort for decades, as it was once the playground of celebrities like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and many of their contemporaries.
I was also intrigued that at one point, the resort had partnered with the Deepak Chopra Center, which focuses on Ayurvedic wellness and meditation.
The resort is massive, featuring Spanish-style villas, ballrooms, multiple restaurants, a world-renowned golf course, pools, and various activities. What I was not expecting was how family-friendly it is.
In my mind, I had envisioned it to be like Miraval Resort in Tucson, Arizona, a wellness and fitness retreat offering farm-to-table cuisine. Omni La Costa is more like Disneyland, with plenty of kids running around and family-centered gatherings and activities. If that is your jam, it is fabulous!
The resort is spread out with the restaurants and shops in a central plaza near the registration area. To get to them, you must be prepared to walk. However, golf carts can be summoned to pick you up and take you to your suite, where most of the action is.
There is one main adult pool area called The Edge with a Tiki Bar that is open most of the day.
If relaxation is what you crave, you will want to book time in the spa.
I found the staff to be friendly and attentive. However, because the rooms are far from the main area, I was a bit surprised that water was not in the room, and amenities like shampoo were sparse. Fortunately, the woman who checked me in offered me two bottles of water after I had schlepped my overnight bags from the self-park to registration. (Valet is available, which I should have researched before arriving. LOL)
La Costa has a spectacular view of the golf course, especially from the outdoor areas of the bar and Vue Restaurant.
The food was okay, with overly large portions. I’m sure if I had dinner at the Vue or Bob’s Steakhouse, it would have been more refined, but I had Fish and Chips at the Bar after spending 4 hours in traffic because of a paving project on the freeway, and a humongous omelet for breakfast at the Vue before moving on to Carlsbad Village by the Sea.
The line at the coffee bar was insanely long in the morning, but thinned out after a while.
Carlsbad Village by the Sea
I wish I could have spent more time walking in Carlsbad Village, which encompasses several streets in the downtown area. For those wanting more beach time, there are several hotels available, like the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort and Beach Terrace.
I was craving seafood, and because I was traveling solo, I decided to get some lunch at Harbor Fish Café, where I had a massive “fresh off the boat” fish taco. It is a mostly outdoor establishment next to the beach entrance and is famous for its fish and chips.
Before heading home to Los Angeles, I walked through the village to check it out. There is a historic train station, built in 1887 for the Santa Fe Railroad, but the Amtrak Surfliner no longer stops there, which is unfortunate. It is now used as the Carlsbad Visitor’s Center.
You can take the Surfliner from Los Angeles Union Station to Oceanside and then take a taxi or rideshare to Carlsbad, which is not far away. You can also jump on the Coaster Commuter rail, which stops in Oceanside and Downtown San Diego.
Places to eat and imbibe are numerous, including Crackheads, which is a hip neighborhood hangout.
Carlsbad Village hosts a weekly farmers’ market open each Wednesday from 2:30 pm. – 7 p.m.
I loved the laid-back atmosphere of Carlsbad Village by the Sea and its eclectic shops and restaurants. For a relaxing beach vacation, with mostly perfect weather, it’s a charming place to spend a day or two.
Where to stay
Click on the map below.
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