Word of Mouth: Carlsbad
From Michelin-starred dining to luxury spas and championship golf courses, coastal Carlsbad is more than just the beach (but we love a beach, too)
Just 45 minutes north of San Diego and oozing beachy charm, Carlsbad lays claim to seven miles along the Pacific Ocean. Its most famous attraction, LEGOLAND, may pull in millions of visitors, but there are plenty of reasons for families, couples and solo travelers to visit that have nothing to do with tiny pieces of plastic. The Flower Fields alone are bucket list-worthy: where else in the world can one frolic among 55 acres of rainbow ranunculus? It’s a scene straight out of Wicked—and a flower lover’s wildest dreams. Here’s a few of our favorite things to do and the best places to stay and eat in this underrated coastal city.
Beach Terrace
A few short blocks from the hustle and bustle of Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad’s only true beachfront hotel calls itself San Diego’s best kept secret since the 1960s. Recent renovations highlight super-spacious rooms that average 600 square feet, complete with balconies and, of course, ocean views over a private beach. Adults and kids alike fuel up for a day of exploring at the complimentary breakfast spread in the lobby each morning, just one of many thoughtful touches at this family-owned and fiercely independent boutique hotel. Take a complimentary bike rental for a spin (or rent from the nearby Carlsbad E-Bikes for a longer cruise along the coast), then recap the day’s adventures around the firepits by the heated Shorebreak Pool. When bedtime rolls around, there’s a pillow menu featuring a variety of options for every type of sleeper.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
The iconic luxury property is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year after multimillion-dollar upgrades to its 600 guestrooms and suites, award-winning spa, and two championship 18-hole golf facilities. With no fewer than eight pools set among the lush grounds, fuchsia bougainvillea frames Spanish Mission-style courtyards and flowing fountains, evoking Southern California by way of the Mediterranean. Intergenerational groups of family, friends and bachelorettes know the spa is not to be missed. Book a treatment or nab a day pass for access to the dry sauna, indoor whirlpool, steam room and even a relaxation room—complete with zero-gravity massage chairs —that offers guided meditations.
Jeune et Jolie
French cuisine meets SoCal ingredients—and sensibilities—at this MICHELIN-starred restaurant helmed by executive chef Eric Bost. Settle into the pink velvet couches inside or go al fresco out on the garden patio as the knowledgeable servers explain the creative options for each course on the tasting menu. Each plate is a work of art with stunning visual and textural elements; it’s the most chic dining experience in all of Carlsbad.
Ember & Rye
From celebrity chef and TV personality Richard Blais, Ember & Rye at the Park Hyatt Aviara is a big and bustling steakhouse where a well-heeled crowd caps off a day at the Golf Club with a hearty meal. Beside the impressive cuts of beef, expect playful twists with surprising flavor combinations to shake up the usual side dish suspects, like croissant croutons in the kale Caesar and a sweet and savory corn crème brûlée.
The Flower Fields
Every spring, Carlsbad bursts into bloom with 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunuculus flowers blanketing the hillsides in a riot of color. Words can’t do justice to what it’s like stepping inside nature’s spectacular display, stretching as far as the eye can see. There’s a butterfly exhibit that also makes for great photo opps, if you can pry yourself away from the endless rows of rainbows in the fields.
Handled Pottery Studio
This woman-owned studio from an expert ceramicist is a warm and welcoming place to try your hand at throwing clay when the weather isn’t cooperating or you just want to get off your feet. The indoor/outdoor space offers everything from date nights to “pottery paint and sip” to beginner-friendly group lessons, so there’s something to suit any skill level. If you’re lucky, the owner’s family dog and unofficial mascot, a friendly chunk of a corgi, will keep you company while you work.
Cafe Topes
Family owned and operated for over a decade, Cafe Topes is where all the locals want to be on a weekend morning. The perfect egg sandwiches are big enough for two, or go light and fresh with veggie-heavy seasonal specials like scrambled egg and ricotta toast with spring greens. A horchata chai helps to wash it all down. Just don’t forget to order one of the famous fresh-baked cinnamon buns for the table. The “obscene” option is slathered in a, yes, obscene amount of cream cheese frosting.
What are your thoughts?