Carlsbad, California: The Perfect Staycation
Choosing Carlsbad
We love living in San Diego. Have we mentioned that before?
One of the best parts of calling Southern California home is having the chance to say “I live where you vacation.” We mean it, and we say it often! The more we explore our hometown and its neighboring cities, the truer that statement rings.
We recently planned a staycation in the one-of-a-kind city of Carlsbad, California. If ever there was a hidden gem in San Diego County, this is it.
Our criteria for the perfect staycation? Beautiful beaches, a vibrant food scene, exciting nightlife, outdoor activities and family-friendly attractions. Carlsbad fit the bill.
If you’re looking for an escape, whether from close-by like us or from afar, our itinerary will help you make the most out of your stay in Carlsbad. Read on!
Where to Stay: Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel
Every staycation needs a launch point, and Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel is the perfect place for a home base to relax between adventures in the city.
The hotel has recently undergone a series of renovations, brightening up its rooms for a modern, picturesque stay. Each room has a private balcony, overlooking either their outdoor heated pool or garden courtyard. While conveniently located near Interstate 5, the property remains exceptionally peaceful from day to night. As a perk, you’ll enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning to ease you into your day of exploration.
Families, couples and business professionals alike find Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel’s location ideal for enjoying many of the city’s offerings. South Carlsbad State Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the area, is less than a mile away. Legoland California is a five-minute drive, and the Carlsbad Flower Fields and Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall are right across the street. Carlsbad Village, a treasure trove of retail and dining options, is a quick ten-minute drive north. Whether within walking distance or by car, you’ll find plenty to fill your staycation days while you’re here!
The grounds are neatly manicured and serene, featuring a gazebo to sit and enjoy your morning coffee. The pool area has several cabanas to lay back with a book and a cold drink between dips in the pool. If you’re working while you staycation, you’ll find reliable and high-speed WiFi, in addition to business services in the lobby. As local, state and federal public health orders ease, the hotel will reopen business meeting spaces on its spacious outdoor patio, in the 1600-square-foot meeting and presentation room, and on its lush courtyard lawn. For a morning workout, check out Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel’s fitness center!
Adjacent to the hotel is the Windmill Food Hall. The people in your party can’t agree on a place to eat? With 14 different vendors inside and a fully stocked bar, everyone can have their choice of cuisine. Its lively and fun inside and there is live music every Wednesday through Sunday evening.
Countless amenities aside, there’s nothing better than a clean and affordable hotel. The friendly staff makes this happen and we loved being in the well-cared-for, spotless space.
Travel is steadily on the rise, so head over to Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel’s reservations page to book a room before they sell out! You’ll be glad you did.
Dining
Bluewater Grill
Seafood rules supreme at Bluewater Grill, and in Carlsbad, this family-friendly restaurant is a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. We met two fellow diners—who also happen to be locals—who told us that this is the place they come back to time and again for sustainable fresh seafood, excellent service and relaxed vibe. Hint: if the locals love it, you should check it out on your staycation.
Bluewater Grill is known for their gorgeous fresh fish counter that meets you upon entering the restaurant. They pride themselves on quality: sustainable, fresh seafood procured directly from fishermen. All of their offerings are in-season. During swordfish season, Bluewater actually operates its own harpoon boat in the waters of Baja California.
We began the evening with cocktails, of course! The apple pie old fashioned was well-balanced and classic with a fun and decadent twist, featuring Old Grand Dad 100 bourbon, Liquid Alchemist apple syrup and Angostura bitters. We also sipped the Napa gin and tonic—a refreshing and bright upgrade to the classic g&t with DamWelle Gin, Fever Tree tonic, rosemary simple syrup, and fresh orange and lime juices.
Their menu features an array of appetizers, from baked crab and artichoke dip to grilled Spanish octopus. They also have an impressive range of raw bar and shellfish offerings, like oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller, and braised mussels with Spanish chorizo.
For our start, we went for seared scallops with roasted jalapeño aioli. It was the perfect beginning, with three perfectly prepared sea scallops set on tomato oil and topped with chopped bacon and fresh cilantro. We inhaled these, not just because we were hungry from a day of adventure in Carlsbad, but also because the scallops were fabulous, with a beautiful crust from the sear balanced with the rich but bright aioli.
When it comes to cooking fish, this kitchen excels. For our entrees, we ordered chipotle-blackened swordfish with dirty rice topped with corn and avocado relish, as well as cedar plank salmon (cooked and served on a piece of cedar!) topped with maple-Dijon glaze alongside scalloped potatoes and broccolini. The swordfish was tender, which is something we always look for when ordering this fish. The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a pleasant complimentary sweetness from the Dijon glaze. The components of each entree were excellent, and like the appetizer, they were gone quick. Delicious!
We paired our entrees with the 2018 Trimbach pinot blanc from France and 2017 La Crema pinot noir from the winery’s Monterey, California vineyard. We know and love La Crema, and the bright and lively pinot noir did not disappoint. This particular pinot blanc was not our favorite, and next time we’ll probably opt for a sauvignon blanc or—I can’t believe we’re saying this—a California chardonnay to stand up to the decadent fish.
Key Lime Pie was our dessert choice, made in-house and not too sweet (the way we like it). It was rich and creamy but still bright and refreshing, thanks to the fresh key limes. Like everything else we ate on our visit, we were impressed.
Bluewater Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 9pm, and has ample seating at the bar, in the dining room and on their outdoor patio. We’ll definitely be making reservations next time we are in Carlsbad—make yours here!
Windmill Food Hall
For dining options closer to Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel, look no further than Carlsbad’s Windmill Food Hall. Located directly adjacent to the hotel, you’ll find a wide variety of local food vendors (14 in all) as well as a full bar. Cuisines include Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, poké and dessert!
Food halls have certainly seen a resurgence of late, but we think Windmill transcends the general category with its impressive selection of local craft beer and creative cocktails to enjoy alongside your meal.
Our favorite feature of Windmill Food Hall is its open and airy vibe, with ample indoor and outdoor seating. They host a variety of fun events, including live music Wednesday through Friday, an open mic night on Saturdays, and drag queen bingo! They also offer wedding and special event services, with the opportunity for couples to tie the knot inside the Windmill’s own chapel or on the beach.
We had no idea how much we’d find here, and we look forward to many more visits to take in the music, fabulous cocktails and delicious food this summer.
Cross Street Chicken and Beer
While at the Windmill Food Hall, we couldn’t resist the tempting smells emanating from the Cross Street Chicken and Beer kitchen. We went for the Hot Chick—a deliciously spicy battered and fried chicken sandwich coated in their house hot sauce, fresh coleslaw, pickles and cheese on a sweet brioche bun.
Just because we can, we also ordered garlic-parmesan chicken wings and a side of fried dumplings. Cross Street Chicken and Beer has gained a stellar reputation in the super-competitive chicken sandwich market for quality, and we can see why. We’ll be back, and soon.
Making the Most of Carlsbad – Things to Do
Styling Session at Retail Therapy
A private styling session at Retail Therapy was a highlight of our staycation in Carlsbad.
Located in Carlsbad Village, about 10 minutes by car from Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel, Retail Therapy offers a unique collection of clothing, accessories and gifts tailored to each patron’s personal style. Founded in 2014, owner Megan Scholl believes in affordable clothing made for all body shapes that radiates fun and fashion. She features several Los Angeles-based designers in her boutique, including many pieces which are exclusive and in very limited releases.
Setting up a styling session is super easy! We sent Megan and her team a direct message on Instagram, and they responded immediately to find a date and time that worked for our staycation. We headed to the shop for our appointment and met Lilli, one of the stylists at Retail Therapy. Prior to our session, Lilli combed through our Instagram page to get a feel for Cheryl’s style, curating custom looks for her to try out.
Every outfit that Lilly selected was not something Cheryl would typically pick out herself. She leans toward jeans, a simple tank top and occasional ballcap for everyday wear, with more neutral blouses and colorful dresses for date nights. Lilly took her out of her comfort zone with her bold yet comfortable selection of outfits. During the 90-minute session, Cheryl tried on six to seven looks and left with five complete outfits (including accessories!).
The experience was perfectly timed. We were headed to Napa Valley and Sonoma in a few weeks, and Cheryl was in the market for a new spring wardrobe. On our trip up north, Cheryl wore every single outfit she took home from Retail Therapy! We are so glad we made this part of our staycation, and absolutely love the vision of this boutique. They get new styles in weekly, and we can’t wait to see what’s on display the next time we stop by. Treat yourself.
Wine Tasting at Carruth Cellars
After your personal styling session at Retail Therapy, head a few blocks over to Carruth Cellars Tasting Room and indulge in a glass of wine (or two!).
Nestled in the heart of bustling Carlsbad Village, this tasting room is one of three in the San Diego region (the other two are in Solana Beach and Little Italy). The winery sources their grapes from a variety of vineyards in Central and Northern California, producing a series of well-balanced and robust wines.
To get a feel for their range, we recommend ordering one of their wine flights. If you are a red wine lover, as most of our readers are (74% of you prefer red over white!), try the “Smooth & Silky” flight, featuring a syrah port, a cabernet sauvignon, a merlot, a zinfandel and King’s X (a red blend of grapes from the Russian River Valley).
If you’re into white wine and lighter varietals, try the “Keep it Light” flight: a chardonnay, a pinot noir rosé, a pinot noir, a tempranillo (Ashley’s favorite), and the Unicorn red blend (Cheryl’s top pick).
We love exploring California wineries and Carruth represented the bounty of our beloved state perfectly.
Fun on the Water at Carlsbad Lagoon
Did you know that Carlsbad has three lagoons covering more than 1,000 acres? Neither did we!
The Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos, and Buena Vista lagoons give visitors the opportunity to enjoy nature, exercise, relax and absorb all of that incredible SoCal sunshine. All three lagoons are open to the public, but Agua Hedionda aka Carlsbad Lagoon is the only one open for watercraft activities.
On our Carlsbad staycation, exploring a lagoon was a must on our list. California Watersports offered several options to do just that!
They offer actives for the whole family, including kayaks, paddle boards, a “Funcat” and faster motorized rentals if you’re looking for something more adventurous. We took a cruise on the Funcat—a solar-powered pontoon-style boat that offers maximum comfort and relaxation while taking in the beauty of the lagoon. With drink holders and a small canopy, the Funcat is the perfect choice for a Sunday afternoon cruise.
Immerse Yourself in the Carlsbad Flower Fields
This 50-acre Carlsbad landmark is open to the public for eight weeks out of the year. The yellow, white, red, pink and everything in between ranunculuses (aka Tecolote Giant Ranunculuses) are pure colorful bliss—creating an awe-inspiring sight that can be seen from miles away, including from the Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel!
For just ten weeks of the year, the beautiful ranunculus transforms the hillside into pure sensory joy. The fields are open from March 1st to May 9th, and we recommend ordering tickets in advance. Be prepared to show up right when the fields open to get the best light for Instagram-worthy photographs, as well as to avoid long lines at some of the photo ops set up for visitors.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military members and $10 for children ages 3 to 10. The fields are open from 9am to 6pm daily, with fun $6 wagon rides ($3 for children) throughout the gorgeous scenery.
Pro tip: don’t forget to fully charge your smartphone or camera the night before—you’ll want to take dozens, if not hundreds, of pictures. Trust us!
Go to Legoland
“I don’t like Legos,” said no one, ever.
Legoland is a must-see, especially if you have school-aged children. Opened in 1999, the Legoland Resort has a full-on amusement park with rides, a water park, an aquarium, plenty of food options and an on-site hotel.
The park has nine sections total, and many of its attractions are made entirely from individual Legos (don’t worry, the roller coasters and riders are not constructed of these tiny wonders). A core mission of Legoland is education, and there are plenty of opportunities for guests to build and test their own Lego projects. Their various family-friendly shows and activities are not to be missed, including the chance to meet the characters from the popular kids series Ninjago, the movie Lego City 4D and more.
On April 15, California officially lifted restrictions on amusement parks, allowing Legoland to operate at limited capacity. At this time, advanced reservations are required, so book your tickets here!
Hit the Beach
A trip to Carlsbad would be incomplete without a beach stop. Carlsbad is home to eight beaches that offer a wide array of activities from picnics and camping to tidepooling and surfing.
Making your way to a Carlsbad beach is easy! South Carlsbad State Beach is a five-mile stretch of soft sand only a short walk from Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel. Grab your towel and stroll over to enjoy the sun, a scenic picnic, a walk along the golden coast, tidepooling and even surfing. During the summer, this popular spot fills up quickly, so get there early to snag a spot. If you’re driving, there is a paid parking lot, as well as the option to park along the Pacific Coast Highway during non-peak hours.
If you are closer to Carlsbad village, Tamarack Beach (aka Carlsbad State Beach) is an excellent option popular among families and surfers alike. You’ll find a wide variety of activities like kayaking and rollerblading, but we thing sunbathing and boogie-boarding is just as fun. There is a large public parking lot near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue, along with street parking throughout Carlsbad Village.
The northernmost beach is Carlsbad City Beach, known for its surf fishing, lagoon exploration and bird watching. Look for parking along Ocean Avenue and neighboring streets. Tip: unlike the other two beaches, Carlsbad City Beach does not offer restrooms or showers. Make this a stop for a visit and set up camp for the day at one of the others!
Check out the Outlet Mall
If you have energy left for bargain-hunting, head over to the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall for deep discounts on your favorite brands. The mall has over 90 stores, including favorites of ours like Kate Space, Lacoste, Converse, Tommy Hilfiger and Wetzel’s Pretzels (yes, we said it—don’t scoff at a doughy pretzel dipped in nacho cheese!).
If you’re looking for Southern California adventure, look no further than Carlsbad, CA. Check out our staycation itinerary.
Parking is ample, but if you’re staying at Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel, just walk right across the street.
Your Turn
Have you been to Carlsbad? What are some of your favorite spots? Tell us in the comments below!