AKB: Carlsbad, California tips and recommendations…

[Midnighter]

Heading to Carlsbad for Spring Break and wanted to see if the AKB has any tips or recommendations for families with small children (6-8 years old). We’re planning a couple days at Disney and a day at Legoland, but could use some restaurant tips as well as good places to do outdoorsy things (hike, wale watch, etc.). Wife’s birthday will happen on the trip so a nice, kid friendly place for dinner would be great.

 

[PSU87]

Heading to Carlsbad for Spring Break and wanted to see if the AKB has any tips or recommendations for families with small children (6-8 years old). We’re planning a couple days at Disney and a day at Legoland, but could use some restaurant tips as well as good places to do outdoorsy things (hike, wale watch, etc.). Wife’s birthday will happen on the trip so a nice, kid friendly place for dinner would be great.

So I'll admit my info is 10 years old, but I have spent a lot of time in that San Diego-La Jolla- Del Mar stretch.

Whenever I took my California staff out to lunch or dinner they always wanted Brigantine or Poseidon in Del Mar.

Point Loma (I know it's well south of you) is one if the coolest places I've been. Time it for low tide and you'll see some incredible marine life in the tide pools there.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Midnighter: If you find a babysitter and are willing to drive about twenty minutes south on Interstate 5, there is a very unique bar in the La Jolla Town Center shopping center. It is called "Raised by Wolves." The entrance itself is unique (a wall that is on a circular platform, and rotates from the entry area into the bar itself). They make a bunch of custom mixed drinks, all of which have been given their own custom name, and all of which are about $15 bucks a throw. But just a wonderful place to have a drink. San Diego Zoo is a ways south. It is, IMHO, the finest zoo in the United States. Lots of attractions there for kids. Sea World is also nearby.

Fillippi's Pizza Grotto is a great family friendly pizza and pasta restaurant. Very good food, and reasonably priced. The link for their website is below. They have locations in downtown San Diego's Little Italy area and in Pacific Beach, but even the P.B. location is a bit of a drive from Carlsbad. If you are already down in the San Diego area for the day, it would be a good option. They also have a location in downtown Napa if you are ever in the Valley for wine tasting and hanker after Italian food.

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realcheesepizza.com

One Carlsbad restaurant that you should definitely consider is Casa de Bandini. This restaurant used to be located in the Old Town section of San Diego, and was iconic. Not sure why they moved to Carlsbad (perhaps a rent issue?), but the place was fantastic when it was in Old Town. Here is a link to their website:

https://www.casadebandini.com/

Sorry that I can't recommend more places in Carlsbad itself. It is much smaller, and I have not been in Carlsbad in some years. There should be some amenities along the ocean. Cardiff by the Sea and Del Mar are also nearby, so you may check those communities as well via an online search.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

LB mentioned Cardiff ... book the Chart House at sunset on your wife's bday (w/ or w/o the kids, they will be fine). Had a good meal there at sunset last May.

 

[Wex18]

Lots of good Mexican restaurants close by. I'm heading out there next week. Among my favorites are Felix's in Solana Beach and Las Olas in Cardiff (with views of the ocean).

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Lots of good Mexican restaurants close by. I'm heading out there next week. Among my favorites are Felix's in Solana Beach and Las Olas in Cardiff (with views of the ocean).

I'll be in Long Beach all next week ... got any recs closer to LB?

 

[ApexLion]

Casa de Bandini

yes! Went with my wife years ago and loved it. Mariachi band! Ole!

 

[LostInTransition]

Heading to Carlsbad for Spring Break and wanted to see if the AKB has any tips or recommendations for families with small children (6-8 years old). We’re planning a couple days at Disney and a day at Legoland, but could use some restaurant tips as well as good places to do outdoorsy things (hike, wale watch, etc.). Wife’s birthday will happen on the trip so a nice, kid friendly place for dinner would be great.

Midnighter, I've lived here in Carlsbad for close to 25 years now, including raising a couple of kids, so I'll weigh in here. First off, dining out has been hit hard by the post pandemic inflation and staff shortages, be patient and willing to spend a few dollars. 2nd, be sure to go to In 'n Out for burgers and fries. Your kids and your wallet will thank you. There's one just west of Legoland and several on the way to Disneyland.

If you like micro brews we have them by the boatload. The brew pubs and ale houses are much more kid friendly than tap rooms. My favorite hangout is the Carlsbad Brew House, right up the road from Legoland. Pizza Port is also a good option for great beers but, ironically, not the best pizza. It's not terrible but not quite to my liking. The sauce is a little too sweet and the crust a little too chewy for my liking. The kids like it though and they have a handful of video games to keep them occupied. Another favorite option is "The Confessional" - Lost Abbey's tap room in Cardiff that opens up on a lawn area (fake turf) with a pizza shop for the kids.

Best Mexican choices are Norte and Garcia's, both in the Village. I believe Wex meant Fidel's instead of Felix's in Solano Beach. A very good choice. Las Olas used to be one of our favorites but they haven't been the same since the pandemic. Casa de Bandini isn't bad but it's a bit of a tourist trap. If you're looking for something quick, the best taco shops are Cotixan on El Camino Real in Encinitas (best drive thru) or Kotija Jr., 3 locations. "The Taco Stand" in Encinitas has the best tacos north of Tacos El Gordo but the line is often halfway down the block.

If you want fine dining we have some celebrity chef options with Campfire and Jeunes et Jolie in the Village. Pacific Coast Grill, right next to The Chart House in Cardiff is a much better choice for sunset dining. So is Poseidon in Del Mar.

For hiking and kids stuff, I'll second the tide pools. Terra Mar beach is the best in Carlsbad but Swami's in Encinitas is only 3 or 4 miles further south, better pools and more diversity of sea creatures. Point Loma has the best tide pools in the county but is accessible only through the Cabrillo Monument National Park. It's worth the drive though. Admission is $20 per car (free for active military and vets) but it has the best view of San Diego, Coronado Island and North Island naval base in addition to the tide pools. There are also great tide pools north of La Jolla shores beach, it's about a mile and a half hike up the beach from La Jolla shores or down some trails from Torrey Pines. Those trails have been hit hard from the recent storms though and may not be accessible. The seals at La Jolla cove are a big tourist draw as well. Torrey Pines is a great place for hiking.

If you have a whole day to spend, the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is a great place for kids. So is their Safari Park about 20 miles inland from Carlsbad. It's also a relatively short drive to the mountains. Julian has a lot of trails, apple pie and a gold mine tour that your boys should like. Idyllwild is about a 90 mile drive with different hikes depending on your skill level and lung capacity.

Let me know if you want more information on any of these or looking for anything specific.

 

[Midnighter]

Midnighter, I've lived here in Carlsbad for close to 25 years now, including raising a couple of kids, so I'll weigh in here. First off, dining out has been hit hard by the post pandemic inflation and staff shortages, be patient and willing to spend a few dollars. 2nd, be sure to go to In 'n Out for burgers and fries. Your kids and your wallet will thank you. There's one just west of Legoland and several on the way to Disneyland.

If you like micro brews we have them by the boatload. The brew pubs and ale houses are much more kid friendly than tap rooms. My favorite hangout is the Carlsbad Brew House, right up the road from Legoland. Pizza Port is also a good option for great beers but, ironically, not the best pizza. It's not terrible but not quite to my liking. The sauce is a little too sweet and the crust a little too chewy for my liking. The kids like it though and they have a handful of video games to keep them occupied. Another favorite option is "The Confessional" - Lost Abbey's tap room in Cardiff that opens up on a lawn area (fake turf) with a pizza shop for the kids.

Best Mexican choices are Norte and Garcia's, both in the Village. I believe Wex meant Fidel's instead of Felix's in Solano Beach. A very good choice. Las Olas used to be one of our favorites but they haven't been the same since the pandemic. Casa de Bandini isn't bad but it's a bit of a tourist trap. If you're looking for something quick, the best taco shops are Cotixan on El Camino Real in Encinitas (best drive thru) or Kotija Jr., 3 locations. "The Taco Stand" in Encinitas has the best tacos north of Tacos El Gordo but the line is often halfway down the block.

If you want fine dining we have some celebrity chef options with Campfire and Jeunes et Jolie in the Village. Pacific Coast Grill, right next to The Chart House in Cardiff is a much better choice for sunset dining. So is Poseidon in Del Mar.

For hiking and kids stuff, I'll second the tide pools. Terra Mar beach is the best in Carlsbad but Swami's in Encinitas is only 3 or 4 miles further south, better pools and more diversity of sea creatures. Point Loma has the best tide pools in the county but is accessible only through the Cabrillo Monument National Park. It's worth the drive though. Admission is $20 per car (free for active military and vets) but it has the best view of San Diego, Coronado Island and North Island naval base in addition to the tide pools. There are also great tide pools north of La Jolla shores beach, it's about a mile and a half hike up the beach from La Jolla shores or down some trails from Torrey Pines. Those trails have been hit hard from the recent storms though and may not be accessible. The seals at La Jolla cove are a big tourist draw as well. Torrey Pines is a great place for hiking.

If you have a whole day to spend, the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is a great place for kids. So is their Safari Park about 20 miles inland from Carlsbad. It's also a relatively short drive to the mountains. Julian has a lot of trails, apple pie and a gold mine tour that your boys should like. Idyllwild is about a 90 mile drive with different hikes depending on your skill level and lung capacity.

Let me know if you want more information on any of these or looking for anything specific.

Wow - thank you!! Made a reservation at Pacific Coast Grill for my wife’s birthday (kid menu sealed it). Definitely appreciate the other recommendations - have a feeling we’ll be referring to this post often!!

 

[Ntlnfn]

Midnighter: If you find a babysitter and are willing to drive about twenty minutes south on Interstate 5, there is a very unique bar in the La Jolla Town Center shopping center. It is called "Raised by Wolves." The entrance itself is unique (a wall that is on a circular platform, and rotates from the entry area into the bar itself). They make a bunch of custom mixed drinks, all of which have been given their own custom name, and all of which are about $15 bucks a throw. But just a wonderful place to have a drink. San Diego Zoo is a ways south. It is, IMHO, the finest zoo in the United States. Lots of attractions there for kids. Sea World is also nearby.

Fillippi's Pizza Grotto is a great family friendly pizza and pasta restaurant. Very good food, and reasonably priced. The link for their website is below. They have locations in downtown San Diego's Little Italy area and in Pacific Beach, but even the P.B. location is a bit of a drive from Carlsbad. If you are already down in the San Diego area for the day, it would be a good option. They also have a location in downtown Napa if you are ever in the Valley for wine tasting and hanker after Italian food.

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filippi's pizza grotto, filippi's pizza, pizza near me, Italian food near me, filippis, pizza, spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna, macaroni, sandwiches, antipasta salad, white wine, blush wine. red wine, sparkling wine, Linguini with clams, shrimp filippi, fettuccine alfredo, pasta primavera, veal parmigia

realcheesepizza.com

One Carlsbad restaurant that you should definitely consider is Casa de Bandini. This restaurant used to be located in the Old Town section of San Diego, and was iconic. Not sure why they moved to Carlsbad (perhaps a rent issue?), but the place was fantastic when it was in Old Town. Here is a link to their website:

https://www.casadebandini.com/

Sorry that I can't recommend more places in Carlsbad itself. It is much smaller, and I have not been in Carlsbad in some years. There should be some amenities along the ocean. Cardiff by the Sea and Del Mar are also nearby, so you may check those communities as well via an online search.

Second the Casa de Bandini rec. I grew up in Carlsbad and it was a favorite for our family. The other would have been That Pizza Place but they closed for good. Downtown SD is fun for adults and the San Diego zoo is a whole lot of fun too and one of the best zoos in America.

 

[Wex18]

I believe Wex meant Fidel's instead of Felix's in Solano Beach. A very good choice.

You're right. Felix's is a diner in New Jersey.
Tony's Jacal is another good Mexican restaurant on the same block as Fidel's.

 

[Midnighter]

Here now - thanks for the tips everyone! Went to bed around 8pm last night as we were seriously tired from travel. Had dinner at Senor Grubbys and the difference in Mexican food from what I get in VA is amazing. Had a spicy chicken burrito with the house lager and it was tremendoes. The weather here is like a San Francisco summer, but what can you do? Took an early morning walk around town and it was lovely. Hitting the the parks and natural sites the rest of the week but really love the vibe here.