David's Guidebook
Food and Beverage Scene
Great drive-thru Mexican Food for a reasonable price and a 10 minute drive.
Albertaco's Mexican Food Inc
601 Sycamore AveGreat drive-thru Mexican Food for a reasonable price and a 10 minute drive.
Aztec Brewing Company
2330 La Mirada DrIn the heart of Vista Village 2 miles away
59 locals recommend
Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill
302 E BroadwayIn the heart of Vista Village 2 miles away
Booze Brothers Brewing Co.
2545 Progress St
Carlsbad Brewing Company
6133 Innovation WayChick-fil-A
10750 Camino Ruiz
Cold Stone Creamery
30 Main St
Dave & Buster's
2931 Camino Del Rio NorthFish House Vera Cruz
417 Carlsbad Village Dr
Gaslamp Quarter
1 hour south in downtown San Diego
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
2825 State StHarbor Fish Cafe
3179 Carlsbad Blvd
In-N-Out Burger
5950 Avenida EncinasKarl Strauss Brewing Company
5801 Armada Dr
MIKKO SUSHI
330 Main St
Norte Mexican Food
3003 Carlsbad Blvd
Oceanside Harbor Village
280 Harbor DrOld California Coffee House and Eatery
1080 W San Marcos Blvd
Old Town
Pizzamaniac
11505 N Santa Fe Ave
Pizza Port Carlsbad
571 Carlsbad Village Dr
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
303 Vista Village DrSeñor Grubby's
377 Carlsbad Village DrStarbucks
30 Main StCoyote Bar & Grill
300 Carlsbad Village Dr
WildWood Crossing
116 Civic Center DrGreat food and drinks and live entertainment!!
The Yellow Deli Vista, LLC
315 E BroadwayCurbside Cafe
307 Main StSome guests have mentioned Good Breakfasts here.
Shopping
Discount Shopping Experience. Next door to the famous Flower Fields (seasonal)
Albertsons
1301 E Vista WayClosest grocery store
Walmart Supercenter
1800 University DrCarlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteCostco Wholesale
1755 Hacienda DrOceanside Sunset Market
401 Pier View WayThe Indian Store
1950 Hacienda DrFun / Ineresting native American crafts and decor
Sightseeing
Balboa Park
September 28, 1542 Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. The monument commemorates the landing which marked the first time a European expedition set foot on what is now known as the West Coast of the United States. Spectacular views of the San Diego skyline and waterfront from this southernmost tip of the Point Loma peninsula.
238 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument
September 28, 1542 Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay. The monument commemorates the landing which marked the first time a European expedition set foot on what is now known as the West Coast of the United States. Spectacular views of the San Diego skyline and waterfront from this southernmost tip of the Point Loma peninsula.
Lots of little beaches in Carlsbad all connected but if you Google “beaches near me” the first is less than 9 mi away. Our favorite is at the very end of Carlsbad Village Dr. Down the stairs and feel the sand beneath you and breath the salt water air.
24 locals recommend
Carlsbad State Beach
Carlsbad BoulevardLots of little beaches in Carlsbad all connected but if you Google “beaches near me” the first is less than 9 mi away. Our favorite is at the very end of Carlsbad Village Dr. Down the stairs and feel the sand beneath you and breath the salt water air.
A shopping trip too as it’s right next to the the Carlsbad outlet stores.
172 locals recommend
The Flower Fields
5704 Paseo Del NorteA shopping trip too as it’s right next to the the Carlsbad outlet stores.
As a kid Dave watched the black & white Sunday morning western called "The Cisco Kid" -- the co-star "Pancho" was Leo Carrillo. He built this ranch in the old Adobe style and it is preserved to this day by the City of Carlsbad. Leo would host camping events where Hollywood stars, including Walt Disney, would pack up the Airstream and head down to Leo's Ranch for the weekend. A real Americana Time Capsule.
38 locals recommend
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo LnAs a kid Dave watched the black & white Sunday morning western called "The Cisco Kid" -- the co-star "Pancho" was Leo Carrillo. He built this ranch in the old Adobe style and it is preserved to this day by the City of Carlsbad. Leo would host camping events where Hollywood stars, including Walt Disney, would pack up the Airstream and head down to Leo's Ranch for the weekend. A real Americana Time Capsule.
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdMaritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor DrOceanside Amphitheater & Pier
301 The Strand NOceanside has a huge beach, you can fish off the pier. And downtown is close by too. Park at the bus/train station parking tower for free parking.
239 locals recommend
Oceanside Harbor Beach
North Pacific StreetOceanside has a huge beach, you can fish off the pier. And downtown is close by too. Park at the bus/train station parking tower for free parking.
A good walk north from the pier but a fun place to see shopping, boats, sightseeing, restaurants, beach access.
239 locals recommend
Oceanside Harbor Beach
North Pacific Street A good walk north from the pier but a fun place to see shopping, boats, sightseeing, restaurants, beach access.
Sightseeing/Amusement
Pack a cooler and grab your tennis shoes and a jacket for day-tripping around town and within the area ( San Diego County)
Annies Canyon Trailhead
North Rios AvenueAntique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 N Santa Fe Ave
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
2952 Oceanside BlvdBelly Up
143 S Cedros AveBoomers
1525 W Vista WayBrengle Terrace Park
1200 Vale Terrace DrNearby Park with children's play equipment
This is our neighbor Wine Maker of the Year!!!! His wine is great and he tells you so much about how to make award winning wines.
Brooking Vineyards
375 Skyline DrThis is our neighbor Wine Maker of the Year!!!! His wine is great and he tells you so much about how to make award winning wines.
See what’s playing many major groups pass through here ( Music, Broadway , Dance, Cultural events)
59 locals recommend
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
340 N Escondido BlvdSee what’s playing many major groups pass through here ( Music, Broadway , Dance, Cultural events)
California Surf Museum
312 Pier View WaySeaside village lots of shops and restaurants and short walk to the beach. Take Carlsbad Village drive West off the I-5 almost until it ends.
158 locals recommend
Carlsbad Village
Seaside village lots of shops and restaurants and short walk to the beach. Take Carlsbad Village drive West off the I-5 almost until it ends.
Cinépolis
25 Main St
Fishing Pier
This is really fun to watch or join in. Lots of people fish here
Del Mar Racing
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Fleet Science Center
1875 El PradoCall ahead of time and see if they are open and have tours. You won’t be disappointed if you are interested in Gems big ones.
19 locals recommend
Gemological Institute of America
5345 Armada DrCall ahead of time and see if they are open and have tours. You won’t be disappointed if you are interested in Gems big ones.
Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
2241 Shelter Island DriFLY OCEANSIDE
3178 Vista WayThere's a Volcano in the backyard! Just want to point out that looking West from the back yard, you can see this flat-topped Calaveras hill, an extinct volcano.
10 locals recommend
Lake Calavera Hiking Trail
Tamarack AvenueThere's a Volcano in the backyard! Just want to point out that looking West from the back yard, you can see this flat-topped Calaveras hill, an extinct volcano.
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrMost Kids have heard of Legoland and absolutely love going.
Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada DrLarge mega church with separate venues depending on what kind of worship music you enjoy. Country, Gospel Hymns, Christian Rock, Soul, Contemporary.
North Coast Church
2405 N Santa Fe AveLarge mega church with separate venues depending on what kind of worship music you enjoy. Country, Gospel Hymns, Christian Rock, Soul, Contemporary.
Oceanside Adventures
256 S Harbor Dr
The Paintball Park
1700 Vandegrift BlvdHaven’t been but older kids love paint ball
Potato Chip Hike Start Point (Menifee FitClub)
Mount Woodson Trail
Potato Chip Rock
Rise Church San Marcos
1915 N Twin Oaks Valley RdIf you need a church to visit on Sundays during your stay.
San Diego County Fair
2260 Jimmy Durante BlvdSan Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El PradoSan Diego Surfing Academy
951 Berkeley WayHaven’t been but wanted to add a surfing school
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrFamous Worlds Largest Zoo
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdSea Life Aquarium
1 Legoland Dr
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.Sesame Place San Diego
2052 Entertainment CirSky Zone Trampoline Park
860 Los Vallecitos Blvd
STEPP STABLES
Haven’t been here but just wanted to add horseback riding
The Wave Waterpark
101 Wave DrTwin Oaks Golf Course
1425 North Twin Oaks Valley RoadMy son grew up here. If your child is interested in skateboarding and he’s going through withdrawals not being on his board
Vista Skatepark
400 N Santa Fe AveMy son grew up here. If your child is interested in skateboarding and he’s going through withdrawals not being on his board
Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific HwyWild Wonders, Inc
5712 Vía MontellanoNecessity’s /SelfCare/ Pampering
Places to go to relax and get pampered.
Budget Car Rental
27315 Jefferson AveFantastic Sams Cut & Color
9805 Campo RdGrotto Massage and Day Spa
2804 Roosevelt St
Paul Mitchell The School San Diego
410 A St
Happiness Nails & Spa
3231 Camino De Los CochesiTAN Sun Spray Spa - Vista
1605 S Melrose Dr
Xtreme Car Wash
710 Sycamore AveDog friendly places…
Posting here Dog Friendly places I have heard about or have visited.
Dog beach Del Mar is the place we go with our dog. Off leash available only from Memorial Day to Labor Day but still beautiful and fun.
174 locals recommend
Dog Beach
3902 29th StDog beach Del Mar is the place we go with our dog. Off leash available only from Memorial Day to Labor Day but still beautiful and fun.
Great Beach that is Dog Friendly on Leash ( I have heard from others )
99 locals recommend
Cardiff State Beach
Great Beach that is Dog Friendly on Leash ( I have heard from others )
This is the dog park we go to. It always has lots of dogs there off leash separate fenced area for large and small dogs. Bathrooms for humans ( That’s important right!!)
13 locals recommend
Alga Norte Community Park
6565 Alicante RdThis is the dog park we go to. It always has lots of dogs there off leash separate fenced area for large and small dogs. Bathrooms for humans ( That’s important right!!)
Lake Calavera Hiking Trail
Tamarack AvenueGreat hiking for families
Del Mar Dog Park
Off leash area is huge. Right down the HighWay from Del Mar Dog Beach
31 locals recommend
Encinitas Community Park
425 Santa Fe DrOff leash area is huge. Right down the HighWay from Del Mar Dog Beach
Call ahead as a lot of places went under during covid. Heard it was great to drop in after a day at the beach or dog park. Easy and quick.
Dippity-Dog Self Serve Pet
2216 El Camino RealCall ahead as a lot of places went under during covid. Heard it was great to drop in after a day at the beach or dog park. Easy and quick.
This is the best place for training too. Let your dog learn something new on vacation as well.
Petville Pet Hotel
1049 East Mission RoadThis is the best place for training too. Let your dog learn something new on vacation as well.
Travel Insurance
Don’t forget to purchase your travel insurance!
Z Travel & Insurance Services
16852 Merrill Avenue
Travel Insurance Agency
610 16th Street
G1G Travel & Visitors Insurance
1494 Hamilton Avenue