A charmer of a place, Carlsbad offers a wide variety of options for visitors. Let Real Food Traveler’s Hospitality Editor, Ron Stern, lead the way to some of the standout things to do in Carlsbad, California.

You’ll jump for joy too when visiting Carlsbad, California. Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan. Photo by Ron Stern. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Longing for a breath of fresh air and a slice of that retro, laid-back California beach lifestyle? Look no further than Carlsbad, situated just 45 minutes north of San Diego, nestled alongside the blue Pacific. This coastal resort town boasts seven miles of pristine coastline, perfect for strolling or surfing. Add to that a walkable downtown village, packed with boutiques, art, culinary delights, and a breezy local charm that is sure to put a smile on your face—it certainly did for us.

Things to do in Carlsbad, California

A History Built on Water

Speaking of water, you might say that the city’s history is built around it. Back in the 1800s, a local resident named John Frazier was drilling a well on his land when he tapped into something unexpected—a deep 1,700-foot mineral-rich aquifer. The naturally carbonated water turned out to be alkaline (pH 8.0–9.0), with a refreshing taste and is said to have therapeutic health benefits.

For his part, Frazier built the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa to showcase the virtues of this effervescent liquid, which he dubbed “Eden in a Glass.” He discovered that the waters were similar to the healing waters of Karlsbad (now Karlovy Vary) in the Czech Republic. Carlsbad’s name was thus inspired by this European counterpart—now its official sister city. Interestingly, the same town is featured in one of my favorite foodie films, Last Holiday. You can still sample the water today—either from local vending machines, Costco, or select retailers.

Sometimes confused with Carlsbad, New Mexico, and its iconic caverns, Carlsbad, California, stands firmly on its own—and then some!

My wife and I arrived on a lazy afternoon, welcomed by the rhythmic roll of ocean waves and the salty smell of the coastal breeze. We both noticed our bodies starting to relax and stress slowly melting away.

The historic location of the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa now vending alkaline water.

The Village in Carlsbad, California

After entering town, we headed straight to “The Village,” in the heart of downtown. A vibrant, walkable blend of the quaint and quirky, old and modern. The area is a collage of trendy boutiques, diverse restaurants, murals adorning building facades, coffee houses, and more.

There’s a casual ease about this place, we thought. Families with strollers, the aroma of espresso drifting from sidewalk cafes, dogs sniffing out treats (yes, it’s pet friendly), and colorful public art all add to the easy-going vibe. In addition to being pedestrian-friendly, it’s also incredibly safe. In fact, Condé Nast Traveler® included Carlsbad on its 2025 list of 11 Best Places for Women to Travel Solo. Beach culture at its finest!

We spotted several eateries we were eager to revisit, but first, eager to settle in, we headed to our “digs” for the night—Beach Terrace.

Beach Terrace

“Best hotel experience ever,” “Incredible property, start to finish,” “Magnificent small boutique hotel.” These are just a few of the authentic accolades this oceanfront property has earned over the decades. Family-run since the 1960s, Beach Terrace is still the only hotel in Carlsbad located directly on the beach—and yes, that includes its own private stretch of sand.

It had been a long time since we were able to stay at a beachfront resort. The stunning views overlooking the Pacific delivered our first “wow” moment of the trip.

Many independent hotels struggle to stay afloat, but this one thrives thanks to its unwavering focus on hospitality and guest satisfaction. To our delight, we were treated to so many complimentary amenities that it was hard to keep track. Just a few of these included free beach cruisers, a petite breakfast (6:30–9:30am), an almost unheard of-pillow menu with seven varieties, and an in-room yoga mat. They also provided our choice of Keurig or French Press coffee makers—the latter being our favorite!

As for the pillow menu, they have everything from a feather-filled body cushion to contour foam. I really liked their side-sleeper option and my wife slept quite well with a feather-down pillow.

Additionally, they have what they call a “Brunch-y menu” using locally-sourced ingredients, which guests can order the night before. And instead of traditional robes, they offer slippers, and surf ponchos—ideal for lounging on the balcony and soaking up the ocean breeze. Now that’s SoCal style!

Our room was spacious, open and airy with magnificent views of the sand and water. And the beds were incredibly comfy.  After settling in, we found the pool the perfect place to relax, watch the waves and catch a sweet Carlsbad sunset.

Nothing like the fresh salmon I had at Beach Terrace on our ocean-view balcony.

Gastronomy for All

No stranger to fine dining, Carlsbad is home to two Michelin-Starred restaurants, Jeune et Jolie and Lilo. The cuisine here spans the globe: seafood, Mexican, Thai, BBQ, Mediterranean, Himalayan, Asian, and Italian are all on the menu. That doesn’t even count the bakeries, gelato shops, and ice cream parlors. (McConnell’s and Handel’s are among my longtime favorites.)

Carlsbad also has an emerging coffee culture, with around 20 coffee houses and roasters where you can hang out with locals and enjoy a great cup of Joe. Beer lovers will find there are brewpubs aplenty offering up innovative craft creations of ales, lagers, stouts and IPAs.

At this point, my mouth was watering as I surveyed the culinary landscape. I vowed to choose wisely (a little nod to Indiana Jones), and taste-test as many places as time would allow.

Harbor Fish Cafe

For a leisurely lunch, we chose a local favorite, Harbor Fish Cafe. As someone who could eat seafood every day, it was a treat to be here. With patio seating and a nautical vibe, this seafood paradise offers great views of the Pacific.

While my wife went with their garden burger, I couldn’t resist what has made them famous in these parts—fish and chips. Delicately light and crispy on the outside, flaky and tender on the inside, it came with Sally’s original tartar sauce, homemade since 1981. Seaside dining doesn’t get much better than this!

Campfire

The simple name doesn’t do justice to our experience at Campfire, located alongside many other eateries on busy State Street. Designated a Michelin Plate Restaurant, the ambiance here is fun, outdoorsy, and reminds me of a rustic cooking lodge in the national forest. The high ceilings, white canvas, tent-style accents, and vintage camping gear all add to the adventurous vibe.

The open kitchen features a large cooking area where flames lap at everything from meats to vegetables, and even some of their signature cocktails. We started with one of their colorful mocktails, featuring orange, pomegranate, and lime, and then tried their cornbread “trailhead” palate starter. This was filled with blueberries, lemon zest, rosemary, and topped with blueberry butter—quite the take on ordinary cornbread!

Everything here uses simple ingredients to their full potential, with gourmet flourishes. My grilled daily fish catch was Covina, prepared with corn, Meyer, lemon, tomatillo, and dill. All the aromatic ingredients worked their flavorful magic and I finished every bite!

For dessert, they keep a nostalgic, camping tradition alive with their version of s’mores. First, they go to the trouble of making everything from scratch, including the marshmallows, cookies (they use gingersnaps), and even the chocolate. They brought it to our table along with a small pot with hot coals so we could melt the marshmallows to a gooey consistency and sandwich it between the cookies. Just the right touch to a wonderful meal!

I had this lovely catch of the day fish at Campfire. So colorful!

The Red Chickz

Craving some fried chicken, we were told that Red Chickz was a must-try, and we weren’t disappointed! Specializing in super crispy, hand-breaded, Nashville-style, hot chicken, we ordered their “classic” sandwich which came on a toasted potato bun with pickles and our choice of a side.

It was cooked to golden, crunchy perfection on the outside and was moist, tender, and flavorful on the inside with just a bit of a kick! We’re not alone in our admiration, as they have earned rave reviews on social media.

Hungry for more? Everything boysenberry in Buena Park, California.

King’s Fish House

With 12 locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada, King’s proudly calls itself the “House that Seafood Built.” From modest beginnings, the founders envisioned a place that served the freshest seafood in an informal and welcoming atmosphere.

The interior is adorned with nautical décor—wooden floors and tables, open-beam ceiling, plush seating, and creative overhead lighting. They even showcase their “fresh, topless, salty” oysters on ice, right at the bar, the eye-catching display adding to the visual appeal.

The menu features seasonal catches, live shellfish, hand-cut sushi, and the ever-popular Spiny Lobster, when in season. I first tried King’s about 30 years ago in Long Beach, and the one thing I never forgotten is their clam chowder. It was hands-down the best I have ever tasted—tender, fresh clams blended perfectly with smoky bacon, hearty potatoes, and rich cream.

For my entree I went with one of their perennial classics, the macadamia-nut-crusted wild-caught halibut. It came pan-seared and topped with a light and zesty orange-ginger butter sauce. I chose the organic rainbow carrots and sauteed spinach as two sides. My meal was just what I hoped for: tasty, not too heavy, and fresh from the sea. Afterward, my wife and I headed to the beach to catch one of Carlsbad’s signature sunsets.

Known for their sunsets, this Carlsbad, California one took our breath away.

Chuao Chocolatier

Chef Michael Antonorsi grew up in Venezuela where his family also owned a small cocoa farm. After learning about classical cooking styles and European chocolate-making techniques, he moved to Carlsbad with his family. Blending creativity with craft, he and his brother Richard opened Chuao (pronounced chew-WOW) Chocolatier.

Using fair-trade, certified, premium chocolate, Antonorsi creates flavor sensations craved by locals and visitors alike. Just hype? Hardly, as they have won eight prestigious sofi™ Awards in the specialized food category. Being something of a chocolate “snob,” I can honestly say that his smooth, vibrant flavors have made this my new favorite.

Creating them at his “Joy Factory,” I could view most of the production process behind a glass partition. Some of their bestsellers include Firecracker, Honeycomb, and Oh My S’Mores!

If you love chocolate as much as I do, this is an absolute must-stop!

Chef Michael Antonorsi standing proudly in front of his chocolate creations at Chuao.

Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana and Seafood

Serving some of the most authentic Italian dishes and seafood in North San Diego County, Cicciotti’s is an iconic fixture in Carlsbad. All my favorite classics were on the menu, including lasagna Bolognese, spaghetti with meatballs, and veal piccata. They also offered a solid selection of steaks and fresh seafood.

After surveying the menu, my wife and I settled on their wood-fired, Margherita pizza. Simple and unpretentious, everything was just right. The crispy crust, melted cheese, vibrant basil, and olive oil made this a definite stop-worthy location.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

I’ve been hooked on Handel’s Ice Cream ever since I first tried it several years ago. Made from premium ingredients using a slow-batch process, every bite is a decadent treat! With more than 100 flavors, I’m still working my way through their catalog, but my wife and I are partial to their cool and refreshing Banana Cream Pie made with swirled marshmallow and soft sugar cookies.

Handel’s is our favorite ice cream maker! Our go-to is their Banana Cream Pie.

What to do in Carlsbad, California

Beyond the Ocean

As I’ve said, much of the local ethos centers around all things water. The locals also have great pride in their three well-maintained lagoons: Batiquitos Lagoon, Aqua Hedionda, and Buena Vista Lagoon—the only freshwater lagoon in Southern California.

 Carlsbad Lagoon- Water Activities

Not all of the water sports here are ocean-based. The Carlsbad Lagoon (a.k.a Agua Hedionda) offers a full range of fun activities for the entire family. Approximately two miles long by a half mile wide, there’s plenty of room to wander.

California Waterports provides rentals that include pontoon boats, waverunners, kayaks, paddleboards, and even a whimsical pedalboat shaped like a swan. What better way to explore the local aquatic life than cruising in your own graceful bird!

Hungry for more? Plan some holiday time along California’s SLO coast.  

Other Things to do in Carlsbad, California

There are a number of other lively diversions that we weren’t able to visit. Here are a couple of the ones you should put at the top of your list:

LEGOLAND® California Resort

 The area’s biggest attraction, LEGOLAND features intricately built replicas of landmarks and entire cityscapes. Add in exciting rides, coasters, and a Pirates Reef splash experience, and it’s no wonder it attracts three million visitors each year.

Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

This is a seasonal attraction (March-May) where acres of Ranunculus flowers transform the landscape into a rainbow of pink, red, yellow, and orange. Sometimes called Persian Buttercups, they resemble roses and are tailor-made for nature lovers and photographers alike.

A Volcano in Beachtown

When someone first told me that Carlsbad had a volcano, I, of course, thought they were joking. A volcano in a beachside resort? “Yeah, right.”

Turns out—it’s true. Well, sort of.

The now extinct volcano can be found a few minutes from downtown at Mount Calavera.

Formed by the collision of two tectonic plates long ago, this volcano once spewed hot gases and molten lava. Today, it stands as a 513-foot geological formation with striking hexagonal basalt formations and a “volcanic plug” at the base created by the cooling of magma. This oddity as well as Calavera Lake and the surrounding area offer great opportunities for hiking, exploring, and watching the sunset from the summit.

After spending just a couple of days in Carlsbad, my wife and I felt like different people. All the stress had melted away as we were enchanted by the sea air, beautiful beaches, historical charm, culinary delights, and unexpected surprises. There’s something magical about this town, as our smiles lingered long after our visit.

To learn more about Carlsbad, California, visit this website. And to learn more about travel throughout California, visit this website.

-Story and photos by Ron Stern, Real Food Traveler Hospitality Editor

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