San Diego - North County
- M.F.
- Aug 3, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 11, 2024
A focus on the coastal towns north of San Diego (About a 20-30 minute drive from the city)
Del Mar to Oceanside (Del Mar to Oceanside is about 45 minutes one way)
FOOD
Cafes/Coffee Shops Necessity Coffee : Tucked away in Encinitas but worth checking!
Bump: Drip coffee and breakfast empanadas, yum!
Rose Hill Purveyors: Local spot in Cardiff
Fourtillfour: Sweet, tucked away, coffee shop
Bakeries/Donuts - Donuts are a thing in So Cal - don't ask me why ;)
VG: very popular, prepare to wait
Leucadia Donut: Leucadia's go to spot. Fun new mural for photo ops too!
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads: Great breads/baked goods/sandwiches
Bars/Micro-breweries/Bar a vin
Encinitas Ale House: The biggest selection of beer I've ever seen! Burgers are a must.
Modern Times: Brewing Co and vegan restaurant open for lunch and dinner
Viewpoint Brewing Co: By the race track in DelMar. Great place for SUNSET.
Culture Brewing Co: Several locations, all great with local artists exhibits in each venue.
Duke's Cardiff Office: Good dive bar
The Shanty: Another fun dive bar
Breakfast/Lunch/Casual dinner
The Taco Stand: Best Tacos ever. tortillas made to order, always a line but worth it.
Pipes: Amazing eggs burritos and other breakfast staples
Prager brothers: yummy to go sandwiches
Fish 101: a few locations: super fresh seafood. Lots of options for all tastes
Moto Deli: Great sandwiches with house made chips!
Hamburger Hut : Smashed burgers!
Corner Pizza: Best thin crust pizza. Great music and ambience
Dinner
Cardiff:
Waverly: Hip, fun, upscale American, great cocktails
Cichiotti - Casual OK Italian, BEST FOR SUNSET
Las Olas: Fun Mexican by the beach with Marguaritas on draft!
Best Pizza and Brew: Easygoing Pizza place with great salads too.
Fish 101: a few locations: super fresh seafood. Yummy Poke Bowls!
Solana Beach
Rare Society : Great Steak House in Solana Beach
Fidel's: Traditional Mexican
Bangkok Bay: Low key and very good Thai restaurant
Leucadia
Birdseye Kitchen: Delicious South East Asian food
Valentina : Yummy Spanish food
Corner Pizza: Best thin crust pizza. Great music and ambience
Kai Ola: Laid back, small sushi place with great rolls
Encinitas
Echale : Just great food by great chefs
Plumeria: Great vegan Thai
Temaki Sushi: Especially known for its hand rolls and Sake bombs
Herb and Sea : Upscale American
Blue Ribbon Pizza: Simple pizzas but super good
East Village Diner : Asian Steet food
Everest Himalayan Cuisine: When you just want just good, no fuss, Indian food
DelMar
Monarch - Casual OK American, BEST FOR SUNSET
Jake's: Upscale restaurant right on the beach!
Carlsbad
Jeune et Jolie: A Must! Best prix fixe upscale dinner in Carlsbad
Oceanside
Dija Mara: Fun Balinese restaurant. Great ambience in Oceanside
Sound By The Sea: Great bar with rotating DJ. Good drinks and small plates
Ice Cream -
Some have multiple locations so check which one is closer to you.
The Baked Bear: Made to order ice-cream sandwiches
Gelato 101 : Several locations in North County. Amazing gelatos.
Handel's : Best creamy ice cream.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Must visit:
Visit all the beaches! Delmar, Cardiff State Beach, Swami's, Moonlight Beach, Beacon's
Encinitas:
Meditation Gardens: amazing ocean views in the gardens of this renowned Yoga Temple.
Torrey Pines National Park: Wonderful place for a hike - Park at the top!
Annie's Canyon Trail: Fun, picture worthy, hike through a small canyon
La Paloma Movie Theater: Historic Theater in downtown Encinitas showing the best movies!
Nearby:
A day in LaJolla and LaJolla Shores - Great Modern Museum and seals!
Salk Institute: Visit the grounds of this Science Institute for its amazing architecture (Free)
Queen Califia's magical circle - Nikki de St Phalle's sculptures in Escondido (Need a car)
Hot air balloon at sunset
Paragliding in Torrey Pines
For the golfers there's lots of options!
For the cyclists, ride 101 as long as you want!
Music Venues (small ones)
Shopping
Lots of great shopping on 101 in Encinitas but some favs:
Vuori: Flagship store!
Spas:
Four Moons Spa: In Leucadia, lots of relaxing services.
Lemongrass Aveda Salon & Spa: Great hair and spa venue
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