Just south of Oceanside in San Diego's North County is a little must-see beach town called Carlsbad. Founded as a cattle station in 1860, the city was known initially as Frazier Station. It was then renamed as Carlsbad in the 1880.s when the town's mineral waters were found to be similar to those found in Karlsbad in Bohemia. For over a hundred years, people have claimed the health benefits of drinking Alkaline water. Thought to cure chronic diseases, migraines, arthritis, and skin problems, people today travel from as far away as San Francisco to stock up on the water from Carlsbad Alkaline Water's well.
~ Your beach day begins as you make your way onto Carlsbad Village Drive just off the 5 Freeway, south of Oceanside, California. Drive just a few blocks down, and you'll meet rows of little beach shops just waiting to explore. Make sure to stop into the Village Faire in the heart of town to check out Sun Diego Boardshops and their many other shops and cafes. With 36 shops, services, and restaurants, you will be assured of finding something beachy to take home with you.
When appetite hits, make sure to stop into The Coyote Bar and Grill. With live music playing on their outside patio most evenings, Coyote's has become the favored local hangout. Their fire pits are assured to keep you warm on those chilly beach evenings.
After dinner, pick up your sweatshirt and wander down to the ocean's edge. Just a short walk south, and you'll meet wide concrete stairs leading down to a white sandy beach. If you time it right, you'll be greeted by the most amazing golden sunset. Seagulls are often close by to add to your view.
In town, you'll find surfers and beach cruising young people who have stopped into the village for or a quick taqueria taco or for an espresso at the local coffeehouse. When night hits, visitors and locals turn to the town's many restaurants, pubs, and the breweries for their evening entertainment.
If you are in the village on the weekend, make sure to stop into the Daily News Cafe for a delicious brunch or a latte. And then wander down to the Carlsbad Village Art and Antique Mall. If you are in town on Wednesday, plan to visit the village's Farmers' Market.
When branching out from Carlsbad Village, you'll find other points of interest: The Sea Life Aquarium, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Nature Center, LEGOLAND, the Museum of Making Music, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch or the Carlsbad Premium Outlets.
Living in San Diego's North County for even a day or week at a time has become a perfect way to escape my high paced life in Silicon Valley. I try to make the journey once every month or two but in reality, I am sometimes away a bit longer. While down here, I take time to just be present, to slow down enough to be able to sit and feel the sea breeze against my skin. Somehow life just seems.....well, easier down here.
