What do we love about Carlsbad? Carlsbad is the largest city in North County San Diego with about 39 square miles that it encompasses. For a community this large it was very difficult to name just a few places that we love and enjoy year-round. We make our home in La Costa Valley in South Carlsbad just 2 blocks away from the Welcome To Encinitas sign on El Camino Real. We have the best of both worlds living so close to these two ideal North County coastal locations. Just down the street we have the Forum Shops Carlsbad which I would describe as a unique, mini version of the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Outdoor dining at Casa De Bandini is always a fun night out for large plate servings of Mexican food, enormous Margaritas and its in house Mariachi band. My kids often ask the gentlemen to play a modern pop song. I give these men huge credit, they always pull it off even if they are playing a song for the first time. I typically follow that slightly embarrassing request up with a traditional song that they are completely familiar with. Urban Plates offers a large selection of fresh salad options and a variety of farm to table dishes. Geppetto's Toy Store serves as an easy choice for holiday and birthday gifts or a reward for a streak of good behavior.

 

Moving north, off of Aviara Parkway we hit the Plaza Paseo Real shopping center which is home to a few of our favorite spots. Notorious Burgers, which hosted my daughter's end of the season soccer season party, makes a solid craft burger and has an impressive craft beer and cocktail menu. Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas provides the "fancy" movie experience with reclining leather seats and a good food, drink and dessert menu. I've promised my daughter to take her there for years but so far, its only been a date night option for mom and dad. Across the parking lot from Cinepolis is the Carlsbad City Library also known as Dove Library. It has been a hit with our kids and has helped form their love of reading.

 

Ok so lets talk Legoland. Near the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, Flower Fields and Carlsbad Strawberry Company sits California's destination amusement park for all things Legos. We have had season passes for 2 years and I must say that parents of young children will get a ton of use out of it. Let's face it.. sometimes with young children, parents are just looking for ways to fill those long summer days. It even has an amazing water park which provides relief on hot days. Some parents might grow tired of some of the kiddy rides, but I don't think your kids will and for that alone, Legoland is a destination for many North County families.

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One last item on our list of Carlsbad favorites is Pizza Port! It is a rare occasion where we can find an open table at the Carlsbad Village location on a weekend. That being said, the lively family atmosphere makes it worth the wait when down in the Village. Pizza Port's expanded outdoor patio is a great place to hang out when the weather is perfect. The Bressi Ranch Pizza Port is also a great location. Sports fans will love the multiple TVs to watch games. The kids have a video game arcade and coin operated toy machines, a large tropical fish tank and long community tables that can seat the entire family. They even have a large upstairs area that made for a great end of the season soccer party for our daughter's first league with the Carlsbad Galaxy, now known as City SC. I remember taking lots of team photos with her 1st season teammates, coaches and parents. There are great memories to be had all over Carlsbad. We still have so many new places to see and explore which is what makes living in Carlsbad, California so special.

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Check out Eventbrite's list of things to do in Carlsbad this week. A terrific up to date source for local Carlsbad events.