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Get ready for a true French garden experience, where you can sip espresso, pluck flowers from galvanized buckets, and even hold a bunny. This flower shop-meets-café experience has lite bites and pastries that will have you sinking your teeth into a flaky croissant and saying “merci!”
240 S Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, USA
Known For
- Flower shop-meets-café
- French pastries
- Bunny experience for kids
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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In 1984, “Mom” (aka Anita Nichols) opened her first pie shop in the old Julian Café building. People lined the streets for a slice of the guilty pleasure, known for its buttery crust, not-too-sweet filling with local apples, and commitment to quality. Two bakeries later—plus training at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute—the integrity of Mom’s pies remains the same. And although apple is the moneymaker, you can’t go wrong with peach, bumbleberry, or pecan pies, or other sweet treats like chocolate chip cookies and apple dumplings. For something savory, there are soups, salads, sandwiches, and chicken potpies. When the wait is too long at the Main Street location, head five minutes outside of town to Mom's Wynola on Highway 78, or better yet, call in your order and they will ship a pie right to your door.
2119 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Pressed apple cider
- Cinnamon ice cream
- Baking classes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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One of the fastest-growing companies in the United States, Stone staked out a hilltop overlooking Escondido to create, brew, and sell its beloved craft beer in a gorgeous, solar-run facility. Thirty-six craft and specialty beers are always on tap in the tasting bar and the bistro, which has indoor and garden seating for lunch and dinner, where you can dine on an ingenious menu that features honey-sriracha quail knots, hemp seed pretzels, and the plant-based Impossible Burger; save room for a real beer float. The company store offers signature items; check their website for weekly events.
1999 Citracado Pkwy., Escondido, California, 92029, USA
Known For
- Real beer floats
- Brewery tours offered twice daily at 2 and 4 pm.
- Farm-to-table bistro food
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A diner dating back to 1928 is both a local hangout and the headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement. Find all kinds of Highway 101 memorabilia here along with old-school ambience, prompt service, and great prices. The bountiful breakfast menu (served all day) lists omelets, eggs any way you want, buttermilk pancakes, and French toast. On offer at lunchtime are burgers, sandwiches, and chili fries. The thick milkshakes and root-beer floats will take you back in time.
631 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, California, 92049, USA
Known For
- Headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement
- All-day breakfast
- Thick milkshakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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Void of GMOs, colorings, preservatives, or enhancers, this family-owned business taps into locally sourced ingredients to offer great food at a remarkable price. Located on the edge of Old Town Temecula, it's as simple as point, grab, and go with an online kitchen firing up bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and entrées like grass-fed tri-tip, free-range chicken, and sustainable salmon. The Thai-chicken curry bowl comes with coconut, lemongrass, and chilies, while the En Fuego Burger is piled high with double-smoked bacon, organic avocado, and jalapeno aioli. There’s plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, as well as family packs, perfect for four. The understated chocolate chip cookie might be the best you’ve ever had.
40665 Winchester Rd., Temecula, California, 92591, USA
Known For
- Antibiotic-free meat
- Food is made slow and served fast
- Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig into wholesome food made from scratch like organic quinoa Benedict, multigrain pancakes, and French toast stuffed with fresh ricotta. Built from reclaimed wood and salvaged bricks, the eatery has a green roof, solar panels, and is insulated with recycled denim—all of which helped it earn platinum LEED status. Breakfast is served all day, but you can opt for sandwiches, salads, and burgers for lunch. You also can’t go wrong with the Thai steak salad made with grass-fed Angus or the cucumber and avocado sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips. The attached grab-and-go bakery opens at 7 am for train commuters. There is even a doggie menu for patio-side pooches.
246 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Scratch kitchen
- California-style comfort food
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Fast-casual takes a healthy spin at this cheery spot—think Technicolor peace sign, floral wallpaper in the bathroom, and power-boosting juices. The menu evokes the same colorful vibe with bowls like the Mother Earth (ancient grains and sweet potato) or the glow bowl (sweet potato noodles, bok choy, shiitake mushroom, and coconut milk); soups; mix-and-match sides; wraps; and salads mixed with fresh ingredients like organic kale, ginger miso vinaigrette, and proteins that include sustainable salmon, grass-fed steak, and organic, non-GMO tofu.
2690 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Kid-friendly ambience
- House-made lemonades
- Mix-and-match healthy sides
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This meat-focused eatery fills bellies with farm-to-table artisanal cuisine like bacon mac and cheese, and a 12-ounce pork chop served over house grits. Add a sunny-side-up farm egg to your burger, chop, shank, or house-made pasta, and if you’re into sauces, the chef is on point with lick-your-plate gravies with garlic, onions, and herbs. Burgers and sandwiches come with hot truffle fries served in a brown paper bag, stylistically in line with the quirky-rustic decor made from repurposed materials. The Flying Pig is a member of the Slow Food movement, meaning food is fresh, not fast.
509 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Elevated comfort food with craft beers on tap
- House-made pasta, bread, and bacon
- Natural prime-grade steaks seared in a cast-iron skillet
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Overlooking the water in Oceanside, this beachside restaurant serves oysters, clam chowder, fish tacos, and several fresh catch options, which can be enjoyed from their rooftop lounge.
211 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Classic Baja SoCal food like margaritas and fish tacos
- Rooftop deck
- Taco Tuesday 3–9 pm
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Fans of Top Gun—or the 2022 Maverick comeback—can get a taste of the historic house featured in the original 1986 film. In 2023, the 100-year-old home was moved to its current beachfront location, which operates as a pie shop serving hot hand-held pies in cherry, apple, blueberry, and seasonal favorites.
250 N. Pacific St., Oceanside, California, USA
Known For
- Historic house
- Fresh hand-held pies
- Seasonal selections
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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Julian's most upscale restaurant has gained a solid reputation thanks to the chef's commitment to quality cuisine reflected in the farm-to-table menu. Although the menu features grilled steak and locally grown pork and veggies, the stars are rack of lamb, bison meat loaf, and some of the best burgers around.
4354 Hwy. 78, Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Live music weekend nights
- Flash-fried Brussels sprouts
- On-site sommelier and full bar
- Family run
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Wed.
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Sample finger sandwiches, scones topped with whipped cream, and lavish sweets, which are served during afternoon tea inside the Clarence King House, built by Will Bosnell in 1898. Regular sandwiches, soups, salads, and a children's tea are also available. Seatings are at 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 2:30 pm. The attached shop sells soaps, cards, stationary, books, linens, and all things tea.
2124 3rd St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Homemade lemon curd and scones
- Bottomless tea
- Charming turn-of-the-century home
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner, Reservations essential
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In 1981, Señora Mendoza created a home-cooked menu that is still used today, making this one of North County's best Mexican restaurants. Across the street from Cardiff Beach---you can grab a margarita or some fish tacos before heading off to view surfers awaiting their next wave---expect big platters of fajitas, chiles rellenos, and chicken taquitos served with rice and beans.
2655 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, 92007, USA
Known For
- Fish tacos
- Authentic Mexican food
- Local craft beers
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Don't count calories here, because you'll lose track at this old-fashioned sweet shop with 22 types of fudge, 43 flavors of ice cream, 15 different candy apples, and funnel cake sprinkled with powdered sugar and every naughty topping imaginable. Their retro candy will take you back in time.
28545 Old Town Front St., Temecula, California, 92590, USA
Known For
- Funnel cakes
- Old-fashioned candy
- Ice cream
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Local families flock here for great pizza and handcrafted brews, which started in 1987 when siblings, Gina and Vince Marsaglia, bought a struggling pizza place in Solana Beach. Following the success of this original location, they've opened branches in Carlsbad, San Clemente, Ocean Beach, Bressi Ranch, and Imperial Beach. Pick a spot at one of the long picnic-type tables, choose traditional, gluten-free, or whole-grain beer crust for your pie and any original topping—such as the Monterey, with pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts—and tip back a brew from one of the longest boutique lists in San Diego.
135 N. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Handcrafted beer and whole-grain beer crust
- Popular postwork spot
- Family-friendly dining
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Willy Wonka would be impressed with this authentic candy shop with barrels and bins piled high with gummies, drops, jellybeans, sour candies, and other nostalgic treats. There’s even ice cream to cool you down on a hot summer day.
3001 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, California, USA
Known For
- Ice cream
- Chocolates and gummies
- Cotton candy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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In 1976, a fisherman and captain teamed up to deliver fresh, quality seafood at a decent price. Today, they run four restaurants across California including this North County branch that lacks an ocean view but makes up for it with perfectly cooked fish and simple preparations from a menu that changes daily. You can't go wrong with their famous crab cioppino or their garlic prawn linguine. The baked oysters and clam chowder are perfect on those rare June gloom days. The scene is lively, crowded, and noisy—it's a great place to bring the kids.
640 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Delicious clam chowder and crisp fish-and-chips
- Crab cioppino
- Happy hour 3–6 on weekdays
