Carlsbad CA restaurants and activities?
 

I am going to be in Carlsbad area in two weeks. Sunbum1944 said there are some good restaurants in the vicinity. Can you and others make suggestions? Also activities?
We are also going to Temecula for some wine tasting. Restaurants there?
Is it worthwhile to make a daytrip to Catalina from Carlsbad? Can we walk to anything once there or need a vehicle? Any suggestios or ideas will be appreciated.

What type of restaurant are you looking for? If you want expensive the Four Seasons Hotel probably has the finest dining in the area.
My daughter always enjoyed the Caldo Pomodoro - an Italian restaurant.
Activities in Carlsbad- walking at Tammarack Beach is a favorite/ shopping at the Carlsbad Company Stores/ riding bikes up the coast hwy
Drive up to Oceanside and walk out on the pier ( there is a restaurant at the end- mostly a hamburger joint) Sometimes you can see dolphins from the pier.
We like eating at the Rocken Baja Lobster in Oceanside - not fancy, just a fun place.
Its easy to walk around Carlsbad and to the beach from the Village but depends on where you are staying whether you can walk everywhere. The bus system is easy to use - I did that a few times and used the Coaster train to get to the airport and downtown.

Went to Temecula wine tasting also -
Cant think of the name of the winery but they served an almond flavored champagne, mixed it with a little port and served it in a chocolate shell -
It was delicious so give it a try

Wilson Creek is the name of the winery in Temecula with the almond flavored champagne

Knowing the age of "we" would help with recommendations. However, here are some general ones.
In downtown Carlsbad, we like the Armenian Grill (which is essentially Greek)and the Coyote Grill (Mexican/Southwestern), with outdoor entertainment at night) for lunch or dinner. Las Olas is also popular for more traditional Tex-Mex food, but I personally think that the Fidel's in Carlsbad is very over-rated. For breakfast, we like Mariah's and Don's Country Kitchen. Also, you can get good breakfasts with a Greek twist at the Armenian Cafe.
For good coffee drinks, try the Vinaka Cafe. However, if it has to be Starbucks, there is one nearby. Also by the Vinaka Cafe, the Sonoma Market is popular for takeout sandwiches.
If you are staying in downtown Carlsbad, you can walk to any of these restaurants, limited shopping, and the beach.
You can go up and down the coast on the commuter train, the Coaster, but it runs infrequently except for in the morning and evening.
With a car, within short driving distance is a popular outlet mall and Legoland (I don't know how old the "we" are). You would also have much easier access to other beach towns and a lot more restaurants -- not to mention the San Diego Zoo, La Jolla, etc., etc., etc. If you rent a car, a good seafood restaurant near the outlet mall and Legoland is King's, which has several locations in Southern California.

A good fish restaurant which is casual and inexpensive is Veracruz in Carlsbad.

thanks everyone for your help. We are a 60ish couple. DH likes to golf and bicycle. I like to swim, walk the beach, shop, and we both like to eat good food and drink good wine. Not necessarily expensive, just good! Is it safe to ride in the bike lanes on the main roads? Are there any bike trails nearby? What about the daytrip to Catalina island?

The food at Lucy's in Carlsbad was among the best that I had in New Mexico. I particualrly liked the shrimp fajitas. Nothing fancy, but Lucy's is reasonably priced, and also has good margaritas.

Keith

*ahem* Keith, good to hear about Lucy's in Carlsbad, NM. However, we're discussing Carlsbad, CA. Outside of San Diego.

Oh, and I second the Coyote Grill.

Keith:
An honest mistake! And if I ever get to New Mexico I will definitely eat at Lucy's. Nothing better than a great Margarita!!!!

I'm not an expert on the bike riding but have ridden up the coast hwy from
S Carlsbad State Beach into town, around town and back and had a great ride. I did it on a week day so traffic was not bad - I thought it was an easy ride exept for one hill on the way back. I see lots of other bikers on the road.
We stopped at a bike shop in Oceanside and the clerk there was telling us about some bike trails in that area but didnt try them out- just know they exist.
My daughter and her father did do a day trip to Catalina from Carlsbad- enjoyed the day but didnt think they would want to do it again.
Have fun- I am going to be there too -
arrive the 18th.
And I also recommend the Coyote Grill-
fun to sit outside around the firepit and listen to music.

Give me thee smacks with a wet noodle:-)

Keith

We had lunch at an Armenian Restaurant in Carlsbad a couple of weeks ago. It was very good. The garlic dip appetizer is extreme garlic, I loved it but there were a few of us and not everyone liked it. Everything thing else was enjoyable for all.
In the mall in Carlsbad is a restaurant called the Coyote Cafe and they make a yummy Chile Relleno.
It's a lovely little town.