Carlsbad Village
Carlsbad Village
4.5
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Downtown Carlsbad offers antique and curio stores, lots of good eating places and a great place to cool off after spending hours on the nearby beach.
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4.5
1,243 reviews
Excellent
771
Very good
370
Average
86
Poor
8
Terrible
8
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Apr 2021
Look for the unusual, the unexpected, and the artistic expressions found in nature and within the manifestations only mankind could give us. This is how we approached our search for the "mural and floral" lifeblood of the "village." Eureka! We found gold!!!
Carlsbad has a well-deserved reputation for being the city of flowers. Visit the flower fields for a tour through heaven's gifts: Ranunculus! In every color and profusely in bloom. But there is more, a lot more, to define Carlsbad in both art in flora.
For us, it was stopping to look at every delightful planting space and also for admiring the artistic displays on the sides of walls. Such imagination! Such beauty! Carlsbad Village earns high marks for its beauty, manmade and otherwise.
Carlsbad has a well-deserved reputation for being the city of flowers. Visit the flower fields for a tour through heaven's gifts: Ranunculus! In every color and profusely in bloom. But there is more, a lot more, to define Carlsbad in both art in flora.
For us, it was stopping to look at every delightful planting space and also for admiring the artistic displays on the sides of walls. Such imagination! Such beauty! Carlsbad Village earns high marks for its beauty, manmade and otherwise.
Written 9 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jan 2022
Our family get-together at the Carlsbad Inn was right in the heart of the Village (or so we think, anyway). The impressive overhead street signage for Carlsbad is, by now, widely recognized as the "you have arrived" point of entry to the Village.
This was a first time visit for our guests and they loved everything about the Village from the excitement of the trains roaring through, the variety of great eating places, quirky little shops along the way, and the abundance of public art murals. For us, it was a deja vu experience seeing the Village through those first-timers' eyes.
At night, the lights give the signs and shops such a festive look.
This was a first time visit for our guests and they loved everything about the Village from the excitement of the trains roaring through, the variety of great eating places, quirky little shops along the way, and the abundance of public art murals. For us, it was a deja vu experience seeing the Village through those first-timers' eyes.
At night, the lights give the signs and shops such a festive look.
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa C
Carlsbad, CA37 contributions
Jan 2020
I love the village, I walk it every day with my pup. Most places are super dog friendly, even most of the stores. Water bowls are everywhere which makes my fur baby happy. I would have given it a 5 rating except for the homeless situation that the city and council are NOT dealing with. They claim that their hands are tied by Sacramento. Why then does Solana Beach not have these issues? It's very important in my opinion to NOT FEED THE BEARS. Visitors and residents need to stop giving the beggars money, most of these people do not wish to work. One lady in particular sits outside Sun Diego smoking cigarettes and begging passerbyers and cars alike. So those that give her money are just paying for her cigarettes. This needs to stop.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julsmavis
Vancouver, Canada141 contributions
Aug 2022
I stayed near the beach off Carlsbad Village Drive. Lots of restaurants within walking distance. The Village Fair market square, only two or three blocks away, was fun and interesting, with lots of shops and food options varying from very expensive to quite affordable. People are very friendly and helpful, and walking around feels safe. Loved that there are so many dogs, many in strollers because walking on the hot pavement is not healthy for them. The beach is accessible from almost anywhere along Ocean Avenue, although the steps back up are brutal in the heat. Easy to get around with Uber or Lyft.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LRM321
Corona, CA204 contributions
Apr 2021
The city is gorgeous with plenty of shops and a beach that’s not overcrowded. A lot of people were wearing masks and social distancing. The weather was great and everyone was super friendly. A must if you’re in the area.
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irfan K
9 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We spent some quality time as a family near Csrlsbad. We visited Legoland, where our grand daughter enjoyed the whole day on the rides, the miniature world as well as the actual construction of the lego pieces. Next day we visited an amazing place called MECM Miniature Craftsmanship Engineering Museum in Carlsbad which had a massive collection of working miniature models of hundreds of engines, ships boats, cars and aircrafts. Truly, a delight to watch. We were lucky to be in Carlsbad in April / May as at this time Flower Fields is open to the public. This is a stunningly beautiful spectacle of Flowers of all colors as far as the eye can see. Carlsbad also has a beautiful beach where one can relax and spend some time in the water and sand. All in all, Carlsbad is a small, but beautiful town in Southern California with many activities for a tourist on vacation.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole B
1 contribution
May 2023 • Friends
The fact that I never saw the sun or stars in Carlsbad is a negative. The marine fog layer is so thick, not close to any weather I would live in. I need the blue sky and sun. I would never pay this much to live near the ocean with no sun. it’s comical people Think this is beautiful ocean living and yes I was born and raised in the Bay Area so I know coastal fog 🤮 you think this is beautiful ocean living 🤣🤣 please do yourself a favor and travel.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeslieinTN
Jonesborough, TN758 contributions
May 2021
I didn't want to leave! This is such a fun city that feels more like a town. There are so many places to eat and the town itself is clean and beautiful. The weather in early May was perfect - a LOT cooler than we anticipated but felt wonderful - check the weather forecast for Carlsbad NOT San Diego! 😳. We were only here at the end of a trip for two nights, but I want to go back.
Written 11 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B. Darst
Irvine, CA138 contributions
Oct 2020
Carlsbad Village is a great area to walk around go shopping, grab an ice cream, and then head to the beach. It can get very busy with beachgoers but it is well worth a visit. I love the Carlsbad sign over the street it makes it feel like you are in a small town USA. Even if you stop just for a quick visit it os well worth it.
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyrrellsadventure
Glendale, AZ95 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
From our location it was so easy to walk to Carlsbad Village. At first I thought all the shops would be along Carlsbad Blvd. There are a few shops and places to eat and then there is a little shopping area called the Village Faire. There were some cute shops in there and places to eat. If you need to use the restrooms there is a code you have to get from one of the shops. I loved Linda’s Gifts. They have something for everyone and beautiful gift wrapping if needed. When we travel I always find something for my charm bracelet but this is the first time I could NOT find a charm anywhere! Don’t stop your shopping here because there are great little shops all along State street that sell very unique items. That’s where I did all my shopping. I always support small businesses when I can. To remember Carlsbad I bought a “strawberry” charm off of eBay. Try the Strawberry Shack and you will understand.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will everything be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? What's there to do on these days?
Written 18 December 2018
I just looked at the Carlsbad Village website and couldn't find anything going on Christmas Day or Eve aside from mass. I suspect, given the small town nature of the place, many places will close. You might try contacting specific spots you might be interested in visiting to see if they are open.
Written 19 December 2018
My regular hangout. Keeps getting more upscale.
Written 22 February 2017
Not sure why this came as a question. My comment is that it is a great place to visit.
Written 22 February 2017
I would start at the Starbucks near the corner of Carlsbad Village Dr. and the Coast that extends to Oceanside, the name changes but google it, it's on the same street as the Naval Academy.
Grab a latte and walk behind the Starbucks to the shopping center there is a post office gift store and around the corner from it is a boutique called Mermaids .
The store carries high quality clothing and gifts that range in low to high prices. If you have a best friend and want something charming to bring home from your trip, I recommend you stop there.
The store also carries beachy clothing that is a little pricey if not on sale.
There are also other clothing, gift, children's stores along with restaurants and art galleries there.
The restaurant across from the gift \ post office has live music and dancing on the patio on Sunday nights (or at least used to).
Parking is free behind the Starbucks and in the shopping center.
Have fun!
Written 1 July 2016
At Carlsbad Village Dr. and the main Coast Highway there is a small shopping center and a Starbucks. There is a lot of parking there.
There is also free parking near the beach. It's not that bad really.
If you plan to go the the Farmer's Market I'd go early for street parking.
Written 1 July 2016
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