San Diego - North County

A focus on the coastal towns north of San Diego (About a 20-30 minute drive from the city)

There are a lot more but those are the ones on repeat they are so good.

Solana Beach to Oceanside

FOOD

Cafes/Coffee Shops Rose Hill Purveyors: Local spot in Cardiff

Bump: Drip coffee and breakfast empanadas, yum! - Cardiff

Necessity Coffee : Tucked away in Encinitas but worth checking!- Encinitas

Fourtillfour: Sweet, tucked away, coffee shop - Leucadia

Bakeries/Donuts - Donuts are a thing in So Cal - don't ask me why ;)

VG: very popular, prepare to wait and bring some cash! - Cardiff

Prager Brothers Artisan Breads: Great breads/baked goods/sandwiches - Encinitas

Leucadia Donut: Leucadia's go to spot. Fun new mural for photo ops too! - Leucadia

Breakfast/Lunch/Casual dinner

The Taco Stand: Best Tacos ever. Tortillas made to order, always a line but worth it

Pipes: Amazing eggs burritos and other breakfast staples

Prager brothers: yummy to go sandwiches

Fish 101: a few locations: super fresh seafood. Lots of options for all tastes

Moto Deli: Great sandwiches with house made chips!

Hamburger Hut : Smashed burgers!

Chick and Hawk: Tony Hawk's latest joint! Amazing fried chicken sandwiches

Corner Pizza: Best thin crust pizza. Great music and ambience

Goodonya: All organic food that is oh so delicious

New Wave Bagel: Latest kid in town! Great bagels and coffee

Dinner

Cardiff:

Waverly: Hip, fun, upscale American, great cocktails

Cichiotti - Casual OK Italian, BEST FOR SUNSET

Las Olas: Fun Mexican by the beach with Margarita's on draft!

Best Pizza and Brew: Easygoing Pizza place with great salads too.

Fish 101: a few locations: super fresh seafood. Yummy Poke Bowls!

Encinitas

Plumeria: Great vegan Thai

Temaki Sushi: Especially known for its hand rolls and Sake bombs

Herb and Sea : Upscale American

Blue Ribbon Pizza: Simple pizzas but super good

Everest Himalayan Cuisine: When you just want just good, no fuss, Indian food

Leucadia

Birdseye Kitchen: Delicious South East Asian food

Valentina : Yummy Spanish food

Corner Pizza: Best thin crust pizza. Great music and ambience

Kai Ola: Laid back, small sushi place with great rolls

Caves: Fun but very very small wine bar/shop

Leu Leu: Charming cool vibes

Carlsbad

Jeune et Jolie: Best prix fixe upscale dinner in Carlsbad

Little Victory: Cutest wine bar and farm-to-table restaurant

Wildland: From the owner of Jeune et Jolie, good all day long!

Oceanside

Dija Mara: Fun Balinese restaurant. Great ambience in Oceanside

Little Fawn: Mexican with French influence!

Meranda: Great wine bar with simple but delicious food

Solana Beach

Rare Society : Great Steak House in Solana Beach

Bangkok Bay: Low key and very good Thai restaurant

Lana: American classics in a relaxed setting

Ctzn: Fun Tapas bar

Ice Cream -

Some have multiple locations so check which one is closer to you.

The Baked Bear: Made to order ice-cream sandwiches

Gelato 101 : Several locations in North County. Amazing gelatos.

Handel's : Best creamy ice cream

Cali Cream: On 101 in Encinitas

Little Fox (Oceanside and Cardiff)

Bars/Micro-breweries/Bar a vin

Encinitas Ale House: The biggest selection of beer I've ever seen! Burgers are a must.

Modern Times: Brewing Co and vegan restaurant open for lunch and dinner

Viewpoint Brewing Co: By the race track in DelMar. Great place for SUNSET.

Culture Brewing Co: Several locations, all great with local artists exhibits in each venue.

Duke's Cardiff Office: Good dive bar

The Shanty: Another fun dive bar

Sound By The Sea: Great bar with rotating DJ. Good drinks and small plates

EVERYTHING ELSE

Must visit:

Visit all the beaches! Delmar, Cardiff State Beach, Swami's, Moonlight Beach, Beacon's

Encinitas:

Meditation Gardens: amazing ocean views in the gardens of this renowned Yoga Temple.

Torrey Pines National Park: Wonderful place for a hike - Park at the top!

Annie's Canyon Trail: Fun, picture worthy, hike through a small canyon

La Paloma Movie Theater: Historic Theater in downtown Encinitas showing the best movies!

Farmers' Market: Cardiff and Leucadia

Nearby:

A day in LaJolla and LaJolla Shores - Great Modern Museum and seals!

Salk Institute: Visit the grounds of this Science Institute for its amazing architecture (Free)

Queen Califia's magical circle - Nikki de St Phalle's sculptures in Escondido (Need a car)

San Diego Botanic Gardens 

Hot air balloon at sunset

Paragliding in Torrey Pines

For the golfers there's lots of options!

For the cyclists, ride 101 as long as you want!

San Diego Zoo 

Legoland

Music Venues (small ones)

Belly UP

The Sound

Shopping

Lots of great shopping on 101 in North County but some favs:

Vuori: Flagship store!

Brixton

Thread Spun

SoLo

Spas:

Four Moons Spa: In Leucadia, lots of relaxing services.

Lemongrass Aveda Salon & Spa: Great hair and spa venue