Guide to Independent Hotels and One-of-a-Kind Experiences

Pair these one-of-a-kind stays with an equally unique experience—strawberry picking on a 4th generation family owned farm to Michelin-starred meals—for an unforgettable Carlsbad vacation.

Beach Terrace holds the distinction as the only Carlsbad hotel located on the sand. The 48-room, beachfront hotel offers full ocean views from private balconies of its oversized rooms (an average of 600-square-feet) and heated pool, plus direct beach access. It completed a property-wide renovation in 2022, and the feel is coastal modern with light woods and natural fiber textures and pops of oranges and blues.

In the morning, guests wake up to a light complimentary breakfast of croissants and seasonal fruit. Borrow beach gear including umbrellas, towels and toys for an afternoon in the sand and surf. Additional touches include a board game library in the lobby, pillow menu, in-room yoga kits and beach bikes on loan.

Guests at Ocean Palms Beach Resort will be pleased to find the shoreline a mere block from this tropical themed resort. It offers cheery studios and 2- and 3-bedroom suites with full kitchens and courtyard or ocean views. The palm tree-lined central courtyard sports lots of patio and shaded lounge seating, fire pits and BBQ gas grills.

There’s also a year-round heated pool, grab-and-go breakfast and complimentary use of beach chairs and boogie boards. Ocean Palms Beach Resort is also a pet-friendly property, and does not charge a resort fee.

Carlsbad By The Sea Hotel is just a short distance from the area’s major attractions, including LEGOLAND California, where hotel guests can conveniently board a shuttle to and from the theme park. Carlsbad Premium Outlets shops and restaurants, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are also easily accessible. Next door, Windmill Food Hall has something for everyone with more than a dozen options, from sushi to burgers, pizza to pho and a full bar.

The hotel’s 146 rooms includes a Family Suite for larger groups of up to eight people. It includes a dining table, living room and private balcony framed by Eucalyptus trees. In addition to an outdoor heated pool, its garden courtyard provides ample green space and gazebos throughout for lounging.

Find Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort along Pacific Coast Highway, at the gateway of downtown Carlsbad’s shops, restaurants and beaches. Its guest rooms, suites, and condos suit a variety of travel needs. Amenities span a pool and adults-only and family jacuzzis, fire pits, to a foosball table and children’s playground. The Inn also hosts weekly activities, from chair massage, art classes and yoga to seasonal outdoor movies in its sprawling grassy courtyard. Three electric vehicle chargers are also available to guests.

Between February and July, pick your own local strawberries at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. This 4th generation family owned farm makes for all-ages fun. Purchase a bucket at the farm stand to fill with as many strawberries as the bucket will hold—that’s nearly two pounds of berries! Beyond strawberry picking, enjoy tractor rides, pet rabbits and goats and special seasonal events throughout the year, like an Easter Egg Hunt in its sunflower fields. Parking is complimentary, and food vendors are typically available during weekends.

A reservation at modern French restaurant Jeune et Jolie—recognized with a Michelin star— means an impeccably executed, four-course meal in cozy pink tufted booths. The menu evolves with the seasons, though regulars keep the fish course with warm spices and market produce continually on the menu. Opt for starters from their a la carte raw bar menu, and choose from a wine or botanical-infused non-alcoholic beverage pairing.

Always Hungry Grocery stocks snacks, pantry items and fresh seasonal produce from local and under-represented purveyors. From Korean BBQ salmon chips to sheep’s milk labneh dip, sourdough baguettes and organic marshmallows, this tiny shop is stocked with stuff you likely won’t find in a conventional grocery store. They also carry a range of beverages from coffee, kombucha and wine. Be sure to check their calendar for rotating workshop offerings like cheese board ceramics classes and cake decorating.

For kids and kids-at-heart, LEGOLAND California has more than 60 imagination-stoking rides, shows and attractions. Spend the day on the driving school track, admiring more than 30,000 LEGO models and exploring Dino Valley. Its latest land has themed rides, prehistoric character meet and greets and build and play areas.

Its adjacent water park offers six different water slides, Build-A-Raft (not-so-lazy) river, wave pool and interactive splash pad areas. Nearby Sea Life Aquarium at LEGOLAND California immerses guests in underwater creatures: think sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, sea stars, sea horses, jellies and lots of colorful fish.

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With a range of unique, independent hotels and experiences, the biggest challenge for a Carlsbad vacation is fitting in all of the fun.