The Timeless Appeal of Carlsbad Village

There’s something for everybody in Carlsbad Village. Just two blocks from the beach, Carlsbad Village has dining options that range from casual taco shops to fine dining—even a Michelin-Starred restaurant. Spanning 10 walkable blocks, this vibrant downtown is home to 18 coffee houses, plus wineries, breweries, boutiques, galleries and other unique local businesses. 

Events like art walks, outdoor movies and live music shows draw crowds to the Village year-round. Every Wednesday beginning at 2:30 p.m., locals head to the Village for State Street Farmers Market to shop for fresh veggies, fruits, meat and seafood, dairy, baked goods, fresh flowers, and many artisan specialty foods. Celebrating its 30th year, the market boasts more than 50 local vendors including several prepared food options. 

The City of Carlsbad has a ban on single-use plastics for all restaurants and food service vendors, which includes the farmers market, where they use compostable containers and bags. This sustainability initiative extends to the Village’s largest events of the year: Taste of Carlsbad Village restaurant walkabout and Art in the Village open air fine art show. 

“After my first year of holding the Taste of Carlsbad, I saw how many forks, plates, napkins and cups were being used, was absolutely flabbergasted, and said ‘this has got to stop,’” said Christine Davis, executive director of Carlsbad Village Association. “Then we immediately switched to reusable cups and sporks. All of the products we buy for service are certified compostable, even the trash can liners, so our footprint has diminished compared to that first year, and I’m really proud of the efforts we’ve made.” 

The popular Taste of Carlsbad 2024 event sold out in just 40 minutes, with attendance capped at 1,000 people. For its seventh year, the Taste of Carlsbad had 35 participating restaurants and 19 beverage brands—mostly from Carlsbad and North County San Diego—represented.   

Set against seven miles of pristine beachfront, Carlsbad Village is easy to navigate on foot, which is an ideal way to explore the area’s glamorous history. The Carlsbad Santa Fe Depot building used to be a frequented train stop for Hollywood actors and actresses en route to Tijuana, Mexico during Prohibition. Train passengers would head to the Twin Inns, a Victorian building constructed in 1887 as a private residence for Gerhard Schutte, known as the “Father of Carlsbad” for his role in founding the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company. The Twin Inns hosted family-style chicken dinners that attracted the likes of Clark Gable. Today the landmark building is part of Village Faire shopping and dining center.

In the late 19th century, Carlsbad’s mineral springs garnered popularity for their health benefits, drawing settlers to the region and helping to drive growth. Modeled after the famous spa destination of Karlovy Vary (translates to Carlsbad) in the Czech Republic, Carlsbad was later incorporated in 1952. 

Carlsbad Village’s New Village Arts Theatre also has historic ties to Hollywood. In 1927, the theatre’s grand opening film “It” starring Clara Bow launched Bow’s acting career, giving her the “The It Girl” nickname.

Today’s “it girl” in Carlsbad Village is arguably Jeune et Jolie (translates to Young and Beautiful), a French-inspired Michelin star restaurant that offers a four-course tasting menu and raw bar. As one of only a few restaurants in San Diego County with the prestigious distinction, Jeune et Jolie attracts foodies from across Southern California to its feminine, modern dining room.

But for this year at least, bragging rights in the Village belong to Nick’s on State, voted the “Best of” Taste of Carlsbad Village 2024 by event attendees for their maple glazed meatloaf. The dish is one of their house specialties, made with a maple chipotle gravy, caramelized onions, whipped potatoes, roasted pearl onions, carrots, and asparagus. 

Learn more and see what’s coming up in the Village at carlsbad-village.com.