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Can anyone tell me about Carlsbad, CA?

Travel Info
I'm looking at staying at the La Costa Resort in Carlsbad but I don't know anything about the area. Could someone tell me a little about the area? (shopping mall?, good places to eat?, safe?)
Thank you!

Travel Tips

The La Costa Resort is somewhat removed from the rest of the city, which adds to its appeal. It is extremely safe and is just off of El Camino Real, which is a major road in North Country.

If you follow El Camino Real north a few miles, you'll come to a small shopping area that has several fast food restaurants, a grocery store, and a Post Office. The nearest indoor mall is Plaza Camino Real, about 8 miles north. It's decent as far as malls go, and there are several good restaurants in the area. Some of the nationally recognized ones include Souplantation, Olive Garden, Staurt Andersen's Black Angus, Outback Steakhouse, Applebee's, Tony Romas, etc. There is a Wal-Mart and a Target very close to the mall.

If you head south to Encinitas on El Camino Real (a few miles), you'll find a large outdoor shopping area that has a Greatland Target, Home Depot, CompUSA, and several other stores and restaurants.

You HAVE to head to the beach, and there are several things to do around there. Take either La Costa Ave and I-5 North OR Palomar Airport Road to get there, cuz Aviara Pkwy takes you through neighborhoods and is slow. Off of I-5 and Palomar Airport Road, there's a Claim Jumpers, California Pizza Kitchen, TGIFridays, In and Out Burger, to name a few. There is an AWESOME outlet mall off of Paseo Del Norte and Palomar Airport Road. They have several good restaurants right there and LegoLand and the Tulip fields are nearby. There's also a CostCo nearby if you are a member, or want to get some cheap food outside of the store.

Carlsbad State Beach is a great place to visit and it is north of Palomar Airport Road - if you stay in the middle lane it actually becomes Carlsbad Blvd and takes you north. It's not too busy and there are plenty of nice small stores in walking distance, not to mention a Starbuck's Coffee, Cold Stone Creamery, and several good restaurants (especially if you like fish) - north of the beach.

If you need any more details, just ask! Source(s): Lived there for seven years.

Other Travel Tips
It's near Legoland ... and close to the beach. It's certainly a safe area, and not too far from the Marine base at Pendleton. However, it doen't have all the shopping and activities that you would find in San Diego or Anaheim.
I work up there. It's definately a nice commnity and has nice beaches, very safe. The only shopping I know of is the Carlsbad Premium Outlets off Palomar Airport Rd and Camino Del Norte, they have pretty good stuff there for decent prices. Lot of chain restaurants in Carlsbad. I don't know much about the Carlsbad Village area but I heard they have some resturants there so you might want to look that area up.