Carlsbad
All right, let’s pick up from where I left off last. On to Carlsbad we go! Dan booked us the cutest Air BnB that was in walking distance to the beach. E didn’t love it so much - must’ve been the crashing waves in combination with the water being cold. The reason we stayed a few nights in Carlsbad was to visit Dan’s cousin and her family. This was their first time meeting E. While there, we filled our bellies with good eats. Here are the highlights.
EATS
On our way from Laguna to Carlsbad, we stopped by The Taco Stand in La Jolla. This was a yelp find and literally, some of the best tacos we’ve had. The line was a bit ridiculous but we took advantage of E’s nap to order from here. Worth it!
For our order-in night, we went with Harumama Noodles and Buns. We ordered the pork belly and eggplant bao bao buns, karaage and a bowl of ramen. They have the cute character buns too! I ordered the snoopy ones (catch them cuties on my IG highlight reel), which were filled with a red bean paste.
A quick walk from our home away from home was Cafe Elysa. They had a ton of coffee flavors and simple, straightforward options for breakfast. The baked pastries all looked yummy, as well.
DONUTS - a must find on any trip. Lucky for us, The Goods did not disappoint! Check out the next photo for drool-worthy donuts.
Yum. Yum. Yum.
One of the best Asian fusion meals we had was at Chiko (chinese-korean). We got the bo-ssammy with tots (of course) and the bulgogi. I’m still dreaming about this meal. This was an accidental find while we were exploring Encinitas (the town over from Carlsbad) and boy were we happy we found it!
These pork and kimchi potstickers totally hit the spot too!
Retail Therapy
Also in Encinitas, we walked through UNIV, a collective of brands that are rooted to Southern California. It’s a very cool space offering home goods and clothing.
Dan’s cousins got me hooked on Vuori. While in Encinitas, I popped into the store. I literally wanted every piece of clothing I touched. With self control, I allowed myself to pick up a pair of joggers. These are the comfiest pair I have ever owned. It is now my go-to when traveling!
While scrolling through IG, I spotted a great outfit on Dan’s cousin. She mentioned that it was from a local boutique, Wysh. During one of Eleanor’s car naps, Dan stayed with her while I ran in. The boutique is absolutely adorable filled with gifts, home goods and clothing. This is the outfit I picked up for myself.