Fuel up for your walking tour of the neighborhood at Claire’s (246 N. Cedros Ave.), across from the train station. It’s the kind of ecoconscious place that provides preferred parking for electric and hybrid cars. This stretch of Cedros is also home to Susan Street Fine Art, a contemporary art gallery (200 N. Cedros Ave.), and Tobi Blatt (152 N. Cedros Ave.), with women’s clothing from coveted labels. Cross Lomas Santa Fe to explore South Cedros. We love Cedros Soles (143 S. Cedros Ave.) for the latest footwear; HIS (also at 143 S. Cedros Ave.), a store geared towards the styleminded guy; and Bixby & Ball (214 S. Cedros Ave.), with linens, home décor items and other coastal-lifestyle accessories. Linger long enough to smell the sweet aromas springing from Mistral (146 S. Cedros Ave.), a small bungalow with soaps and lotions imported from France. You’ll also find hip home décor and art books at Solo (309 S. Cedros Ave.) and everything for the modern garden at color-splashed Chicweed (240 S. Cedros Ave.). Nestled among the retail shops is one of the county’s top live music venues: the Belly Up (see p. 73), a Solana Beach landmark for more than 35 years.
(opposite, left) IAN WHITE, (OTHERS) REBECCA Morquecho
Encinitas and cardiff-by-the-sea
Heading north on 101 from Solana Beach, you’ll pass through the small surf community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Be sure to get a picture with the “Cardiff Kook,” the sculpture of a surfer that locals have fondly ridiculed for years. Officially named The Magic Carpet Ride, the statue is often dressed up in outrageous outfits (military fatigues, a toga, a bikini) by anonymous midnight marauders. As you continue north approaching down-
town Encinitas, you’ll see a unique silhouette among the palm trees. The Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat and Ashram Center (215 K St.), with its lotus blossom–shaped towers, dates back to 1937. A portion of the grounds is open free to the public. A stroll through the lush, cliffside gardens offers views of surfers at nearby Swami’s Beach (1298 S. Coast Hwy. 101), a popular break for longboarders. Up the road, The Lumberyard’s two-dozen or so shops include stylish clothier Mog & Rue, modern home-and-garden store Grounded and Chuao Chocolatier, whose gourmet sweets are made from the finest Venezuelan chocolate. Don’t miss DeepFling, with silver jewelry from Scandinavian designers. The Lumberyard also has an array of wine bars, eateries and cafés, many with outdoor seating (937 S. Coast Hwy. 101). In the center of downtown, the historic La Paloma Theatre (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101) has anchored the district since the 1920s and still hosts concerts and independent films. Boutiques and restaurants also line the strip. Boasting a shiny new Whole Foods, Pacific Station is also home to Icons boutique, with denim, tees, boho-chic blouses and more (687 S. Coast Hwy. 101). North Coast Highway 101 runs through sleepy Leucadia, where it’s easy to speed right by gems like Lou’s Records (434 N. Coast Hwy. 101), with its selection of hip LPs and CDs, and Ducky Waddles Emporium (414 N. Coast Hwy. 101), with its excellent collection of books on all things arty or bawdy. A great cluster of shops is found at The Gold Coast (466 N. Coast Hwy. 101), whose tenants include stylish children’s boutique Daisy B. A short drive inland leads to San Diego Botanic Garden, a 35-acre treasure showcasing 3,000 rare and exotic plants (see p. 68).
Carlsbad
Downtown Carlsbad is a picturesque seaside village with tree-lined roads, restaurants and boutique shopping. Along Carlsbad Village Drive, the main drag, you’ll find two local landmarks: Ocean House (300 Carlsbad Village Drive), a restaurant and nighttime hot spot that boasts beautiful Victorian architecture, and nearby Frazier’s Well (2802 Carlsbad Blvd.), where sea captain John Frazier discovered mineral water in 1882. Next to Ocean House is Carlsbad Village Faire, a shopping center home to several casual eateries and shops. Retail on nearby State Street includes antique stores and shops like Fairen Del (2940 State St.), with an assortment of fine leather goods, shoes, handbags and jewelry. A short drive east of the freeway on Palomar Airport Road leads to great outlet shopping at Carlsbad Premium Outlets (see p. 71), with brand-name stores like BCBG, Kenneth Cole and Michael Kors. Continuing on Palomar Airport Road from the outlets will lead you to another cluster of attractions. LegoLand (see p. 68) is 128 acres of kid-friendly entertainment that includes a new Sea Life Aquarium. Nearby, the Museum of Making Music (see p. 70) is filled with musical memorabilia. La Costa Resort and Spa (2100 Costa del Mar Road) is home to the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, with spa therapies and wellness programs created by holistic specialist Deepak Chopra. Two miles south of La Costa is The Forum (see p. 71), an outdoor, Spanish-style mall whose shops include Tilly’s surf shop, Anthropologie and upscale clothier Draper’s & Damon’s. For a map of these neighborhoods, see page 79. For information about restaurants in this area, see page 59.
Full circa
great find This new specialty shop in the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach offers a little something for just about every taste—granted you’re into architecture, interior design, fabulous estate jewelry, and rare antiques and furnishings. Circa on Cedros, which opened last summer, really soars in the unique jewelry department with an array of vintage cuffs, delicate earrings and dramatic turquoise pieces. Pick up a stylish Yumi Richards hat to complete your look and shop among cool architectural elements and avant garde furniture, lighting fixtures and wall hangings for your pad. Just be careful—it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here without realizing it. 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.764.4228
WINTER 2013 WHERE SAN DIEGO 37
036-37_NorthCoast_WSD.indd 37
11/6/12 2:59 PM