Melissa & Austin
Things To Do
Carlsbad Village
Visit Carlsbad Village or have a beach day! One of our favorite dates is to have a sunset beach picnic at Carlsbad State Beach located in The Village. We recommend grabbing lobster rolls from the Trap Shack or bringing snacks and relax on the sand and catch the sunset or walk along the boardwalk. The Village has a ton of restaurants to choose from, some of our favorites being: 264 FRESCO Italian restaurant. Be sure to go around sunset and ask to sit on the rooftop for a great view! PARK 101 Casual American restaurant/bar. Fun outdoor spot we like to grab drinks and bites at. JAY’S GOURMET Been around since the early 90’s. Casual seafood & Italian restaurant with great food. CAMPFIRE Eclectic, vibrant American restaurant. BLUE OCEAN ROBATA Our favorite is the Padres roll! NICK'S ON STATE Classic American restaurant - buttercake is a must. SHOREHOUSE KITCHEN Good breakfast spot usually with a long wait. You can add yourself to their Yelp waitlist prior to going!
The Camp Store
Located in South Carlsbad State Beach. This little spot that we go to often (right across from Chris Flynn's beautiful home) with an amazing view, beautiful sunsets, small bites, pizza, drinks, and live music.
The Crossings at Carlsbad
Hit the golf course or the driving range! The Crossings is where we try to perfect our golf swing. There are many beautiful golf courses all over San Diego, including Torrey Pines and our wedding venue at Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club.
VAGA Restaurant & Bar
Vaga at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is one of our favorite spots we come to often. We love bringing visitors to enjoy the beautiful lounge with fire pits, ocean views, and bites and drinks. Austin proposed at the nearby lookout, and friends were waiting here at Vaga to surprise the newly engaged bride-to-be! The Pocket is another restaurant located in Alila Marea near the hotel pool for another option.
Valentina Restaurant
One of our favorite restaurants in Leucadia--an eclectic, cozy Mediterranean-inspired bistro & wine bar. Great food & wine!
Encinitas
We come to Encinitas often – it’s a vibrant area filled with shops, restaurants, and craft breweries. Start off at D Street and PCH, where you’ll find some great dining options like Herb & Sea, The Roxy, Sago, and Biergarden (just to name a few). If you’re in the mood for some ice cream, Cali Cream is must! Snickers, Whatchamacallit, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough are some of Melissa & Austin's favorite flavors.
The Rooftop Bar
Great rooftop lounge in Oceanside at the Mission Pacific Beach Resort with small bites, cocktails, and craft beer, plus views of the ocean and sunsets. If you’re a Top Gun fan, this is also where the original Top Gun house is located! Attached to the Mission Pacific hotel which is now a pie shop.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
If you've already been to the San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park is another option to check out. Located in Escondido (separate from the zoo), they offer safari-style rides where you can get up close to animals in huge, open spaces. It’s a different experience and definitely worth a visit!
La Jolla Cove
The Cove is one of the most popular beaches in La Jolla. The calm waters of the Cove have a very high concentration of sea life, including many seals and sea lions. They can often be found lounging on the sand in the middle of the beach, or on the rocks surrounding the cove. The beach is protected from a lot of the swells and currents in the ocean, so the water is usually calm with great visibility. Be sure to make a reservation at George's at the Cove if you visit La Jolla!
North County Breweries
If you like beer as much as Austin does, San Diego has a ton of breweries you can visit. We did a beer tour one year for his birthday (link attached). If you have a group, we suggest doing the Scavengers Beer Tour around SD! Or here are a few North County breweries to visit: PURE PROJECT, Carlsbad VIEWPOINT BREWING COMPANY, Del Mar BURGEON BEER COMPANY, Carlsbad BELCHING BEAVER BREWERY, Oceanside STONE TASTING ROOM, Oceanside (Stone Brewery in Escondido is much bigger and really nice!)
Annie's Canyon Trail
If you’re up for an easy, quick hike with beautiful views—Annie’s Canyon Trail is a great one in North County. Includes narrow passages in between beautiful canyon walls, ladders, and a view of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve.