Sunday, April 3, 2016

Staycation challenge San Diego: Day 3. Carlsbad

At lunch, after a morning of doing taxes my parents decided to join me on an afternoon jaunt to Carlsbad.  We heard that there were some antique stores there and we like to wander, look and sometimes acquire antique furniture.  My Dad is a consummate reader and we are always in the market for bookcases, especially pretty antique ones.

So, we headed to Carlsbad and parked on State Street.  The first thing that greeted us was this charming little park/garden with adorable street art on the wall.  It reminded me greatly of the fun artwork you find in Brick Lane, London.

Carlsbad - street art and garden

Carlsbad - gardenCarlsbad - street art and garden

Carlsbad - garden

Carlsbad - garden - choose happiness

We ambled down the streets enjoying the relaxed feel of Carlsbad on a Sunday afternoon.  There is a drive through donut store, and several sidewalk cafe type restaurants that look completely wonderful.  Several of the places reminded me of Sunday brunches in Brick Lane, London.  So, I was feeling relaxed and nostalgic.

Carlsbad - tiny garden

Carlsbad - street art and colour

Carlsbad - street art and colour

We wandered through a handful of antique stores and I ended up buying two London themed tea cups.  It just seemed like the thing to do on a day where I was missing my time in London immensely.

Carlsbad - antique stores

Carlsbad - antique doorknob
Carlsbad - antique stores



















After we had finished browsing through the antique stores and little boutique shops we decided to go into this little Italian Market right next to Vigilucci's Italian restaurant.  We were done for as soon as we saw the little refridgerator filled with desserts.  Not five minutes later we were sitting in the adorable sidewalk cafe style seating outside the market enjoying a Limoncello parfait, a Hazelnut Chocolate parfait, and a cheescake.  They were all exceptional.

Carlsbad - Italian desserts from Vigilucci's

Carlsbad - Italian desserts from Vigilucci's

We wandered further down some side streets finding cute architecture and interesting places.  There is a whole little shopping centre done in an old world style building with a charming Irish Pub in it.  Next time I come out to Carlsbad I'm coming around dinner time so I can try their Fish & Chips or their Shepard's Pie.  Or maybe I should go for lunch at the pub and stay til dinner and go to Vigilucci's where I can have more of their awesome desserts.  Hmmmm...

Carlsbad - Old World Center
Carlsbad - Old World Center

Carlsbad - Old World Center

Carlsbad - Old World Center

There was an old train station and this charming old building where they dispense the apparently famous and healing alkaline waters.  It's no doubt what drew the Victorian's to Carlsbad in the first place.  For it was around 1887 that they built the first train depot here. I don't know exactly what the alkaline waters are supposed to heal, but it seems that people are still buying them today.

Carlsbad - the Alt Karlsbad Hanse Haus
Carlsbad - the Alt Karlsbad Hanse Haus

It was a completely charming day.  I'm sure you are already sold on the idea that wandering through Carlsbad makes for a lovely afternoon of leisurely shopping, walking and dessert eating.  But in case you are not, let me just mention that they also have a Chocolate Bar in Carlsbad.  A Chocolate Bar!

Carlsbad - The Chocolate Bar

I mean, really, could this town be any more perfect?  They have a chocolate bar!

Oh wait, I did forget to tell you that all of this in downtown Carlsbad is maybe a five minute walk from the ocean.  Yep, it just got better.  So, we had a quick stroll along the beach while we ate our sea-salted caramels and enjoyed the view on our drive home along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Carlsbad - the ocean

Madder Hatter trick of the trade for life:
1. Try the chocolate
2. Always try new types of chocolate
3. Remember there is no such thing as too much dessert

Yep, I'm loving this staycation challenge.

Carlsbad - the Old World Center
Goodbye from Carlsbad, a charming CA city

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