carlsbad beaches & nosh spots

I am obsessed with Carlsbad. There a few beach towns I am simply in love with. Carlsbad, Santa Barbara and some little coves in the San Diego area just have my heart. My dad owned a condo in Carlsbad for many years, so Mr. Charming and I were fortunate enough to get to spend quite a bit of time here. I've eaten at almost every restaurant in the area, as I was fortunate to sample all the fare before I got sick, but the good thing about classy beach cities, is there is always something for everyone. Especially those on strict diets, Paleo or vegan diets. 

Carlsbad has your normal GF-chain  options such as PF Changs and Rubios, although I never opt to eat at either of these. I like smaller cafes, with more organic ingredients. The charming place that is Carlsbad Village, has many little shops and eateries with the top for eating healthy being The Naked Cafe. The earthy quaint cafe offers an allergen menu where every item is clearly marked. 

One of my favorite high-end eateries is 333 Pacific. I was in town staying with my dad when I had a concert in Hollywood and we had a dad & daughter date night here. It was fun. The atmosphere was upscale and relaxing and the food was AH-MAZING. They have many gluten-free options such as salads, veggies and meat courses. Though the portions are small, that's the only down side. 

333 Pacific

I also love any city that has my Top Three, as I call them. Sprouts, Trader Joes or Whole Foods, and Carlsbad has all three within a reasonable distance. They also have a weekly Farmer's Market where I can stock up on fresh fruits and veggies to snack on throughout the week, as well as some beautiful fresh cut flowers for the condo. 

My dad is one of the most active people alive and fitness is never a question when we visit. We are always being active and having fun. Whether its playing on the sand or in the water or hitting up the Tennis Club for a couple of hours, we burn our calories. On this particular visit we took the bikes out of storage and took a leisurely bike ride on the trails around the city. Mr. Charming was on photography duty, and that's my dad and me in the back there below. 

If you're craving a burger by the beach, the best of the best is Pure Burger. The eatery uses locally sourced grass-fed beef and even offer gluten-free buns! 

If you are looking for some entertainment to enjoy with kiddos, visit the city's Legoland, which offers some of the best in theme park allergen-free food finds. I personally haven't been, and I LOVE Disneyland for eating clean & safe, but Legoland has received amazing reviews from moms and people with allergies and sensitivities. 

For me & Mr. Charming, we prefer a quiet walk on the beach.