Drive north from downtown San Diego and soon you will find yourself amid rich, hilly landscapes. You’ll also find beaches, plush hotels, craft breweries, and lots of charm. While San Diego has a bustling city center—featuring everything from Petco Park to Little Italy to Balboa Park—the charms of this SoCal destination are really spread out all over San Diego County. The northern region of the county includes a variety of beach towns and inland communities that make great getaways on their own.
What Is North County San Diego?
What locals refer to as “North County” is the region of the county that sits outside both downtown and the central communities of San Diego. The generally suburban region starts just north of La Jolla, stretching about 20 coastal miles north along U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 on the west side to include the North County coastal San Diego towns of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside.
North County is not just coastal communities, however. East of I-5 and Del Mar are Carmel Valley, lined with restaurants and shops, and Rancho Santa Fe, an upscale community originally settled in the 1920s by movie stars—a place where many homes today sit on acres of orchards or alongside golf courses. Farther east are the communities of Rancho Bernardo, a hidden gem for dining and wine; San Marcos and Vista, which make great stops for craft beer; and Escondido, another prime beer town that is also home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Worth noting: San Diego is known for its sunny and mild climate, but that doesn’t mean the weather is identical all over the county. Because North County extends about 20 miles inland, the temperatures among North County cities can vary 10-20 degrees from the cooler beaches to the warmer inland region.
Resorts in North County San Diego
With lots of green space and easy access to the beach, North County has a deep inventory of reliable brand-name hotels, as well as several luxurious resorts. Some are situated right on the beach while many others are just a short drive inland. Boutique hotel L’Auberge Del Mar sits in the heart of Del Mar Village, across the street from Del Mar Beach and an easy walk to shops and restaurants. A few minutes east in Carmel Valley, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers a sumptuous stay with four pools, a spa, a championship golf course, and Addison, the William Bradley–helmed restaurant that has earned three Michelin stars.
If you want to live like a local in tony Rancho Santa Fe, stay at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, in the heart of the community’s Spanish-style village, or the casita-style Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, which offers tennis, pickleball, and a don’t-miss spa.
In Encinitas, the 130-room Alila Marea offers easy beach access, sleek elegance, and great onsite cuisine thanks to VAGA Restaurant & Bar by Top Chef contestant Claudette Zepeda. In Carlsbad, choose from options such as Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, which boasts a notable spa and a large pool complex, and the Park Hyatt Aviara, with its own golf course, spa, and two pools with big views. Both are minutes from LEGOLAND California. Or head a bit further inland for more classic full-service resort perks at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Oceanside, meanwhile, has great boutique hotels right on the sand, such as the side-by-side Hyatt properties, the Mission Pacific and The Seabird, which both offer front-row access to the beach as well as the city’s burgeoning culinary scene.
Top Things to Do in North County San Diego
Even though the cities and communities in North San Diego County are fairly suburban, the area offers a lot of things to do for foodies, shoppers, outdoor lovers, and families.
Start by exploring North County’s beach towns, which offer unique stretches of sand and distinctive downtowns, each with its own personality. Del Mar, for instance, is known for the seasonal Del Mar Racetrack and a small but posh village by the beach. Hikers won’t want to miss Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, located above Torrey Pines State Beach, where the trails offer close-up looks at the rare Torrey pine trees as well as sweeping ocean views.
Just to the north, Solana Beach has excellent tide-pooling at Fletcher Cove, and an eclectic selection of design studios and boutiques along Cedros Avenue. Cardiff-by-the-Sea features an excellent beach campground, the gourmet picnic–friendly Seaside Market, and the quirky surfer statue known as The Cardiff Kook. Surfers and seekers alike will love Encinitas, which has a few famed surf breaks and the meditation gardens of the Spiritual Realization Fellowship, as well as the funky boutique-lined downtown set along Highway 101. Carlsbadspreads out north of that, with a charming coastal village, its own beaches, and a variety of attractions that stretch inland, including LEGOLAND California and the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Oceanside, meanwhile, has become a playground for beach fun, water sports, craft beer, and even public murals.
For more nature, hike to the waterfall at Los Peñasquitos Nature Reserve, or the Instagram-friendly “Potato Chip Rock” hike on the Mt. Woodson Trail, both near the inland community of Poway, where a large number of professional athletes tend to live. Or walk the garden trails at San Diego Botanic Garden and Butterfly Farms, both in Encinitas, and the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens in Vista. In Escondido, walk the pathways to watch wildlife roam across acreage, or take one of the safari rides at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the sprawling sister property of the famed San Diego Zoo.
For beer nerds, North County is a true treasure trove. Follow the “Hops Highway,” which runs along Highway 78 through Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido. Key stops include Bagby Beer Co. in Oceanside, Belching Beaver in Vista, Lost Abbey in San Marcos, and the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido. Wine lovers have a fun option too: The Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo, which dates back to 1889, makes for a lovely afternoon of wine tasting combined with poking around in the winery’s little cottage shops stocked with chocolates, candles, and gifts.
North County San Diego’s Best Restaurants
San Diego has a reputation for great beer and tacos—and rightfully so—but the city has increasingly made its mark in other culinary realms. Two of San Diego’s four Michelin-starred restaurants are in North County—the three-star Addison and Carlsbad’s one-star Jeune et Jolie—but such options are only the beginning for a memorable meal in this area.
In Del Mar, pair fresh seafood with epic ocean views at spots including Pacifica Del Mar and Jake’s Del Mar. San Diego locals love Rancho Santa Fe’s Mille Fleurs, the French-meets-California cuisine that has been a foodie magnet for years. Encinitas is home to Herb & Sea, helmed by Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey, while Carlsbad has Ember & Rye, a steakhouse created by another Top Chef star, Richard Blais, located at the Park Hyatt Aviara.
For casual comfort food, don’t miss the irresistible fried chicken at The Crack Shack in Encinitas. North County offers plenty of other crowd pleasers, too, such as the wood-fired cuisine at Campfire, The Taco Stand in Encinitas, and When Pigs Fly BBQ in Vista.
If you plan your meals and activities around coffee, include stops at Lofty Coffee in Solana Beach, Manzanita Roasting Co. in Rancho Bernardo and Escondido, or the branch of Bird Rock Roasters that overlooks the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Plan a Trip to North County
For any Southern California getaway, the cities in North San Diego County make an excellent home base for exploring the rest of San Diego—especially if you’re heading north to Orange County and beyond. It’s easy to build a trip that includes beach days, golf, theme park visits, beer-tasting tours, and lounging by the hotel pool. You won’t have to drive much more than 20 minutes between San Diego County destinations, or just 90 minutes or so if you’re headed to Anaheim or Los Angeles.
To create your own North San Diego County–based itinerary, check out these ideas for San Diego surf spots, beaches, and tide-pooling, as well as excellent museums. For foodie ideas in San Diego, peruse these picks for seafood restaurants, brunch spots, and craft breweries.
