4 Crystal Pier Hotel Cottage $$$
(%800-748-5894; http://www.crystalpier.com;
4500 Ocean Blvd; ste & cottages $165-500;
ic) Cape Cod–style 1930s cottages with
flowerboxes and loads of charm (but no air-con)
are built right over the ocean; hotel suites are
cheaper. All have kitchenettes. Book up to 11
months in advance, or cross your fingers for
last-minute cancellations.
La Jolla 6
5 George’s at
the Cove Californian, Seafood $$
(%858-454-4244; http://www.georgesatthecove.com;
1250 Prospect St; mains $11-50; h11am-10pm
Sun-Thu, to 10:30pm Fri & Sat) Euro-Cal cooking
is as dramatic as the oceanfront location thanks
to the chef’s wild imagination. Three different
venues let you enjoy it all at varying price
points. No reservations required for George’s
Bar.
5 whisknladle Locavarian $$
(%858-551-7575; http://www.wnlhosp.com; 1044 Wall
St; mains $10-32; h11:30am-9pm Mon-Thu,
11:30am-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 10am-
9:30pm Sun) Seasonal ‘slow food’ is on the
daily-changing menu at this neighborhood
bistro. Brunch is the big-deal meal, or come
for chorizo and date fritters and charred bone
marrow at dinner.
Del Mar 7
5 Zel’s Californian $$
(%858-755-0076; http://www.zelsdelmar.com; 1247
Camino Del Mar; mains $9-18; hbrunch 9am-
2pm Sat & Sun, dinner 5pm-10pm Mon-Thu, to
11pm Fri & Sat, to 9pm Sun; c) Longstanding
Del Mar family keeps alive the tradition of
flatbread pizzas, locally ranched burgers and
microbrewed beers, with weekend music too.
4 Hotel Indigo Boutique Hotel $$$
(%858-755-1501, 877-859-5095; http://www.
ichotelsgroup.com; 710 Camino del Mar; d incl
breakfast $159-379; aiWsc#) With
the bones of a two-story courtyard motel,
this beachy hotel sports seashell murals in its
kitchenette rooms and suites.
Encinitas 8
5 Las Olas Mexican $$
(%760-942-1860; http://www.lasolasmex.com; 2655 S
Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea; mains $9-19;
h11am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11am-9:30pm Fri, 10am-
9:30pm Sat & 10am-9pm Sun; c) This cantina
is so popular it has its own traffic light. Come
here for fish tacos with ocean views, or order
Puerto Nuevo–style lobster and pineapple-chili
margaritas.5 Swami’s Café Cafe $
(%760-944-0612; 1163 S Coast Hwy 101; mains
$5-10; h7am-5pm; vc) For acai berry bowls,
fruit smoothies, multigrain pancakes, stir-fries,
salads and ohm-lets, you can’t beat this breezy
patio. Vegetarians will be oh so happy here.Carlsbad 9
5 Pizza Port Pizzeria, Pub $$
(%760-720-7007; http://www.pizzaport.com; 571
Carlsbad Village Dr; mains $8-20; h11am-
10pm Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat; c)
Everybody swings by this surfboard-adorned
miniwarehouse for craft beers and thick,
buttery slices of ‘anti-wimpy’ gourmet pies.4 Carlsbad Inn
Beach Resort Resort $$$
(%760-434-7020, 800-235-3939; http://www.carlsbad
inn.com; 3075 Carlsbad Blvd; r/ste from
$149/209; aiWsc) This upscale Tudor-
style timeshare hotel sits right across from the
beach. Borrow beach gear and bicycles, or sign
up for a la carte activities like stand-up paddle
boarding.4 West Inn & Suites Hotel $$$
(%760-448-4500, 866-431-9378; http://www.westinn
andsuites.com; 4970 Avenida Encinas; r incl
breakfast $159-359; aiWsc#) Midway
between Legoland and Carlsbad Village, you’ll
think you should be paying much more for your
pillow-top king-sized bed, fresh orchids and
complimentary Aveda bath products.SOUTHERN.CALIFORNIA..27
.FUN ON THE SAN DIEGO COAST