Resort at a Glance: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Located just north of downtown San Diego, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa welcomes guests to experience a relaxing retreat from everyday life. From world-class shopping, dining and championship golf to a wellness spa ranked #1 by Spa Magazine, the resort strikes a balance between excitement and relaxation. Inside the resort, you’ll find a gourmet restaurant serving locally sourced seafood and a sports bar where you can cheer on your favorite team. Drive just a half-hour south to visit the San Diego Zoo and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, or travel a short six miles to Legoland.

• Recent recognition: TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2013
• Steak and seafood are on the menu at Bluefire Grill; visit the onsite Diversion Sport Lounge to catch a game on one of the big-screen TVs.
• Take a dip in one of the 8 swimming pools, water slides, and the Villa Pool and Jacuzzi.
• Golf and tennis: The resort has two 18-hole golf courses and 17 tennis courts.
• Onsite spa: Opt for an invigorating body treatment or take a dip in the hydrotherapy tub to let the scents of wildflowers and herbs soothe your senses.

Carlsbad, California: Coastal Town North of San Diego

Carlsbad’s swath of golden coastline, nestled between San Diego and Orange County, is often called the Riviera of the West. It connects several of SoCal’s most well-known beach towns, including La Jolla and Coronado. This midsize city of 105,000 people was founded when an artesian well was discovered there in the 1880s, and the locals christened it after Karlsbad, a health-spa village in Bohemian Europe. The discovery of the mineral spring—coupled with the arrival of the Arizona Eastern Railway—helped promote Carlsbad as a tourist destination. It retains a small-town feel, though; its downtown is lined with boutique shops, antique stores, and restaurants.

Unspoiled natural beauty is part of what draws people to Carlsbad. Carlsbad State Beach stretches for 4 miles along the Pacific Ocean; here, you can swim, surf, or stroll beside the nearby rocky bluffs. The city is also renowned as a premier growing region for poinsettias and ranunculus. Each year, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch herald the arrival of spring; you can watch as 50 acres of ranunculus fields blossom into a spectacular burst of color.

About 4 miles south of town, you’ll find the Museum of Making Music, which deals chiefly with pop culture, instrument innovation, and the business aspect of music. A current exhibit called The Sound of Sax tells the origin story of the Jazz Age’s most iconic instrument, but exhibitions change regularly.

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