Queenstage Coffee
Photo from @queenstage_coffee
Owned by locals Valeria Linss and Esteban Rodriguez whose idea is to simply provide this little town with amazing food and coffee accompanied with great service. Their avocado toast is a must, topped with Valeria’s own salsa recipe that was inspired by “salsa macha” but she puts a twist in hers using a blend of nuts and dried chilis. It really is ~*chef’s kiss*~. That and an iced oat latte is our owner, Heidi’s, go to order.
Coffee Coffee
Photo from @coffeecoffeeleucadia
Another great place to grab your morning cup at. Roasted in house, their coffee menu is full of all the favorites - lattes, cafe au laits, dirty chais, macchiatos, and a whole range of loose leaf teas. Bring a friend or two and take a seat on their patio under that big, beautiful tree which is currently covered in pink flowers.
Nectarine Grove
Photo from @nectarinegrove
No one does healthy like Nectarine Grove, that’s a fact. Sourcing a lot of their ingredients from local organic farmers, Nectarine Grove offers a menu that’s totally gluten free and ensures that people with all kinds of diets and lifestyles can find something delicious to eat. And trust me, it's all delicious.
Farmer's Market
Every Sunday we are graced with the presence of the Leucadia Farmers Market. It’s such a fun time to stroll through the huge array of stalls with your coffee (and reusable bags) in hand. I look at it as a wonderful one stop shop of local goods - I’ll get my produce for the week, snag some fresh flowers, and a bite to eat from one of the many food vendors. One of the best ways to shop small and support local!
Leucadia Floral
Photo from @leucadiafloral
Right next door to our shop is one of the best plant shops I’ve ever stepped foot into. Debbie does way more than just flowers, with indoor and outdoor plants of all kinds, garden decor, locally made goods and candles, it’s truly a great spot to get a gift or spruce up your own place just in time for spring!
Stone Steps
While we have several great beaches to choose from here in Leucadia, I think Stone Steps is my favorite. Usually less crowded than Beacon’s or Grandview, this beach is accessible by stairs and is a great spot to get some sun and a little work out in 😉
Take lunch, a good book, and maybe a hard kombucha or two down with you and you’re good to go.
Moto Deli
Photo from @moto_deli
Sadly, our favorite lunch spot is no longer a thirty second walk from our shop as they’ve moved right next to Queenstage, but that won’t stop us from driving a couple minutes down the road to grab a turkey pesto or blt sandwich. They have a great staff working for them ready to serve you, and with their new location they’ve brought back their house made potato chips, new menu items, and even beer to go with your lunch.
Solterra Winery and Kitchen
Photo from @solterrawinery
Solterra offers a variety of wines including their own label made in house with local grapes as well as grapes from all over California and Valle de Gaudalupe. Need a little food to counter the buzz? They’ve got you covered with a tasty menu that changes seasonally, infusing Mediterranean with a coastal California twist. It’s one of my favorite spots to grab a glass and catch up with friends.
Birdseye Kitchen
Photo from @birdseyekitchen
If Leucadia had a cult classic restaurant, it would be Birdseye Kitchen, owned by Leucadia local Vasama Morris. We love strong women entrepreneurs and Vasama fits the bill perfectly. She cares equally about our little community as she does sustainability and providing our town with a taste of her family’s South Asian recipes. The Spring Rolls and Panang Curry are a must try.
Batiquitos Lagoon
Photo from @batiquitos
Bordering Leucadia and Carlsbad is the Batiquitos Lagoon, one of the six lagoons in San Diego County. A little haven tucked into the surrounding urbanization, it’s a great spot for a walk or run with its three mile long trail running along the lagoon's edge. Bring the little ones along and stop at the Nature Center to learn all about the natural wildlife and flora and their amazing preservation projects.
Little Fox
Photo from @littlefoxcupsandcones
We couldn’t do a guide around Leucadia without featuring our sweet neighbors! Meghan is the mastermind behind all of the unique flavors Little Fox has to offer, creating each recipe from scratch using wholesome and quality ingredients. She keeps the fan favorites in stock and always has new flavors in rotation. I will say that my ice cream intake has increased tenfold since she set up shop in our little office window, but is that really a bad thing? They’re open every weekend and if you haven’t already tried this speakeasy ice cream window, you better get your butt over here to try it.
Another rad way to get to know this town a little better is through Taste of Leucadia! Going on tomorrow evening, there's a whole roster of local restaurants and drink makers serving up some yummy things for you to try as you walk along Coast Highway. There's actually going to be a whole beer garden in our parking lot tomorrow night with a lot more than just beer. Even if you don't have a ticket (they sell out fast but there's always next year) you can still come by our shop and hang out, have some wine and shop our massive sale all day long. We've been spending quite a few days reassessing our inventory and are making some space in our little shop which only means good things for you! We've got tons of items that are ready for their new homes and you can snag them at a major deal, with markdowns up to 70% off. Ethical apparel, goods for the home and kitchen, little things for the little ones, some natural apothecary, books, ceramics - seriously, you won't wanna miss this.
See your gorgeous faces tomorrow!!