Carlsbad: Food Tour & Wine Tasting in Village Eateries

Summary

Carlsbad village walk with food wine tasting stories and laughter

You’ll wander Carlsbad Village with a local guide, sampling pasta, tacos, and strawberry shortcake while hearing quirky stories about old California wine makers. Expect laughter over shared plates, new flavors at every stop, and a chance to see Carlsbad’s slower side — all wrapped up in one easygoing afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

We started weaving through Carlsbad Village just after noon, shoes clicking on the sidewalk still warm from the morning sun. Our guide, Lisa, waved us over by the old clock tower and handed out tiny paper maps — not that we’d need them, she joked, “unless you plan to get lost between tacos and cannolis.” The air smelled faintly salty from the ocean but also something sweet I couldn’t place yet. First stop was Ciccotti’s, where we squeezed around a little table for pasta and gnocchi (soft as clouds) and cannolis with powdered sugar dusting my fingers. I tried to say grazie to the chef — he grinned like he’d heard worse.

Next came a meza sampler at a spot tucked behind bright blue shutters. There was this lemony tang on my tongue that made me pause mid-sentence. Lisa told us about how Carlsbad’s food scene is this odd mix — old fishing town roots but now you find everything from French crepes to al pastor tacos within three blocks. At Señor Grubby’s, the taco filling was smoky-sweet and messy; I dripped salsa down my sleeve but honestly didn’t care. Someone in our group asked if all day trips in Carlsbad included this much eating — Lisa just laughed.

The wine tasting part surprised me. I always thought “California wine” meant Napa or Sonoma, but here we sipped local reds while Lisa shared stories about early settlers planting vines near the lagoons. The glasses caught sunlight from the window; it felt almost too relaxed for a tour. And then came dessert: strawberry shortcake from The Strawberry Shack — strawberries so ripe they stained my napkin pink. We finished at Froglander’s with crepes (I went for sweet), watching people stroll past outside, everyone moving slow like they had nowhere else to be. I still think about that afternoon sometimes when I catch the smell of strawberries at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Carlsbad food and wine tasting tour

• Taste pasta or gnocchi and cannolis at Ciccotti’s
• Enjoy Meza Sampler
• Participate in wine tasting
• Try Al Pastor Tacos at Senor Grubby's
• Eat Strawberry Shortcake
• Sample savory or sweet crepes and yogurt at Froglander’s

Top questions

How many food stops are included on the Carlsbad food tour?

The tour includes 6 different food tastings at unique eateries in Carlsbad Village.

Is wine tasting part of this Carlsbad Village tour?

Yes, there is a wine tasting included featuring local California wines.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

You can advise specific dietary requirements at time of booking.

Is this Carlsbad food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What foods will I try on this tour?

You’ll sample pasta or gnocchi with cannoli, meza sampler, al pastor tacos, strawberry shortcake, crepes or yogurt, plus wine tasting.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.

Is lunch included on the Carlsbad food & wine tour?

The tastings together make up a full meal including both savory dishes and dessert.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes walking through Carlsbad Village with a professional local guide who shares stories along the way; all taxes and fees are covered; you’ll enjoy six different food tastings plus a California wine tasting before finishing up right back in the heart of town.