Carlsbad Premium Outlets

While the Carlsbad Premium Outlets don’t feature a traditional food court, there are still plenty of dining options available. Whether you want a quick snack you can take on the go or a sit-down meal, you’ll find it here, including restaurants that feature cuisines from all over the world.

Some of these restaurants have seating inside, while others are quick serve locations with no designated seating. However, you’ll find plenty of benches outside throughout the mall where you can sit and enjoy your snack or meal.

There are also many popular restaurant options that are less than five minutes away from the mall by car. Here are a few spots I recommend, both at and near the mall.

King’s Fish House

Located across the road from the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, King’s Fish House is my go-to place for seafood in this area. Everything’s fresh because the menu is built on seasonal catches, and the fun vibe is right up my alley.

I love their sushi but they also have crab and oysters which are also great choices. The restaurant is family-friendly and has meals for the kids as well like macaroni, grilled cheese and chicken tenders.

Rubys Diner at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Ruby’s Diner

When I’m craving classic diner food like burgers and shakes, nothing hits the spot like Ruby’s Diner, which is part of the mall.

Ruby’s Diner is a big hit with kids. I recommend it to families looking to refuel in between stores. Open 8:00am to 8:00pm daily, Ruby’s has indoor and outdoor seating with handmade shakes that are delicious. My favorites are the Salted Caramel shake or Strawberry shake which are both excellent choices!

Miguel's Cocina

About half a mile from the mall, Miguel’s Cocina isn’t a far drive, and in my opinion it’s worth the trip. It serves Mexican food with a Californian twist.

From staples like fajitas and tacos to seafood and more with a little Baja flare, this is my favorite place for Mexican food near the Carlsbad Premium Outlets.

While this mall does have a focus on luxury outlets, it’s still very family-friendly. I can say that my kids don’t feel left out while shopping.

Stores like OshKosh, Gap, Carter’s, and Claire’s all offer clothing and accessories for kids. There are also plenty of stores that are great for teens, like Pacsun and Zumiez.

Kids Animal Electric Scooters for Rent at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Family Services

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets feature multiple family amenities.

There are family restrooms, a nursing mothers lounge, and a baby changing station to make things more comfortable for those traveling with young children. The mall also has drinking fountains.

Kid Friendly at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Family Fun in Carlsbad

While the mall itself has stores for kids and is overall quite family-friendly, the neighborhood also offers a lot to do for both kids and adults.

It’s located near other kid-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND California, making it a convenient place to stop on a family outing. Don’t forget to pick up a Go City San Diego pass with our discount code GVSD5OFF to save when you visit many nearby attractions!

If you happen to visit in the springtime, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch explode with color during that time of the year and are very close as well.

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets are relatively easy to get to, no matter where you are coming from. For your GPS or Google Maps, the mall’s address is 5620 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

They are located directly off of Interstate 5, roughly a 45 minute drive from Downtown San Diego. The outlets are also roughly 30 minutes from La Jolla, 10 minutes from Oceanside, and 30 minutes from Escondido.

Relax and Have a Coffee at Starbucks at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Finding Parking

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets have a very large parking lot onsite, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot. There is no covered parking available - all parking is outdoors. There is valet parking available for an additional fee.

Additionally, the outlet mall offers electric vehicle charging stations.

Coaster Train Pulling into Downtown San Diego

Public Transit Options to the Carlsbad Outlets

If you are not traveling with a car, one of the easiest ways to get to the outlets is by using one of the rideshare services available in San Diego. Uber and Lyft are both very accessible in the San Diego area. A ride from Downtown San Diego to Carlsbad can cost anywhere from $35 to $60, but prices can vary dramatically depending on demand when you visit.

The mall has a designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zone, which is located behind the Gap. This makes things safer and more convenient for the passenger getting dropped off, but also makes it easier to call a rideshare vehicle when it’s time to head home.

You can also access the Carlsbad Premium Outlets via public transportation, although this can be more time consuming. From Downtown San Diego, you can take the Coaster commuter train to the Carlsbad Poinsettia station. From there, it is a 30 minute walk or roughly 10 minute cab Uber ride to the mall, so I’d suggest combining this with a rideshare pickup to and from the train station to minimize travel time.

The North County Transit District also runs buses in the area, although there aren’t currently any routes that stop directly at the mall. The closest stop to the mall is roughly one hour away.

If you’re planning on making a visit to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, here’s what you should know before you go.

Nike Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Big Sales

While these outlet stores offer discounts throughout the year, they do have designated sale periods where you can save even more!

Visiting during times like Black Friday, Memorial Day, or back-to-school season can get you the best possible discounts. However, the mall will be more crowded during these times, so it’s smart to arrive early.

Levis Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets

An Outdoor Experience

Be advised that while the weather in San Diego is usually sunny and warm, the walkways between the stores are primarily outdoors and open to the elements.

I suggest checking the forecast in advance and wearing sunscreen and sturdy walking shoes.

ADA Compliance

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets is ADA compliant and offers complimentary wheelchairs for visitors. Since the mall is entirely on one level, it is very easy for anyone to navigate. Wheelchairs are available for pickup at the Information Center.