In North San Diego County, Carlsbad Village offers many of the attractions of San Diego, a half hour or so south, and some unique additions. Originally surfer based, much like its neighbors, Oceanside and Laguna Beach, the young-beat but low-keyed Carlsbad Village has become a wonderfully walkable community of locally owned businesses, vintage furniture and custom board stores, bike shops and other welcoming boutiques. The Village has 30-plus restaurants, cafes, wine stores and microbreweries, a variety of weekly and seasonal events and regular entertainment. Accommodations are outstanding, too, such as the Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort, just south of town, and the Beach Terrace Inn, that’s snug up to the beach.