Square at Bressi Ranch, Carlsbad

The Square at Bressi Ranch is a modern shopping plaza in a hilly part of Carlsbad near San Marcos. Here you can shop at Sprouts, a colorful grocery store that has many healthy options. The cafes are nicely perched up high with a view. Casero Taqueria is my favorite- it feels pleasant to sit out on their balcony under the pine trees. Mendocino Farms, a counter-service spot with good sandwiches, has the same great location, with lots of shady outdoor seating. There are lots of other choices: Giaola Italian Kitchen, Panini Kabob Grill, Ebullition Brew Works, Richard Walker's Pancake House, and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.

The Square at Bressi Ranch looks lovely at night with its strung lights everywhere. There is also an outdoor firepit near Mendocino Farms. 
Across Gateway Rd, and further down the hill, are more options at Bressi Ranch Village Center: Nekter Juice, Peet's Coffee, Tommy V's Urban Kitchen, Fish District, Luna Grill (good counter-service Mediterranean cafe), Tandoori Guys, Pieology Pizzeria, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, and Board & Brew, a local sandwich chain. Trader Joe's is a lovely grocery store in that plaza.
Nearby, on Palomar Airport Rd, try Eureka!, another fantastic local chain (waiter-service), with delicious sweet potato fries, good atmosphere, and lots of outdoor seating. La Cucina Osteria has a cute, colorful interior, in a strip mall with other counter-service cafes. Del Lusso Pizza has outdoor seating with red sun umbrellas.
After eating, go for a beautiful walk under the red cliffs at Terramar Beach!
Another fun place to visit is Carlsbad Premium Outlets Mall, which has lots for kids and teens to do.

Directions

The Square at Bressi Ranch is located at 2656 Gateway Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009. There is plenty of free parking in the large parking lots.

Click on map for interactive view