After a nice date with my wife and shopping for some gifts, we finally decided to stop by Carruth…read moreCellars. We went with the wine tasting flight and it was a great way to explore their lineup. I usually go for the Zinfandel, but this time the Sauvignon Blanc ended up being my favorite--bright, crisp, and super refreshing. The Rosé, "Unicorn," Zinfandel, and Cabernet all brought their own solid character too, from light and fruity to rich and structured. Perfect spot in Cedros Design District to grab a glass, relax on the front patio, and people watch after walking the shops. Super chill coastal vibe, friendly service.

Carruth Cellars is a tucked‑away barn‑style winery with a walk‑up counter and a casual "sit…read morewherever you want" setup. The vibe is relaxed, but overall the experience felt pretty average. Prices are on the steeper side, and the wine itself was just okay. No one really checks in on you, so the service leans very hands‑off. Water is self‑serve, and they have a few small snacks you can grab and pay for, but nothing that stands out. A simple, no‑frills stop -- nothing special, but fine if you're already in the area and want a quick glass.

We had a great family outing at Fox Point Farms! It's a…read morewonderful place to bring kids. The farm is cute and well maintained, and the tractor barrel ride was enjoyed by kids. Admission to tractor ride included picking a vegetable and animal feeding/petting. The market is adorable, and we really appreciated that many of the ingredients used in the prepared food sold are organic and locally sourced. We ordered the pizza and salad, and both were fresh and delicious; our kids enjoyed them too. Parking onsite is limited, but we had no trouble finding nearby street parking and walking over. There were also plenty of clean bathrooms, which is always a plus when visiting with young children. Overall, a fun, relaxing experience for families. Great place to take guests.

Yes! There was one vegan sweet treat in the case. A Summer Fields Cookie - Coconut and Sweet…read moreCorn. It was so flavorful. Lime zest was sprinkled over the cookie in addition to some coconut flakes and a glaze over part of the cookie. Definitely a re-buy. Tried a new-to-me Kombucha as well. There are so many items in the market, but it doesn't feel crowded. I was able to get the last bag of Steep & Sourdough English Muffin Sourdough Bagels. I just noticed that there is a little sticker on the bag - Best in Show from the 2026 San Diego County Fair. Now I'm extra-glad I picked them up! I wish the pizzas offered a vegan cheese. The tacos had one vegan taco, but as an fyi, their beans are vegan. There is a great open space for picnicking, playing, or watching soccer! Fun little playground with a great tree to play on.

The Secret Garden is a great option for couples seeking a more affordable wedding venue…read more We ultimately decided against this venue because our guest count felt a bit too large for the space. While it would have comfortably accommodated a smaller wedding, a party of 150 seemed likely to feel cramped. My communication with Kendra through The Knot was efficient and responsive, and Christian did an excellent job touring us through the venue and preparing our final quote. =PROS= *Ceremony site centered around a charming gazebo, complemented by natural elements such as a towering tree, flower pots, and a picturesque hanging swing *Included feature wall perfect for signage, backdrops, or neon displays *Reception space featured high ceilings and an elegant, neutral aesthetic *Packages included tables, linens, and glassware, with upgrade options available for different styles and colors *Large inventory of complimentary decor, including signage, draping, and string lights *DJ and coordination services included *Complimentary engagement photo session and discounted wedding photography *Affordable in house catering with flexibility for outside vendors *BYO bar option available *Free photobooth included *Discount offered for cash or check payments =CONS= *Parking area was somewhat hilly and may be challenging for elderly guests *Bridal and groom suites were small and noticeably dated, with furniture showing significant wear *Bathrooms, particularly the men's, felt informal and somewhat resembled those found in elementary schools *Some of the greenery appeared wilted and lacked the lushness shown in promotional materials This would have been an excellent choice for a wedding closer to 100 guests, but it felt like a squeeze for our anticipated attendance. Ironically, the venue's strongest selling points were not the garden itself, but rather the extensive planning support and complimentary services included in the package. The greenery was pleasant but not especially striking, so couples may want to allocate additional budget toward florals and decor to elevate the space.

We got married at The Secret Garden Las Vegas snd I truly cannot put into words how magical the…read moreexperience was--but I'm going to try. From the moment we started planning, Shannon (our wedding planner) was nothing short of exceptional. I had such a terrible experience at another venue and when we made the decision to change venues to Secret Garden, she metaphorically took my hand and turned planning into the BEST and MOST magical experience. She made what is usually (and had been) a stressful process feel effortless, organized, and honestly... SO much fun! She's upbeat, enthusiastic and clearly LOVES what she does, which makes everything feel exciting. She anticipated needs before we even knew we had them, handled every detail with precision, and made us feel completely taken care of the entire time. Not only that, she made us feel special, seen, heard and adored. Her magical energy made the whole process feel like we were planning our wedding with people who cared for us like family! And, every visit to secret garden -before, during our ceremony, and after to pick up decorations - she greeted us like we were family! We felt so welcome and so special. On the day of, Cheryl (our wedding coordinator) brought everything to life seamlessly. She was calm, kind, incredibly on top of everything, and made sure every moment flowed beautifully. She even put bandaids on my bleeding feet and helped sew my ripped dress. I never once felt stressed or pulled in a million directions--she held the entire day with such grace and professionalism, which allowed us to actually be present and soak in every second. And, the whole time it felt like she was going above and beyond to make sure we loved our day. And the vendors... WOW. Every single one exceeded expectations! The DJ Harry O was AMAZING! He even captured photos for us and sent them to us after the wedding. He was such a delight. The efficient made sure paper work was taken care of effortlessly. But, my favorite detail of all were the decorations and the flowers! Vanessa and her family who have been doing flowers for generations are AMAZING! They were beyond stunning--elevated, romantic, and even more beautiful than I could have imagined. The arrangements felt like they were pulled straight out of a dream and completely transformed the space. She went so far above and beyond to make my vision come to life. Truly unforgettable. This is a family owned business and it feels that way from start to finish! What stood out most is how above and beyond everyone went. This wasn't just a "service"--it felt like a team of magical people who genuinely cared about making our wedding perfect. Every detail, every interaction, every moment felt thoughtful and intentional. If you're considering getting married here--do it. This team delivers not just a wedding, but an experience that feels magical, seamless, and deeply personal. We'll be reliving this day forever

Such a gorgeous hiking park right in the midst of our North County Coastal city! There's so much to…read moresee and do here, from picnics to the many hiking trails to hosting outdoor events, including weddings (They have a wedding gazebo!). We came here seeking the suspension bridges and the butterfly garden. The park did not disappoint. Within a couple hours of hiking, we got to see both bridges, a beautiful outlook tower of Encinitas and beyond, as well as the sweet little butterfly garden next to 2 duck ponds. Although we chose to park on the neighborhood streets outside the park, there's plenty of parking inside the park ($5 day fee). There are a couple points of entrances. The lower entrance is nearest the recreational area that has a full basketball, volleyball, and pickleball court. All in all, I would highly recommend this place for a family outing, a hiking adventure, or simply a few hours of relaxing escape away from urban life.

I've been coming here for 20 plus years, because it's walking distance from my in-laws house. We…read morehave many happy memories of walking here with the daughters when they were little, playing with them at the playground up top, swinging on the swings down low, playing frisbee on the grass. Today we walked a whole loop (my daughter, her college friend, and I to get some exercise before going out to brunch. We admired the view from the Osuna Overlook, walked past workers weeding and trimming the new garden area between the upper and lower parks up top with river rock bordered paths. Looks super nice! My daughter commented that they ought to let local youth paint the rocks--that'd be a cool community event! We proceeded down the paved street that passes by the Scout House, crossed over by the pollinator garden where a kind person pointed out the bat house they placed there (I learned bats are good pollinators and that they need to be protected from raccoons!) Onward to the butterfly garden where I saw a monarch butterfly! We continued to the duck pond at the lowest part of the park where there are picnic areas to be reserved for birthday parties and picnics. We saw a pair of mallard ducks and a solo heron. Spring has sprung! Everything is blooming and the wild creatures are atwitter. Truly a marvelous community park. They even host an annual half marathon here. My brother-in-law and I ran it together in 2012 and it was challenging! Perhaps the biggest challenge being the walk uphill after the race to get to the beer garden lol. I think we ended up not going there and just walking home. Anyway, if you're in the area, check it out! There are several different hiking trails and lots of flora and fauna to admire.

Jenny and Tara had amazing attitudes and provided great service. The food was very good and the…read morebartenders made the drinks just right. I would recommend this venue for any event. The banquet staff did a great job.

I attended my friend's daughter's wedding that was held at this beautiful golf club. The wedding…read moreceremony took place on the lawn of golf course, cocktail hour was in a partially enclosed outdoor patio, and dinner was held indoors. While the venue itself was gorgeous, I felt the space was rather cramped, especially the reception area. There were 2 bar stations but when people lined up to get drinks, there was no space to move around them, you're just stuck in one place. With 150 guests, there was seating for about 20, and limited tall tables for placing drinks and hors d'oeuvres on top for another 20. The other guests and I agreed the reception should have been held on the lawn where it was more spacious. We did catch a gorgeous view of the sunset. The outdoor deck was also a beautiful setting for photos! Inside the club house where the dinner reception was held, it was more spacious. The layout was nice and it provided a long runway for the bridal party to make their grand entrance. There was a good sized dance floor, so we all enjoyed the evening. The event coordinator did a wonderful job and I appreciated the attention to detail. Kudos to the chef and waitstaff for preparing and delivering our plated meals of steak or Chilean sea bass, it was delicious!

Cute coffee shop with a clothing store attached. I loved the floral decor. It gave the space a…read morereally charming vibe. The staff were friendly, and the order was ready fairly quickly. The coffee was pretty good. It's a bummer that this location is closing, as it's a unique and enjoyable spot.

This place is so aesthetic, and we had such a fun time at afternoon tea! It was $42 per person, and…read morewell worth it for the experience. We each got to order a pot of tea, so we decided to order 5 different ones to try out more flavors together. The ones we picked were: -Jasmine orange oolong - Coconut milk green tea - Earl grey lavender - Vanilla cream -Strawberry rose champagne oolong tea My top two favorites were the jasmine orange oolong and the coconut milk green tea. The only flavor that none of us enjoyed was the strawberry rose champagne oolong tea, so when it came time for refills, we switched it to the rouge provence. For the food, there were four finger sandwiches: chicken breast, smoked salmon, cucumbers, and chopped spinach. We all liked the chicken breast one the most, and felt like the cucumbers and chopped spinach could have been combined into one sandwich for a more balanced flavor. For sweets, there was the seasonal scone, fruit tart, macaron, and donut. I loved the scone with the butter and fruit preserves, as well as the fruit tart. The service was polite, but a bit slow and we waited a while before our food arrived. There was only one person who was serving the entire afternoon tea area, so it's understandable that there's a longer wait. All in all, I would definitely come back for another afternoon tea experience!

Don't blink or you'll miss it! This charming venue by the sea has gorgeous views of the Pacific and…read moreplenty of parking for guests. But, it might be a bit tricky to find so approach slowly and turn right into the driveway right before the train tracks. Once there enjoy the beautiful landscaping and historic facilities with your friends and loved ones. Highly recommended!

Went to Jake's twice in one week -- once to celebrate our daughter earning straight A's in college,…read moreand again for a business meeting. Both visits were wonderful experiences! Jake's is such a beautiful place to enjoy a meal. While the serving sizes aren't huge, the food is absolutely delicious and thoughtfully prepared. I discovered my new favorite lunch item: the steak wedge. I'm not a fan of blue cheese, so I ordered it with a side of ranch and vinaigrette instead, and wow -- it was amazing! I also ordered a virgin piña colada, even though it wasn't on the menu, and it was fantastic. The staff was accommodating, the atmosphere was great, and everything about our visits made us want to come back again. We'll definitely be back. Cheers!

Disappointing 30th Anniversary Experience…read more My wife and I came to Jake's on July 18th to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We made a reservation and arrived 30 minutes early hoping to grab a drink and relax at the bar. Unfortunately, the night got off to a rough start. The valet lot was completely jammed and backing up into the street, forcing us to search six blocks before having to pay $60 for a private lot across the street. The host staff at the door were fantastic--friendly and professional--and gave us a lovely anniversary card. But from there, the service fell apart. At the bar, after asking the bartender for a recommendation, he turned away mid-conversation and ended up serving three groups who walked up after us. Once seated at our table (no ocean view, which was a bit of a bummer for a special occasion), we waited another 15 minutes before our server ever greeted us or asked if we wanted starters. When the food arrived, the steak was cooked well and the flavor was good, but the sides--the mashed potatoes, green beans, and shrimp--were lukewarm at best. The biggest issue throughout the night was basic attentiveness. Empty water and drink glasses sat on our table while we had to flag down other staff members for refills. By the time our server came back to offer another drink menu, we were already done eating. After waiting 20 minutes post-dinner just to get the check, we skipped dessert altogether and just wanted to head home. We've had far better, more attentive service at a local Denny's. For a high-end restaurant on a milestone occasion, the overall experience was pretty "meh." We won't be returning.