In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
Fall events including a sunset mixer, Girl Scouts info night, and a comedy play.
Free fitness classes, live beach music, and a haunted corn maze this weekend.
Daily farmers markets plus Carlsbad’s weekend weather and wave forecast.
Chick & Hawk in Encinitas will have an official grand opening date soon.
The Shoppes at Carlsbad was acquired for $71.5 million with planned upgrades.
Carlsbad ranks among the top U.S. cities for quality of life in 2025.
Local pumpkin patches open for fall family fun across North County.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 10/2 - Sunday 10/5 Events:
🍂 Fall into Fun | Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach | Thurs 10/2, 5pm–7pm. Free sunset vendor mixer at Hilton offering seasonal cocktails, light bites, and community connection with coastal views. Free parking, all ages. details
👧 Join Girl Scouts Info Night | Jefferson Elementary MPR | Thurs, 10/2, 6:30–7:30pm. Free event for girls and adults from Jefferson, Magnolia, and Kelly schools to learn about Girl Scouts’ leadership pillars in STEM, entrepreneurship, life skills, and outdoors. details
🎭 The Play That Goes Wrong | MiraCosta College Theatre, Oceanside | Thurs 10/2 7:30pm, Fri 10/3 7:30pm, Sat 10/4 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 10/5 2pm. Award-winning slapstick comedy takes the stage with multiple showtimes all weekend just minutes from Carlsbad. Tickets $22. details
🥋 Free Ladies Jiu Jitsu Class | Gracie Barra Encinitas | Fridays, 5pm | 613 Westlake St #222. Join this welcoming self-defense class designed for women ages 13+, focusing on self-defense techniques and real-life application. Yoga pants and water bottle recommended. details
🦴 Free Spine Check Day | Twin Waves Wellness Center, Solana Beach | Fri 10/3, 3–6pm. Complimentary 25-minute nervous system check-ups using gentle, neuroscience-backed Network Spinal techniques. Open to all ages. Reserve your spot early. details
🎸 Off The Record Live at The Camp Store | Fri 10/3, 4:15pm–6:15pm, South Carlsbad State Beach. Enjoy classic rock covers and sunset energy at this beloved beachfront local music night. details
🎃 Haunted Corn Maze | Carlsbad Strawberry Company | Fri & Sat 10/3–10/4, 7pm–10pm. Navigate a spooky, winding 1.5-mile corn maze with your crew, then enjoy pumpkins, games, and fall treats on site. Tickets $25. details
💪 Vuori La Jolla x Platform Lagree Free Reformer Workout | Vuori La Jolla Rooftop | Sat 10/4, 9am–11am. Two free 30-minute micro-reformer workouts, 20% off shopping, and refreshments after class. RSVP required, waitlist available. details
😆 Comedy Night | Playgrounded Speakeasy Comedy Club | Sat 10/4, 7pm–8:30pm, 6884 Embarcadero Ln. Standup by comics from Netflix and Comedy Central in a secret club—look for purple lights and friendly hosts. See event link for secret arrival details. Tickets $18. details
⚡ Super Hero Obstacle Race | Alga Norte Community Park | Sun 10/5, 8am–10am. Kids and adults run, climb, and leap through superhero-themed obstacles in costume! Preregister, $33 per runner. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Steet | details
Thursday: Oceanside: 9am-1pm | Pier View Way | details
Friday: San Marcos: 4pm-8pm | N City Drive | details
Saturday:
Sunday:
🌤️🌊 Carlsbad Weather and Wave Forecast
Weather 🌤️
Thursday 10/2
73 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ | 7% | 💨 SW 8 mph
Friday 10/3
71 🌡️ 62 | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 SW 8 mph
Saturday 10/4
71 🌡️ 62 | 🌤️ | 5% | 💨 SW 6 mph
Sunday 10/5
69 🌡️ 62 | 🌤️ | 9% | 💨 SW 8 mph
🐤🦅 Chick & Hawk: Tony Hawk’s Skate-Inspired Fried Chicken Hits Encinitas
Chick & Hawk, the much-anticipated collaboration between skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and Michelin-recognized chef Andrew Bachelier, is soft opening in Encinitas. After nearly four years of planning and overcoming delays, the restaurant is ready to welcome guests in its vibrant 70-seat indoor-outdoor space inspired by ’90s skate culture and designed by co-owner Larah Bachelier. The space features bright colors, concrete skate park elements, a mural by skateboarder Mark Gonzales, and a skate pool patio, blending fun and nostalgia with fine dining.
The menu showcases Andrew’s signature “Birdman” fried chicken sandwich—a crispy, tallow-fried chicken thigh topped with slaw, fusion kimchi, comeback sauce, and spicy pickles, offered in three levels of heat. Other options include a vegetarian mushroom sandwich, blackened fish, along with a carefully curated drinks list featuring inventive cocktails and a house beer. Andrew’s fine-dining background helps deliver elevated comfort food with a unique local flair.
While soft opening hours are already underway, the official grand opening is likely slated for early October. Chick & Hawk aims to be a standout spot in Encinitas for community, culture, and crave-worthy food, ready to carve out its place in San Diego’s culinary scene. For updates, visit chickandhawk.com.
🏬 The Shoppes at Carlsbad Acquired for $71.5 Million by Steerpoint Capital and SteelWave
Steerpoint Capital and SteelWave have acquired The Shoppes at Carlsbad, a 1.1 million-square-foot regional shopping center, in a $71.5 million deal. Located near Interstate 5 and SR-78, the center is a key retail destination in Carlsbad with popular tenants including Dave & Buster's, Sephora, Zara, and Regal Cinemas, along with dining favorites Yard House and The Cheesecake Factory. The partners plan $4 million in improvements including upgraded entrances, enhanced seating, new digital signage, and restroom renovations. This acquisition reflects confidence in the property’s strong fundamentals and its importance to the Carlsbad community.
Some locals express cautious concern about changes that new ownership might bring, particularly regarding potential redevelopment or residential conversions which could alter the mall’s retail focus and impact community character. While the acquisition emphasizes maintaining the current mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, there is interest in how future plans may balance growth with preserving the center’s role as a vibrant local hub. Transparency and community engagement will be key as the new owners slowly publicize their plans. Stay tuned for updates once we know more!
🏖️ Carlsbad Ranks Among Top U.S. Cities for Quality of Life
Carlsbad has recently been recognized as one of the U.S. cities with the highest quality of life, according to the 2025 U.S. Social Progress Map. The study evaluated 500 major cities and 32,000 neighborhoods, measuring 50 indicators like housing, healthcare, education, safety, environmental quality, and personal freedoms.
Carlsbad earned a strong overall score of 65.4, highlighted by high marks in basic human needs (69.0), foundations of wellbeing such as education and environment (65.2), and opportunity factors like inclusiveness and personal rights (61.9).
The ranking places Carlsbad alongside top-quality-of-life cities nationwide, with San Ramon and Pleasanton in the Bay Area leading the list, and Centennial, Colorado, close behind. The recognition underscores Carlsbad’s balance of coastal lifestyle, community safety, and access to education and healthcare.
Explore the full study and interactive Social Progress Map for more details.
🎃 Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches Around North County
If last week’s newsletter missed your radar, don’t worry! North County offers plenty of fantastic pumpkin patches to jumpstart your fall celebrations. Check out these top spots to enjoy seasonal fun with family and friends:
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad
Open daily 9am–6pm, with extended hours until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays in October.
For $15 (free under age 4), you get access to a vibrant pumpkin patch, marigold fields, and extras like tractor rides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. Plus, the Haunted Corn Maze opens Oct 3 for thrill seekers.
Pumpkin Patch & Polar Palooza
1200 Laurel Tree Ln, Carlsbad
Hours vary: 2-8pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-9pm Fri-Sun
Just $3 for entry, with optional fun zone tickets. Expect giant slides, a petting zoo, wagon hay rides, snacks, and weekend movie nights in the patch.
Mellano Farm Stand Fall Festival
5714 North River Rd, Oceanside
Saturdays & Sundays 10am–4pm through October
Tractor rides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, live music and kids activities make it a festive weekend stop. Parking is $5.
Del Mar Pumpkin Station
15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
Sept 26–Oct 26, open daily 10am–7pm Sun-Thurs, and 9am–9pm Fri-Sat
Free admission with free parking, plus rides like a miniature train, giant slides, carousel, Ferris wheel, and other carnival classics.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop