In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
A packed North County weekend with Pilates parties, Nintendo nights, makers markets, warehouse sales, adoption events, and plenty of reasons to get out from Carlsbad to Encinitas and San Marcos.
Tip Top Meats is officially back, reopening in a smaller space but bringing back the sausages, schnitzel, and other favorites locals have missed.
Baked Bear is handing out free ice cream scoops on Saturday at all locations.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 2/26:
🎉 Pilates Leucadia’s 2nd Anniversary Party | GOODONYA Organic Eatery, 1051 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas | Thu, Feb 26, 5–9pm
Celebrate two years of movement and community with the Pilates Leucadia crew at GOODONYA. Expect mingling with instructors, drinks, light bites, and plenty of good energy. details🥃 Wagyu & Whiskey at Ember & Rye | Ember & Rye, 7447 Batiquitos Dr, Carlsbad | Thu, Feb 26 at 6pm
A special four-course dinner highlighting wagyu, paired with WhistlePig rye whiskey. Seats are limited, so this one’s best for foodies and whiskey fans who love a splurge-worthy night out. details
Friday 2/27:
💃 Share the Love: Free Adult Hip Hop Dance Class | The Dance Academy Del Mar, 12843 El Camino Real #201, San Diego | Fri, Feb 27, 6-7pm
A community wellness night hosted by BODY20 Del Mar featuring local vendors, EMS demos, and a free adult hip hop dance class at 6pm. No experience needed. RSVP required for the dance class, but it is free to attend. details🎮 Nintendo Night at Michi Brewery | Michi Brew Co., 1801 Diamond St #101, San Marcos | Fri, Feb 27, 4–9pm
A laid-back night of Mario Kart and Smash Bros, plus a Kirby Air Ride tournament that kicks off at 6:30pm ($10 entry). General entry is free, and they’re doing a full-on StreetPass party for anyone dusting off a Nintendo 3DS. details
Saturday 2/28:
🍦 Baked Bear Customer Appreciation Day | Baked Bear, all locations | Sat, Feb 28, open–6pm
They’re saying thanks with free scoops of ice cream for in-store customers all day at all locations (yes, that includes Encinitas!). One scoop per customer, and you can upgrade to a cookie sandwich for the price of two cookies. Stop by for a sweet treat this weekend. details🧘♀️ ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Encinitas x Pilates Leucadia | Vuori, 625 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas | Sat, Feb 28, 8–10am
Start your Saturday with a mat Pilates class led by Samantha Holmen of Pilates Leucadia, followed by private discounted shopping and refreshments in-store. Bring your own mat. Class runs 8–9am, shopping from 9–10am. RSVP required but the class is free. details🎨 Makers Market by Pop Up Gallery | Tremont Collective, 602 S Tremont St Suite 100, Oceanside | Sat, Feb 28, 11am–3pm
A curated market spotlighting local artists, designers, and makers inside the bright Tremont Collective space. Expect handmade goods, art, and unique finds in a relaxed, creative setting. Free and open to the community. details🐾 Adoption Event at Pet Nutrition Center | Pet Nutrition Center, 6949 El Camino Real Ste 104, Carlsbad | Sat, Feb 28, 11am–2pm
Swing by to meet adoptable rescue pets and chat with the team about fostering or adopting. It’s casual, family-friendly, and a sweet midday plan if your household has been hinting that it’s time for a new best friend. details🍺 Sip & See | Green Cheek Beer Co., 601 S Coast Highway, Oceanside | Sat, Feb 28, 12–4pm
A “Cheeky” open house showcasing Green Cheek’s updated event space, complete with food, drinks, live music, desserts, florals, rentals, and more from local vendors. Perfect if you’re planning a wedding, shower, or celebration. Free to attend but be sure to reserve a spot. details🧿 Wind Chime Hand-Building Class | Handled Pottery Studio | Sat, Feb 28, 11:30am (2 hours)
A hands-on clay workshop where you’ll build and decorate your own wind chime using pinch and coil techniques, plus texture and colored slips. A great pick for anyone craving a creative reset ($75 per person). details🎤 TEDxVistaYouth 2026 Conference | Mission Vista High School Theatre, 1306 Melrose Dr, Oceanside | Sat, Feb 28, 2–5pm
Vista Unified students and staff take the stage for the newly expanded TEDxVistaYouth conference. Doors open at 1:45pm. Free admission. details
Sunday 3/1:
🧵 SPY+ Warehouse Sale | Pizza Port Bressi Ranch, 2730 Gateway Rd, Carlsbad | Fri, Feb 27 to Sun, Mar 1 at 12pm–5pm
Deep discounts on SPY+ sunglasses, helmets, and goggles with deals starting as low as 75% off, plus bundle specials. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Street | 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 2/26
68 🌡️ 54 | ☀️
Friday 2/27
73 🌡️ 57 | ☀️
Saturday 2/28
70 🌡️ 54 | ☀️
Sunday 3/1
66 🌡️ 54 | ☀️
🍦 Baked Bear Offers Free Ice Cream This Saturday
Baked Bear is saying thank you to North County with a sweet little Saturday surprise. On February 28, all locations are offering one free scoop of ice cream per in-store customer from opening until 6pm. Yup, that includes the Encinitas location!
If you want to level it up, you can turn that free scoop into one of their signature ice cream sandwiches by paying the price of two cookies. Known for customizable cookie and brownie bases, craft ice cream flavors, and their popular hot-pressed sandwiches, Baked Bear tends to draw a crowd on a normal weekend. Expect this one to be busy, especially in the afternoon.
🥨 Tip Top Meats Reopens in Carlsbad, Smaller but Still Familiar
Tip Top Meats is officially back with a soft opening in Carlsbad after a 16-month closure that had many locals bracing for the worst. The longtime European butcher shop and restaurant has reopened at 6118 Paseo Del Norte, now operating out of the former Top Choice Fish Market space next door to its original home. The new footprint is about 20% of the size of the historic market that closed in October 2024, so the comeback looks a little different this time around.
Instead of sprawling grocery aisles and a full dining room, the revived Tip Top is focused on its core favorites. Customers will find housemade sausages, schnitzel, bratwurst, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, and the beloved Big John Burger, along with German potato salad, sauerkraut, and classic European-style desserts. Seating is limited and the selection is tighter, but for many in North County, the return of bratwurst on the grill is more than enough reason to stop by.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop