In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
A full North County weekend lineup with live music, St. Patrick’s celebrations, races, networking events, and community happenings from Carlsbad to Oceanside and Encinitas.
Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Carlsbad Village, including the return of the bagpipe-led pub crawl through some of the Village’s favorite spots.
A look at Hotel Solea, the newly redesigned Carlsbad resort near LEGOLAND that just reopened after a major renovation.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 3/12:
🎧 Throwback Thursday at Kilowatt Brewery | Kilowatt Craft Beer & Cocktails, Oceanside | Thu, Mar 12, Evening
Kilowatt’s weekly throwback night brings old-school hits and dance floor energy to Oceanside. Expect a fun mix of nostalgia, craft beer, and a local crowd. A solid casual start to the weekend if you feel like getting out. details🏌️ Semi-Private Golf Lessons | Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, 1275 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas | Thu, Mar, 12 4pm
Improve your swing in a relaxed small-group lesson at Encinitas Ranch. These semi-private sessions offer personalized coaching for beginners and experienced golfers, all set against one of North County’s prettiest courses. Lessons start around $75. details
Friday 3/13:
🎶 BETAMAXX Happy Hour | Belly Up, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach | Fri, Mar 13, 5:30pm
Belly Up’s happy hour slot goes full retro with BETAMAXX bringing big '80s synth energy to Cedros. It’s 21+, tickets start at $12 advance, and $2 from each ticket goes to VetsAid. details🤝 Free Open Bar Networking Mixer | Arens Group Workplace, 1938 Kellogg Ave, Carlsbad | Fri, Mar 13, 5:30–8pm
This Carlsbad mixer brings together founders, investors, operators, and creatives for real networking in a polished indoor-outdoor space. Expect a hosted open bar featuring local spirits and a strong professional crowd. Free, but RSVP early since these tend to fill up. details
Saturday 3/14:
🍀 St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl in Carlsbad Village | Carlsbad Village | Sat, Mar 14, 4:30–8pm
Follow the Riverside City Firefighters Pipes & Drums Band through Carlsbad Village for a festive St. Patrick’s pub crawl with live music, drinks, and plenty of Irish spirit. The band makes stops at Boar’s Cross’n Grill (4:30pm), Coyote Bar & Grill (6pm), and Park 101 (7:30pm). details💚 St. Paddy’s Spring Fling | The Welk, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr, Escondido | Sat, Mar 14, 11am–5pm
A family-friendly St. Patrick’s celebration with live music, yard games, rides, face painting, tie-dye, and more. Food, craft beer, wine, and extra activities will be available for purchase, so it is an easy one for families looking to make a full afternoon of it. details💃 Winter Formal Dance | Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, 1275 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas | Sat, Mar 14, 4–7pm
This “Luck of the Irish” themed formal promises live music, dinner, drinks, Irish dance lessons, casino games, and a dressed-up night out at Encinitas Ranch. A fun pick if you are in the mood for something social. details🎶 Live Music by Dead Broke Down | Twisted Horn Mead & Cider, 1042 La Mirada Ct, Vista | Sat, Mar 14, 6–9pm
Local favorite Dead Broke Down brings hard-driving roots music to Twisted Horn for a casual Saturday night set. Free to attend, easygoing, and a nice excuse to post up with a cider and stay local. details🌿 Shrub Club | 25320 Lake Wohlford Rd, Escondido | Sat, Mar 14, 9am–12pm
Spend the morning outdoors helping restore habitat with the Escondido Creek Conservancy. Volunteers will plant natives, remove invasives, pick up litter, and do light trail work. Great for nature lovers, community service hours, or anyone wanting a good excuse to get outside. details🤱 Birth Besties | Playground, 400 B St, Encinitas | Sat, Mar 14, 10am–12pm
A free monthly meetup for pregnant and postpartum moms looking for a little community, conversation, and fresh air. Expect a relaxed morning to walk, talk, laugh, and connect with others in the same season of life. details
Sunday 3/15:
🧘♀️ Pot of Gold Intro Special at Club Pilates | Club Pilates, 136 Solana Hills Dr, Solana Beach | Sun, Mar 15, 11am
Book a free intro class at Club Pilates Solana Beach this month and, if you join the same day, you’ll get to pick a mystery “Pot of Gold” prize. Think retail credit, guest passes, grip socks, and membership perks. A fun little nudge if you’ve been meaning to try Pilates. details🐶 St. Pawtrick’s Day | Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Escondido | Sun, Mar 15, 11am–2pm
Stone’s annual dog-friendly gathering is back with local pet vendors, rescue groups, and adoptable pups out in the garden. Bring your leashed dog, browse treats and pet goods, and soak up one of North County’s more lovable Sunday hangs. details🎶 4th Annual St. Paddy’s Party with Blindfold Monks | Pour House, 1903 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside | Sun, Mar 15, 7–9pm
Pour House is leaning all the way into St. Patrick’s weekend with Blindfold Monks, one of the county’s go-to Irish bands. These shows tend to fill up, so expect a lively crowd, strong pub energy, and a festive Oceanside finish to the weekend. details🏃 Moonlight Beach Half Marathon + 10K | Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas | Sun, Mar 15, Half Marathon 7:30am, 10K 8am
One of Encinitas’ prettiest race mornings is back with ocean and lagoon views, St. Patrick’s flair, finisher medals, and a costume contest. Expect an early start, a scenic course, and plenty of green along the route. details🏃 Shamrock Stampede | Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton | Sat, Mar 14, Kids Run 8:45am, 10K 9:15am, 5K 9:20am
This St. Patrick’s-themed race morning includes a 10K, 5K, and kids run, plus medals, food trucks, music, and more. Just note it is open to authorized base patrons only, so this one is a fit for military families and eligible participants. 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 3/12
78 🌡️ 55 | ☀️
Friday 3/13
77 🌡️ 57 | ☀️
Saturday 3/14
71 🌡️ 54 | ☀️
Sunday 3/15
67 🌡️ 55 | ☀️
🍀 St. Patrick’s Festivities Return to Carlsbad Village
Carlsbad Village is gearing up for a festive St. Patrick’s weekend with live music, drink specials, and plenty of Irish spirit around town. The highlight is Saturday’s St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, where the Riverside City Firefighters Pipes & Drums Band marches through the Village for an evening of music and pub hopping.
The band stops at Boar’s Cross’n Grill (4:30pm), Coyote Bar & Grill (6pm), and Park 101 (7:30pm). Around the Village, spots like Hennessy’s, Pure Project, Blue Ocean, and Witch Creek will also be hosting themed drinks and celebrations throughout the weekend.
🏨 Carlsbad’s New Hotel Solea Opens Near LEGOLAND
A newly redesigned hotel has officially opened in Carlsbad. The former Sheraton Carlsbad Resort has been transformed into Hotel Solea, a 201-room coastal retreat now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The refreshed property features airy coastal design, poolside lounge areas, and views overlooking LEGOLAND and the surrounding hills.
The hotel also introduces Verise, a new Italian restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and seasonal dishes. With a private LEGOLAND entrance and easy access to the Flower Fields and Carlsbad Village, the newly updated resort is aiming to become a go-to stay for visitors this spring.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop