/ Carmen Varner // Food, Luxury, Lifestyle, and Travel Writer

Best Donuts in Oceanside, California

Donuts are delicious delights of fried dough. Whether you like them creme-filled or glazed, there are a few places to find donuts in Oceanside. While looking up reviews and photos, you can choose the best donut shop. Do you prefer cakey donuts like an old-fashioned donut, or want something doughy and light? Are you looking for vegan options? There are good donuts, but only you can determine the best donuts since each person has different qualities they look for (whether that's price, atmosphere, flavors, etc).

Selection of donuts at Parlor Doughnuts in Downtown Oceanside, California.

Best Donut Shop in Oceanside - Where to Find Donuts in Oceanside

Parlor Doughnuts - 331 N Cleveland St Oceanside, CA 92054

This spot has croissant-like donuts, which are different from your average kind. They come with frosting based on the flavor. The flavor comes from the frosting and toppings, but the donut remains the same. No indoor seating, but they do have outdoor seating. They usually have a gluten-free option, too.

Doughside Donuts - 417 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside (coming soon, according to their Instagram)

Photos are available via their Instagram.

Tans Donuts - 3375 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058

Start your morning with coffee, flavored creamers, and various doughnuts. They open at 4 a.m., so if you're an early riser, you can grab a bite to eat. Bring cash, as it's cash only.

Best Donuts in Oceanside California Carmen Varner Hills Street Donut House

Hill Street Donut House in Oceanside, CA.

Hill Street Donut House - 1926 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054

This is an ideal grab-and-go choice when you're cruising down Coast Highway. You can park and quickly go in to get your doughnuts and a cup of coffee. These are classic donuts when you don't need fancy, photo-worthy options.

Mission Donut House - 1502 Mission Ave Oceanside, CA 92054

This shop on Mission Avenue offers sprinkle donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and more. It has a big case with a wide selection of doughnuts. For a refreshment, they also make smoothies.

K-Donuts - 4750 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside, CA 92056

K-Donuts has a wide selection of donuts and filling options, such as the sausage and cheese croissant or the strawberry and cream cheese croissant. The filled croissants are a popular choice if you want something other than a doughnut.

Best Donuts in Oceanside California Carmen Varner Sk's Donuts

Sk's Donuts on South Coast Highway.

Sk's Donuts Oceanside - 1129 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054

Sk's Donuts Oceanside offers breakfast coffee, sandwiches, and donuts, such as cinnamon crumble, blueberry cake, and apple fritters. There are also plenty of tables for inside seating. The service is friendly and you'll find locals stopping by to grab a few donuts to go.

Oceanside Donut - 3772 Mission Ave Ste 119 Oceanside, CA 92054

Oceanside Donut is a small store near Stater Bros; some might even call it a hole-in-the-wall. It offers a wide selection of fresh donuts. Reviewers mention that the correct address is 3772 Mission Ave, Suite C., even though it says Suite 119 on online searches.

Mr. Donuts - 1950 Oceanside Blvd # C, Oceanside, CA 92054

At this Oceanside donut shop, you can get breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Credit cards must be used for a minimum of $10, so remember that, or bring cash.

Sam's Donuts - 3504 College Blvd # A, Oceanside, CA 92056

Sam's Donuts is a tiny shop in Oceanside that serves doughnuts and breakfast sandwiches. It's located in a strip mall near Grocery Outlet, so there's lots of parking.

Coffee and Desserts in Oceanside

There are many doughnut shops in Oceanside. Oceanside is part of the North County San Diego area, about 40 miles away from Downtown San Diego. Most of these doughnut shops serve coffee, and some offer espresso drinks. The price will vary by business.

As with most donut shops, there are fewer options if you arrive in the afternoon. Early morning hours are best for visiting for the freshest doughnuts and desserts. Plus, you'll have the most flavors to choose from. Find the best doughnuts the earlier you go.

Related reading: Oceanside Beaches: Best Beaches in Oceanside, CA. Read here.

Best donuts in Oceanside Parlor Doughnuts exterior outside

Exterior view of Parlor Doughnuts in Oceanside.

Parlor Doughnuts (not spelled Parlor Donuts) has options such as French Toast, Honey Glazed, Maple Bacon, Carnival, Maple Pecan, Sandy Beach, Cookies N' Cream, Chocolate Chocolate, Campfire, Bourbon Caramel, Peanut Butter Cup, Turtle, Churro, Turtle Cheesecake, Caramel Bliss*, Coconut Cream Filled, Raspberry Jelly Filled, Dreamsicle, Vanilla Keto, Blueberry Hill, Lemonade*, Maple Keto, Minis, and a Box of Minis. They are close to the Oceanside Pier and other restaurants. They also have outdoor seating and some merchandise. Learn more about the Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, and Parking here.

Treat yourself to some fresh donuts. They're the perfect gift to bring back to the family. Oceanside is close to Vista and Carlsbad if you want to explore nearby areas. For a shopping mall, visit The Shoppes at Carlsbad. You should walk around Oceanside Harbor and grab something to eat there. Find out about the Oceanside Harbor Restaurants here. These are the best donuts in Oceanside, whether you like chocolate bars, sprinkle donuts, or something else.

New Mom Care Package: Breastfeeding Moms, Emergency C-Section, and More

Whether you're a first-time new mom or a new mom again, being a new parent is an unparalleled experience. There's the sleep deprivation, the worry, the constant cycle of feeding, burping, changing diapers, figuring out why they're crying. For new moms, friends, family, and coworkers of new parents might want to consider making a new mom care package to provide some items to make the process even a little bit easier.

* Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It is no extra cost to you but helps maintain website fees and maintenance. Learn more on my disclaimer page.

What should be included in a new mom gift basket or new mom care package?

Every person and baby is different, so just keep their style or preferences in mind. These new mom care package ideas can be for breastfeeding moms, formula moms, emergency c-section moms, and much more.

New Mom Care Package: Breastfeeding Moms, Emergency C-Section, and More

Some ideas to include in the perfect gift box could be

nipple balm, nipple cream, or nipple butter for sore nipples
belly band or abdominal binder for c-section mamas
food delivery, meals, takeout, or food gift cards
lidocaine perineal spray for pain relief
2-piece pajama set, ideally a dark color like black or navy
diapers or wipes for baby, ideally size 2 or up
snacks like granola bars, chips, nuts, or variety packs
peri bottle

Healthy Snacks - Grab-and-Go Items

Whether they're breastfeeding or making bottles, you end up feeling pretty famished for feedings. It doesn't matter if it's the middle of the night, early morning, or middle of the day, it is a daunting task. These are general ideas so you don't have to purchase the exact item. Foods like granola bars, nuts, fruit strips, popcorn, drinks, sparkling water, or other little things to eat. This is one of the better new mom care package ideas to ensure the mother has some good snacks.

Nuts

SkinnyDipped Snack Attack Minis Almond Variety Pack. Nuts are a good snack to have on hand. They're gluten-free and provide plant protein. They come in small packages so the new mom can eat one or two packs without having to open a whole bag of nuts. Different flavors are a perk so they can try different flavors.

Popcorn

Smartfood Popcorn, Variety Pack, 0.5 Ounce (Pack of 18). Popcorn is another good snack for breastfeeding moms who need some calories as they feed their little one. These come in various flavors and small bags for convenience.

Snack Variety Packs

Ultimate Healthy Care Package (30 Count) Variety Pack. Save yourself time and get a bars and nuts pack which makes a good gift. It has different bars, granola bars, and nuts like pistachios, almonds, and peanuts. Perfect for night time feedings when they need a bite to eat.

Cold Drinks

Cold drinks like sparkling prebiotic soda or prebiotic iced tea are fun to drink and they're low in sugar. Stay hydrated with essentials like bottle water, coconut water, or juice.

Hot Drinks

Hot drinks like a tea bag sampler set are nice since there's a blend of teas to pick from. Help out by providing a coffee gift set for a morning coffee. This is perfect for hectic early mornings when the new mom needs a pick-me-up. You can also buy their favorite coffee brand or a gift card like The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gift card or a Peet's Coffee & Tea gift card.

Postpartum Care Package For Emergency C-Section and Breastfeeding Moms

A postpartum care package makes a great gift for once the baby arrives since they'll be pretty occupied. Everyone asks about the baby, but not as many people ask about the new mom. Even a simple gesture like a greeting card or a text asking how she's recovering can mean the world.

Premade New Mom Care Packages

Buy a premade new mom care package. Here are a few options:

New Mom Gifts for Women, Mom, Pregnancy Gifts Basket, New Mommy to Be Care Package After Baby Birth, First Time Mother Essential. Has items like a candle, a tumbler cup for hot coffee or wine, bar soap, fuzzy socks, greeting card, and more.

Luxury Gift Set with teething ring, body oil, bath salts, hand balm, muslin comforter, and more. This thoughtful bundle is perfect for your favorite new mom.

Labor and Postpartum Kit with peri bottle, instant ice pack, disposable underwear, healing foam, and more.

New Mom Skin Recovery Kit with lotions, creams, and body oil. This new parent care package makes a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member.

New moms need love and support when it comes to their new baby. It's hard for a new mama to get the hang of balancing the addition to the family. Whether she gave birth, had a c-section delivery, or had a baby via surrogate, she'll still have those late night feedings, those moments of loneliness and sleep deprivation. Just showing up with food or a small treat really means the world. It's the perfect way to show your support. Babies are sweet addition to the family, but it can be hard to transition even with the support of dad or other family.

Carlsbad travel

The Shoppes at Carlsbad - Directory, Address, Hours, Parking, and More

Want to do some shopping near Carlsbad, California? The Shoppes at Carlsbad is one of the premier shopping malls in North County San Diego, offering a variety of primer stores for shopping. They aim to give Carlsbad patrons a world-class shopping experience with national and regional retailers and restaurants. They also have events throughout the year which you can see on The Shoppes at Carlsbad website or on social media.

In this article, I cover The Shoppes at Carlsbad directory as well as their address, website, information on parking, and curbside pickups.

This shopping mall is located in Carlsbad, near the Oceanside border. Explore the amenities, common areas, retail shops, restaurants, food court, department stores, and more.

The Shoppes at Carlsbad Address: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008

The Shoppes at Carlsbad mall Carmen Varner San Diego food and travel writer

Carlsbad Mall Store and Restaurant Directory

24 Hour Fitness

AG Jewelers

A-Mart

American Eagle Outfitters

Art Cafe

Baby Hop Playground

Bath & Body Works

Beauty Bar

Beshock Ramen & Sake Bar

Brows N More

C & C Market Research

Carmax Auto Superstore

Chargefuze

Charlotte Russe

The Cheesecake Factory

Claire's

The Club By Pickleball

Coast Coffee Co.

Comics-N-Stuff

Cricket

Daniel's Jewelers

Dave & Buster

Early Learning Community

Escape To Vr And Pc Repair Center

Express Logo

Fast-Fix Jewelry & Watch Repair

Foot Locker

Forever 21

Francesca's

FYE

Gold Coffee Shop

Golden Boy Barbershop

Great Khan's Mongolian

Grubby's Poke & Fish Market

H&M

Hollister Co.

Hot Topic

ICING

iDevice

Introstem

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks

JCPenney

Journeys

Junktion 101

Junktion 101 Home

Junktion 101 Kids

Kayla's Body Jewelry

Kay Jewelers

LensCrafters

Lids

Luna Grill

Macy's

Macy's Backstage

Mall Management

Men's District

Mina Shoes

Miyo Jewelry

Mobile Phone Fix

Panera Bread

Perfume Gallery

Perfume Revolution

Q Plus

R&B TEA USA

Regal Cinema

Sephora

Shiekh Shoes

Soothing Relax

SP Shoe Palace

The Station Church

Sunglass Hut

Sunglass Imports

Surf City Squeeze

Sweet Factory

Texas de Brazil

Torrid

Vans

Vapors By Aroma Avenue

Victoria's Secret

Wetzel's Pretzels

Windsor

Xperteez Custom Wear

Yard House

Zales

ZARA

Zumiez

Sometimes it's nice to get out and do a bit of shopping. The Shoppes at Carlsbad Mall has food options like ramen, burgers, Wetzel's Pretzels, candy at Sweet Factory, and more. If you want more dining options, head to Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, California. Learn about the food vendors in this article. Need caffeine or more on the breakfast side? Check out my post about Carlsbad Coffee Shops.

You can get your shopping on as you stroll around. You'll find shops that have shoes, jewelry, clothes, sunglasses, perfume, shoes, and just about everything you need to wear. The Shoppes at Carlsbad offers customers a unique blend of options!

Information

Address: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Website: The Shoppes at Carlsbad website

Curbside Pickup: Curbside pickup is now available at more stores and restaurants! Check out the participating stores.

Parking: There are plenty of parking spots available. It has a large parking lot.

The Shoppes at Carlsbad Hours:

Monday 11AM–8PM

Tuesday 11AM–8PM

Wednesday 11AM–8PM

Thursday 11AM–8PM

Friday 11AM–9PM

Saturday 11AM–9PM

Sunday 11AM–6PM

If you love going shopping, then you might want to visit The Shoppes at Carlsbad. If you're a business, there is the opportunity to rent retail space as well.

travel

Oceanside Beaches: Best Beaches in Oceanside, CA

Located in North County San Diego, Oceanside is a beautiful city with plenty of things to do, beaches to visit, and restaurants to eat at. It's a beachy spot with sun, surfers, seagulls, and sandy toes. Whether you're looking for beach amenities or how many beaches Oceanside has, scroll down to find out.

Best Beaches in Oceanside, CA

Oceanside Beaches

Oceanside beaches get even busier in the summer months, but that's to be expected. You'll usually find surfers, people walking around, etc. Each beach has many amenities such as picnic tables, shops, nearby restaurants, snack bar, etc. There are plenty of cool beach spots, picnic areas, and hidden gems in the San Diego area.

Tyson Street Beach: 121 S Pacific St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Also known as Tyson Street Park, this beach is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier. Tyson Street Beach is a popular beach since it has amenities such as metered parking, a parking lot, handicapped parking, restrooms and showers, a lifeguard tower, and picnic tables.

Buccaneer Beach: 1500 S Pacific St, Oceanside

Buccaneer Beach is the smallest beach in Oceanside. Located near Lifeguard Tower 11 and Buccaneer Park, this small beach still has amenities such as free parking, Buccaneer Café, a gazebo, picnic tables, jungle gym, a basketball court, as well as the Loma Alta Marsh Footpath,

Wisconsin Street Beach

Located at Wisconsin Street and The Strand, this Oceanside beach disappears at high tide, so keep that in mind if you want to walk the beach. You'll know you're in the right spot once you see Lifeguard Tower 7.

Oceanside Boulevard Beach

Located in front of Tower 9, Oceanside Boulevard Beach is ideal for beachgoers, body boarders, etc. since it is closed for surfing during the summer months.

Breakwater Way Beach

This Oceanside beach, located south of Oceanside Harbor, is the perfect place to visit if you want to barbeque and hang out. There is even a volleyball court for aspiring volleyball players out there. Enjoy the sun and sand then walk the jetty which is where the San Luis Rey River goes into the ocean.

Pier View South Beach: 200 The Strand North, Oceanside

Located south of Oceanside Pier, Pier View South has restrooms, showers, covered picnic tables, benches, and barbeques. This Oceanside beach is pretty popular for surfers, body boarders, and even some swimmers. However, you have to stay within the flagged area and can't swim or surfer within 100 feet of the pier.

Pier View North Beach

Pier View North is located north of the pier. It has paid parking, bathrooms, food and drink vendors to grab a bite to eat, bike rentals, the Junior Seau Beach Community Center, and more. While there is paid parking close by, this particular Oceanside city beach gets extremely busy during summer, so you might have better luck finding parking on Mission Avenue and Myers Street, or perhaps on Surfrider Way which is east of Pacific Street.

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach is Oceanside's largest beach, which you can find by seeking out Lifeguard Towers 12, 14, and 16. Amenities include both free and paid parking, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and more. There's also the Clapping Circle, the Harbor Village, and the Love Lock Sculpture.

Oceanside Pier

The pier is worth visiting if you love ocean views and beach and park access. Learn more about the Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking here. Catch a performance at Oceanside Pier Plaza Amphitheatre or just watch people as they practice skating or dancing. It's also a good spot to just sit down and hang out. There is paid and free parking in the area.

Oceanside Harbor

Walk around Oceanside Harbor Village and enjoy the view. Find out about the Oceanside Harbor Restaurants here.

These Oceanside beaches provide easy access to Southern California's beauty. Whether you want a beach to surf at with rolling waves or someplace to BBQ with friends and family, there are plenty of beaches in the area to pick from.

Food and Beverage san marcos travel

Restaurant Row San Marcos, California

Old California Restaurant Row, now called San Marcos Restaurant Row, is a staple for foodies in San Marcos, California. Come for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. There's a little bit of everything at this North County dining experience on San Marcos Boulevard. Some of the restaurants in Restaurant Row San Marcos have outdoor seating, while others are indoors. You'll find a range of cuisine options, from seafood to chicken wings to burgers or brunch. The family-friendly environment and food options make it a great spot to eat!

Address: 1020-1080, W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Hours: 8 am - 10 pm

What restaurants are in Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos?

55 Yard Line - Sports bar, burgers, outdoor dining, takeout

Buffalo Wild Wings - Sports bar, American food, chicken wings, takeout

Cocina del Charro - Mexican food, Latin American, buffet, delivery, takeout, curbside pickup options

Fish House Vera Cruz - Fish House Vera Cruz has seafood, fish, cocktail bar, outdoor dining

Katsu Sushi and Teppan Grill - Sushi bar, Japanese, outdoor dining, takeout, curbside pickup

King and I of San Marcos - Thai food, takes reservations, vegan options, offers catering, good for groups and kids

Landon's East Meets West - American, Indian, pizza, takeout

Old California Mining Company - American food, seafood, breakfast, brunch, outdoor dining, takeout

Ascend Coffee Roasters (formerly called Old Cal Coffee / Old California Coffee Company or Old California Coffee House and Eatery) - This coffee shop has been a staple for locals for years. Coffee, tea, cafe, outdoor dining, delivery, takeout. Learn about coffee shops in the nearby city of Carlsbad here or Encinitas coffee shops here.

San Marcos Brewery & Grill *this business is permanently closed

Sublime Alehouse - *this business is permanently closed. There are breweries all over North County. Learn about Vista breweries in this post.

IHOP - Breakfast, brunch, burgers, takeout

Nearby Restaurants a

There are other restaurants close if you don't find one at Restaurant Row in San Marcos that suits your fancy. Mama Kat's and Darunee Thai Cuisine are nearby. If you are looking for some ideas on things to Do in North County San Diego, California, read this blog post.

Restaurant Row San Marcos

Old California Restaurant Row on San Marcos Boulevard features restaurants with different cuisines, from Mexican to Japanese to American. These local businesses make for the perfect entertainment experience with friends and family. Travelers can find solace in having a variety of restaurants to choose from in one convenient spot.

Located at 1020-1080, W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078, Restaurant Row in San Marcos has a range of food, from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to dessert, coffee, and other sips and snacks. You can learn more on their website here. Right now they're hoping to revamp the location with apartment housing and additional restaurant options.

While you're in the area, check out North City San Marcos. North City has restaurants, parking, a farmers market, and apartments for rent. If you like nature, head to Lake San Marcos Marina for access to the lake, fishing, boat rentals, restaurants, and even a lakeside resort. Learn more here.

Best Halloween Candles on Amazon

Halloween season is always such a festive time of year. If you're on the hunt for Halloween candles this spooky season, you're in luck! I've put together a range of the best candle options that you can consider for your seasonal decorations. In this list, there are popular Halloween candles, affordable ones, flameless candles, and more. Pick what works for you!

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Get in the Halloween Spirit with Halloween Candles

Celebrate Halloween night with some fun spooky candles. You can light your home and set the mood with orange candles, and fall scents like pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, or candy corn. Maybe you are on the hunt for spooky candle holders or something special to light on Halloween night. Some Halloween candles are creepy whereas others are just kind of cute. You get to pick and choose your candle of choice.

Related reading: 100+ Best Halloween Hashtags for Instagram Posts, TikTok, and More. Read here.

Vampire Tears Black Candles - Set of 4 Bleeding Candles - Gothic Rituals Halloween

Halloween decorating just got easier. This set of four black taper candles 'bleed' once you light them. Light these wax candles for a little to let the black and red color combination start to melt, then blow out the candle. These bleeding candles don't have to be lit to make a spooky decoration. Height: 250mm approximately Diameter: 15mm approx.

To buy these decorations, check out the bleeding candles here on Amazon.

Related reading: 100+ Best Fall Hashtags to Use for Instagram, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and More. Read here.

Spine Candle for Halloween Decor

Celebrate all Hallows Eve with an unscented soy candle with a cotton wick. The vertebra candle can be a creepy addition to parties, home decor, and Halloween decorations. This cool spine candle makes the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween party. They're a little scary without being overboard and horrifying.

View the spine candle Halloween decoration on Amazon.

Halloween Costume Ideas: Wednesday Addams (read here), Cher Horowitz from Clueless (read here), The Plastics from Mean Girls (read here), Bianca's prom dress look from 10 Things I Hate About You (read here).

Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin Scented Jar Candle

Add pumpkin scent to the ambiance of Halloween. There are a few fragrance options when it comes to pumpkin candles. You can get pumpkin-scented candles like this Yankee Candle version. It's their 22 oz large tumbler 2-wick candle. They say it provides around 75 hours of burn time. Not only is it a simple choice for decorating, this orange candle could be great to light when the trick-or-treaters start coming around.

Check out this pumpkin scent candle on Amazon.

Pumpkin candles Best Halloween Candles on Amazon

Pumpkin Pecan Waffles Hand Poured Soy Candle, 8.1 oz

There are a lot of pumpkin candles to pick from. This 100% soy candle has a more complex scent profile with the pumpkin pecan waffles rather than just plain pumpkin fragrance. The aroma of this soy candle smells delicious and has chic packaging to better suit your indoor decor. Amazing to use all season long!

Highly Scented, Hand Poured Soy Candle, 8.1 oz Pumpkin Pecan Waffles on Amazon.

Natural Soy Wax Candle Pumpkin Shape in Glass

Pumpkins are an autumn staple. This Halloween candle comes in a cute pumpkin shape. The candle has a 30-hour burn time and is a cool gift to bring to a Halloween or Thanksgiving party. You don't have to wait until October or Halloween to light this pumpkin-shaped candle. It's prevalent the second it becomes the fall season.

Pumpkin-shaped candle on Amazon.

Cinnamon Candles

There are loads of cinnamon candles to pick from. You can do cinnamon tealight candles, pillar candles, or whatever suits you the most. These cinnamon tealight candles are good if you want something small but mighty. They add a little glow without having to light a larger candle.

Halloween Themed Candle Holders

Hocus Pocus is an obvious choice to get in the Halloween spirit. The Sanderson sisters are an iconic trio. Try the Spirit Halloween Disney Hocus Pocus Candle Holder if you want something inspired by the film. It's a good choice as far as Halloween decor.

Find the Hocus Pocus candle holder on Amazon.

Celebrate the Halloween spooky season with treats, costumes, and a sprinkle of magic.

Decorate the house for your next Halloween party or simply add a bit of light to your home with these Halloween candles. The price of these holiday candles range so you can easily find options within your budget. How do you like to celebrate?