This Beach City 2 Hours From L.A. Has Just Been Named One Of The World’s Best Places To Travel In 2026 — Thanks To Its World-Class Food Scene

Tucked along the sun-dappled coast just north of San Diego, this city is known for endless sandy beaches perfect for swimming and surfing, and vibrant flower fields that burst into color each spring. This classic SoCal town blends laid-back seaside charm with scenic nature, and it’s recently been crowned a must-visit destination for 2026. According to *Travel + Leisure,* what makes Carlsbad worth a visit in 2026 is the way its food scene has leveled up here. The city, once known mostly for fish tacos and beach-casual eats, now boasts chefs who run dinner series, source ingredients from on-site gardens and beehives, and keep multiple restaurants humming. Michelin-starred spots have become part of the local landscape thanks to figures like restaurateur John Resnick and chef Eric Bost, whose modern French bistro Jeune et Jolie has held its star since 2021, along with the intimate chef’s table at Lilo, which earned its star just weeks after opening. Carlsbad shows overall a uniquely “Californian approach” that mixes outdoor dining, local farms, and vibrant, accessible dishes shaped by the region’s Mediterranean climate, fertile farmland, and the nearby Pacific. Wine lovers get their fix at Little Victory Wine Bar, where natural wines take center stage. And in spring 2026, the Autograph Collection’s Hotel Solea will join the lineup, bringing a new open-air Italian restaurant, Verise, into the fold. Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/carlsbad-best-place-to-travel-2026/