Carlsbad Premium Outlets

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets offers amazing deals on some of the world’s trendiest brands. Explore this family-friendly, outdoor mall featuring over 85 stores.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
The Best Brands
What to Expect
Bundle & Save
Amazing Restaurants
Family Fun
Directions & Parking
Know Before You Go
Stay Nearby

Highlights

Shopping
Restaurants
Parking
Tips
Shopping
Restaurants
Parking
Tips

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets: Chic Brands at Affordable Prices

Great Shopping at Banana Republic at Carslbad Premium OutletsGreat Outdoor Mall at Carslbad Premium Outlets

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets is a shopping center featuring high-end fashion brands at affordable prices.

This shopping center is located right in the heart of Carlsbad, close to the beach and some of San Diego’s most popular attractions like LEGOLAND California and the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

Guess and Asics Are a Few of the Stores at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Guess and Asics Are a Few of the Stores at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Popular Stores & Restaurants at the Carlsbad Outlets

You’ll find everything from popular streetwear to luxury designer clothes to home goods and more, with enough variety to keep any shopper entertained. As an outlet based mall, they offer sales throughout the year that you might not find at other malls or stand-alone locations - sometimes as much as 65 percent off.

This is an outdoor mall, so it is an ideal place to soak up San Diego’s excellent weather while looking for great deals. In addition to a selection of over 85 stores, you’ll also find a variety of different dining options to suit your taste.

Parking & Public Transit at Carlsbad Outlets

Parking is onsite and very convenient. If you don’t have a car, train connections to Downtown San Diego are less than a mile away and easily accessible through a quick San Diego rideshare like Uber or Lyft.

Kids Train Rides at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Kids Train Rides at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Family Friendly

This mall is very family-friendly, so it’s a great place to visit for people of all ages during your trip to the San Diego area. It has become a very popular place for both locals and visitors alike to pick up their favorite designers at a discount.

What to Expect at Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Levis Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Levis Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets are known for their selection of designer and name-brand stores. The entire mall feels luxurious and upscale, with beautiful courtyards full of palm trees in between stores. This luxury experience is featured in our Best Things to do in San Diego list as well as our Best Malls in San Diego article.

However, you’ll find clothing and other items at many different price points. Carlsbad Premium Outlets hosts mall-wide sales throughout the year, so this is a great place to pick up designer brands at a discount.

Nike Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Nike Store at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Within the outlets, you’ll find clothing options available for men, women, and children. Popular designer brands with stores here include Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Salvatore Ferragamo, and many others. You’ll also find popular shoe stores and athletic brands here, such as Under Armour, Nike, Oakley, Adidas, and more.

Kay Jewelers Outlet at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Kay Jewelers Outlet at Carslbad Premium Outlets

Clothing and shoes aren’t the only things you’ll find at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. You can find home decor at Crate and Barrel as well as entertainment at the Disney store. There’s even a designer fragrance outlet and a cosmetics outlet onsite. Stores like Kay Jewelers and Swarovski sell jewelry, while Aldo and other stores offer a broad variety of accessories.

This mall consists of just one level, with courtyards and pedestrian walkways that are very easy to navigate. It’s important to note that all of the common areas outside of the stores are outdoors. Luckily, San Diego’s beautiful weather means that relaxing outside is usually very comfortable.

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets are very popular with tourists because they are located close to many of the area’s other popular attractions. As a result, do know that the mall can get crowded, especially during weekends and holidays.

Beach Terrace Inn in Carlsbad is a boutique hotel. Tour the beachfront pool deck, oversized rooms with balconies, and peaceful vibe as Todd walks through this family-friendly hotel near Legoland.

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What attractions are included with a Go City San Diego pass?

Attractions that you can visit with a Go City San Diego pass include:

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Restaurants At Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Rubys Diner at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Rubys Diner at Carslbad Premium Outlets

While the Carlsbad Premium Outlets do not have a traditional food court, there are still plenty of dining options available.

Whether you want a quick snack you can take on the go or a sit-down meal, you’re likely to find a restaurant here that meets your needs. There are also many popular restaurant options that are less than five minutes away from the mall by car, including In-N-Out Burger, Draft Republic, and Karl Strauss.

Carslbad Premium Outlet Has Many Restaurants like Mot'to Japanese Grill
Carslbad Premium Outlet Has Many Restaurants like Mot'to Japanese Grill

On site, you’ll find restaurants that feature cuisines from all over the world. If you’re craving Asian flavors, check out Mot’to Japanese Grill or Panda Express for Chinese food. Rubio’s offers fresh and healthy Mexican foods.

If you’re craving American food, Jersey Mike’s offers classic subs for takeout, while Ruby’s Diner serves burgers, fries, and shakes in a classic setting. Blaze Pizza allows you to build your own pizzas, making it a great option for both kids and adults.

Of course, there’s a Starbucks Coffee in the mall so you can pick up all of your favorite drinks and snacks. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, the Haagen-Daaz outpost serves a wide range of ice cream flavors, while Wetzel’s Pretzels offers savory treats.

Some of these restaurants have seating inside, while others are quick serve locations with no designated seating. However, you’ll find plenty of benches outside throughout the mall where you can sit and enjoy your snack or meal.

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Family Fun At Carlsbad Premium Outlets

Maui and Sons Surfing Shark at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Maui and Sons Surfing Shark at Carslbad Premium Outlets

While this mall does have a focus on luxury outlets, it’s still very family-friendly. Many of the stores here cater to kids, so your little ones won’t feel left out while shopping.

Stores like OshKosh, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Carter’s, and Claire’s all offer clothing and accessories for kids. There are also plenty of stores that offer clothing, shoes, and accessories for teens.

This mall features a Disney Outlet store, which is very popular with families. This store sells a wide variety of themed merchandise featuring popular Disney characters. You’ll find clothing, toys, home decor, and more.

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets also feature a variety of amenities to make visiting more comfortable for families. There are family restrooms, a nursing mothers lounge, and a baby changing station to make things more comfortable for those traveling with young children.

The mall also features drinking fountains that are conveniently located throughout the mall to ensure that both kids and adults can stay hydrated.

Overall, this mall is very family-friendly, with plenty to do for both kids and adults. It is also located near other kid-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND California, making it a convenient place to stop on a family outing.

Featured Hotel
Beach Terrace Inn
Chairs on the terrace Beach Terrace Inn
Beachfront
Beachfront
Boardwalk
Boardwalk
Families
Families
3 Stars3 Stars3 Stars
Take it easy in Carlsbad when you stay at Beach Terrace Inn. This boutique hotel has a retro mid-century modern feel with spacious rooms and it is right on the beach.
Prices Starting at $299
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How To Get There & Parking

EV Charging
EV Charging
Free Parking
Free Parking
Lot Parking
Lot Parking

Relax and Have a Coffee at Starbucks at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Relax and Have a Coffee at Starbucks at Carslbad Premium Outlets

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets are relatively easy to get to, no matter where you are coming from. They are located directly off of Interstate 5, roughly a 45 minute drive from Downtown San Diego. The outlets are also roughly 30 minutes from La Jolla, 10 minutes from Oceanside, and 30 minutes from Escondido.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets has a very large parking lot onsite, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot. There is no covered parking available - all parking is outdoors. There is valet parking available for an additional fee.

Additionally, this outlet mall offers electric vehicle charging stations. These charging stations are compatible with many different types of electric cars. On top of that, there is a Tesla store in this outlet mall, and they offer chargers that are specifically designed for Teslas.

Local Tips
In the Heart of Carlsbad
The Carlsbad Premium Outlet is in the heart of beautiful Carlsbad. Just next to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch and LEGOLAND California and just a short drive from the amazing beaches of Carlsbad.

If you are not traveling with a car, one of the easiest ways to get to these outlets is by using a rideshare service in San Diego. Uber and Lyft are both very accessible in the San Diego area. A ride from Downtown San Diego to Carlsbad can cost anywhere from $35 to $60, but prices can vary dramatically depending on demand when you visit.

The mall has a designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zone, which is located behind the Gap. This makes things safer and more convenient for the passenger getting dropped off, but also makes it easier to call a rideshare vehicle when it’s time to head home.

You can also access the Carlsbad Premium Outlets via public transportation, although this can be more time consuming. From Downtown San Diego, you can take the Coaster commuter train to the Carlsbad Poinsettia station. From there, it is a 30 minute walk or roughly 10 minute cab ride to the mall.

The North County Transit District also runs buses in the area, although there aren’t currently any routes that stop directly at the mall. The closest stop to the mall is roughly one hour away.

Know Before You Go & Tips

Le Creuset at Carslbad Premium Outlets
Le Creuset at Carslbad Premium Outlets

If you’re planning on making a visit to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, here’s what you should know before you go.

Hours of Operation

You may be wondering when the mall is open or what are its standard hours of operation. The mall’s general hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM but are subject to change.

However, each store and restaurant has their own individual hours, and some of these may differ from the general mall hours. Before heading to the mall, you may want to check the hours of the individual stores you plan on visiting to maximize your time there.

Big Sales

While these outlet stores offer discounts throughout the year, they do have designated sale periods where you can save even more!

Visiting during times like Black Friday, Memorial Day, or back-to-school season can get you the best possible discounts. However, the mall will be more crowded during these times, so it’s smart to arrive early.

ADA Compliant

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets is ADA compliant and offers complimentary wheelchairs for visitors. Since the mall is entirely on one level, it is very easy for anyone to navigate. Wheelchairs are available for pickup at the Information Center.

Mall Tours

That’s correct, this outlet mall offers tours! Owned by Simon, a real estate group that specializes in luxury malls, they offer tour options for large groups, but they must be reserved in advance. These group tours come with special discounts and other perks.

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