Dining at Aviara is reason enough to put a visit on your to-do list. The signature restaurant, Seasons, is as good-looking as the dishes it serves, with its nautical-meets-industrial design, big cozy booths and trendy bulb lighting. Start the day with a fresh smoothie and a Carlsbad bagel, with Scottish smoked salmon, tarragon aioli and avocado, and, for dinner, saddle up at the Kitchen Counter. The Kitchen Counter can accommodate up to six guests for a unique, up-close-and-personal tasting experience. The talented and personable chefs create a one-of-a-kind, five-course menu—and diners are close enough to watch the magic happen and ask questions along the way.

The Chef’s Table at Seasons hosts even more exclusive food- and beverage-focused experiences for its guests. Located near the kitchen, gather friends and family for a casual—and super-fun—Craft and Crust class. Don a provided apron, roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty (well, flour-y) by creating some of Seasons’ most popular pizzas firsthand. After the ‘za has been baked, participants get to kick back and dig in to the fruits of their labor, each flavor paired with local brews.

As utter relaxation is the ultimate goal of any vacation, Aviara’s Driftwood Spa dishes up some serious r-n-r in a playful, ocean-inspired environment. Though the space is small-but-mighty, with three unique treatment rooms, each massage, facial, wrap and scrub is big on impact. A favorite is the salt stone massage. Instead of using traditional hot stones, this massage utilizes warm, hand-carved salt stones from the Himalayan Mountains. In addition to leaving the body in a state of total tranquility, the stone balances the central nervous system and nourishes depleted cells. If you care to work up a sweat, Driftwood Spa also houses a fitness center with a yoga and Pilates studio.