Carla & Linda's Walking
Food Tour

Contributing Writer & Photographer: Jordan Younis

It’s no secret that Oceanside has emerged as a shining San Diego culinary mecca. Peppered with countless vibey craft coffee shops, homegrown breweries, and fine and casual dining restaurants, choosing a place to have a meal or a drink is no easy task. Luckily, Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Tours gives diners a small taste of a few local hits all in one curated session.

Carla Werts and Linda Pina have a passion for Oceanside and good cuisine – one that they’ve been sharing with others since 2015. On each tour, Carla and Linda lead a pack of eager eaters to a handful of handpicked local staples, many of which happen to be some of the pair’s favorite restaurants. As a tour member, you will stop at a total of four to five culinary destinations over the course of about three hours, getting a history lesson about the community and the scoop on each spot as you stroll.

Where you stop depends on which tour you choose. Carla and Linda have three Oceanside tour options available, highlighting North O’side, Heart of O’side, and South O.

On the Heart of O’side tour, you’ll enjoy classic American cuisine at Masters and brewery bites from Bagby Beer. The South O tour features dishes from PCH Bar & Grill, the Privateer and more. If you choose the North O’side option, as I did, you’ll meander from the 101 to the city’s trendy downtown, stopping at local favorites like Petite Madeline Bakery for the signature sweet-and-savory Chicken and Waffles Benedict, The Flying Pig for a bowl of hearty bolognese, and Orfila Tasting Room for a glass of delicious wine and a woodfired flatbread. You may also make a stop along the stunning coastline for a taste of Hi/Low’s beachside brunch. In a special twist, we were offered an off-the-menu item and got a brief meet-and-greet with the hotspot’s chef. Little details like this are a testament to Carla and Linda’s relationships within the culinary community, as well as a testament to the downhome, community spirit that permeates the city.

“We want people not only to get a sense of how delicious the food is here in Oceanside, but to get a sense of the community and its people,” Linda explained.

Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Tours give you a sense of all that is Oceanside. Rich in diverse and delicious food and buzzing with communal energy, this food scene is a culinary adventure waiting to be discovered. Let Carla and Linda be your guides along the way! Interested in booking this experience? Visit their site HERE.