Retail

To be clear: we are in no way suggesting that you should gift one of these boards to anyone who is going to ride it in Carlsbad. Oceanside is fine. But not Carlsbad, please. That said, Legends Surf has some great stand up paddling boards and paddles in stock. In fact, they are becoming SUP central it seems.

The board we think the SUP in your family might like is the Angulo Model . It’s 11′ 9 ” x 31 ” x 4.25″ with clear top and bottom, plus graphics, 2 +1. Fins and pad included. It’s great for the big man in anyone’s life. And right now it’s only $1950.00. But again, please, make sure the person you buy this board for only surfs it in Oceanside. Thank you.

Legends Surf, 2658 State Street, 760/730-9071.

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Fine hats are back. And Brixton packs theirs with loads of style. Designed by David Stoddard in Oceanside, California The Stout ($55) is made of brown crushable felt with a black band, and black satin lining. It’s the hat to wear while tossing back a Guinness at Hensley’s, though the owner may be sporting something similar. Brixton hats are available at The Den.

The Den, 2744 Carlsbad Blvd. Ste 114, 760/729-2080.

[Editors’ Note: For the full Carlsbadistan 12 Days of Christmas Gift list click here.]

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Don’t let winter stop you from getting a warm Christmas gift. You don’t have to go to Rio to get the latest in swim fashions, even the smallest bottoms are available right here in Carlsbad at Cindy’s Swimwear on Carlsbad Boulevard. The store specializes in the newest swim looks for women with most of the major brands represented on its walls. Though the mix and match tops and bottoms are a popular pick, we recommend buying anything from Salinas. Sure this Localizados Bikini retails for $121, but trust us when we say their suits are worth the money. And will make your Santa’s little helper look extra hot.

Cindy’s Swimwear, 2965 Carlsbad Blvd, (760) 434-7554.

[Editors’ Note: For the full Carlsbadistan 12 Days of Christmas Gift list click here.]

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Every Carlsbadistanian needs a least one good skateboard around the house. They are perfect for checking the surf, rolling to 7-Eleven for milk, or worst case, shoving under a heavy piece of furniture to make the move smooth and protect the floor.

We found the perfect board at Witt’s Carlsbad Pipeline. It’s a Sector 9 Bamboo Series “Maccas” ($160). The board has no nose or tail kick so older skaters won’t be tempted into doing potentially injurious tricks from back in the day. The bottom graphic is of the Mentawai surf break Macaroni’s. And the coolest part? The board is made from 100% bamboo: one of the best renewable resources on the planet. Bamboo is strong, light, and it looks great, too. As Sector 9 says, “Save a tree. Ride a weed.”

Witt’s Carlsbad Pipeline, 2975 Carlsbad Blvd, (760) 729-4423.

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When we were kids, one of the spoiled wunderkinders down the street got gift certificates from McDonalds in their stocking each Christmas. Though we now understand that’s like slowly giving someone a heart attack, as a ten year olds these annual gift certificates were enough to toss us into a envious funk.

Food is a still a quick way to our hearts, but this year we’d prefer a tasty sandwich from Prontos’ Gourmet Market. Prontos serves up delicious deli-style sandwiches, homemade soups, pastas, salads, and even desserts Monday through Friday. Plus, the deli case is always stocked full of fresh dinners to go for those nights you want to eat at home but just don’t feel like cooking.

Prontos’ Gourmet Market, 2812 Roosevelt Street, (760) 434-2644.

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In light of the recent firestorm in San Diego County, we’re going to have to take California’s State Law to keep 100 feet of defensible space around structures to heart. By the looks of it there are plenty of Carlsbadistanians who need help trimming their own underbrush, and Mîchel Petite Spa and Skin Care Gallery in the village may be just the ones to do it. ‘Taint only women who get waxed at Michel’s: men’s Bikini ($50) and Brazillian waxes ($75) are also the menu. This is one gift certificate that may truly be better to give than to receive.

Mîchel Petite Spa and Skin Care Gallery, 2815 Roosevelt Street, 760-730-1772.

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While the rest of the world gives each other woolen slippers for Christmas, Carlsbadistanians can be happy that we are able to gift the traditional Hawaiian “slippah” instead. Sure you can pick up a pair of Rainbows, Reefs, Cobain, or other flip-flops at various stores around the village, but we’re backing these Havaianas from The M Collection on State Street. They’re your basic rubber flip, but thanks to a special and highly guarded Brazillian rubber recipe these things are soft as those marshmallows you just put in your hot-cocoa. Plus, with a price that hovers around $15 dollars they’re cheap enough to stock up on.

The M Collection, 2971 State Street, (760) 720-1252.

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We’re not big fans of training wheels on kids bikes. In fact, we think training wheels are responsible for much of what is wrong with kids today. But that is another post entirely. Let’s just say this: if a child isn’t ready for a bicycle, then keep them on their tricycle. And, if they’re going to stay on their trikes longer, we found a really cool Christmas tricycle at Ella Grace, the children’s clothing store hidden away in the catacombs of the Village Faire.

The Sky King Trike ($249.00) is made by Air Flow, Inc. of Orange, California and is a near perfect replica of the original 1936 Sky King. It is 26 inches tall, with red powder coat paint and chrome insignias, solid rubber tires, adjustable spring seat, rubber hand grips, a working light, and it is all steel. It is the perfect tricycle for boys three to six years of age. For girls, Ella Grace also has the same bike in the Pink Princess model. With a trike this cool kids may never want to step up to a bicycle, but at least they won’t be out tilting around on training wheels.

Ella Grace, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive Suite 105, 760 720-1414.

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