November in North County San Diego is a magical time. The big Summer crowds have tapered off, the weather has turned a little crisper (especially in the evenings) and the region launches into its festive-holiday and pre-holiday rhythm. According to local guides, November offers “a perfect month to visit” thanks to comfortable weather, fewer crowds and value rates at many resorts. For homeowners and vacation-rental guests alike, this means you can enjoy the coast, the inland valleys, and unique local events with a little more breathing room. Below are 10 top things to do in Nov 2025 in North County San Diego, from outdoor adventures to cultural events, food & drink, and family-friendly experiences.

Torrey Pines

1. Explore Scenic Coastal Hikes

North County isn’t just beaches. There are stunning inland trails, lagoons and parks that are perfect in November’s climate. For example, the Batiquitos Lagoon between Carlsbad and Encinitas is a wonder for nature-lovers. And the San Dieguito River Park provides miles of green space stretching from the coast inland.

What to do:

• Take the trail around Batiquitos Lagoon, bring binoculars for bird-watching (migratory birds begin to appear).
• Pick an inland hill trail for a morning hike while it’s cool, then reward yourself with a coffee in a nearby town.
• Consider a late-afternoon hike so you can watch the setting sun cast light over the hills.
• Walk along the cliffs of Torrey Pines overlooking the Pacific Ocean for stunning views of the coastline.
  Pro tip: Bring layers—coastal mornings may be cool and inland trails can be shaded in the afternoon.

2. Visit the Carlsbad Village Farmers’ Market

Held every Wednesday and Saturday, the Carlsbad Village Farmers’ Market is a must-visit in November. Enjoy local produce, artisan goods, and seasonal treats. The market has a festive vibe during the fall months, making it a great spot to find holiday gifts and fresh ingredients for Thanksgiving. Check out our coastal Carlsbad homes to be within walking distance to the Farmer’s Market.

3. Catch a Sunset at the Beach

November sunsets in North County are nothing short of magical. With fewer crowds, it’s the ideal time to grab a blanket and head to a beach like Moonlight Beach in Encinitas or Tamarack Beach in Carlsbad. The cooler air and stunning fall colors in the sky create a serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxing.

The Campstore is a local favorite for catching the sunset along with live music, food and drinks! It’s an ideal spot for families and pets too!

4. Attend the San Diego Beer Week

If you’re a fan of craft beer, you’re in luck! November hosts the annual San Diego Beer Week, a 10-day celebration (November 7th – 16th) of local brews. Many breweries in North County, like Stone Brewing in Escondido and Pizza Port in Carlsbad, participate with special events, tastings, and food pairings. It’s a great way to enjoy the region’s renowned craft beer scene.

5. Walk the Downtown & Village Districts—Shop, Dine & Explore

North County has charming downtown and village districts (think Carlsbad Village, Encinitas, Oceanside harbor area) where strolling, shopping and eating out is a joy. November’s weather often makes evenings comfortable for outdoor patios and window-shopping.

What to do:

• Explore Carlsbad Village: boutique stores, beach-adjacent cafés, craft beer spots.

• In Encinitas, wander the 101 South Coast Highway corridor, pop into local surf shops, art galleries and cozy eateries.

• In Oceanside, head to the harbour area for dinner with a view.
  Bonus idea: Try a prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu at a restaurant—many local spots launch special menus in November.

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at some of North County’s unique boutiques and shopping centers. The Forum in Carlsbad , Cedros Avenue Design District in Solana Beach and The Carlsbad Premium Outlets offer a mix of local shops, upscale boutiques, and artisanal products. Plus, you’ll find plenty of festive decorations and deals throughout the month.

6. Attend an Early Holiday Light & Sound Experience

November marks the beginning of the holiday lights season, and one standout event in the North County is Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. For 2025, the event runs from November 14 through January 4.
What to expect:

• A one-mile illuminated walking trail through the gardens, with artistic light installations, tunnels of lights, ambient music and seasonal food & drink.

• Special “21+ nights” for grown-ups on select dates (more festive cocktails and ambiance).
  Why it’s great: It’s a unique, immersive experience that blends nature and holiday cheer—perfect for couples, families and groups.
  Tip: Reserve tickets early (weekends will fill up). Dress warmly for nighttime. See FAQ for trail info (uneven pathways).

7. Whale Watching Season Begins

November marks the start of whale watching season along the coast of San Diego. Head to Oceanside Harbor for a whale watching tour, where you might catch a glimpse of gray whales as they migrate south for the winter. The waters off North County are a prime spot for seeing these majestic creatures.

8. Golf with Ocean Views

North County is home to some of California’s most scenic golf courses. Enjoy a round at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad or Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, both offering stunning ocean views and perfect November weather for a day on the green.

9. Savor Local Food & Drinks (Craft Breweries, Wineries, Seafood)

North County’s food and drink scene is rich and varied—and November is an ideal month to explore it. With fewer tourists, you may get better service, easier reservations and pleasant outdoor dining. Local articles highlight how November features “food & drink events” in the San Diego region.
What to try:

• Visit a craft brewery in Carlsbad or Vista and sample a seasonal fall beer.

• Head to a local tasting room for California coastal wines—many are emphasizing “local sourcing” lately.

• Book a dinner in Carlsbad Village (or Oceanside) and enjoy views of the ocean as the sun sets.
  Extras: Keep your eyes peeled for wine-or-beer festivals in November that may seat fewer crowds and carry seasonal releases.

10. Lace Up for Fun: Turkey Trots in Encinitas and Oceanside

Thanksgiving in North County San Diego is more than just feasts and family gatherings—it’s also a time for community fun and fitness! If you’re looking to get active before your holiday meal, participating in a Turkey Trot is the perfect way to start the day. Two popular Thanksgiving morning events in the area are the Encinitas Turkey Trot and the Oceanside Turkey Trot. Use code gravy15 for 15% off the Encinitas Turkey Trot!

North Coast Village Penthouse in Oceanside

Plan a Relaxed Stay-cation or Mini Getaway

Finally, one of the best things about November in North County is that many resorts and vacation-rental hosts (like you at Haustay) find that value stays and fewer crowds make it an ideal time to stay longer, explore slower and soak in the local vibe.
What to explore:

• Book a weekend in Carlsbad Village or Oceanside, stay near the beach, walk to dinner and catch a sunset.

• Consider a spa day or wellness treatment at a local resort—nice wind-down after exploring.

• Use your base to explore multiple of the above experiences: morning beach, midday shopping, afternoon hike, and evening light-trail or brewery stop.
  Why it works: Prices are often better than peak summer, the weather is still great, and you’ll enjoy a more peaceful, authentic North County experience.

Packing & Weather Tips for November

Before wrapping up, here are some practical tips for making the most of November in North County.

• Weather: Expect day-time highs in the upper 60s to low 70s °F (about 20–22 °C) and evenings dipping into the 50s °F (≈10–12 °C).

• Beach & Water: The ocean water chills slightly (~62–64 °F). If you plan to swim or surf, a wetsuit may help. Otherwise, walks and paddleboards are great.

• Layers: Bring a light jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings. Layers allow you to feel comfortable from dawn beach strolls to dusk hikes.

• Reservations: For special events like Lightscape or themed dinners, book ahead.

• Sun protection: Yes—even in November the sun still matters. Bring sunscreen for morning beach walks or midday hikes.

• Crowds & Value: With fewer tourism-peak days, you’ll find nicer rates, fewer lines and easier access at restaurants and attractions.

Final Thoughts

November is one of those quietly rewarding months in North County San Diego—it doesn’t shout as loudly as summer, but it whispers “come linger awhile”. Whether your readers are families, couples, solo travelers or property-owners looking to highlight local experiences, this region offers a fine blend of outdoors, cozy charm, festive beginnings and local discovery.

The benefits of applying sustainable practices to your short-term rental business is not only vital to the future of our planet; it grows your earnings too by giving your business more credibility and appealing to environmentally friendly guests.

About 76% of global travelers said they want to travel more sustainably this year, according to Booking.com’s most recent Sustainable Travel Report. The most extensive Sustainable Travel research from Booking.com to date also highlights a divide in people’s actions; some are more intentional about how they spend their money with the perception that sustainable travel options are too expensive, while others are willing to pay more for these options to feel reassured they are driving impact.

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has gained significant traction across various industries, including tourism and hospitality. As more travelers seek eco-friendly options, vacation rental owners have a unique opportunity to contribute positively to the environment while also attracting conscious guests. Whether you’re a seasoned host or new to the vacation rental scene, here are some practical tips Haustay utilizes to make our properties more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

1. Embrace Energy Efficiency

This one is a no-brainer – replace your incandescent lighting with LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs are the next best thing to keeping the lights off because they consume 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. For less than $3 a bulb, they offer three-in-one benefits: They’re better for the environment, they save you money on electricity, and they consume less time for replacement.

2. Ditch Single-Use Plastic

Tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that often come in short-term rentals are convenient, but they’re wasteful for the environment. Instead of single-use plastic containers, opt for soap, shampoo, and conditioner dispensers that can be refilled as needed. You will even save money buying in bulk.

Here at Haustay, we purchase shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and dish soap from Public Goods because they only provide eco-friendly sustainable products. They are proudly “tree-free” with all of their bottles being made out of sugarcane and bamboo. This means everything is biodegradable and will not be sitting in overfilled landfills for the next thousands of years. They are also cruelty-free and offer a variety of vegan food options. Guests rave about these products on their reviews.

As a courtesy, we provide boxed water to our guests upon arrival. Boxed Water is the most renewable option in the water aisle: their carton is made from 92% renewable materials. The water is sourced close to the consumers to reduce their carbon footprint (instead of islands like Fiji). All cartons are 100% recyclable, refillable, and BPA free.

3. Quality Furniture

A major contributor to environmental waste is furniture that is thrown out soon after purchase due to it’s poor quality. Brands such as West Elm and Pottery Barn make quality furniture items that are built to last. They use durable “contract grade” furniture that lasts considerably longer due to it being built for wear and tear. In addition to their furniture, 60% of their product sales support at least one of their sustainability initiatives. These brands sustainably source their furniture wherever possible, sourcing FSC®‑certified, recycled and upcycled materials, creating less waste. They have also committed to planting a tree for every solid wood piece of indoor furniture sold, approximating about 6 million trees planted by 2023. The results so far are about 1.5 billion gallons of water filtered, 68 thousand tons of air pollutants removed and 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide absorbed.

We have partnered with Hostgpo to purchase from companies like West Elm, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel at a discount.

4. Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are energy-saving gadgets that offer an efficient way to heat and cool your home. The devices save energy by detecting whether a room is occupied or vacant and adjust the temperature accordingly, based on how you program it.

Many smart thermostats are accessible through voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home. Systems designed for rentals allow managers and owners to set minimum and maximum temperatures to prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

5. Recycling

Eco-conscious guests most likely recycle in their own homes, so they expect to recycle when staying at your vacation rental. Even those who don’t recycle might make the effort if you make it as easy as possible for them. Provide well-marked, easily accessible recycling bins that are close to the trash can. Additionally, if you expect guests to tote recycling carts to the curb, make sure to post a pickup schedule near the bins and include the schedule in your welcome manual.

Haustay Recommendations

Regularly assess your property’s sustainability initiatives and track key metrics such as energy and water consumption, waste diversion rates, and guest feedback. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and set new sustainability goals to strive toward. Celebrate milestones and achievements with guests and stakeholders, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for environmental conservation.

Incremental eco-friendly swaps can pay off in the long-term with added cost savings and increased guest demand. Here are some more ideas that are easy to implement and that will add sustainability to your rental.

• Buy washable rugs whenever possible! Instead of replacing your rug and creating more waste, you can easily toss it in the washing machine.
• Offer an EV Charger. This will boost your listing as well as be a major pull for travelers who are traveling with an electric car.
• Offer reusable grocery bags for guests to use when they run to the grocery store. Better yet, add your company logo!

In conclusion, making your vacation rental more sustainable requires a proactive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement. By incorporating eco-friendly practices into every aspect of your hosting operations, you can reduce your environmental footprint while enhancing the overall guest experience. And once you’ve added eco-friendly features to your rental, be sure to brag about it! In other words, make sure you advertise your short-term rental’s sustainability features. Let your guests know on your website and in your listing the specific, eco-friendly features that you offer and why your guest made a smart choice by staying at your home. Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future in the hospitality industry—one vacation rental at a time.