Shopping in Carlsbad

Specializing in outdoor products, Adventure 16 provides daring travelers with a large selection of high-quality apparel and gear that is not only built to last, but also designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Trailblazers can charge confidently through cactus fields or scorpion pits with a pair of durable The North Face Paramount convertible pants ($65), which can be morphed from pants into shorts. Protect built-in binoculars with a pair of Native polarized sunglasses ($89) and further deflect UV rays with a fashionable Tilley Airflo hat ($76). Spelunkers will be glad for the company of a Nalgene Tritan water bottle ($9.50) that keeps thirst quenchers tightly bottled, as well as a Black Diamond Cosmo headlamp ($29.95) to light the way out of any cave, dense rainforest, or haunted house.

Since 1977, Running Center has attested that no one should have to "break in" new shoes. Staff members endeavor to find pairs that suit sprints immediately, adjusting their picks based on the size, width, and pronation—a joint's habit of rotating past a neutral position—of each client's feet. They haven't learned this science simply by training; the employees are all athletes themselves, and they rely on a common passion for fitness rather than a commission goal as they recommend footwear. They help customers avoid injuries by answering questions on the shop's stock and on running in general, addressing common topics such as gait and how to stave off coffee spills on your morning jog.

Specialty shoes range from trail-running sneakers to racing flats and cross-country spikes. With choices from Nike, New Balance, Asics, and other brands, customers can experiment with different support systems that align with their body and lifestyle.

A Southwest-based company for more than a century, Frazee Paint and its team of manufacturers are well acquainted with the unique climactic conditions of the region. Always pulling from the latest technology, their technicians design each of their paint and coating products to withstand dry heat, sparse rainfall, and showers of chewing tobacco from passing cowboys. Their quality paints, wall-coverings, wood-care products, and painter's tools stock the shelves of more than 125 retail locations throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as international dealers in Mexico, China, and Guam.

Babydollz Lingerie suits up shoppers in alluring lingerie and come-hither costumes from more than 150 designer brands and custom creations crafted by the pair of seamstress owners. Co-owner Heather draws on her Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising degree to outfit customers in a classy selection of corsets and bustiers or sequined, rhinestone, and pinup-style high heels. The owners design their own line of custom tutus to fit adults and adult-size performing seals, and they make custom bridal garters and lingerie upon request to celebrate wives-to-be. A variety of costumes—ranging from pirates to princesses—can spice up a costume party, and the adult toy room stocks amorous accessories such as massage oils, accouterments for bachelorette parties, and furry handcuffs, ideal for apprehending bank-robbing ewoks.

Baby Genius's award-winning children's products teach babies and toddlers essential skills through the power of music. Based on a bounty of research, the company's DVDs enrich the learning experience by merging classical pieces and familiar songs with vibrant images, keeping kids entertained for hours. Parents can sit back while animated animal educators teach pocket-size pupils better motor skills, dictionary-defying vocabularies, vampire-free counting, and nap-inducing dance moves that ready little ones for kindergarten and beyond.

There's plenty for both kids and their parents to discover at Mac & Madi, a boutique graced with the presence of clothing, toys, and accessories for style-conscious children. When out hunting and gathering goods, the staff stresses quality over quantity. As a result, the shop isn't crammed with hundreds of options, it's stocked with an easy-to-browse assortment of apparel and gear chosen for being unique and reasonably priced. The shop’s wares cater to babies, boys up to age 7, and girls as old as 16—swaddles, onesies, and burpies come from brands such as Aden + Anais and Mystic Beach, both of which can help babies assert fashion supremacy in the playpen. Tutus embellished with flowers and sequins encourage girls to express their longing for fruit snacks through interpretive dance, and a rotating collection of shirts emblazoned with characters from Spider Man and Star Wars reassure boys as they nurture their own fledgling force. Recently, Mac & Madi opened a tween-girl room where clothing and accessories from brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy, and Flowers by Zoe let budding fashionistas flourish.

Mac & Madi also offers an array of award-winning toys and gear, such as stylish diaper bags. Volumes from the "100 Best Books of All Time" list such as Where is Baby's Belly Button? answer questions that have vexed biologists for generations.