The Mudd House Ceramics Studio

Agree that the items are outrageously expensive (especially since you can find the same for a…read morefraction of the price elsewhere), but I've come to realize that we're really paying for the experience, materials and time spent at the store. I chose a small sushi plate ($38) and ended up spending 3 hours choosing the colors, chatting and painting. The employees mostly leave you be (which I appreciate) and are super knowledgeable about the process if you have any questions. After you're done, drop off the item with the employee to fire up your items and you should get a call around 3-5 days later. Overall a pleasant experience and place to hangout and chill with your buddies.

Walked in to CeramiCafe on a Saturday night! It wasn't crowded and we found a nice table for our…read moreparty of 4. The staff were all friendly and helpful. The workspaces and glaze area were not as clean as I've seen at other spaces but it worked nonetheless. The selection of pottery was just okay as they had a lot of seasonal items still (holiday, halloween etc). I wanted to paint a plain mug but they didn't have any drink ware so I opted for this plain bowl. The bowl was about the size of a small rice or soup bowl but priced at $39. I know this includes the glaze and firing process but wow it's pricey! For larger or more intricate products it easily went up to $50-$60.

Art Cafe

4.6

(12 reviews)

My friend and I wanted to do something creative for my birthday and we found this place spur of the…read moremoment. It's a typical paint your own ceramics kind of place. You pick out the unfinished piece you want, gather your paint and supplies from the shelf, and then spend a couple hours painting them and turn them in for final firing. The pieces are priced reasonably -- it includes all supplies and the final firing. My friend chose a mug that holds a cookie on the bottom and decided to transform it into a likeness of her pug dog-- see the photo... Mine was much more tame-- I picked out a small geometric vase and ended up painting it an ombre shade of an earthy purple. We sat and enjoyed the experience and they offer a concierge type service-- they cleaned up everything for us! Very chill and fun evening- will do again .

I enjoyed spending some time here with my grandkids. It's very spacious and clean. The customer…read moreservice the day of our painting session was fantastic as well as the day we picked up our finished pieces . The available pottery options may not always be available. The selection was low the day we painted, but on the day we picked up the selection was plenty with well stocked shelves. Brushes and cups of water are already neatly set up at the tables. The only thing you have to do is get your paint in the bottled containers. Little hands may need assistance with this or leave it to the adults to prep the paint dish. I really like the space in the Art Cafe. There is plenty of room between each table. It may be different with more customers (we were the only ones on this weekday visit). But even then, I think there is more plenty of space you don't have to worry bumping into someone. I find all ceramic cafes to be a bit pricey but this is something to do once in awhile. I find it therapeutic and I love to watch the kids paint and be creative with their piece. Great bonding time with someone or good, quiet creative time for just yourself. Go check them out.

Handled Pottery Studio

3.7

(68 reviews)

Had an amazing time with my daughters on Mother's Day weekend with our first pottery throwing…read moreexperience. All the ladies there were very friendly and our instructor was very helpful! Definitely inspired us to continue our pottery journey! Thank you again Handled Pottery!! We even brought our own custom aprons!

What a fun time! Really enjoyed the Pottery Date Night class! Lily was amazing & made the class…read morefun! Can't wait to see my finished pieces in a few weeks! We will definitely be back for another class!

The Hot Spot - 4S Ranch

(6 reviews)

I had an amazing time at The Hot Spot in 4S Ranch!!…read more I took my friend for her birthday and we had a blast. A fun, creative art workshop where you can pick from a variety of options from painting pottery to making candles to building your own garden pot. The prices are clearly written on the item and it's all inclusive (the item, all materials, and use of their facility) so no additional fees other than tax. Most items were between $20-35. The owner was friendly and welcoming. There's plenty of free parking in the large shared lot. You're allowed to bring your own drinks and food as well. We opted to make candles and it was really fun. You start with picking out your glassware, then cutting up the colored wax pieces you want to use and fill them in your glassware, then choosing which glitter color and scent you want. They pour hot wax to mold it all together and the candles ready to go within 15 mins. A great activity for all ages including adults. This would be a great option for any type of celebration, date night, hang out with friends, or spending time with your kids. There's something for everyone.

I made a reservation here for me and my friends for my birthday and it was such a fun activity! We…read moreall did the ceramic painting pottery and chose our own ceramics and colors. The process was easy and there weren't many directions aside from picking out a piece and colors and the rest was left up to you. They do take about 2 days to fire so you'll have to come back and pick up your piece. The plates were roughly $27 which isn't terrible for the experience. I don't think I'll come back again unless there's a special occasion

Art Cafe

(4 reviews)

This is a great addition to the mall and something fun to do if you're just walking around…read moreshopping. They do allow walk ins, but you can book a reservation as well. You walk in and the employee will give you a run down on the process. If you want to take your ceramic home the same day, you can use acrylic paint, if you don't mind waiting you can choose to glaze it and there is a $5 firing fee. We chose to do glaze and wait a 1-2 weeks and they texted us when it was ready. (Only took a week) In terms of inventory, they have cute Knick knack ceramics you can make or kitchenware like plates, bowls, coasters, etc. I also saw people painting canvases so you really do have a lot of options if you're looking for a fun craft day. Pro tip: do multiple layers if you're gonna do glaze. I'd recommend at least 3, but 4 or 5 if you have the time.

Art Cafe is located next to Target. If inside Target, you would have to go to the 2nd floor and…read morethen walk a tad to the left. It is across from Victoria's Secret within the mall. There are no bathrooms and you would need to walk over to use Target's. Mckenna was working the cafe when we came in. She's only one person but quite knowledgeable about the two paints offered - acrylic and glaze. Acrylic paint can be taken home same day. They apply a clear coat finishing spray and it will dry same day but may take a few hours. Anything with this paint would not be safe to eat/drink on if you get a plate/cup. Glaze will need 3 layers and would be an additional week to 2. When you paint it, it will look a bit chalkier but with the glaze, will turn shiny. There is a $5 firing fee. I believe this is okay to eat or drink after they glaze it. You could first choose which piece you want to paint, could be a cup/plate/dish or a figure. Pricing fluctuates depending on inventory. Ceramic pieces prices range from $15.99 to $50.00. They also offer canvas painting which prices range from $15.00 to $23.00. It's perfect to just paint and let your creative side come out. We enjoyed our time here painting. We also saw a few others come in either for date time or family time. One family was clever in that they had several kids, so they had each kid paint a teacup. If you don't finish or want to come back another time, you can always leave your piece with them and return to continue painting. You will need to pay though so they have your number on file to contact you (if you are getting it glazed) and also for you to resume your painting piece there. My girlfriend who was visiting, enjoyed our time here as we caught up talking and chatting while painting our shells. She had to do hers acrylic as she had to fly back to NY the next day. We ended up staying close to closing hours, so Mckenna helped do a quick spray - put it in a box for it to dry (due to the fumes) and let her take a picture of the spray to give it another layer when she went back. I did mine with glaze and got a text message it was ready a week and two days that it was ready for pick up. Very satisfied with our visit here and may come again.

The Krafty Caterer

(11 reviews)

So much fun!! We used The Krafty Caterer for an after wedding brunch gathering at my house and it…read morewas the perfect activity to relax and unwind but still super fun! I was happily surprised that even the husbands and boyfriends wanted to join in the painting fun. It was such a hit that I booked again for Easter morning. I'm looking forward to our next event with The Krafty Caterer already! Just book it! You won't be disappointed

We used the Krafty Caterer during the pandemic and at the time she was kind enough to drop the…read morefired up pieces back at our home. I don't know she had a page. Painted the coin bank owl, dish, and the daisy box. I would recommend as they're thick quality pieces and the kits she provides aren't just mini cups of paint but generous paint set. It gave me piece of mind that I didn't have to worry about running out but also I had quite a few colors to choose from. I plan to do it again and make a personalized dog bowl as they can be really expensive even to personalize the mass produced ones in the store.

Raw Rhythm Ceramics Studio

(3 reviews)

Came in on a whim and decided to check out this studio while I waited for my food order from…read moreTanner's Prime Burger to finish. This studio is adorable and the owner was really friendly and informative. I learned a lot about their classes and how they have a 7 session weekly workshop series for $395. I also bought some bowls from Raw. They're super cute!

My husband and I came here for a Valentine's Day event. We felt immediately welcomed by Ella and…read moreJohn as they were both so warm! They were both extremely knowledgeable and very patient throughout the whole experience. We highly recommend and will be back for their weekly classes :)

The Hot Spot Pottery Painting, Candle Making & more

4.6

(360 reviews)

Wow wow wooooow!! I can't recommend The Hot Spot enough! Every staff member I've interacted with…read morehas been so kind, welcoming, helpful, and incredibly knowledgeable. They truly make every visit such a fun and relaxing experience. A special thank you to MJ for going above and beyond. She is one of the sweetest people I've met and generously offered to do a photoshoot for me and my two friends. She even surprised us by making our pottery on the house! It was such a thoughtful gesture that made the entire experience even more memorable Thank you, MJ, for creating such a welcoming space where I've been able to make my Miffy bowl series, with many more pieces to come. As a frequent customer, I'll definitely be back!!

My fiancé and I came to paint our wedding cake plate on a Sunday morning. There were a lot of…read moreoptions for what we could paint, and I love that the price of the piece is what you pay with no other fees added on. We spent three hours painting and hanging out. The space is mostly catered to kids, but we saw people of all ages crafting and chatting. On a warmer day, we probably would have sat outside as it can get really crowded inside. We were never bumped, but sometimes kids would run by on their way to get paint. My only other complaint (which is more so my fault) was that we sat at stools at a shorter table so I was hunched over for a while. I'm just old. The staff was really friendly, and I like that there's a BYOB policy. I would probably suggest going later in the evening to avoid all the birthday parties as it was pretty quiet when we came to pick up our piece near closing.

Temecula Clay

4.7

(249 reviews)

Amazing time with family. Lots of classes to offer. Great help while painting with familyread more

I loved this place! I came with my boyfriend as a date night and everything was so clean and…read moreeveryone was so nice i definitely recommend for date night.

Encinitas Paper Rose

3.5

(2 reviews)

This shop is full of lovely cards and gifts that border on knick-knacky…read more Minus one star for somewhat of a limited selection of cards per category (i.e. for my mother's birthday, I had a choice between a detached blank card and a super-soupy-sweet card with a long poem). Minus another for having a minimum for credit card purchases.

This is a really lovely card and gift shop. They stock unusual items, fancy paper and cards for all…read moreoccasions. During the season, they always have artistic Christmas tree ornaments and other festive decorations. Paper Rose also has an interesting selection of themed-picture books that make great gifts as well as vintage-inspired jewelry. Good place to find that last minute gift.

Country Club Child Care

4.9

(57 reviews)

We've been with CCCC for about six months, and prior to that we were living in Los Angeles, where…read moreour son attended a daycare he absolutely loved. Naturally, we were a bit nervous about making a switch when he was so young--but the transition couldn't have gone more smoothly. He quickly settled in and formed bonds with both the teachers and the other children. One of the things we really appreciate is their communication. They share photos throughout the day (which my husband and parents especially enjoy) and provide updates at pickup. It's clear that a lot of thought goes into their daily activities too--they're creative and engaging. We've seen meaningful growth in our son, both developmentally and socially. He truly thrives around other kids, and we credit much of that to his experience at CCCC. Another standout quality is their flexibility. Our schedule is mostly part-time, but when we've needed full-time care for certain months, they've been incredibly accommodating. That kind of flexibility is hard to find at larger daycare centers.

Country club child care has a warm, home-like atmosphere where kids feel safe and cared for…read more I especially appreciate how clean and organized everything is, and how much attention is given to each child. It doesn't feel like a big, overwhelming daycare -- it feels more personal, which is so important for little ones. They also do creative activities like arts and play-based learning, which helps kids develop and stay engaged. If you're looking for a smaller, nurturing environment for your child, this is definitely a great option.

Cardiff Family Daycare

(27 reviews)

We cannot recommend Jodie and Cardiff Family Daycare highly enough! Our son started with Jodie when…read morehe was 16 months old and stayed for a full year. During that time, we saw incredible progress in his development and social skills. Jodie is so creative with her daily activities; she doesn't just 'watch' the kids, she truly teaches them through play. One of our absolute favorite parts of the week was Music Day, where a musician comes in with a guitar to sing with the children. It was a highlight for our son! Jodie has cultivated a wonderful, kind group of children, and the environment is always warm and welcoming. We only moved him because we wanted a Spanish-immersion environment for his language development, but we are so grateful for the love and care Jodie gave our son. She will be missed!

We loved our time at Cardiff Family Daycare. The owner Jodie is so warm and experienced- we…read moreimmediately felt safe to leave our 9 month old in her care. We loved that the kids do lots of outside activities and that Jodie is flexible with how they nap and any other individual needs they might have. We will continue to bring our kids there when their new schools have breaks and we need coverage care. 10/10!

Kids Castle Day Care

(22 reviews)

I cannot recommend Kids Castle enough! My 2-year-old has been attending since last September, and…read moreit has been the perfect fit for our family. Before finding this wonderful at-home care facility, my child had a poor experience at a local large daycare, which left us nervous. However, she settled in very quickly at Kids Castle and is now happy to go in and play every single day. The small team of women who run it are incredibly professional, polite, and caring. Their communication skills are excellent, which makes me feel so relaxed leaving my child there. The quality of care and activities is top-notch. They cover everything from reading, counting, and learning colors to dancing, cooking, arts and crafts, and vital social-emotional learning. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Kids Castle and truly hope we can stay here until my child reaches TK!

My wife and I moved to La Costa in November and started looking for childcare right away. We added…read moreour names to the waitlist at Kids Castle daycare and kept our fingers crossed. About five months later we got the call, and it has been the best experience since. The wait was absolutely worth it. My daughter has already shown real progress from all the activities and structure they provide. I also really appreciate the daily photo updates, it gives us peace of mind and lets us feel connected to her day. We could not be happier with our decision. I cannot recommend Kids Castle enough

Montessori School of Encinitas

4.7

(22 reviews)

We absolutely love this school! They are so great with the kids and provide not only a great…read moreeducation, but a kind, safe and loving environment for the kids. One of my kids will be starting kindergarten soon and will be very well prepared. MSE has taught her to read, write, addition, subtraction, etc. She has an advanced understanding of science, biology, history, music, etc. The teachers we have had are all SO great. I can't say enough good things, I highly recommend!

Great school. Our daughter has learned and grown so much. We are so lucky to have this place!read more

The Academy at Bright Horizons

(18 reviews)

What can I say about this incredible place? Both of my kids attended The Academy, and we have loved…read moreevery single moment. It all started in the winter of 2022, when we found out we'd be moving back to California. I was frantically searching for a preschool and hitting walls at every turn. I knew I wanted a Montessori-inspired approach, and I needed a school with room for both of my children. When I reached out to The Academy, they responded quickly and were so accommodating of the fact that we couldn't do an in-person tour. Kristine, who was the interim director at the time and has since become the director, did our tour over FaceTime and the moment it ended, I just knew. And the best part? It ended up being right down the road from the house we bought. If that doesn't scream meant to be, I don't know what does. My oldest started in the preschool class and my youngest in the young toddlers class. By the time my oldest graduated, he was more than ready for kindergarten and now the time has come for my youngest to do the same. I won't pretend I'm not going to cry on her last day. This school has been so much more than a preschool. It's been a place where I knew, without a doubt, that my children would be loved, protected, and given every opportunity to flourish. Every teacher we had was wonderful. The admin team consistently goes above and beyond for their families. Our previous preschool was a completely different experience. The constant staff turnover at this other school, meant our kids rarely had the same teacher twice, and it showed. The stability and consistency at The Academy has made all the difference. If you're a parent searching for the right place for your little one, look no further. Truly. My kids already ask if they can come back to visit. That says it all. Thank you to Kristine, Mallorie, Maricel, and every teacher who made our time there so meaningful and special. You will never fully know how much you all mean to our family. We will miss you more than words can say.

We have had a very positive experience here! I have an older son so this is also my fourth…read morepreschool so I feel like I have something to compare it to. My daughter started at 18 months. The teachers in the toddler classroom are so sweet and patient - Miss Monica and Miss Jayme. They are willing to work with whatever schedule you'd like to ease the children into the classroom. They are also very good at helping the children transition as many times this is their first place away from home. They have part time or full time schedules available. There is also an app and there are constant updates parents receive including lunch time, nap time, diapers and play time with pictures. I also love that there is a drive through drop off and pick up where the children are brought into school or out to the car. I'm a working mom and responsible for all the drop offs and pick ups and since my son attends another school, we don't have to get out of the car so this makes things much easier. The school also hosts some parent classes for free if you're interested. Cost wise for full time, it is on the higher end from what I've seen but it's cheaper than having a nanny which is what we had previously. I also believe it is reflected in the quality of care so it is worth it to me. I am happy we found this school and my son will be attending as well starting in a couple of weeks.

Gaby’s Daycare