Carlsbad
Carlsbad’s nickname, “the Village by the Sea,” spotlights two of its strongest appeals - seven miles of picture-postcard sandy beaches, each with a character all its own, and its charming downtown alongside the Pacific Ocean.
A quintessential beach town, Carlsbad boasts a Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine, even in winter. With a combination of childlike fun and grownup tastes, it offers something for everyone: surfers and beachcombers, lagoon explorers and cyclists, flower aficionados, shopping fanatics and lovers of delicious cuisine.
Tucked between Oceanside to the north and San Diego to the south, Carlsbad originally was called Frazier’s Station after Captain John Frazier, who dug a well in the area and found mineral springs in the 1880s. The town was renamed Carlsbad after Karlsbad, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), also famed for its artesian mineral waters.
You can still purchase Carlsbad Alkaline Water at the site of the original well (2802 Carlsbad Blvd.) and indulge in serious self-care at the luxury and day spas and wellness centers in town.
Fun in the Make-Believe
LEGOLAND is also home to the SEA LIFE Aquarium, where 5,000-plus marine creatures reside, and LEGOLAND Water Park, which opens each March with several slides, sandy beaches and the Build-A-Raft River.
For an eye-popping, once-a-year event, don’t miss The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch®, where 55-acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers bloom March through May. You board a tractor-pulled wagon for a tour of the multicolored fields. Be sure to enjoy the Butterfly Encounter, gem mining and the Sweet Pea Maze.
Mark your calendar for strawberry picking season - typically starting February or March - at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company (1050 Cannon Road). Fill a few buckets with your dreams of strawberry shortcake, jam and tarts.
In May and November, the Carlsbad Village Street Faire weaves through several blocks downtown to feature more than 750 vendors and their arts and crafts, antiques, clothing, food and more. Each event draws about 100,000 visitors, making this the largest street fair in the nation.
For quality year-round shopping, explore Carlsbad Village’s highly walkable sampling of boutiques and unique shops - from antiques to art galleries, books, apparel, gifts, gardening gear and a growing culinary scene featuring everything from casual
fare to craft breweries, wine bars and two Michelin-starred restaurants.
While downtown, stop in at the Museum of Making Music (5790 Armada St.), which celebrates music history and innovation. You can make your own music with a variety of instruments and stay for concerts and classes.
For designer and name-brand shopping, travel seven minutes south of the Village to Carlsbad Premium Outlets® (5620 Paseo Del Norte) with 85-plus shops and the chance to get your must-have fashion brands.
Time to Relax in Nature
Or, stop in at Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Lagoon Place). Paddleboard, kayak and fish the calm, soothing waters of this 400-acre ecological reserve. At the Discovery Center (1580 Cannon Road), learn about local raptors like owls and falcons.
Prefer to meditate amidst rolling fairways and sneaky sand traps? As the “golf equipment capital of the world,” Carlsbad is home to many manufacturers with facilities here.
You can test out their new equipment at on-site demo days or specialized, appointment-only fittings.
Then take to the links at the gorgeous resort and public golf courses in and around Carlsbad, which Golf Digest named among its “23 Best Summertime Buddies Trip” destinations. Your choices include a par-72 course at the Aviara Golf Club (7447 Batiquitos Drive) designed by the master golfer, Arnold Palmer, with ocean and lagoon views, native wildflowers and a challenge- yourself layout.
To truly sample Carlsbad’s relaxed coastal vibe, save time for its beaches. They include:
Tamarack Beach, part of Carlsbad State Beach (intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue). It’s the perfect pick if you love surfing, kayaking, windsurfing or simply sunbathing.
Beautifully secluded, Terramar Beach (5399 County Highway S21) welcomes surfers and tidepool explorers. Or linger for the dramatic, Instagram-worthy sunsets.
South Carlsbad State Beach (7201 Carlsbad Blvd.), ideal for sandcastle- building and body-boarding, also features a welcoming bluff-top campground. From that dramatic outlook, the Camp Store - open to campers and non-campers alike -parties to the tunes of local musicians and pizza hot from a wood-stone oven.
For more details, visit visitcarlsbad.com or carlsbadvillagefaire.com.
