Carlsbad, as many already know, has lots to offer folks in the way of art, music, restaurants, shopping and just tourist-type stuff to do. You can easily find something to do most any day or night of the week year-round, no matter what your interest or budget, or simply enjoy sitting around or strolling along the beaches (click here for a virtual tour of local beaches, with music), appreciating the fabulous coastal climate in North County San Diego.

Popular tourist attractions include the Carlsbad beaches (especially South Carlsbad State Beach which offers camping), Legoland, Leo Carrillo Ranch, the Museum of Making Music, and the Flower Fields (mid March to early May).

There are lots of places to go surfing, and you can take surfing lessons if you wish.

The Batiquitos Lagoon (photo below right, and very bottom right) borders Carlsbad and Encinitas, in the Aviara area of Carlsbad in the southwest quadrant, and offers a beautiful area to walk, run, and enjoy bird watching in a nature preserve. No boating or other water activities are allowed.

The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the area, and also offers guided nature walks and other educational and preservation activities. Fishing is only allowed at the mouth of the lagoon by the freeway.

Golfers have several options, including La Costa Spa and Resort (the spa is a popular place to visit too) although it is private, the Four Seasons Aviara Resort (photo above), the public course at Rancho Carlsbad, and soon at The Crossings at Carlsbad, the newest golf course opening August 4, 2007.

Shoppers in Carlsbad have it made. Carlsbad Village has lots of clothing and antique stores, second hand shops, and a myriad of other retail establishments to suit every taste. More upscale shopping with some bargains will be found at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets off Palomar Airport Road. The Forum, in south Carlsbad (photo above far right), offers upscale shopping like Ann Taylor, Talbots, The Wine Loft (a terrific wine shop offering wine tastings) and Sur la Table.

For music enthusiasts we have the TGIF Jazz in the Park series, now in its 22^nd  year. The concerts (there are 10 for 2007) are held on successive Fridays beginning June 22 (next week) and rotate among 4 of Carlsbad's beautiful parks - Calavera Hills Park (photo at left), Stagecoach Park, Poinsettia Park, and Pine Avenue Park.

The concerts are free and typically last from 1 ½ to 2 hours (6 - 8 pm). People (generally 3,000+) generally bring picnics and enjoy sitting on chairs or blankets to enjoy a range of music; the concert schedule typically includes jazz, blues, big band, and latin (websites for some bands are listed so you can preview music) and the bands are generally excellent and well received.

This series is sponsored by the Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, and there are always raffles of a wide range of gifts to raise funds to support this terrific, free music series - trips, wine, hotel stays, gift baskets, massages, restaurants, and just about anything else donated by local Carlsbad merchants.

Dining is also a popular activity, and there are many restaurants to enjoy in Carlsbad Village and South Carlsbad (the La Costaand Aviara areas). Offerings range from the most casual and family style eateries to high-end dining at BlueFire Grill at La Costa Spa and Resort, or at Vivace in the Four Seasons.

Enjoy the virtual tour (with music) below of some of Carlsbad's restaurants.

If you are looking for things to do in Carlsbad, you don't have to look far.