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 Coastal CarlsbadCarlsbad, 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.

 Calaveras Community Park in CarlsbadFor music enthusiasts we have the TGIF Jazz in the Park series, now in its 22nd  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.

 

8 Comments on Things to do in Coastal Carlsbad, California

Beautiful tour, Jeff!  I espeically liked the RES of the restaurants!  (Makes me hungry!)

06/15/2007 10:02 AM by Sarah Cooper (Real Estate Shows)


Jeff, I love the dining RE Show you did! What a great use of that tool. Carlsbad was beautiful when I went there a couple years ago.

06/15/2007 10:05 AM by Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTORĀ® (Wagner iTeam -Keller Williams Clients' Choice)


Thanks, Sarah. I confess that eating (and dining out) is one of my passions, so that sort of thing is fun for me to write about. Gives me a great way to discover new places to dine but also "food" for thought in my community blogs on the area.

Thank you for visiting.

Jeff

06/15/2007 10:06 AM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Jeff, what an amazing post and the pictures are spectacular!  The next time, I'm in Carlsbad, I'll know exactly what to do.  I'm especially looking forward to visiting La Costa Spa.  Loved the show!!!

06/15/2007 10:14 AM by Pasadena CA Real Estate - Irina Netchaev (Keller Williams International Realty)


Thanks, Marianna. It was fun to write and I enjoy the photography, although I can use some improvement in that area. :)

If you come back to visit be sure to let me know.

Jeff

06/15/2007 10:23 AM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Irina - thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Carlsbad really is a neat place to visit, or to live. The spa (and the one at the Four Seasons is also wonderful - been there) is less than a 10-minute walk from my house.

Jeff

06/15/2007 10:25 AM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Jeff - I just got home from vacation in Carlsbad... my brother and sister live there - and I just LOVE it!!! Honestly the only other place I would want to live, Southern CA anyway. I wish I would have seen this before I got there - but nonetheless, great post, and I can't wait to go back in a few months!

06/19/2007 11:33 PM by Leigh Bates, DFW Real Estate (Keller Williams)


Leigh - well I am really late to the party here. I must not have checked "notify me of new comments" so I apologize for not responding to your kind words. Thank you for stopping by. And let me know if you get out this way again - it would be fun to connect!

Jeff

09/06/2007 08:59 PM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


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Real Estate Agent: Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)
Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate
Carlsbad, CA
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