Carlsbad, California (Village by the Sea) is a charming city located on the Pacific Coast, 35 miles north of downtown San Diego and 87 miles south of Los Angeles. History Carlsbad began in the 1880’s as a whistle stop for the new California Southern Railroad. It was known as Fraizer’s station at the time, but was renamed “Carlsbad” when Mr. Fraizer discovered his hand dug well produced mineral water equal in content to one of Europe’s most popular health spa, Karlsbad, Bohemia. The well still produces mineral water to this day.