Carlsbad - Outdoor Living at its Best in Southern California

Southern California is known for its outdoor lifestyle that residents and vacationers can enjoy year-round due to the fabulous weather (well, most of the time). In large part that is the reason for the number of folks who now live here, or are moving here despite the high cost of living.

Carlsbad, like many other coastal towns in the San Diego area offers much in the way of outdoor living. Of course you have wonderful beaches to enjoy year-round - surfing, sun bathing, swimming, fishing, kite flying, dining, watching the sun set, and more. And of course there is lots of camping available at South Carlsbad State Beach.

Most homes are oriented toward an outdoor lifestyle, and a merging of the inside and outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are getting far more popular and elaborate - some properties offer as much in the way of cooking and dining outdoors as they do inside, including large-screen TVs. And many homes also have pools or at least spas and hot tubs.

Love to Golf? You can enjoy golfing at La Costa Spa and Resort in the La Costa area of South Carlsbad, or at the Four Seasons Aviara. The newest Carlsbad golf course, The Crossings at Carlsbad, opens in August. 

Shopping is also an outdoor activity. All the local malls (e.g., The Forum, Carlsbad Premium Outlets) are open-air style so you can enjoy the weather while window shopping or walking from store to store. There are lots of farmers markets (Carlsbad's in on Wednesdays from 2 - 5 in the Village) where you can shop for local fruits, vegetables, flowers and much more. You can also pick your own strawberries and other fruits at certain times of the year. Lots of garden shops and nurseries too, for those of you who enjoy gardening.

Are you a music lover? Well, we have that outdoors too. Carlsbad offers a 10-concert series in the summer called TGIF Jazz in the Parks (this post is about lots of things to do in Carlsbad). These free concerts are held in 4 of Carlsbad's finest public parks (lots of those too) on successive Fridays (in 2007, they started June 22). Music offerings include jazz, blues, latin, swing and more. The bands are usually excellent and people come for miles to enjoy the music while dining al fresco on whatever they choose to bring to enjoy. TheFour Seasons Aviara in the Aviara area of Carlsbad also offers a 4-concert jazz series, now in its 10th year with performers such as Rick Braun and Richard Elliott. In neighboring Encinitas there are free concerts on the beach at Moonlight Beachat the junction of Encinitas Boulevard and the Coastal highway (Route 101).

Enjoy movies? We can provide that outdoors as well. San Elijo Hills, a terrific master planned community bordering Southeast Carlsbad offers movies on two nights (in 2007, on July 28 and August 25 at 8 PM) outdoors in the park in the town center. Rancho Carrillo, a master planned community in Carlsbad, also offers free outdoor movies to area residents (in 2007, Friday nights from August 17 - September 14)

How about art? Yep, got it too, in spades. Carlsbad has a terrific 2-day festival coming up called ArtSplash to benefit art programs in the local schools. The festival also includes The Taste of Carlsbad with wonderful offerings from area restaurants. There are also two huge outdoor art fairs held in Carlsbad each year with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees. Leucadia, a funky, eclectic seaside community in next door Encinitas will be having its 3^rd Art Walk on August 26th. Rancho Santa Fe also has a wonderful outdoor art fair in September with a large representation by area artisans and artists.

Are you a car lover? Then don't miss the 4 Rods and Woodies Classic Car Shows on the 3^rd Thursday of the summer months (June to September) in Encinitas. You can enjoy shopping at local merchants, food and entertainment as well while admiring a great collection of car classics. This is a Don't Miss for car lovers.

Love dining outdoors? Well, there are a myriad of restaurants that offer outdoor dining in Carlsbad (this link is to a virtual tour with music) and other local communities.

Need I say more? You may spend more time out of doors than in here in Carlsbad. Nothing wrong with that, right?