Rich, luxurious Carlsbad - Loads for visitors to do and see
Carlsbad is a wealthy beachside resort covering a glorious 7 mile stretch of immaculate Pacific coastline in northern San Diego County, 87 miles from LA and 35 from San Diego itself. It offers visitors a feast of beautiful state beaches, camping grounds, lagoons and spas, natural beauty and holiday fun. Surfing, sailing, jet skiing, fishing, kayaking, swimming, boogie boarding, biking, nature walks, golf, tennis, hiking and even whale watching await you.
The well that feeds the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spring was originally dug by an ex-sailor called John Frazier back in the 1880s.
There's Carlsbad Village Street Faire, Carlsbad Triathlon, Art in the Village, ArtSplash, Beach'n 101 Cruise, Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour and Oktoberfest, Jazz in the Park, Shakespeare in the Park and sp much more...
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Relax at Carlsbad State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, Batiquitos Lagoon and Buena Vista lagoon
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Visit the Flower Fields
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Stroll along scenic Oceanside pier
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Spend the day at fantastic LEGOLAND
Experience all of the above and you'll start to feel right at home, having sussed this gorgeous city's vibe. Then explore further to fill in the fine detail. This really is a place you'll never forget.
The Carlsbad Mineral Spa's basement conceals a secret - a museum dedicated to the history of the infamous well that feeds the spring. And head to the following for a taste of Carlsbad's attractions
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Visit the Museum of Making Music
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See the charming Shipley-Magee House Museum
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Stroll around Escondido Grape Day park
How about the lovely San Diego Wild Animal Park? It's part of the San Diego Zoo, revealing lots of wild African creatures in their natural settings, a small, intimate and unusual zoo experience.
Or try the Sea Life Aquarium. Great for hands-on learning and close up encounters with a whole host of sea creatures including sharks, rays and octopus.
Balboa Park, just to the north, is an urban treasure. San Diego Bay and Mission Bay offer excellent boating and water recreation.
The California Surf Museum is small yet perfectly formed, a collection of surf boards and tributes to famous surfers on downtown Oceanside, with free admission. Visit one of the USA's most important observatories, the massive telescope on top of Mount Palomar operated by Cal Tec, open to the public with a little museum on site. Head a bit farther afield for the brilliant Quail Botanical Gardens in Encintas, just north of San Diego. It's a feast of beautiful, strange, weird and wonderful desert and coastal scrub plants, inspirational for gardeners. Enjoy Batiquitos Lagoon, the Craftsmanship Museum, The Flower Fields, Oceanside Pier and Buena Vista Lagoon, finally a visit to the BVAS Nature Center tops thing off nicely.
Carlsbad Village itself is a highlight of your stay, away from the beach with plenty of independent shops to rummage in and a couple of good restaurants. The Leo Carillo Ranch Historic Park is great, the actor's fascinating retreat away from bustling LA. Four excellent golf courses plus loads of surfing and windsurfing opportunities are on the cards in Carlsbad, along with a fistful of premium outlet shops where you can snag the bargain of the century. Plus food tours, balloon rides, arts, crafts, great beer, top food... you name it.