Carlsbad, California, is a seaside city in southern California filled with sunny days, surfing, and walks along the shoreline. With a population of around 112,000 people, Carlsbad is a diverse city, with plenty of local culture to absorb and lots of options for outdoor recreation, as well as local attractions for residents and tourists alike to visit and enjoy. The incredible year-round climate in Carlsbad makes this city a tourism destination and contributes to the continued growth of this gem in southern California.
Carlsbad is divided into four equal sections: northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. The northwest section is the oldest area of Carlsbad, with smaller bungalows and cottages that date from the 1950s as well as expansive mansions with incredible ocean views. In the nearby northeast quadrant, the suburban area known as Chestnut Hills contains many single-family homes with large yards, while the southeast quadrant has seen new developments of master-planned communities alongside upscale golf courses and green space. The southwest section of Carlsbad contains the affluent resort neighborhood of Aviara, which is ranked as one of the most expensive zip codes in the nation.
The unemployment rate in Carlsbad is less than half of the national average, sitting at a rare 3.9%, and job growth in the city has been climbing at a positive rate for the past few years. With so many residents, education is a top priority, and school districts such as Carlsbad Unified, San Marcos, and Encinitas employ thousands of educators and support staff in the region. The largest employers in Carlsbad cover a wide range of industries, with businesses such as ViaSat, Life Technologies Corporation, Legoland California, Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, SGN Nutrition, and the Gemological Institute of America making up part of the top 10 employers in the city. Other well-known businesses such as Upper Deck, No Fear, Osiris Shoes, Macbeth Footwear, Jenny Craig, and Callaway Golf Company all have their headquarters in Carlsbad.
