Carlsbad can’t be put into one category. Its 40 square miles contain beaches, mountains, old-fashioned main streets, luxury resorts and high-end communities. If there’s a common theme, Realtor Jonny Kohl with Compass Real Estate, who’s been selling in San Diego for 8 years, says, “It’s like Pleasantville for outdoor enthusiasts and health nuts who love mountain biking, surfing, hiking and running every day of the week.” Kohl adds, “You kind of don’t need to leave your bubble. You can live in the mountains with tons of hiking and be 10 minutes from the beach.” This bounty of activity can make it feel like living in one big resort, because it kind of is. Maria Riley, communications manager of Visit Carlsbad, says, “Tourism is a big part of why we exist.” In the early 1900s, they discovered that the city had a bed of alkaline water, so wellness resorts started popping up. While people originally came for the health benefits, the city caught on for its idyllic climate — hovering around 70 degrees all year — allowing for year-round golfing and surfing. Despite this resort-town setting, it doesn’t feel touristy because residents get as much, if not more, use out of the amenities than visitors do. Take Carlsbad Village — the city’s heart — for example. “The Village could be considered touristy, but it’s cool," Kohl says. "Everyone hangs out there, and it’s got awesome surf shops and restaurants.” Riley adds, “This is a vacation spot, and it has that attitude. You’ll walk around and see everyone smiling and enjoying their day. It’s just chill.”
Ponto Beach in La Costa is known for competitive volleyball tournaments.
Residents of La Costa can ride their bikes along Carlsbad State Beach.
La Costa Resort is the place for a day at the spa in La Costa.
Residents of The Foothills can sit in a cabana or lounge in the sun at the poolside in Carlsbad.
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Surfing, hiking and high-end golfing
While the city’s attitude is chill, Carlsbad residents are rarely sitting still. “When the sun is up, people are out doing stuff,” says Kohl. This especially applies to the surf culture — it is SoCal, after all. Groups of surfers paddle out with the break of dawn at Carlsbad State Beach and Tamarack Surf Beach. Some are floating and chatting, and others are catching waves while those resting on the beach cheer them on. Runners and cyclists take in the views from the beach’s paved pathway. Just south of Tamarack, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon offers paddle boarding, kayaking and easy nature trails. The terrain becomes mountains just a few miles east of the beach. Trails can be found on almost any hillside. There are also expansive hiking areas between residential communities, like Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Preserve, a few miles west of the Village, and Box Canyon to the south.
Carlsbad is also known as a golf mecca. It’s home to the headquarters of Callaway and TaylorMade, along with many highly touted courses. The Omni La Costa Resort is particularly famous. This expansive property of golf courses, tennis courts and spas gained its reputation during Hollywood’s golden age. In Hollywood’s early years, actors’ contracts often stipulated that they remain within 100 miles of the set, and the La Costa Resort happens to be 99 miles from Hollywood. Naturally, it became the spot for A-listers and Rat Pack members to get away without upsetting their managers too much. However, courses like The Crossings offer resort-level conditions without the waiting list for everyday play.
This couple is enjoying the sunset at Carlsbad State Beach.
Its an easy walk across the street to the beach for stunning views in Carlsbad.
Carlsbad has many top rated golf courses throughout the city.
People love to visit the Carlsbad Alga Norte Community Park to go skateboarding.
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Carlsbad Village is always buzzing
“Carlsbad Village is the city’s heartbeat,” says Riley. When people are talking about Carlsbad, they’re usually talking about the Village. Much of Carlsbad is residential, so folks come to the Village for lively dining and nightlife. Buildings no more than two stories tall and all-way crosswalks create a pedestrian-friendly village setting by the beach. Open storefronts and outdoor patios take advantage of the warm climate and bring the sidewalks to life. The action mostly lives along Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street. Carlsbad Boulevard is home to beach hotels, breweries and the Village Faire: an outdoor mall packed with restaurants and bars like Gonzo Ramen and Same Same. State Street — the neighboring thoroughfare — has one of the most popular culinary scenes in San Diego County. Its row of restaurants includes buzzing coffee and donut shops like The Goods, inventive American fare at Campfire and Michelin-star French cuisine at Jeune et Jolie. Of course, this is a beach town, so fresh seafood is easy to find. Riley says, “I judge a new restaurant here by their fish tacos. It’s the standard.”
The Village fully comes to life during the State Street Farmers Market, held every Wednesday afternoon. The street fills with craft vendors and farm stands with colorful displays of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in and around the city.
The iconic sign along the Coast Highway greets people as they enter Carlsbad.
Locals love to go to Crackheads for a cocktail or appetizer in Carlsbad.
Locals prefer a golf cart to get around and even bring their dog for a ride in Carlsbad.
Jeune et Jolie is a renowned Michelin star restaurant in Carlsbad.
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Beachside concerts and seasonal flower fields
The Camp Store is a casual outdoor restaurant overlooking South Carlsbad State Beach, and their concerts have become go-to events for locals. At least once a month, they hold concerts in their spacious outdoor area. “They’re actually really good shows,” Kohl says. “They cook burgers and dogs so you can eat and watch the concert right on the beach.”
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are one of the city’s biggest seasonal attractions. Farmer Fred organizes this 50-acre display of color-coordinated rows of ranunculus flowers that bloom from March to May. “The flower fields are a great example of something touristy and super local,” says Riley. “People come from all over to see them, and locals take a lot of pride in having something so beautiful in their backyard.”
Locals can enjoy live shows at the Coyote Bar in Carlsbad.
There are 55-acres of flowers that bloom each Spring bring a lot of visitors to Carlsbad.
The Flower Fields in Carlsbad is one of the areas most popular attractions each Spring.
State Street Farmers Market in Carlsbad is open every Wednesday for locals to shop.
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More house for the money in North County
There are practical reasons why residents choose Carlsbad. “I wouldn’t say Carlsbad is inexpensive, but people with $2 million to spend on a single-family home in this area look in Carlsbad because that won’t go too far in Encinitas,” says Kohl. “Carlsbad is big, so it has options. You can even find really nice condos here in the six-figure range.” The city’s median price is about $1.5 million, but as Kohl says, there’s a lot of variety. Large high-end communities of Spanish-style homes in neighborhoods like Aviara and La Costa — on the city’s south end — are popular options for their elevated mountain and ocean views. These homes can start around the median price and reach almost $5 million. More architectural variety can be found around Carlsbad Village, from condos for under a million to contemporary beachfront homes for over $10 million. A few streets east of the Village, Olde Carlsbad’s custom 1920s homes offer a contrast to the uniform communities to the south for around the median price of $1.5 million.
Carlsbad’s chill, residential atmosphere comes with low crime. According to FBI data, the city’s violent crime rate has remained consistently lower than state and national numbers since 2019. In 2023, the Carlsbad Police Department reported about 46 offenses per 100,000 people, compared to California’s rate of 103 offenses per 100,000 people.
Ranch style homes are common around Carlsbad.
This custom home that looks like it could be in home and garden magazine in La Costa.
Here is a classic large shake shingle home in La Costa.
This homes has been recently renovated with modern design in La Costa.
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A-plus-rated Carlsbad Unified School District
Students in Carlsbad benefit from stellar public schools. The Carlsbad Unified School District receives an A-plus overall rating from Niche, and every school in the district is graded an A-minus or better. Standouts include A-plus schools like Aviara Oaks Elementary and Sage Creek High School. Carlsbad also has decorated private options like the Pacific Ridge School, given an A-plus.
Commute on Interstate 5 or the Coaster
Downtown San Diego is about 40 miles south, but most folks commute within North County, as it’s become a biotech hub. Carlsbad has a decent number of these emerging biotech companies, but many have made their home in Sorento Valley, just over 20 miles south. Commuters can get to these locations by driving on Interstate 5 or taking the Coaster train, which is designed for traveling up and down San Diego County. The ride from Carlsbad Village Station to Sorento Valley takes about an hour. Large nearby healthcare facilities include Tri-City Medical Center on the city’s north side and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, 10 miles south of the Village. San Diego International Airport is over 30 miles south. When it comes to getting around town, most of Carlsbad is car-dependent. However, residents in Carlsbad Village can walk to almost anything they need.
Sustainability is a priority
“Sustainability is important to Carlsbad as a whole,” says Riley. “We have amazing natural spaces, and we like to pass down the spirit of keeping everything as beautiful as it can be.” It’s normal to see locals picking up trash on the beach during their morning walk, and organizations like the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation strive to educate kids on the importance of a healthy watershed. The foundation’s Discovery Campus has plant gardens and animal exhibits displaying species native to the lagoon’s watershed.
Written By
Ed Coombs
Photography Contributed By
Matt Brown
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pat Camerena,
an experienced agent in this area.
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