1. The Beach
There’s a surprise, eh? For visitors, it is the reason all the hotels try to crowd as close to the water as possible, and for locals it is just about every other memory while growing up. And there are at least 10 different things to do at the beach. It is an all day proposition. The morning, while the marine layer still clings, is the perfect time to stroll on the sand looking for shells. As the day heats up there are multiple ways to take on the waves—surf, boogie, body and skim. Tired? Build a sand castle or bury your BFF. As evening comes, pull out the barbie and enjoy the mix of salt air and red meat. And don’t leave after the green flash, that’s when the wind dies down, the moon turns the water to silver and the grunion begin to run.



2. LEGOLAND
We were a sleepy little surf town until we were overrun by the two-to-12 crowd with a penchant for small, plastic bricks. Imagination is the playground of the young and LEGOLAND has many of those fairy tale destinations in miniature: Knights in castles, pirates in crows’ nests and dinosaurs in primeval—albeit plastic—landscapes. There are really more than a day’s worth of shows and attractions. Don’t miss the Firehouse show; it is why most Carlsbadians think the CFD should also sing and dance. And if you are one of those sacrificial parents who chose Carlsbad over Vegas, the Big Apple or the Big Easy, ditch the kids and head to Miniland, USA. Who says imagination is just for kids?

LEGOLAND
1 LEGOLAND Drive
(off Cannon Road E)
760.918.5346 • legoland.com

3. The Flower Fields
For three months out of the year, the hills are alive with ooohs and aaahs. Locals remember growing up among row on row of bird of paradise (our city flower), carnations, gladiolas and, of course, ranunculus. The latter is our last stock in trade, but still the splendor of every spring. People from all over southern California make a pilgrimage every year to walk from color to color or let a tractor pull them through the glory of the blooms. And whether in bulb or bouquet, it is one of the few attractions where the sight is also the souvenir.

The Flower Fields
5704 Paseo Del Norte
760.431.0352 • theflowerfields.com

4. Golf
Nick Faldo was once asked if he could live anywhere in the world other than the fairways of his birth, where it would be. He said Carlsbad, because it is the golf capital of the world. With our apologies to St. Andrews and Augusta, we heartily agree. Faldo reasoned that Carlsbad is home to Callaway, Titleist and TaylorMade and has a world-class course in La Costa. We also have Aviara and our new city course. The Crossings at Carlsbad is getting a reputation for honing a golfer’s ability to get out of tough rough, tricky traps and great lies. GOLF Magazine recently named it one of the top 10 new courses you can play.

The Crossings at Carlsbad • thecrossingscarlsbad.com

Four Seasons Aviara • fourseasons.com

La Costa Resort and Spa • lacosta.com

5. Spas
Carlsbad began with a spa. In 1882, John Frazier dug a well though everyone said he’d never find fresh water so near the ocean. The water was not merely fresh, he hit an artesian spring and the mineral content of the water was the same as the world-renowned waters of Karlsbad, Bohemia (now the largest spa city in Europe, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic). Thus a name and an industry were born. And Carlsbad grew with a spa. Back in the ’60s as homes began to spring up around La Costa Resort & Spa, the city fathers annexed La Costa and more than doubled the size of Carlsbad. Now, whether you are looking to detoxify or relax, we have Roman waterfalls, herbal therapies or a hot stone massage in almost every corner of Carlsbad. We may not have originated the spa, but we are perfecting it with élan.




6. Wakeboarding/Wave Running at the Lagoon
Your parents called it water or Jet Skiing (see page 48), but by any other name, it is old school fun in Carlsbad. Locals sometimes fight over the location’s nickname: is it Snug Harbor or Fox’s Lagoon? For visitors’ clarification, it is the back bay of our middle estuary, or Agua Hedionda. Home to California Watersports, you can rent wakeboards and the boat to go with it to catch the morning glass. Or, if a day on the links has been hot and slow, an hour or two on a wave runner can satisfy your need for speed. Oh—and if tranquil is what you’re looking for, they also rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and aqua cycles.

California Watersports
4215 Harrison St.
760.434.3089 • carlsbadlagoon.com

7. Museum of Making Music
If you’ve ever drooled over a Fender guitar, caressed the keys of a Baldwin piano or lovingly brought your lips to a Conn saxophone, this museum is for you. The MMM displays over 450 vintage instruments and music making innovations. Besides the instruments, you can step back in time with unforgettable audio and video clips. A division of the NAMM Foundation (National Association of Music Merchants), the MMM is housed in NAMM’s Carlsbad headquarters off Armada Drive. Their exhibition of “The American Violin” runs through September, but hurry up to catch “That Beatles Sound” which closes at the end of July. You don’t want to miss the sweet reverb of the mopley crew.

Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada Drive
760.438.5996
museumofmakingmusic.org


8. K1 Speed
Run out of SPF 50 and need an afternoon away from the sun? K1 Speed has an indoor track for racing, not go karts, but pro karts. The not so subtle difference is “electric, state-of-the-art, high-torque, zero-emission” racing thrills. Think Formula race driving on a smaller scale, but with a tad more speed than the go kart you made with your father’s lawn mower engine. The track does close sometimes for the occasional birthday or bachelor party, so always check ahead. But their “arrive and drive” hours pit you against the clock, your spouse, your golf foursome, or whoever arrived to drive at the same time. Watch out if you’re competitive; their best time of the week and month—they even have a KI pro ranking system—makes this addictive to must-win-at-all-cost types.

K1 Speed
6212 Corte Del Abeto
760.929.2225
k1speed.com

9. Street Faires
Held only one day each May and November, but what a party! The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is the largest in the country and doubles Carlsbad’s population on those two days. Over 900 vendors arrive before the sun is barely up to set up their wares. Apparel, plants, some excellent art, eclectic music, jewelry, antiques, toys, something for every inclination. Fifty food booths cover every taste as well. There is a kids’ area with activities like a rock-climbing wall, bounce houses and face painting. The adult area is called the beer and wine garden and comes with a large screen TV—so we don’t miss a Padres or Chargers game—or live bands. Local secret: shop early to beat the crowds.




10. Shopping
We know, you could do this anywhere, right? But Carlsbad has some exceptional spots to browse. The Village downtown is our oldest shopping district so it has small-town charm. There are unique clothing boutiques and specialty shops. If you are looking for all the regular stores, indoors, and would like to get your ears pierced, buy a phone or get a massage we have Westfield Plaza Camino Real, known to locals by the clever nickname “the mall.” And forget Barstow for outdoor outlets, we have our own. The Carlsbad Premium Outlets has brand name retailers to get you the latest Coach or Dooney & Bourke bags for much less. And our newest spot, but certainly not the least, is The Forum at Carlsbad. The Forum has extraordinary shops and marvelously diverse eateries.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 100
760.804.9000
premiumoutlets.com

The Forum Carlsbad
1923 Calle Barcelona
760.479.0166
theforumshopping.com

The Village of Carlsbad
shopcarlsbadvillage.org

Westfield Plaza Camino Real
2525 El Camino Real
760.729.7927 • westfield.com