Fun Times in Carlsbad California
Carlsbad is a popular San Diego vacation destination with 7 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, absolutely stunning especially at sunset. Carlsbad also has some of San Diego’s best resorts; Omni La Costa Resort, Park Hyatt Resort, and the Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad Beach Inn, just to name a few. The list of the top things to do in Carlsbad is long but here are a few suggestions from a local’s perspective.
Beaches – Fun Times in Carlsbad
Seven miles of California coastline meanders through Carlsbad, providing visitors with three beaches to choose from: Carlsbad City Beach, Carlsbad State Beach better known as Tamarack Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach aka Ponto. Each beach offers a variety of water activities, including surfing, swimming, fishing and sunbathing.
Cultural Attractions
Carlsbad offers a variety of cultural attractions. The arts are a part of Carlsbad, as is evidenced by the art-related activities and facilities the city has to offer, including the New Village Arts Theater, the Carlsbad Music Festival and the William D. Cannon Art Gallery. For fun times in Carlsbad visit our more than 20 museums and historic sites are within driving distance of Carlsbad.
Art in the Village
Celebrating the dynamic art culture in Carlsbad Village and the surrounding areas, the event attracts thousands of residents and a diverse selection of fine artists in mediums such as oil painting, watercolors, photography, mixed media, new media, classical and contemporary sculpture, as well as artisans who work in the mediums of jewelry making, woodworking, furniture, pottery, and hand-painted clothing and accessories.
Now Showing at the New Village Arts Theater
Speaking of fun times in Carlsbad, we just went to see American Hero’s last night, loved the show & you will too!
Cost: $45 – $48 | Get tickets
- Where:
New Village Arts Theatre
2787 B State Street, Carlsbad, 92008
Get directions
Culinary Delights with Carlsbad Food Tours
Indulge Yourself & Enjoy the Best Taste of Carlsbad, “The Village by the Sea” in northern San Diego
Carlsbad Food Tours is Carlsbad’s original and only food tour. Our tour partners are passionate, and our guides are fun, local, and knowledgeable. We create unique experiences that allow people to connect through food.
Carlsbad Food Tours – A Taste of Carlsbad
Experience a taste of Carlsbad with delicious foods from authentic one-of-a-kind specialty shops & local ethnic eateries. Eat like a Local!
Museum of Making Music features
Music.
It’s the soundtrack of our lives, and it’s also part of a much larger story… the story of how an industry—the music products industry—supplies the world with the instruments, products and gear that we all use to make music.
And it’s a story we think you’ll enjoy! When you step into the galleries (and back in time) you’ll see outstanding examples of musical instruments, many of them displayed in vintage music store settings. You’ll also hear some familiar tunes in audio and video clips, have many hands-on opportunities to pick up and play a variety of instruments, and discover the innovative ways that the music industry has grown over the years. It’s an insider’s view of the world of making music—and it’s all here at the Museum of Making Music!
Don’t miss a beat! Visit the Museum of Making Music today and discover a world of music and music making.
- Where:
Museum of Making Music – fun times in Carlsbad
5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, 92008
Get directions
Theme Parks
One of the best-known attractions in Carlsbad is Legoland California, a theme park built around the popular children’s building blocks theme. Featuring more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, Legoland also features a water park, restaurants, and shops. San Diego offers several theme park options, including Sea World, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Belmont Park, the city’s only beachfront amusement park. So many fun times in Carlsbad & San Diego County.
Sports
Carlsbad hosts a series of sporting events, including the Carlsbad Marathon and the Carlsbad Triathlon. Skateboarding is another favorite sport in Carlsbad. Spectators flock to Carlsbad’s La Costa Resort and Spa each year to watch women’s professional sporting events: the KIA Classic Open tennis tournament. Carlsbad is also within an hour’s drive of several professional sports teams, including the San Diego Padres.
Carlsbad Hiking Trails
Skip the gym. Carlsbad, literally, has miles of trails (38 miles, to be precise, with plans for another 20 miles) for any level of outdoor enthusiast. Have a look online before you go as some are unpaved, hilly or rugged for a more intense calorie burn while others are perfect for leisure walks and kids. Try the diverse Aviara trail, 6 miles of golf course, lagoon and other scenic views.
Explore one of the few remaining tidal wetlands in California. Most of the Batiquitos Lagoon trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly. Remember that since it is an ecological reserve, dogs must be leashed, horses and bicycles aren’t allowed, and disturbing plants and wildlife is prohibited.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
Kids will love the plethora of peacocks roaming around. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park was once owned by Leo Carrillo, the actor who played Pancho in The Cisco Kid. Adobe buildings, windmills and more adorn this gorgeous park, that’s free to enter and a great place to experience California history. To have a look inside the buildings, you’ll need to take a guided tour, but feel free to roam the grounds on your own. The terrain is rugged so make sure to wear appropriate shoes.