Carlsbad, incorporated in 1952, is an affluent coastal city in the North County region of San Diego County located about 35 miles north of Downtown San Diego. Oceanside is to the north, Lake San Marcos is to the east, Encinitas is to the south, and the Pacific Ocean is to the west. The city is a popular tourist destination and the home of Legoland California. Carlsbad is also home to the nation's largest desalination plant which produces more than 50 million gallons of fresh water each day. Neighborhoods in Carlsbad include Aviara and Terramar.

 

Buena Vista Lagoon

The Buena Vista Lagoon is a 223-acre freshwater lagoon located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in North County-San Diego between Carlsbad and Oceanside. The lagoon is California's first Ecological Reserve and home to the Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center. The Buena Vista Lagoon is a habitat for more than 103 bird species, 18 mammal species, and 14 amphibian and reptile species. Overflow water from rain and other sources flows into the Pacific Ocean.

 

The Flower Fields

The Flower Fields is a 55-acre garden and tourist attraction in Carlsbad, California. The flowers are in bloom for six to eight weeks, usually from March through early May. The garden is open to visitors between March 1 and Mother's Day each year. More than 100,000 people visit the magnificent gardens each year.

 

Carlsbad State Beach

South Carlsbad State Beach

Carlsbad State Beach, established as a state beach in 1933, is a 44-acre park in Carlsbad, San Diego County. Activities at the popular beach include swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. There are 220 campsites on top of the cliffs facing the ocean which include showers, restrooms, water, and electricity. Just south of Carlsbad State Beach is South Carlsbad State Beach, which also offers camping, swimming, fishing , skin diving, surfing, and picnic areas.

 

California Coastal National Monument

The California Coastal National Monument consists of approximately 20,000 islets, rock outcroppings, and reefs along the entire coast of California. The area covers the entire 840 mile coast to a distance of 12 nautical miles. Depending upon the tide levels, the approximate area of 1,000 acres is managed and protected by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Many of the protected areas are important habitats for birds and sea animals.

 

Lake Calavera Nature Preserve

Lake Calavera Nature Preserve is a 260-acre natural open space and preserve in Carlsbad which is available to hikers and mountain bikers. Picnic areas and a play area are also available.

 

Carlsbad Historical Society

The Carlsbad Historical Society, established in 1915, is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing knowledge of the area's history, significant land works, institutions, and memorabilia. The organization's museum and gardens are located in The Shipley-Magee House on Beach Avenue. Memberships are available and donations are always welcome.

 

Carlsbad Christian Academy

Carlsbad Christian Academy is a highly respected private Christian school located in the heart of Carlsbad for more than forty years. The school serves the communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Camp Pendleton.

 

Army and Navy Academy

The Army and Navy Academy, located in Carlsbad and founded in 1910, is an elite, private school serving boys in grades 7 through 12. Students come from local areas, from around the United States, and from around the world. Its mission is to educate, mentor, and develop good character and leadership in young men.

 

McClellan - Palomar Airport

McClellan-Palomar Airport is a 466 acre, public, general and commercial aviation airport located in North County-San Diego that serves Carlsbad, Encinitas, and the surrounding area. The modern airport, constructed in 2009, has one paved runway and averages 155,000 aircraft operations each year. McClellan-Palomar Airport is the fourth busiest single runway airport in the United States. It is located about three miles southeast of Carlsbad near the City of Encinitas.

 

Tri-City Medical Center

Tri-City Medical Center (TCMC), also known as Tri-City, is a full service acute-care public hospital founded in 1961 in Oceanside, California. The 388-bed hospital, which owns and operates several nearby outpatient facilities , serves Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista and most of North County-San Diego. Medical specialties include cancer care, heart care, maternity care, robotic surgery, orthopedics, and 24hour emergency care, which includes a neonatal intensive care unit. The medical center has more than 1500 employees and is a major employer in both Oceanside and North County-San Diego.

 

Palomar Medical Center Escondido

Palomar Medical Center Escondido, established in 2012, is a 332-bed hospital with 44 emergency and trauma rooms, and 288 private single patient rooms. The hospital is operated by Palomar Health which also operates Palomar Medical Center Poway. The hospital serves Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, and the surrounding areas.

 

 

California Wing Civil Air Patrol

The California Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest level of the Civil Air Patrol in California. It is headquartered in Van Nuys which is a community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The California Wing includes more than 3,000 cadets and adult members at 77 locations across California, Squadrons of the California Wing include the following locations: Van Nuys, EI Monte, Pacoima, Santa Monica, La Verne, Torrance, Norwalk, Riverside, Palm Springs, Chino, Upland, Norco, Rialto, Hemet, Victorville, Big Bear City, Camarillo, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, Tehachapi, Rosamond , Bakersfield, Lancaster, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Chula Vista, San Diego, Escondido, and many others.

The California Wing Civil Air Patrol performs emergency services including search and rescue missions; offers cadet programs for young people, and provides aerospace education for both CAP members and the general public.

 

Magee House and Museum

The craftsman style Magee House is a historic house built in 1887 on five acres of land in Carlsbad, California. It is now home to the Carlsbad Historical Society and Museum. Surrounding the house is a nationally recognized rose garden that includes 225 rose bushes representing 15 families of the rose. The famous garden is maintained by members of the California Coastal Rose Society.

 

Craftsmanship Museum

The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum (MECM), more commonly known as the Craftsmanship Museum, was established in 1996 in Carlsbad, California. The museum collects and displays unique, carefully crafted models, engines, and various types of machines, along with many other related exhibits. There are more than five hundred exhibits on view with new ones being added regularly. The Craftsman Museum is a major attraction.

 

Agua Hedionda Lagoon - Discovery Center

Agua Hedionda Lagoon, also known as Carlsbad Lagoon, is a passive, public recreation area located in Carlsbad. The lagoon is a popular place to walk, paddleboard, kayak, waterski, and jet ski. The lagoon is home to Agua Hedionda Creek and is considered a critical habitat. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center is a learning center providing education about the lagoon, ecology, and the surrounding area.

 

Batiquitos Lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon is a 610 acre coastal lagoon and wetland which is part of the Batiquitos Lagoon State Conservation Area which is a state nature reserve located between Carlsbad and Encinitas in North County-San Diego. Its two freshwater tributaries are San Marcos Creek and Encinitas Creek.

 

Carillo Ranch Historic Park Rancho de los Quiotes

Rancho d e los Quiotes, now known as Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, is a historic estate built between 1937 and 1940 in Carlsbad. The rancho was built in the style of a Spanish Hacienda estate by the famous actor, Leo Carrillo. The entire estate was purchased by the city and is now part of the 27-acre Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. The property is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

 

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization established in 1923. The chamber has more than 1000 member businesses employing over 65,000 people. The Carlsbad Chamber is the second largest chamber in San Diego County and the tenth largest in California, Member services include many networking opportunities, educational opportunities, and an excellent business directory that includes all members.

 

Rancho Agua Hadionda

Rancho Agua Hadionda was a 13,311-acre Mexican land grant in present day Carlsbad in San Diego County given in 1842 by Governor Juan Alvarado. The grant extended from present day Carlsbad to Leucadia and surrounds Agua Hadionda lagoon.

 

La Costa Resort and Spa

The La Costa Resort and Spa is a world famous, 400 acre resort with 607 beautiful guest rooms, two championship golf courses, twelve tennis courts, eight swimming pools and spas, five restaurants, and much more.

 

Timeline - Carlsbad

1542 - Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailing for Spain, claims "California" for the crown.

1602 - Sebastian Vizcaino anchors off Point Loma, and names San Diego Bay.

1798 - Father Lausen established the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.

1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain.

1844 - Rancho San Francisco changes its name to Rancho Agua Hedionda

1848 - California becomes part of the United States.

1880 - Robert Kelly gives of way to railroad.

1883 - Frazier discovers artesian and mineral water near the coast.

1886 - Capitalizing on Frazier's discovery, the real estate development company "Carlsbad Land

and Water Company" is formed. It purchases Frazier's property and additional acreage

north of Rancho Agua Hedionda and establishes the town of Carlsbad.

1887 - Building lots are subdivided. A building boom takes off in Carlsbad.

1890 - Robert Kelly dies, wills Rancho Agua Hedionda to nieces and nephews

1900 - Recession in Southern California. Carlsbad is nearly abandoned.

1914 - South Coast Land Company purchases the remaining land from defunct Carlsbad Land and

Water Company.

1930 - Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel opens. The tourism industry is born in Carlsbad

1936 - The Army Navy Academy moves to Carlsbad

1952 - Carlsbad incorporates

1956 - The first city library is established

1959 - Palomar Airport opens.

1972 - La Costa is annexed to City of Carlsbad

1999 - Lego Land opens

2002 - The City of Carlsbad celebrates its 50th Anniversary of Incorporation

2008 - Carlsbad changes from a General Law of Municipality to a Charter City

2013 - Sage Creek High School Opens

2019 - Carlsbad's first church, St. Michael's, Celebrates its 125th anniversary