The beaches in Carlsbad offer seven miles of fun in the sun, which is one of the reasons why tourists enjoy visiting Carlsbad California. A fairly large resort town that is home to some 91,000 residents, Carlsbad California has everything that you could want or need when looking to enjoy a full vacation. Found in San Diego County, Carlsbad offers proximity to downtown San Diego, which is just 35 miles away, and just to the north of the city is Oceanside, where there are more great beaches to enjoy. Other alluring beaches lie to the near south of Carlsbad, and they are the Encinitas beaches.

Carlsbad California is a pretty upscale destination, and when you’re not enjoying the beaches in Carlsbad, you can always duck into town to check out the city’s tree-lined streets, where unique boutique shops abound. Relaxing with a cup of coffee at one of the city cafes is an ideal way to pass some time, and there are also some good choices for restaurants when you want more than a cup of joe. As for the beaches in Carlsbad, they are essentially one long beach, and they fall under the collective name of Carlsbad State Beach. Bring your camera with you when you head to the Carlsbad beach, as the coastline here is quite scenic. Hills and cliffs back the Carlsbad State Beach, and there is a neat seawall promenade that runs along the base of these hills and cliffs. Helping to make the Carlsbad beach a great family hangout is the fact that lifeguards line it, and there is usually plenty of parking available close by, which is good news for those with a full car. If you don’t want to drive to the beaches in Carlsbad when visiting San Diego, you can always hop on the Coaster, which is an Amtrak train that runs up and down the coast.

Among the top recreational pursuits at the Carlsbad beach are swimming, surfing, and sunbathing, but that’s not all that you can enjoy here. Hiking on the trails near the beach is a blast for outdoor enthusiasts, and kayaking in the Pacific Ocean is another fine way to get some exercise while sightseeing. For those who want to ride the waves at the beaches in Carlsbad but are not inclined to try some surfing, bodyboarding is always a good way to go. The hotels that are near the beaches in Carlsbad often offer watersports equipment rentals as well. Should you prefer to forego more strenuous activities in favor of complete relaxation, packing a lunch and enjoying the picnic areas near the beach is highly recommended. Most of these picnic areas sit atop bluffs, which is also the case when it comes to the South Carlsbad State Beach campground. There are some 200 campsites at this campground. When camping there, you can easily access the nearby Batiquitos Lagoon, which is one of the best attractions in Carlsbad if you love the outdoors.

San Diego Map

The northern part of Carlsbad State Beach is also commonly referred to as Tamarack State Beach, and it is the more ideal hangout for families and those seeking beach amenities. Because it is closer to downtown Carlsbad, you won’t want for places to eat when you get hungry. Bring your own food supplies instead, and you can cook up a meal with the aid of the beach’s barbecue grills, which are available for public use. The southerly portion of Carlsbad State Beach, which is appropriately known as South Carlsbad State Beach, lacks day-use facilities, which basically translates to fewer people. If you want to attempt to escape the busy summertime crowds, this is where you will want to head.

In addition to the beaches, the attractions in Carlsbad include LEGOLAND, which is a place where kid’s imaginations can run wild. Spread out over 128 acres, LEGOLAND offers intriguing LEGO sculptures, fun rides, and restaurants. After a full day with the kids or hanging out on the beaches in Carlsbad California, the area spas just might become the main attractions in Carlsbad that you seek. There are some fine resort hotels here that boast some fantastic spas, and relaxation and rejuvenation is what they are all about. There are also some spas in town that may be of interest as well. Don’t forget your golf clubs when visiting, as golf is just one more possibility when it comes to Carlsbad vacations.