Carlsbad Travel Tips
Carlsbad, CA is a quaint seaside village located just north of San Diego. It has been nicknamed "The Village By the Sea" and draws thousands of tourists yearly with its beautiful weather, secluded beaches, and many opportunities to explore nature. When looking for family-friendly vacation rentals, Carlsbad, CA, is a wonderful town to visit. Tourists have many accommodations to choose from, but deciding to rent a home by owner is the best way to experience the area without spending too much money. Rental homes are usually kept cleaner and more up-to-date than hotel rooms, and they offer more space and privacy, too! Read on to find out more about how to have a great family vacation in Carlsbad.
City Travel Tips for Families
For families traveling without cars, the
North County Transit District offers Coaster trains that connect Carlsbad with San Diego and other coastal towns like Oceanside, Solana Beach, and Encinitas. This is a wonderful way to see the sights of the coast while on the way to your destination. For maximum flexibility in Southern California, renting a car is also a great option.
Attractions
Beaches & Lagoons
The city of Carlsbad is home to many beautiful, secluded beaches and lagoons. Carlsbad beach rentals are available for some of the city's most popular beaches, so your family will never be too far away from the action.
South Carlsbad State Beach is a secluded beach offering spots for picnicking, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, the bluffs overlooking the ocean offer a great place for camping.
South Ponto Beach is a popular, family friendly beach located in a beautiful underdeveloped area. It is backed by Batiquitos Lagoon, a 600-acre stretch of protected wetlands that is home to many endangered species of birds.
Buena Vista Lagoon is a 350-acre ecological reserve that is home to many species of resident and migrant birds. It is the only freshwater lagoon in California.
Outdoor Activities
Families who love outdoor adventures will have lots to do in Carlsbad. Vacation rentals offer the chance to spend as much or as little time outdoors as you want, without sacrificing the comforts of home. Here are just a few of the most popular sports in Carlsbad:
Hiking trails are plentiful in Carlsbad. The Aviara Trails--made up of the Golf View, Salt Marsh, Black Sage, Lagoon, and Eucalyptus Trails--are favored by locals and tourists.
Surfing and kayaking are great sports to try while on your Carlsbad Vacation. Rentals for surfboards and kayaks are available at many local surf shops, or check out a surfing class.
Fun With Kids
Families with children looking for rentals in Carlsbad, CA are probably curious about nearby kid-friendly activities. Luckily, Carlsbad is located close to some of the most popular attractions in California!
Legoland Water Park is a must when taking kids to Carlsbad. It features a splash tower, a lazy river with custom-built Lego rafts, and a 45-foot tall tower made from Legos. There are cabanas, two beaches, and plenty of places to grab snacks and drinks.
The Sea Life Aquarium provides interactive, hands-on exhibitions to help kids learn about sea creatures. Buy a park hopper ticket online and save on the cost of admission to Legoland and the aquarium.
The
San Diego Zoo, located just forty minutes from Carlsbad, is a wonderful opportunity to experience over 650 animal species up close and personal. The
San Diego Zoo aims to recreate the animals' natural habits with cage-free, open-air exhibits.
Annual Events
Carlsbad is home to several fun events that are sure to keep your family entertained. Keep in mind that Carlsbad rentals tend to fill up around event days, so be sure to plan your vacation in advance.
The Carlsbad Music Festival, happening each September, is a showcase of eclectic talent featuring jazz, folk, classical, and pop music. Don't miss the opportunity to see this many world-class performers in one spot.
The Carlsbad Beach Festival is an event in June that helps raise awareness about ocean conservation. The festival includes free events like live music, kites, surf lessons, and sand sculpting. Athletes can participate in a 5k-beach run, paddleboat contest, or surf contest.
The Carlsbad Fall Village Faire, thought to be the country's largest one-day street fair, is an exciting event happening each year in May and November. Visitors can browse over 900 vendors and participate in games, arts and crafts, and face painting.
Climate
The climate in Carlsbad is very pleasant. The winters are mild with an average temperature that hovers around 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) and the summers are also nice with an average daily temperature in the low 70s (Fahrenheit). The area sees only a little bit of rain per year, with the average being about 10 inches a year.
As in all coastal California beach towns, Summer is the busiest time of the year. This is the only time of year parking near the beach is a challenge and at high tide the beaches get narrow enough to make the beach more crowded. Get there early (before 10am) to get good parking and your spot on the beach. The good part is the Village is very lively night and day and it is still much mellower than most California beach towns - esspecially most beach towns in LA, OC and SD.
Fall (Labor Day until mid-November) is the best time of year - the best (most sun, and still dry) weather and less crowds...kids are back in school, hotel rates are lower, and the surf is at it's best with most years allowing surfing in trunks until October.
Shopping & Eating
If your money is burning a hole in your pocket, visit Carlsbad Premium Outlets with plenty of brand name shops and local stores. The Carlsbad Village Farmers Market can help you serve fresh meals to your family in your apartment rental, so grab some veggies and fruits on the way by.
For clean eats, and a clever name, check out The Naked Cafe (clothing mandatory), which features fresh ingredients and an innovative menu. West Steak and Seafood is where you'll want to go for fine dining, but you can't go wrong with PAON Wine Bar & Restaurant either. Bistro West has a very modern feel, and Tip Top Meats has an awesome breakfast menu. For Italian cravings, head to Knockout Pizzeria or Vigilucci's Cucina for traditional pasta and meat dishes.
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Consider booking a Carlsbad apartment or vacation rental for your next trip to the area - you'll enjoy the space, privacy, and amenities you're used to, while saving a boat load of money. Book on VacationHomeRentals.com for great options.
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