Year-Round Fun, Sun & Sea! Just 35 miles north of San Diego is Carlsbad, a rare jewel in San Diego County's north coast. Great beaches, world-class shopping, restaurants with character and the home of LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA, make Carlsbad the complete vacation destination. Known as "The Village by the Sea," Carlsbad has the charm of a European village. Its many antique stores and boutiques, sidewalk cafes and romantic hotels are just a short walk from the beach. After browsing in delightful little shops and relaxing over lunch at a sidewalk cafe, you will succumb to Carlsbad's charms. More than four miles of spacious coastline in Carlsbad offer clean, uncrowded beaches for swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and sunbathing. The beautiful lagoons are ideal for fishing, bird watching and nature walks.

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Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park was once part of the original 2,538 acre working rancho and vacation retreat of actor Leo Carrillo, his wife Edith, and their daughter Antoinette. The City of Carlsbad has stabilized, preserved, and restored many of the buildings on this 27-acre parcel located at the bottom of a lushly landscaped canyon. Historic ranch structures include a Visitor's Center, Hacienda, Reflecting Pool, Cabana, Cantina, Carriage House, Tack Shed, Stable, Barn, and Foundry and Equipment Shed. More about the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

Picture yourself in a sea of vibrant spring flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. Carlsbad's famous flower fields, located on the coast of San Diego's North County, are in bloom from early March, through late April. The fields stretch out in alternating bands of red, yellow, orange and pink. Although most of the fields are planted in ranunculus, visitors can see other varieties of flowers such as gladiolus, watzonia, star of Bethlehem, oxalis, and spraxis. More about the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

Tucked away in a quiet North San Diego County Valley, just a few miles from Carlsbad, you will find a majestic jewel of early California history called Mission San Luis Rey. The mission is the eighteenth in a line of twenty-one California Missions. Founded on June 13, 1798 by Fr. Fermin de Lasuen and currently operated by the Franciscan Friars of California, the mission provides both guided and self-guided tours, a museum, gift shop, Franciscan Retreat Center, and Cemetery as well as various functions and events. Walking through the Sunken Gardens or along the arched colonnade, you will be transported to the past, imagining the everyday life of the Franciscan Friars and Indians who inhabited the Mission more than two centuries ago. More about the Mission San Luis Rey

Nestled beside Four Seasons Resort Aviara and La Costa Resort and Spa, is the Batiquitos Lagoon. A scenic nature trail runs along the north shore of the lagoon and is complete with benches, trail markings and informational plaques all managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. The lagoon is tranquil and unspoiled, providing safe haven for a wide variety of wildlife and is ideal for birding and nature walks. More about the Batiquitos Lagoon

LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre theme park for families with children ages 3 to 12. With three coasters and 47 other rides and attractions, LEGOLAND provides “minds on” and “hands on” fun and learning. Kids get creative, from skippering wave racers to building cities and programming robots. Interactive shows, healthy food and the largest selection of LEGO® merchandise in the country. More about the Bricks of Legoland

Twenty-six fire hydrants in Carlsbad Village have been “adopted” by businesses and individuals to promote art, activity and community involvement in our seaside downtown area. Each hydrant has been uniquely hand painted by local artists, students, residents and business people. The fire hydrant art reflects the many faces and facets of Carlsbad – our heritage, location and lifestyle. Locate painted hydrants near landmarks such as Neimans, a century-old Victorian inn that now serves as a popular restaurant, or the Village Faire shopping center, which includes shops, restaurants, galleries and spa services. Tour all twenty-six painted hydrants and you’ll discover more than just fun art – you’ll discover Carlsbad Village. More about the Painted Hydrants Walking Tour

Shopping Extravaganza

Sun got you beat? For a change of pace, why not shop for a while! Shop for great bargains in trendy boutiques to upscale outlet stores. Find items you forgot to pack and things you just can’t live without during your vacation in Carlsbad or back at home. Shop for that perfect memento or new beach attire. Put your walking shoes on and "shop ‘til you drop" in Carlsbad! More about the Shopping Extravaganza

Carlsbad is home to the nation's oldest and largest full time vintage air tour operator. Re-live the glory days of aviation with a gentle or thrilling flight in an open cockpit biplane. Enjoy a glorious view of the Pacific Ocean, famous golf courses and even spot a migrating whale. Or, fly with military pilots in a real aerial dogfight--and you'll do the flying. More about Carlsbad Under Your Wings

Sink into a modern take on Carlsbad's history at the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa. Sit in a bubbling bathtub of mineral water or relax with a massage, body wrap, facial and other relaxing spa treatments. John Frazier, one of Carlsbad's founding fathers, tapped into a mineral spring in 1883. Today, Carlsbad Famous Water is being bottled again, and the elegant Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa has opened in the beautiful European-style building on the site of the original well located only a few miles from Legoland®. More about Chill Out in a Bubbling Bathtub