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Carlsbad offers diverse and often unique family-friendly recreation and entertainment. A popular draw for families is the state-of-the-art 128 acre Legoland theme-park, the first of its kind in North America. Legoland has over 50 rides and attractions, numerous shows, 11 restaurants, shops and special events held throughout the year. A guaranteed family pleaser! Other fun activities for kids include the Children´s Discovery Museum, offering exhibits and hands-on learning experiences that present science, history, the arts and environmental awareness in an imaginative and playful way. For a fun-filled and delicious afternoon, head to the strawberry fields and pick your own strawberries right from the growing fields. For those with a thirst for adventure try Biplane, Air Combat & Warbird Adventures, an outfit located at Carlsbad´s Palomar Airport that operates vintage WW1 and WW2 aircraft. Three different flights are offered, even allowing you to take the controls and fly like a war ace. You will become thoroughly acquainted with the planes and pilots before you´re through; a day of history, learning and fun. Making Music Another unique venue is the Museum of Making Music; an interactive museum that chronicles the history of popular music from the 1890´s to today. The Museum of Making Music´s goal is to make music accessible and inclusive to people of all ages, backgrounds and skill level. The museum houses over 500 vintage musical instruments, offers interactive audio & video in its exhibits and provides an area for visitors to actually play different musical instruments. Educational outreaches for children and adults, a concert series, movies, and other special events are also offered by the museum. World-Famous Flowers Carlsbad has 50 acres of world famous flower fields that are open from mid-March through early May, with more than 150,000 people visiting the fields each year. The distinctive blossoms are called Tecolote Giant Ranunculus, which is one of the finest strains of Ranunculus plants in the world. The Flower Fields continue to operate as a working ranch, and is still the only Ranunculus grower in the world that allows visitors to walk the fields to experience the flowers up-close. World-Class Luxury Carlsbad´s premier offerings include three championship golf courses and two internationally renowned spas. La Costa Resort & Spa features two professional golf courses, restaurants, tennis courts and a spa. In 1997, another world-class resort, the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, opened in Carlsbad with its beautiful golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Celebrity sightings are frequent, as Carlsbad hosts the PGA Andersen Consulting Golf Championships and Acura Tennis Classic at its world-class golf courses and tennis facilities. Sports & More Sports Carlsbad is host to other sporting events such as the Carlsbad 5000 and the San Diego Marathon, plus the Carlsbad Triathlon for tri-athletes. Carlsbad residents take recreation and athleticism seriously. There are many bike and running trails, including a proposed 60 mile trail system throughout Carlsbad. Residents and visitors enjoy walking on Carlsbad´s nearly 7 miles of pristine sandy beaches, hiking the vermillion bluffs, and surfing in the Pacific Ocean. Camping at the bluffs above South Carlsbad State Beach is a family favorite of San Diegans. The sites fill up quickly; call first for reservations! The nature reserves and walking trails at Carlsbad´s three lagoons, Buena Vista, Agua Hedonia, and Batiquitos provide peaceful areas for nature viewing and contemplation. The City of has over 150 acres of parks and is looking forward to the future with plans for a community golf course and 5 more community parks that encompass playing fields, picnic and barbecue areas, a skate park, a dog park, multiple swimming pools, walking trails and playgrounds. A Page Out Of History Historical and nature buffs alike will enjoy the Leo Carrillo Ranch, formerly owned by actor Leo Carrillo and now preserved by the city of Carlsbad. The ranch was built from what was an existing 1880´s adobe working ranch and is currently being restored in phases. Visitors may do a self-guided tour and guided tours are offered to view the inside of the ranch´s historical buildings. Explore Downtown Downtown Carlsbad or "The Village" as it is known is filled with specialty shops & boutiques, antique stores, and quaint restaurants; wander along the quiet streets by day and take in the restaurants and bars by night. Other shopping opportunities lie at the Carlsbad Company Stores, San Diego´s premiere outlet mall with over 90 stores and restaurants. History meets luxury at the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa. Discovered in the late 1800´s by the area´s founders, the mineral water was found to be similar to the water in Karlsbad, Bohemia, an area renowned for its mineral water and spa treatments (now Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.) They named the water Carlsbad Mineral Water, and eventually renamed the town, Carlsbad. Today Carlsbad Mineral Water is still bottled and sold and the spa operates on the site where the original mineral water well was located. A variety of spa treatments are offered, including a 30 minute mineral water bath. Prices are reasonable. Community & Culture Carlsbad also offers many cultural and community events, including summertime Jazz in the Park concerts, events at three community centers and shows at three live theaters. Twice a year Carlsbad sponsors a one day street fair, the largest one-day street fair in the nation with over 900 booths, attractions, food, a beer garden, events for kids and families, and a farmer´s market. Local Economy Carlsbad is a great city to play and relax in, but it also has a diversified local economy. Many golf club manufacturers are located here, including Callaway, Taylor-Made, and the Acushnet Group (Cobra Golf, Titleist, and Footjoy.) The various resorts and spas, including 4 Seasons Aviara and La Costa Spa & Resort also employ a large number of people. Pharmaceuticals and Biotech have also found their home in Carlsbad and North San Diego County. Other Carlsbad employers include Legoland, Hoehn Motors and Upper Deck. Home Values In Carlsbad Home values remain strong in Carlsbad, due to its proximity to the coast, award-winning Carlsbad schools, and strong community desirability. A 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo could sell for $290,000 while a custom-built oceanfront home could sell for upwards of 5 million dollars. For more information on Carlsbad Schools, or the Carlsbad Real Estate market, contact Mark Hoadley. Mark has lived in North County for 16 years and is an expert in North County Real Estate. |
