The Village by the Sea

No title could be more apropos than the one conferred upon the beautiful Southern California town of Carlsbad. With balmy breezes, quaint antique shops and beautiful beaches Carlsbad evokes images of Mediterranean villages of days gone by.

Founded during the land boom of the 1880s, Carlsbad was named for a Bohemian spa whose waters were found to be identical to those in a local mineral well. It later became known as the Avocado Capital of the World.

For years Carlsbad was primarily an agricultural community. Carlsbad incorporated as a city in 1952 and has experienced incredible growth in the years since its incorporation.

Voted by both Fortune Magazine and Where to Retire Magazine as a top spot to spend your golden years, Carlsbad continues to shine. Although recommended as a retirement haven, Carlsbad has a relatively young population with a median age of 32 and 78% of all residents under the age of 55, proving it to be a melting pot of young and old alike.

Part of the beauty of this community is its small village like setting amongst a world-class business environment. With two major resorts, an abundance of winning golf courses and an international theme park, Carlsbad is one of the most desirable communities in Southern California. As the center for over 30 golf companies, Carlsbad has earned the distinction of Golf Capital of the World.

With 88,013 inhabitants Carlsbad's population has grown significantly in the past 10 years. Occupying 42 square miles of prime Southern California land it is located just 31 miles north of San Diego, and 86 miles south of Los Angeles. The inhabitants possess a median household income of $64,145.

Carlsbad is known for some of the best weather in the country with temperatures that range from an average of 58 degrees in January to 73 degrees in July. Annual rainfall averages about 10 inches, most of it falling between December and March.

If you're looking for one of the best places to raise your family consider recent Carlsbad school districts test scores, which surpass both county and statewide averages.

Recent results of the national Stanford Achievement Test show 79 percent of Carlsbad's students scored at or above the 50th percentile in math. Seventy percent of Carlsbad students also met or exceeded the national average in reading, 75 percent in language, 70 percent in spelling, 67 percent in social science, and 63 percent in science.

In an area where housing prices vary greatly you can find affordable housing in Carlsbad. Prices start from the high $200,000 for a condo. Single family detached homes range from $500,000 and up.

There may be many beautiful places to live in Southern California, but what is also important is the future development of the place you decide to call home. The City of Carlsbad set up an economic development plan to provide for a strong economically diverse base with emphasis on light industry, tourism and businesses offering local residents employment opportunities. The results were a winning mix of tourism, along with a thriving local economy.

Who can resist a bargain? At Carlsbad Company Stores there is no need to even try. This immense outlet center includes the best names in designer fashions, home furnishings, footwear, jewelry, toys and accessories, all at discounts of up to 70%. If the bargains weren't enough to attract you the atmosphere is with spectacular fountains, gorgeous palm trees and a year round soothing ocean breeze. The ultimate shopping experience.

A main yearly attraction is the Carlsbad Village Faire, featuring more than 900 exhibitors twice a year on the first Sunday of May and November. Recognized as the largest one-day street fair in the Country, it draws crowds from miles around, showcasing the historic Carlsbad Village.

In a city where the weather is almost always beautiful, how do you know when spring is in the air? Thanks to Carlsbad there is one sure fire way to know that it is spring in San Diego. A look up into the hills of Carlsbad provides the answer. The beautiful mounds of over 50 acres of multicolored flowers, which are known as Flower Fields. A Carlsbad landmark, these fields of flowers bloom each year for two months. Over 200,000 visitors make an annual trek to this spot of beauty to witness the array of colorful flowers, which make up Flower Fields. The Flower Fields have been a landmark in Southern California for almost 70 years, but were officially moved to this site in Carlsbad in the late 1950s and visiting this spot to take in the spectacular array of color has been a tradition every since.

Legoland, which opened in 1999, is the first North American amusement park designed by the Danish toy maker. Appealing mainly to children ages 2-12, Legoland is visited each year by more than 1.5 million visitors of all ages. A world designed completely out of Legos holds amazement to children and adults alike.

Ready for a dip in the ocean? Then take a ride to Carlsbad State Beach, a five-mile long urban beach. With a coastal walk on the bluff and a retaining wall walk this is a beautiful spot to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Carlsbad is a world-renowned vacation spot for visitors from around the world. This is due primarily to two world-class resorts found in the Carlsbad. The La Costa Resort & Spa, which features two 18 hole professional golf courses, restaurants, tennis courts and a spa and The Four Seasons Resort Aviara, opened to critical acclaim in 1997. It boasts an incredible golf course designed by golf great Arnold Palmer. With such wonderful facilities available the nation tunes in to watch Golf and Tennis championships, which are annually held at these hotspots.

With all of its beauty and all it has to offer, Carlsbad is one of the most desirable living destinations in California.

Carlsbad Area Links