Carlsbad City Beach

255

1028

8254

8 months ago

In the heart of Carlsbad Village, you will find Carlsbad City Beach. The beach is down below street level, so you will need to take the path down below, best to take the paved path. This beach is well kept, and tends to be quite clean and safe. The sand is lush and soft on the feet. While visiting during the holidays- I saw dolphins! Keep your eyes open to spot wildlife! Parking can be found along the highway one or several of the public lots. During the height of the season, parking can be challenging. Enjoy and be safe! read more

See all

Helpful 5

Thanks 2

Love this 4

Oh no 0

Nanette L.

341

2047

2

2 months ago

I really like this city, and the beach is highly accessible. The townsfolk are nice and it just has really good Beach vibes. It makes me want to retire and live in San Diego. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ann V.

187

536

5462

7 months ago

I looove going to this public beach! I always enjoy myself....people watching, basking in the sun, R&R, sunset walks, practicing yoga, and doing other fun beachy stuff. There are plenty of restrooms around. If you need a bite to eat or in the mood for shopping, you have a lot of options downtown. It's a popular spot on the Coast for sure...always have people there. I'm sooo lucky to be nearby!! I definitely recommend this beach to the Yelp Community :-) read more

See all

Helpful 5

Thanks 3

Love this 9

Oh no 0

Dan R.

2777

4261

71906

1 year ago

"Here by the sea and sand Nothing ever goes as planned Come sleep on the beach Keep within my reach" (The Who) This picturesque strip of sand was literally across the street from our hotel, and that was an unexpected joy. We walked along its paved pedestrian paths, passed the lifeguard stations and volleyball nets three times during our stay in Carlsbad. There's a series of stairs and ramps connecting street level with a concrete boardwalk and lower walkway that led down to the beach and water. The land around the ramps and stairways are beautifully landscaped with flowers and ground cover. The walkways and boardwalk were crowded with many of the friendliest people we've seen, and we almost received a smile, wave or nod whenever we passed people. There were plenty of folks pushing strollers or dog walking. This is a great place to people watch, and we were rewarded with a Gold Medal performance in people watching. We saw an older gent in a snow-white Santa Clause beard that reminded me of the dancing Santa in the Capital One "What's in Your Wallet?" TV commercials. He jauntily walked the beach at the water line, and every time he came upon a lifeguard station, he stopped, pivoted to face the water, and blew a few notes on a trumpet or a conch shell toward the water. Then he would pivot around, walk the shoreline further, and do the same at every lifeguard station. I wonder if he was trying to summon Poseidon, or some other God of the sea? read more

Carlsbad City Beach - This gent walked the beach, faced the water, and blew a trumpet or a conch shell toward the water multiple times. - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 0

Love this 4

Oh no 0

Annabelle R.

2830

2834

34854

1 year ago

No frills, no amenities of any kind, just a clean and simple beach with plenty of soft sand to lay out a mat and relax. Small waves reaching the sandy shoreline delighted beachgoers wading in the water. A ton of visitors with their beach blankets, tents, and umbrellas set up on a warm summer day, but luckily it wasn't overwhelmingly crowded. Lifeguard(s) on duty on a Sunday around noon. No public restrooms to be found near the Grand Avenue beach entrance, a bit of an inconvenience. I had to walk over to the Village Faire plaza to use the restroom, which is also where we found street parking. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - View of the beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad City Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad City Beach - Grand Avenue beach entrance - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 5

Thanks 3

Love this 7

Oh no 0

Sasha N.

412

420

2438

1 year ago

I kept ending up at harbors or small bays, beaches with almost no shore area etc. Finally a beautiful beach with nice sand thats not rocky or hot. The waves were lovely to watch and the beach went on for a good distance. Also there's a walkway down that has benches on different levels. People seem to find them around sunset for some lovely views. By the beach its just you and the water and the sand, but go up the stairs and you quickly can access restaurants and shops. Its the best of both worlds. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Stairway to beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Carolyn S.

0

14

0

3 months ago

Visiting from out of town and took a guess on this restaurant. It was wonderful. Margarita pizza, and local beer, and it was all good. Especially the pizza. Would recommend your friends. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Robert S.

674

5970

29534

3 years ago

What a beautiful, sandy and clean beach ! First of all, there's free parking located right by the beach, several handicap spaces available as well. The beach is down below street level, so be aware that you need to follow a path that is a few yards below. The sand is soft and the beach area is very wide. Where we were, there were beach volleyball courts and restrooms a few yards down. Not rocky at all, but nice and walkable. A gem in the city of Carlsbad...located just a few blocks from Carlsbad Village and the heart of downtown !!!! read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Free parking - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad City Beach - Beach volleyball courts. - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 6

Thanks 1

Love this 4

Oh no 1

Nicole C.

0

63

141

1 year ago

The beach was pretty rocky and not much area to lay out. It was an overcast day so not our main thing to do but still.. it's decent but nothing to rave about read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Path to beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Alex D.

268

1710

14810

2 years ago

Beautiful beach with almost zero rocks, sticks, or trash around. Pretty safe area, but definitely always watch your valuables. There are lifeguards working during the week here, during business hours. No smoking, drinking, or dogs allowed here, and the lifeguards do drive by in a truck every hour to make sure they don't see any. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Found a dragonfly wing in the ocean - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 4

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Najla A.

6

13

2

10 months ago

The best beaches in the North San Diego county area. They are less busy than Encinitas and La Jolla beaches. My favorite is the South Ponto Beach because of the parking lot ,although it has become pricey. Pebbles might be an issue in some beaches tough. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - South Ponto Beach sunset. - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Vanessa J.

48

199

229

2 years ago

Great clean beach. The area is well taken care of and parking is free. Only challenge was finding a bathroom. From where I parked the nearest bathroom was about 2 blocks south, which took about 10-15 to walk to so plan accordingly where you plan to post up on the beach. :) Other than that, I'd definitely come back . read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Sunny beach day :) - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Trinity D.

4

118

181

2 years ago

Went on a Sunday evening around 5 pm and people were already starting to leave so the beach wasn't as busy. It was peaceful to read my book listen to the waves crash down. A slight breeze that felt perfect when laying in the sun for a few hours. Beautiful place to see the sunset. A good amount of people were in the water, body surfing, boogie boarding, and swimming. Saw a jet ski too. There are showers to rinse off after and bathrooms. Beach patrol and a cop were there to make sure everyone was safe. Spending a couple hours here was the perfect amount of time. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Reading on the beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad City Beach - Beach view - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Arnel D.

5000

4222

17346

4 years ago

Such a beautiful beach. Though I visited early morning and there was an overcast, I enjoyed my time here. Parking was a cinch and the place was very fresh and clean. The people walking were friendly always greeting me as I put in my daily walk. I'll be back again for sure but will bring my kids to enjoy the sand and beach. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - A gem - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Helpful 9

Thanks 1

Love this 9

Oh no 1

Sean D.

6

320

92

2 years ago

Very nice beach in Carlsbad, Ca. that was very clean and had a good number of lifeguard towers...the beach was very busy on the day that we were there, a Wednesday, so be prepared for a lot of activity. The ocean was very warm and the waves were fairly strong on the day of our visit...the only downfalls are the parking, street adjacent so be prepared to walk, and the lack of restrooms, seemed to only be one which was located quite a distance from our spot on the beach...all in all a positive experience. RECOMMEND read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lisa W.

3672

3518

18855

6 years ago

Beautiful beach, lots of space and close to The village. There's a sea wall that you can walk or run along. There's no dogs allowed in the beach and they have security patrolling it. The beach is close to the village, so it's easy to grab a bite then come relax and chill on the beach. It's crowded but never too crazy crowded. I do wish they put a nice pier. Totally bring up their beach game of they had a pier/Broadway with some shops and restaurants on it. Plenty of street parking if you come early enough, or even free parking at the village and walk over. read more

Helpful 13

Thanks 1

Love this 11

Oh no 1

Jan K.

288

775

2170

6 years ago

What's not to love!!!! Beautiful beach, it's clean, with plenty of space for everyone..... no problem with the 6ft rule of social distancing. Surfing, sunning, playing in the sand.... volleyball, handball and fresbee... Kids playing, & laughing just the way God intended for kids to do.... play, laugh & enjoy! Walkers, dog walkers, runners, bike riders & skate boarders..... fresh open air. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Dan D.

573

734

508

3 years ago

Great neighborhood beach with plenty of lifeguards during peak season. Get there early since the beach fills up quickly with lots of families and all of their tent set ups. The beach is narrow so you will only get about 3 rows of people. Today's visit the "no dogs" rule did not seem to apply as there were at least 10 dogs spotted along the 1 mile walk. read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 2

Love this 4

Oh no 1

Bill W.

5000

1602

20609

8 years ago

It's November and the Beaches here are still active but then again, this is SoCal Nov 9th and I'm driving along the Beach in Carlsbad. On the NC Coast and even down into Florida, only the intrepid venture onto the beach. Still again, this is Southern California and the temperatures are still in the high 70's and although the water can be cold with the currents coming down from Alaska, the beaches are still great for Sun Bathing, Volley Ball or other sports. Still a lot of surfing going on but like the rest of the year, generally with Wet Suits. Not as crowded but again, it's Friday and off season but still a bunch of folks catching some rays' read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Pleasant Southern CA Beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad City Beach - Volleyball anyone - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 21

Thanks 1

Love this 17

Oh no 1

Jessica S.

Elite 25

436

1128

14409

5 years ago

It was quiet and clean during the week after labor day. Easy to parallel park and your right at the beach with a short walk. Not a beach to treasure hunt, but great for relaxing and building sandcastles. read more

See all

Helpful 19

Thanks 1

Love this 22

Oh no 1

Marisela S.

205

960

1846

5 years ago

We had a beach day planned and even though it rained the morning we planned on going, the afternoon was bright and warm. The beach long and wide, plenty of space to spread out and not be right up against your neighbor. the waves were very calm and long winded, perfect for littles to play in and not worry that they will be carried out. The parking around here was a little cramped, but we got lucky and parked only a block up from the entrance. The entrance I found also was like a ramp up the hill, so we could take our wagon down with all our times and a bathroom that was right there for us to change. The outdoor showers were there too, which helped at the end to wash our feet off and make our way up to the car. Plenty of restaurants and vendors were there too on the main strip. Lifeguards were stationed too ever so often, so that was nice, and patrols that would drive up on the top of the beach as well. We posted up on a ledge almost that was raised and then made our way to the water. It was a great day! read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Chris P. B.

90

52

380

3 years ago

One of the beaches that's part of the Carlsbad State Beach. A 5-10 min walk from Carlsbad Village. Accessed it through Grand Avenue and 2895 Ocean St. Parked in Carlsbad Village near the train station. Stairway down (total of about 45 steps) to the beach. No boardwalk. Busy on a Saturday afternoon. Not dog-friendly (not allowed in any Carlsbad State Beach). No restrooms or showers. Watch out for rocks when walking along the shore. Chill vibes fr read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 3

Tom S.

7

827

785

5 years ago

Great waves and clean beach. Lifeguards we're around and we felt safe while in the water. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Pete T.

146

955

1794

8 years ago

Carlsbad City Beach just beyond the Village is a great beach. Of course, what beach in San Diego is not a great beach? Unlike Mission Beach or Pacific Beach, Carlsbad City Beach does not feature a boardwalk. The beach is accessed by staircases above, but it is not a bad climb up or down. Shops, restaurants, bars, etc. are just a short walk away. The beach itself is huge. Plenty of room to set up your gear for a day of sun-shiny enjoyment. Perched atop the bluff are some spectacular ocean view homes with private beach access that will spur your innermost jealousies! Another great beach in San Diego. We San Diegans are some lucky folks! read more

Carlsbad City Beach - A day at the beach! - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Helpful 4

Thanks 1

Love this 4

Oh no 1

John C.

Elite 21

379

1173

9437

6 years ago

This beach has a special place in my heart so naturally it gets five stars. It's crowded, can be dirty, has some interesting people, and has a high level of activity. But that's what makes it so endearing. It's close to the village and lots of good grub and grog, has parking but can be difficult to find an open spot, lots of beach accesses points, and is always lively. read more

See all

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 3

Oh no 1

Uracha Y.

151

144

558

6 years ago

This place is beautiful we always come here because of the people the vibes great white sands . This beach doesn't have a lot of seaweed! We like to go the beech avenue entrance for the public access . Less crowded and they have many parking spots!!! read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Lori F.

11

193

1989

6 years ago

What a beautiful community. I'm looking forward to visiting there again. I seems like a nice place to live, dine and be happy. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Joshua W.

Elite 25

356

135

598

8 years ago

It's a nice beach but limited parking. If you're coming on the weekend you'll have to get there somewhat early to find a parking spot along the side streets. During off season although busier weekends you can usually find a spot but you might just be further down the road. Beach is clean and close to walk to downtown Carlsbad shops restaurants. read more

Carlsbad City Beach - Entrance for part of the beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Veronica L.

0

10

0

3 years ago

It's very nice I loved it BUT you do have to bring water shoes. There are so many rocks it makes it hard to enjoyMy nephew felt so uncomfortable the entire time but still tried his best to have fun. Other than that you guys should good! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Sara G.

101

12

15

8 years ago

My little family of 6 took a trip to Carlsbad (CB) for the weekend. In between Legoland and Sand Diego Zoo, we visited the Beach in Carlsbad. We thoroughly enjoyed the beach! Parking was no problem, although we didn't go to the beach until 5pm on a Thursday. Parking was free and not too far from the beach. The beach had volleyball courts and there were plenty of people present. We loved visiting this beach because the parking was convenient (although, there are stairs that you'll have to take down to the beach), the beach was clean, and the atmosphere was family friendly. There were NO bathrooms or portable toilet rooms, but other than that, we loved it! We definitely would like to visit again! And next time, we'll take more pictures!! The sunset was, yet of course, beautiful! Pros: clean, safe, fun, in a cute charming area, free parking. And there's no boardwalk! Praise God! Who needs a boardwalk that blocks the scenery? **if you like board walks, hit up Oceanside :) Cons: no bathroom, stairs down to the beach, no wash off water. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 2

Oh no 1

Tom B.

3847

3494

18134

7 years ago

I took the train from Oceanside and got off at the Carlsbad station and walked s little bit to the beach it's not the biggest in the area but it also wasn't as crowded. The town is really small and it doesn't have a boardwalk like Oceanside so I think mostly locals or people staying in the few hotels are there. The beach was really clean read more

Helpful 5

Thanks 1

Love this 3

Oh no 1

Regina J.

36

8

0

6 years ago

Fun beach no bathrooms! If so where? Besides the ocean had a blast stayed for hours m, a little too crowded for these times

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 1

More info about Carlsbad City Beach

Ocean St And Grand Ave
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Directions
Visit Website
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/carlsbad-city-beach/

Hours

What time does Carlsbad City Beach open?

What time does Carlsbad City Beach close?

Outdoor Amenities

Does Carlsbad City Beach have parking?

Yes, Carlsbad City Beach has parking options. Street Parking

Review Highlights - Carlsbad City Beach

“The beach is down below street level, so you will need to take the path down below, best to take the paved path.”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Beaches 4,798 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Explore benefits

South Carlsbad State Beach

(385 reviews)

4.5 mi

Camping at Carlsbad State Beach is unmatched…read more This campsite offers the best of both worlds: city life + beach life. It sits right on the ocean bluff with two sides, bluff-side (oceanfront) and streetside. Obviously bluff-side is preferred, but staying on the streetside is still a treat. A few things I love about this camping experience: - They allow all forms of camping. Tent, RV, van, etc. - The site has clean bathrooms and warm showers. Just be sure to purchase tokens at the front for the shower. - Dog friendly! You can bring your pet along but they must be on leash and aren't allowed on the beach. - Carlsbad has the most captivating sunsets, and if you're lucky, you'll even see a few dolphins. Truly the most memorable 32nd birthday activity with all my favorite people.

Carlsbad is a beautiful city with a lot of nice restaurants and little shops so I opted to try the…read morebeach here today rather than Oceanside where I usually go. I lucked out and found a super close parking spot in the neighborhood across the street. The beach itself was VERY short compared to sand length at other beaches so people were almost on top of each other. There was a pretty intense drop off about half way down the sand so it limited space for people to put down their stuff and lay out. I'm not sure how normal it is at this spot but there was a TON of rocks. It was way too much to be able to enter the water without having them beating your feet and ankles. My friend was bleeding after trying to check out the water. The surf was also a little intense that day so I'm wondering if that had any effect on the rock situation? This was a very clean beach with restrooms at the bottom of the ramp from the street so it did have that going for it but we decided to leave and head for a beach where we could safely go into the water that day. I'll have to come back another time to get a better idea.

Carlsbad SP Premium site.

ROTTEN FENCE

See all

Tamarack State Beach

(107 reviews)

0.6 mi

Went to this beach for the first time while on a work trip last week…read more There were still quite a few people on the sand to catch the sunset. Had to circle for parking a lil while before finding a spot on a residential street very close to the stairs leading to the beach. Be persistent. Your parking space will find you. Very beautiful stretch of sand within walking distance to many food and drink options.

Tamarack state beach is a nice beach but this time there were so many rocks along it. My grandkids…read morewere getting hit on the legs with the rocks once the water receded. The parking lot is really small, and we were able to find 3 spots after 10am but it's a hassle trying to get out! You get one car waiting for someone to pull out and it blocks and stops everyone else. My husband literally had to ask the guy to move over a bit because 8 cars were waiting in the line behind him to get out. There has to be a better set up to get out of there. All in all, everyone still had a good time, regardless of the rock situation.

Tamarack beach

See all

Terra Mar Point

5.0

(10 reviews)

2.4 mi

I want to say I hate this place so it doesn't get packed…read more But, kinda love it here. Parking isn't horrible, but it's definitely a smaller beach and peaceful

This spot is located between North Ponto Beach and Carlsbad State Beach. It's a local hidden gem…read more Instead of finding hoards of tourists, you'll find a serene beach with cliffs, tidepools, and surfers. Park on the dirt road, find the secret staircase and head downstairs. Things to keep in mind...no bathrooms, no lifeguards.

Ocean view

See all

Moonlight State Beach

(389 reviews)

8.3 mi

Beach is clean with a free parking lot just above. At the entrance there's a nice little…read moreplayground, a concessions stand with actual options beyond your standard hotdogs and burgers. We came on a cloudy day so it wasn't really crowded and we found free parking in the lot up the hill, just above the beach. The lifeguard station is right there so there was a sense of added safety as my kids learned to surf. Beach was clean, people were chill, and we'll def be back!

We came here as a family and really enjoyed it. I actually believe this beach was recommended to…read moreme, and it was everything they said it would be. The beach was nice and the water felt really good, not too cold, which made it even better. My daughter had a blast playing in the sand and just being free, and my husband loved it too, especially since it was his first time being in warm ocean water. We were able to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, which made it feel even more peaceful and relaxing. Overall it was just a really good beach day and I would definitely come back.

Pork Platter from Beach Wolf.

Curry potato tacos from Beach Wolf.

See all

Look the Moon!

South Ponto Beach

4.1

(46 reviews)

5.6 mi

This is definitely a hidden gem amongst the San Diego beaches…read more There's a smallish strip of beach that sits between a bluffside hotel and a jetty. There's limited free parking, but there's a pay lot at the south end that is smallish for a beach parking lot. I think it is $15 but not sure. We arrived a little after 10am and some of the early crowd was just leaving so we got a spot off the road. This weekend....what a relief! It was 100+ degrees in most of San Diego but because of morning marine layer it was maybe mid-70s. Obviously, all of the beaches would be similar in that regard, but there weren't a lot of people while we were there and that was the huge win. There is an upper and lower beach that was separated by a rocky patch that was likely eroded sand. We set up shop on the beach that was closer to the water, unsure if the tide was going to come up and wash us away. It didn't though, so it was perfect!

Restrooms and parking area available. It can get crowded on Summer months but less than La Jolla or…read moreEncinitas.

See all

Fletcher Cove Park

4.7

(175 reviews)

12.4 mi

I love running and tonight our Monday night run group had a route where we would pass this park but…read moresince I was already jogging solo and almost up to 3 miles of jogging, I took a short break & stopped here to take in how beautiful this beach park is. Its just beyond gorgeous and I know in the summer, there are concerts here (so I will come back for that). I didn't get down to the beach tonight (there are stairs down from the park) but I need to do that before summer is over. Restrooms available here too. Lovely park and there is a parking lot connected. I will definitely be back!

Been to this park a couple times .. once by myself and once with family. It's so nice here! There's…read morea small lot which makes parking kind of tricky, especially on the weekends.. however there are street parking and another lot across the street if you're lucky. There's a playground for kids to enjoy.. lots of park bathroom stalls available (with toilet paper and soap)! And the beach is only a short walking distance away. The views are spectacular and we all had a great time enjoying the scenery

Miss Sasha & Me

See all

Always beautiful

Oceanside Beach

(141 reviews)

3.1 mi

Beautiful beach with the softest sand. So well kept and clean!! Great for surfers or families and…read moreeveryone in between. So relaxing, with the little breezes coming off the water. Lifeguards everywhere and even police and special firefighters patrolling the beach and water all the time. Clean bathroom facilities. Umbrella rentals at some parts. A pier as well!!!

Our yearly beach visit. We stay close by at the worldmark at wyndham timeshare. We been coming here…read morefor 14 years. Then on the walk back, we visit the ice cream shop. Nice beach and easy walk. Thanks Oside!

See all

Oceanside beach

Carlsbad Lagoon

4.0

(412 reviews)

1.4 mi

This was our first time at the Carlsbad Lagoon with the family. I made a reservation for a small…read moredeck the morning of our event and was worried there wouldn't be availability but we were able to book no problems. The deck was clean and easy access from the parking lot. Kids had a blast playing in the water and paddle boating. Will be coming back soon! Would recommend getting there early as parking can get full.

Brought my family here for the weekend, and I was quite unhappy…read more The staff exhibited unprofessional behavior and displayed rudeness, along with inappropriate comments. The water was extremely dirty and had a foul odor. I won't be bringing my family back to this filthy lagoon.

See all

Rainbow

Beacon's Beach

4.6

(44 reviews)

7.0 mi

Difficult to find parking but my friend and I parked far away and were there as part of our daily…read more10K steps challenge. For people going there to surf I see the difficulty in having to carry the board walking for a while Beacons is a wonderful beach like everything in Encinitas/Leucadia. Enchanting atmosphere, beautiful houses around, trees, flowers, birds...is a piece of paradise. I don't like too much having to go down that zig zag to go to the beach but it is always magical, especially when you haven't been for a very long time and rediscover this great spot.

When I'm dog sitting I like to walk to this beach as the views are beautiful... especially during…read morethe sunset. The doggy enjoys this walk as well. The top area was a bit of a hazard, as they had a few sinkhole issues. From recent visit I see they have improved the area and it looks really nice, and much safer. I have walked all the way down to the beach a few times, but the long trail down can be exhausting especially when carrying all your beach necessities. Overall, love the views and will continues to enjoy the walks.

See all

Swami's Beach

4.6

(96 reviews)

9.2 mi

I have been here a handful of times and love coming here to watch sunsets, watch surfers, meditate…read more Today, I stopped in to catch the sunset. I told myself if the parking lot had an open spot, I would stop, otherwise, I would get back on the road to go home. I got lucky tonight and got a spot. This lot is always full but I have managed to get a spot a few times. You either need to come real early or later in the day. Sunsets here are gorgeous, its a bit further south, so you're going to get the sun setting more to the far right, so it wont be directly in front of you, but still very beautiful and unique in its own way. Tonight, there was an impromptu band playing and music was great! They played one of my fave songs Fade Into You by Mazzy Star and I almost cried. The views were so gorgeous and while the song was playing I saw two sparrow like birds on the most beautiful red flowers and it just felt like life could not be any better. The benches up top are a hot commodity, but people come and go quickly so I got a nice spot and sat and watched the sun setting for about 30 min more. I saw a guy bring his own foldable reclining chair and thats a great idea! I think I am going to do that too! This is the best spot to relax for awhile... I love this place and will be coming back often. I also hope one day to be out there surfing with all those amazing surfers!! There were so many out there today, was a site to see!!

I don't know what it took me years if not decades to review this fabulous surfers beach. Well, not…read moreonly surfers can enjoy it but you will need energy to go up and down the long stairs and compete for space with the surfers and their boards. The feeling of being in a exotic location is overwhelmingly beautiful. Total vacation vibes, a place of peace and joy. I went there after a long time a couple days ago on my way to interpret in the area and stopped for a picnic at the little park before you get to the stairs. All very clean and perfect even if small. Restrooms, grass stra, picnic tables, perfect trees and plants, benches. Just a few parking spots which means most probably you have to park nearby and walk. The vistas from above the beach are spectacular. The sand is warm and thin, perfect for long walks or taking a quick nap.

Xcorps Films Presents a documusical film called - Swamis Vibe. Buy Tickets link: http://www.swamisvibe.com/

See all

The Swamis Vibe Film series - Sky lit scenes and dramatic sunsets from Swamis Reef Surf Park Encinitas California.

Legoland Water Park

3.6

(290 reviews)

3.2 mi

The best part of going to Legoland Water Park with kids is to have your husband be in charge of the…read morekids.....the whole day....and you just chill there and sip your drink. We have been coming to this water park the whole summer and it has been an amazing experience. If you come early, there are plenty of umbrellas and chairs to choose from. The water is usually warm and we usually battle with our kids cause they never want to go home. Our favorite part is the wave pool where you get to enjoy and relax on a wavy pool while laughing at your kids getting slapped by the wave near the shore. They're the ones who like being tossed around by the wave. We also like the water pad where the water squirts or creates multiple water arcs, and kids just run around and get wet. This is the place where parents can just sit or lay under umbrellas while watching their kids. We rented a cabana once when we had family guests from Texas. There was a breastfeeding baby so we thought, a cabana would be great, and it was. the server took us to our cabana and explained everything. You really do not need to go anywhere to get food. You just text your server what you want and the server will get the food for you. We also got two free Legoland towels and a huge Legoland bag. We'll be going back as soon as it opens again for the next summer. Totally worth it.

Son son had big plans to go to both the theme park and water park in the same day. Once he set a…read moreplan months out, it was set. Despite by the time we're on the trip in April, it was going to be a cold - 60-70s and maybe rainy day. Tried to convince him otherwise but he made up his mind months ago, haha. Well it turned out that the son came out on our day but it was still cold, mid-60's. Unfortunately Chime park side was closed. Forgot when I sold this park initially to him that LEGOLAND is geared towards the younger age. As is the water park, the slides and rides are on the smaller kid age. So it should be perfect for son sons age of 5, but he has been to larger water parks and rode the big thrilling rides. So he had fun there, but he said it's bay ride slides haha. Then add on to that the wind chills and temperature. Our waterpark adventure ended pretty quickly. We did however make the rest of the day in the theme park end. By the way to go to the water park you need to also have tickets for the theme park as it's inside the theme park.

25th Anniversary cake

See all

Jet Ski Rentals

4.0

(4 reviews)

3.0 mi

This "business " doesn't have a website and when you call the number provided your calls get…read moreforwarded, no pricing on any page

The staff was great. Pricing was great. And not a ton of paperwork. I'll definitely go back and…read morerent again soon

Electricity available , jet ski rentals location is the best

Lake Elsinore jet ski rentals

See all

Paddle boarding was fun also! not difficult at all , we also rented jet ski. It was fun also, I was a little scared,

South Carlsbad State Beach

(385 reviews)

4.5 mi

Camping at Carlsbad State Beach is unmatched…read more This campsite offers the best of both worlds: city life + beach life. It sits right on the ocean bluff with two sides, bluff-side (oceanfront) and streetside. Obviously bluff-side is preferred, but staying on the streetside is still a treat. A few things I love about this camping experience: - They allow all forms of camping. Tent, RV, van, etc. - The site has clean bathrooms and warm showers. Just be sure to purchase tokens at the front for the shower. - Dog friendly! You can bring your pet along but they must be on leash and aren't allowed on the beach. - Carlsbad has the most captivating sunsets, and if you're lucky, you'll even see a few dolphins. Truly the most memorable 32nd birthday activity with all my favorite people.

Carlsbad is a beautiful city with a lot of nice restaurants and little shops so I opted to try the…read morebeach here today rather than Oceanside where I usually go. I lucked out and found a super close parking spot in the neighborhood across the street. The beach itself was VERY short compared to sand length at other beaches so people were almost on top of each other. There was a pretty intense drop off about half way down the sand so it limited space for people to put down their stuff and lay out. I'm not sure how normal it is at this spot but there was a TON of rocks. It was way too much to be able to enter the water without having them beating your feet and ankles. My friend was bleeding after trying to check out the water. The surf was also a little intense that day so I'm wondering if that had any effect on the rock situation? This was a very clean beach with restrooms at the bottom of the ramp from the street so it did have that going for it but we decided to leave and head for a beach where we could safely go into the water that day. I'll have to come back another time to get a better idea.

Carlsbad SP Premium site.

ROTTEN FENCE

See all

Sugar Sweet Farm

5.0

(118 reviews)

8.5 mi

Our son Cruz has been going to Sugar Sweet Farm since he was 6 years old. Last summer, as he was…read moreapproaching 12, we thought it would probably be his final camp season. We were wrong. He signed up again this year, and when we picked him up today, he couldn't stop talking about all the fun he had--just like he did when he was 6. Seeing that kind of excitement after all these years truly melted our hearts. Now, Cruz is already looking forward to becoming a counselor one day. Elizabeth, Farmer Bubba, and the entire team are simply the best. You've created a place where kids make memories that last a lifetime. Parents, if you're looking for an incredible summer camp experience, Sugar Sweet Farm is the place to be. Thank you for all the memories.

I brought my 16month old nephew to here. We had so much fun and had an amazing day here…read more Sign up and sign the prior visit. Lots of animals and activities for kids. Turtle, chicken, snakes, lizards , dogs, bunny, horses, rabbits.. etc For activities; play grounds, face painting, art class, play room I would definitely bring him here again.

See all

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation

Locally owned & operated

We come to this area so often, I can't believe this is our first visit!…read more This place is magical My littles loved visiting here so much They did not want to leave They loved feeding the animals (tortoises, chickens, and pigs); So much outside space to explore; They loved seeing the hawks and falcon; Can't forget they got to touch the snake and lizard ...Best Day Ever Logistic Notes: Free Parking and Admission Indoor bathrooms and hand sanitizer at all animal areas; Lots of park benches to have snacks and lunch; Inside play areas and gift shop

Soo cool! Such a surprise. You think it's a small community center, but it's packed with…read moreactivities, light snacks, coffee, a stage, play rooms, books, toys, and best of all - animals! There's a pig that gets walked by a staff member intermittently, turtles you can get up and personal with, chickens, owls, hawks, falcons, snakes, starfish, etc. This is a great venue to take your kids. They have activities such as story time, and they also have an area where you can learn about the natives. There's areas to hike around the beautiful lagoon. You can be a member or take a look for the day for about $15 which is very reasonable. I believe it's worth it. They really maximized the space. It's a wonderful place!

Inside

See all

Monroe Street Pool

4.1

(11 reviews)

1.5 mi

Clean, not busy if you pay attention to when diving and other activities are scheduled. I've…read morealways had my own lap lane. Good price. Great neighborhood pool!

Been swimming here a month now, a couple of times a week. When I get there at noon, I sometimes…read morehave to share a lane for about half my workout. They have monthly and multi-monthly passes, I got four months for $60. They also have swimming lessons, including the one I tried, "drop-ins" on Monday and Wednesday nights, where I got one-on-one instruction on improving my technique. I'm giving them a five-star because it's actually got me back to working out on a regular basis.

Pricing - drop in cost is $4 a day

Pool!

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

1 review that is not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Dia R.

3

26

45

3 years ago

Enjoyed tha past few days seeing all the yellow and white wild flowers everywhere we drove.

Carlsbad City Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Carlsbad City Beach also viewed

North Ponto Beach

3.9

(15 reviews)

Such a beautiful beach…read more Easily accessible from the parking area. Lots of free spots and tons of sand to enjoy. My go to beach during the work week. It appears to be the "lover's lane" for the young kids and young at heart lol. Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sunblock and a good adult beverage. You'll thank me later.

The beach north of the campground. A little more sandy and available to beach goers. Cool spot for…read moreday beach goers. Families and such, it ha good parking in the lot and across the street. Long Beach (half mile) so find your spot and distance. No amenities, no food so be prepared to bring your picnic. But all in all a great beach!

Terra Mar Point

5.0

(10 reviews)

I want to say I hate this place so it doesn't get packed…read more But, kinda love it here. Parking isn't horrible, but it's definitely a smaller beach and peaceful

This spot is located between North Ponto Beach and Carlsbad State Beach. It's a local hidden gem…read more Instead of finding hoards of tourists, you'll find a serene beach with cliffs, tidepools, and surfers. Park on the dirt road, find the secret staircase and head downstairs. Things to keep in mind...no bathrooms, no lifeguards.

Moonlight State Beach

(389 reviews)

Beach is clean with a free parking lot just above. At the entrance there's a nice little…read moreplayground, a concessions stand with actual options beyond your standard hotdogs and burgers. We came on a cloudy day so it wasn't really crowded and we found free parking in the lot up the hill, just above the beach. The lifeguard station is right there so there was a sense of added safety as my kids learned to surf. Beach was clean, people were chill, and we'll def be back!

We came here as a family and really enjoyed it. I actually believe this beach was recommended to…read moreme, and it was everything they said it would be. The beach was nice and the water felt really good, not too cold, which made it even better. My daughter had a blast playing in the sand and just being free, and my husband loved it too, especially since it was his first time being in warm ocean water. We were able to find a spot that wasn't overly crowded, which made it feel even more peaceful and relaxing. Overall it was just a really good beach day and I would definitely come back.

Cassidy Beach

4.6

(11 reviews)

What a gorgeous little beach. But beach may be a stretch as its very rocky, and even at low tide…read morethe water comes pretty much to the edge. Stairs leading down to the beach. The beach itself is lined with private property. If you brave the water you can walk north and hit Buccaneer beach, which has sand if that's the kind of beach you want. But I'm not into sand and preffered sitting on the seat benches on the stairs and staring out into the water. Great place to catch the sunset. The first time I went I was able to see a few dolphins, or were they sharks? I'm hoping dolphins. You could see the pier from this spot. Pros: - Plenty of street parking (though be aware of when they do street cleaning) - Few benches along the stairs, and at the top near the street - Great views - Dog on leash friendly, especially if you dog loves the water. Saw plenty of people walking their down up and down Cons: - Not the kind of beach you would lay out on a towel on - Low tide left you only a few feet width of wet sad you could walk along - Bigger rocks piled had multiple signs saying how unstable they were and be careful, though I saw plenty of kids/adults risking it and climbing all over them to get a great spot Would I come again? Yes

I've been coming to this beach for 30 years..it's a great little spot..but very recently (like last…read morecouple weeks) someone somewhere somehow ? It's covered with little rocks..why? It makes it difficult for grannies like me to get our feet wet.. I don't like it..anyone got the scoop?

Frazee Beach

(33 reviews)

A gorgeous beach known also as Carlsbad State Beach or Frazee Beach…read more I was up north a bit in Oside doing some climbing and drove down trying to catch the sunset and got here in time to see it. I hear parking is tight but I was able to find some parking on one of the side residential streets. Beautiful, gorgeous sunset and would return to this beach when weather gets a bit warmer. Nice shops close to the beach for shopping and eating. I enjoyed my time here and will be back!

A long overdue update.... Yes, parking can be tight and the…read morebeach is always packed with tourists during the summer...but there's a reason... It's a gorgeous beach with amenities. Bathrooms, little shops within walking distance, and sometimes you'll find performers on the grassy areas. This past weekend, all the rocky cliffs and bushes were full of squirrels. Our pup had the best time looking for them! There are doggy stations there, so don't be a jerk. Make sure you grab bags and do the right thing! 5 stars!

Tower 38 Carlsbad State Beach

(4 reviews)

It was a beautiful day... 74 degrees... a wonderful breeze... the water was a little on the cold…read moresize.... But... ...there was a rip current going on.... I would stay here forever and ever...

There's a small parking lot that fills up quickly, but there are plenty of nearby spots where you…read morecan park and walk over. It's a beautiful beach to take a stroll, relax, or get in the water. It was overcast when I went, and there were lots of birds along the shore. Peaceful and scenic spot to visit.

South Carlsbad State Beach

(385 reviews)

Camping at Carlsbad State Beach is unmatched…read more This campsite offers the best of both worlds: city life + beach life. It sits right on the ocean bluff with two sides, bluff-side (oceanfront) and streetside. Obviously bluff-side is preferred, but staying on the streetside is still a treat. A few things I love about this camping experience: - They allow all forms of camping. Tent, RV, van, etc. - The site has clean bathrooms and warm showers. Just be sure to purchase tokens at the front for the shower. - Dog friendly! You can bring your pet along but they must be on leash and aren't allowed on the beach. - Carlsbad has the most captivating sunsets, and if you're lucky, you'll even see a few dolphins. Truly the most memorable 32nd birthday activity with all my favorite people.

Carlsbad is a beautiful city with a lot of nice restaurants and little shops so I opted to try the…read morebeach here today rather than Oceanside where I usually go. I lucked out and found a super close parking spot in the neighborhood across the street. The beach itself was VERY short compared to sand length at other beaches so people were almost on top of each other. There was a pretty intense drop off about half way down the sand so it limited space for people to put down their stuff and lay out. I'm not sure how normal it is at this spot but there was a TON of rocks. It was way too much to be able to enter the water without having them beating your feet and ankles. My friend was bleeding after trying to check out the water. The surf was also a little intense that day so I'm wondering if that had any effect on the rock situation? This was a very clean beach with restrooms at the bottom of the ramp from the street so it did have that going for it but we decided to leave and head for a beach where we could safely go into the water that day. I'll have to come back another time to get a better idea.

Tyson Street Park