A beach is a beach is a beach, right? Not really! All along the Southern California coast, the beaches vary geographically. Some are more sandy and some are more rocky. I was looking for one that was relatively clean, with not a lot of people, and lots of sand with few rocks. Tamarack State Beach is that place! Tamarack is the kind of beach that would make a nice spot for a picnic or a place to watch the sun set. I did neither of those things -- just stayed for a while to let my children get into the ocean and bury themselves in the sand. But they loved this beach so much that we visited twice during our visit to Carlsbad. There was a lifeguard on duty, set up closer to the parking lot where the majority of the people were. If you walk a little ways away, though, there is no lifeguard and the people are fewer. The parking can be a little limited, and you have to pay to park. There is also some street parking, but that's even more limited. Your best best is to hit the parking lot first and maybe circle a couple of times. read more

Tamarack state beach is a nice beach but this time there were so many rocks along it. My grandkids were 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. read more

During my one-month escape from the Massachusetts cold, I spent many days at Tamarack State Beach--also known as Carlsbad State Beach or Frazee Beach. Located between Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Village Drive, it's a beautiful stretch of coastline. You'll find a little bit of everything here--families, students, retirees, surfers, and plenty of people just enjoying the ocean. On any given day, I saw swimmers, surfers, kayakers, windsurfers, people fishing or beachcombing with metal detectors. The cement promenade running between Carlsbad Village and Tamarack is especially popular, filled with walkers and joggers. It extends for miles, making it perfect for a longer stroll along the coast. Wildlife added to the experience as well--dolphins offshore, along with pelicans, gulls, and other aquatic life. And beyond the traditional surfers, I even spotted the occasional electric hydrofoil (eFoil), with riders gliding above the water in a way that almost seems to defy gravity. Tamarack offers stunning daytime scenery and some truly memorable sunsets. There are some basic rest rooms facilities available. Tip: If you're heading there on a warm day, plan to arrive early--parking fills up quickly! read more

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Tamarack State Beach is my favorite spot to go to. I always enjoyyy myself...people watching, basking in the sun, R&R, beauuutiful sunset walks, dipping in the Pacific Ocean when the temp is warmer than usual and doing other fun beachy stuff. If you're in the mood to eat or shop, you have a lot of options downtown...plenty of things to do and see. Definitely recommend this beach to the Yelp Community!! read more

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Tamarack state beach is a nice beach but this is not one of my favorite in San Diego. The parking lot is ridiculously small. Don't even bother trying after like 9 am. Street parking is spotty and can get very crowded, very quickly. There are many vacation rentals, apartments, housing, all vying for the same limited parking spots in the area. There are no tables, only a few benches. There are no trees. There is a little green grassy area by the parking lot. The beach itself is ok, the sand is fine, relatively clean. There are some volleyball courts too. The sidewalk overlooking the beach is probably the best feature except for the sidewalk hogs who don't want to share it or move over when they are hogging both sides of it. At least it has good views of the ocean and the beach while you are walking. Some photos attached. read more

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An amazing beach and what a nice Sunday treat to spend the early afternoon here. I arrived right before noon and was able to find free easy parking on the street. But, I notice by the time I left at 2pm, parking was difficult, so come early. There is a paid lot right by the beach but note that at 2pm on a Sunday, no spots available. I enjoyed spending a couple of hours here and the beach is gorgeous. It was a bit overcast until about 1pm, and after that, it was pretty sunny and hot. I prefer the overcast in the morning, so not to get too hot or burnt to a crisp! Wear your sunscreen, and a hat to protect against the sun! Bathrooms available and shower off stations also available. Overall, a really nice beach, with families here, couples, surfers, and everybody in between. Its a lot of people during peak season, so be prepared for that. Great way to get in some Vitamin D and the ocean and nature are great medicine! read more

I love walking along this beach. There is a wide paved walkway down by the sand and up the hill, great for a post Carlsbad Village dinner sunset walk. Street parking is generally pretty full, but high turnover, so it's never too hard to find something within two blocks. read more

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During th summertime and peak days, this beach, and pretty much the whole coast along Carlsbad is a crowded mess. But, if you can find a parking spot right off the street, goddamit, take it right away. This beach is a nice, and anywhere you find a spot, its always beautiful and scenic. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I love this beach! Easy walk to get here, and they have bathrooms. The water is warm here and I actually stayed in the water for a long time because the waves weren't insane like a lot of other beaches around here During king tides you can walk the rocks and see some pretty cool tide pools, but even on normal tides you can still walk from the ride pool area back to this beach with a bit of climbing which is fun. Will be visiting again read more

These are the beaches folks think of when visiting California but miss the boat when they go up to LA. Clean sand, nice waves (big and small) great for lounging and swimming. Excited to spend more time here now as my new neighborhood beach. Walking path alongside the beach that connect to the sidewalk above near the highway provide many access points along staircases with accessible ramps at either end for wheels. The sunsets here are not to be missed either! Big plus that although the beach follows the main road, most traffic is seems to be driving the speed limit and mindful to pedestrians as there's lots of cross walks along the road. read more

Absolutely gorgeous beach. Since the very first time I came here, I fell in love with how clean it was and that you can see the sunset from here. It also seems like a beach that's popular with surfers and there's a place for surf lessons nearby in the summertime in the village of Carlsbad. This beach was a big motiviator in wanting to move to the area and a few years after first coming here, we're now relocating close by to it - which I'm so excited about. Can't wait for evening sunsets + family picnics here and excited to update this review as I spend more time in the area and learn the ins and outs. read more

An amazing place for views and relaxation. I highly recommend going there for sunsets or just to relax during the day hands-down grade 5.

It is usually in the Summer Season that I enjoy going to this Tamarack State Beach. Tamarack State Beach is really beautiful beaches that I like and have gone to this beach location for about 2 years. I really like walking on the sidewalk it is safe environment to get some exercise and still enjoy my view of the beach. I really love this Tamarack State Beach. The people who hang out at this beach in Carlsbad are very friendly the women and even these men who are walking, jogging, and bike riding on the sidewalk. There is a lot of healthy activity at this Tamarack State Beach. Everyone I have seen is getting into excellent shape. I see a lot of men and some women surfing at his Carlsbad beach location. I enjoy visiting different places instead of staying at the same beach all the time. The activity that I enjoyed doing the most at this Tamarack State Beach is Roller Blading. I usually go with one or two of my good friends or I go alone. The reason I like going alone sometimes is because I can set my own schedule and I can go anytime in the early mornings then afterwards I go and drive to a coffee shop to just relax and take it easy. It is a fun filled time for me to just enjoy my own company or be with my good men or women friends. I took some photos of this one pair of Rollerblades that are my primary In-Line Skates that I have always been using at this Tamarack State Beach in Carlsbad, CA. There is also a safe large grassy area, when I need to stop quickly I just skate over to this grassy area and I crash onto this grass area to break my fall so I don't receive any serious injuries. I always use the brakes on the back of my Rollerblade when I have to stop suddenly in doing some of my quick manevers on the sidewalk. I always wear a helmet. I need to buy a new helmet for this Rollerblading fun filled activity but it can be dangerous, if I am not able to stop in time and be able to press on my brakes in time on the back of my rollerblades. I remember one day, this incident happened to me once, when I crashed on the sidewalk and I skinned up one of my knees on my right leg. Dayton and I were rollerblading at this Tamarack State Beach. Dayton is in tne Marine Corps and he invited me to go rollerblading with him on Saturday morning. Dayton a good friend of mine said to me that he has been rollerblading for 3 years and he is a very experienced in-line skater. I am getting better at rollerblading but I am still learning and a beginner at this In-line Skating on the asphalt. Dayton said "Frances be very careful and Dayton said to me, if I think I am going to crash to try to skate toward the huge grassy area and crash onto the grass not onto the asphalt." " I said okay Dayton but I can't plan it out when I am going to fall down. " I pressed on the brakes on the back of my rollerblades but one of these brakes wasn't working. That is main reason I feel down hard onto the sidewalk on Saturday. :( Then Dayton my friend, he had to pick me up and he carried me over to the lifeguard station. Dayton asked one of these lifeguards for a large bandaid and some anti-biotic ointment to put on one of my bleeding skinned up right knee. This good looking life guard with dark brown hair and tan skin said sure no problem. He gave Dayton a huge bandaid and a tube of anti-biotic ointment. This lifeguard told Dayton to first clean this wound on my bleeding right knee with a moist towlette that he gave to Dayton my friend and then he said to Dayton after he wipes my bleeding right knee with this soapy substance then place some anti-biotic ointment on my right knee then finally put that huge bandaid on my right knee. Dayon followed all of this life guard directions. It was awesome this lifeguard cared about me. I usually wear two different outfits. One is this Royal Blue Bike Shorts with a matching Royal Blue Sports Bra and Saranac Black Leather Cushioned Gloves. The other outfit is one pair of these Black Hot Skins Bike Shorts with a Hot Pink Sports Bra and one pair of these Altus Black Leather Cushioned Gloves that has really great gripping power when I need to hold on to the rails on the sidewalk where I do my rollerblading at during these early morning hours. I recommend this Tamarack State Beach if you are the type of person who enjoys exercising and keeping your body fit and in a shapely manner. This Tamarack State Beach is for you. I also saw a lot of women walking their dogs on the sidewalk past me when I was rollerblading on the same sidewalk but the sidewalk is bigger in size so at least two people can fit on that one sidewalk. Everyone that I have talked to at this Tamarack State Beach are very friendly to me. Even their life guards at this beach are always very helpful to me if I have any questions on their rules at this location. Their life guards are very personable to me always. This Tamarack State Beach is a very comfortable beach with a beautiful view of the ocean. I love this Carlsbad beach. read more

Tamarack State Beach is a very nice stretch of beach in Southern California part of San Diego County. According to Visitcarlsbad.com, Tamarack State Beach is suitable for "swimming, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and beachcombing." (https://visitcarlsbad.com/beaches/tamarack-state-beach/, 2022) I liked the beach volley ball and the white sandy beaches, specifically on a warm sunny day. Sunset are stunningly beautiful here. The beach skirts right a long the 101 so you can not miss it a nice drive. I like to park in the Carlsbad Village area, then walk south down to the South Tamarack to the jetties and then back for lunch in Carlsbad Village. read more

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A beautiful beach in Carlsbad, California. Not too crowded, the beach stretches far, the sand is clean and free of rocks, sticks, glass, etc. The lifeguards and police will drive on the sand every hour or so to make sure no one is drinking from glass bottles, smoking, having dogs, etc. No dogs allowed here. Lots of jellyfish here (ones that don't sting). read more

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This is an absolutely gorgeous beach and the white sand is so beautiful and so is the Pacific Ocean! We are so lucky to live in Southern California! There is a path that leads down to the beach and it's really easy to access from Pacific coast highway. I recommend coming here whenever you're in the area! It is spectacular. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Gorgeous - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Always a great beach to spend the day. Lots of white sand and room to spread out. This beach is family friendly, it's clean, draws a good crowd and is staffed with life guards. Bathrooms and showers on site and parking is available across the street in the residential neighborhood. read more

Loved visiting this beach when we were on a recent family vacation! I really appreciated how clean the beach and facilities were. They had several tables near the parking lot so we had a picnic, watched the surfers and sunset and everything was so picturesque. I highly recommend visiting here and can't wait to go back! read more

Parking but it costs, there's street parking though. First come first served. Beautiful views and clean.

It's very beautiful here... clean... and not overcrowded... I love this whole area.... It's where I hike each morning.... Listening to the waves... the birds... Beautiful! read more

Tamarack State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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This beach goes on for miles and its soo awesome! Various access points, various lifeguard towers to make sure everyone is ok. There are soo many variations of beach too, where it's smooth, there is a little jump from where you can lay out your stuff and the ocean, there are some rock parts to collect rocks and smooth water seashells, some rip tide areas that are marked clearly, just so much space, where even when it's packed, everyone is spread out enough were you don't feel like you are shoulder to shoulder. The waves are great too, not too powerful so you don't have to worry about the littles. We had a good time read more

Tamarack State Beach - beach front for days - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Been here for the very first time and I was impressed. I enjoyed this beach much more than CardIff by the Sea/Cardiff Beach just for the free street parking alone., the close proximity and convenience. We've lived in California for over 9 years, but we were born and raised in Hawaii. So to be impressed by a beach here compared to Hawaii says a lot! It's honestly the best one we've found since moving from San Diego to Murrieta too! Came here earlier in the morning with a mama friend to enjoy some peace and quiet. It was a beautiful day, the water was clear, the sand was clean, no trash or nasty seaweed in sight. You can tell this beach is properly cared for and maintained. There is a porta-potty conveniently located betwen the beach and street parking, not to mention it's in walking distance of many shops and restaurants. We will definitely be returning soon for another mental health day! read more

Tamarack State Beach - Enjoying a quiet and beautiful morning - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I love the Carlsbad coast line and the beach. The beach is never too full, and there's plenty of street parking, paid parking and a good running stretch. I've never had a problem with not finding a spot. Just be careful the water can be a little rough! read more

Our favorite beach while visiting from Colorado! Soft sand, great surfing viewing, not too crowded, loved the location.

A beautiful, quiet stretch of beach that is not overrun with people. It was easy to park in the adjacent lot and is a quick drive down to Carlsbad village to grab lunch or dinner after a day at the beach. Glad that we stumbled upon this beach when driving by. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Awesome beach for kids and family ! Great family beach ! Awesome beach , our kids loved that it was so clean ! read more

I love this beach it's probably my favorite beach every time I'm here I always see a lot of wildlife and it's just so beautiful! The water is so nice always I love this beach and I think it's one of the best beaches! I recommend going to this beach if you're in the area! read more

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Nice beach area. alot squirrels in the area near the water/ rock area that has a fence. Parking is a hit & miss or you can find a spot in the residential area & walk There's also a grassy area. My only issue is that it's near some sort of plant that doesn't feel comfortable for me. So needless to say, I didn't stay around & moved on down where there a plenty of beach areas as you head south. read more

I have to tell you we have always loved Tamarack State Beach. Generally has a great break for Boogie boarding and for surfing. Also a great place to watch the sunset from the ocean while on your board. Have been coming here since junior high school. It was always great to skip out of a few classes and head over to tamarack State Beach Ride some waves do a little partying and make it back before school let out. I have a lot of memories of my friends who often got in more trouble than me hanging out at Tamarack State Beach. If it wasn't for the parking situation it would be one of our top spots. But even with the parking you can generally make a u-turn illegally of course and find a spot. Once you've got a parking spot you're all set short walk to the beach and you're in the water in just a few minutes. The state of California has always done a good job maintaining the beaches. And this beach has been cared for and groomed properly. With the rock problem up and down the coast in north San Diego County this beach shines with its silky sand and classic California beach feel. I highly recommend this Beach to anyone looking to have a great time ride some waves and enjoy a great sunset. read more

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Mid week is the best time to go here, no crowds and obviously lots of parking, stay hydrated

Such a beautiful beach. I try to go once every week just to do a quick run or sit by the rocks and enjoy the view. This is a pretty clean beach with parking available. They also have bathrooms but they are not super clean. Other than that, you can walk the top strip or sit around. read more

I love Carlsbad's TAMARACK BEACH! Surround yourself with the sound of rumbling ocean waves, dewey salted breezes, sun-kissed sand, and gorgeous beach landscapes. If you're not a fan of the hectic beach areas like the Oceanside Pier or Harbor, then Tamarack is the place. Even though the foot traffic is close along with bicyclists and busy cars in the street, you don't hear them at all. There's a peaceful privacy as you're saturated with the intensity of the grand Pacific Ocean. Choose a small parking lot where you pay and have a brick n mortar restroom, or find free parking on the street (with port-a-potties). Either parking are in very close proximity to the sand and ocean. Lifeguard towers are everywhere but are on duty only during the summer. Beautiful views along large paved sidewalks stretch from Canon Road all the way past Carlsbad Village Drive (where you'll find all sorts of shops, eateries of all kinds including fast food, restaurants, breweries and more. Beach City Smoothies has the best açaí bowls hands down!). Tamarack Beach is a must-visit beach. Very easy to spend the entire day and finish off with a glorious sunset. read more

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This park is super kid friendly, has bathrooms, a wash off area, and it's connected to a boardwalk. As soon as you park it's only steps to the beach with unobstructed views of the ocean. It's only a minute off I-5 and there's also a gas station and a Starbucks on the exit. It's a great place to stop during a road trip through California. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Searching for seashells - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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My "go to" beach in North County! We usually pick the side of the beach just south of the wetlands drainage. The beach is always clean. On my multiple visits, people remained socially distanced during COVID. It is also one of the few beaches that never seems to be absolutely seething with people. Parking is usually available and pretty easy to find along the 101. Really the only "con" I've had during my frequent visits is that the beach gets quite windy. read more

We had a great stay here. The pool was heated and clean, the hot tubs were perfect. The breakfast was not great, so we only had it the first day. They have movies to rent, the gates and secured parking made it feel very safe, and the beach is right across the street. It was also within walking distance of a lot of things. read more

Tamarack State Beach - View from patio - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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This is my favorite beach spot! You need to come early if you want to get free parking....or even paid parking for that matter....but it's very much worth it! The beach is always clean and the water is the most beautiful blue vs. it's close neighbor Oceanside. I drive the extra 30 minutes just to get a spot here in Carlsbad. It has a beautiful walking space and Carlsbad Village is great to wander around and get a bite to eat. I highly recommend this spot if you are looking for a clean fun family friendly Beach spot. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Beautiful and clean! - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

A super beach for everyone and parking could be a challenge for the impatient but I never have a hard time when I just take a deep breaths drive enjoy. read more

One of many spots on Coast Hwy to enjoy the beach. It's clean and a popular place for many to stop. So, if you are hoping for a good spot to chill, especially during the summer, come early and plant your umbrella and cooler down. read more

This is my favorite beach in North County. It's never really crowded, people are super friendly, tons of local places to eat, clean bathrooms, and you'll see tons of people being active- running the stairs, running, biking, everything. It's really lovely. You'll see amazing sunsets here and sometimes even spot a dolphin or two. Parking can sometimes be a hassle, but you can always find something. read more

Tamarack State Beach - My favorite beach - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California

What do people want to know? How's the parking situation? Is there food nearby? How the action? And are there enough river rocks to develop callouses on the feet by the day's end? The answers are mixed. First of all, there is a small parking lot that does not fill out too heavily on the weekdays, but does fill out on the weekend. Also, parking is $10 for the full day, and offered in hourly increments. It seems that the locals have this figured out: They bypass the fee by parking several blocks away and walking it in. If you non-locals choose to attempt this, know that you will be on a decline heading in to the beach, but a gradual incline on the way back to your vehicle. Have kids? I say pay the fee and call it, or choose another beach location. Also, there appears to be sections of the beach that have parking right along the highway -- but the decline-incline situation will be comparable. You won't find a pier here, or an avenue with ample food offerings, so plan to pack in your breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. This seems to be a bit more of a subdued beach compared with others. Given the parking-to-visitor ratio, it seems to get a bit less crammed than other beaches in the vicinity. Still, it draws a healthy gathering of teenagers, surfers and families with little children. And, yes, you will find river rocks here. But not in too-too much of an abundance. Still, it can be uncomfortable at times. So, if you have sensitive feet -- even mildly sensitive -- consider water shoes. read more

Tamarack State Beach - Ahhhh. Breathe in, breathe out... - Beaches Near Me - Carlsbad, California