Carlsbad is a coastal city in the
North County region of
San Diego County, California
San Diego County (), officially the County of San Diego, is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634, making it California's second-most populous county and the f ...
, United States. The city is south of downtown
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...
and north of downtown
San Diego
San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United States ...
. As of the
2020 census, the population of the city was 114,746. Carlsbad is a popular tourist destination and home to many businesses in the golf industry.
History
Carlsbad's history began with the
Luiseño people (the Spanish name given to them because of their proximity to
Mission San Luis Rey), as well as some
Kumeyaay in the La Costa area. Nearly every reliable fresh water creek had at least one native village, including one called Palamai.
The site is located just south of today's
Buena Vista Lagoon.
The first European land exploration of
Alta California, the Spanish
Portolá expedition of 1769, met native villagers while camped on Buena Vista Creek. Another Luiseño villages within today's city of Carlsbad was a village at the mouth of the San Marcos Creek that the
Kumeyaay called 'Ajopunquile'. A Kumeyaay village that was visited by Portolá was Hakutl, in the Rancho Ponderosa area.
During the Mexican period, in 1842, the southern portion of Carlsbad was granted as
Rancho Agua Hedionda to
Juan María Marrón.
In the 1880s a former sailor named
John A. Frazier dug a well in the area. He began offering his water at the train station and soon the whistle-stop became known as Frazier's Station. A test done on a second fresh-water well discovered the water to be chemically similar to that found in some of the most renowned spas in the world, and the town was named after the famed spa in the
Bohemia
Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
n town of Karlsbad (now
Karlovy Vary,
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...
).
To take advantage of the find, the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company was formed by a German-born merchant from the Midwest named Gerhard Schutte together with Samuel Church Smith, D. D. Wadsworth and Henry Nelson. The naming of the town followed soon after, along with a major marketing campaign to attract visitors. The area experienced a period of growth, with homes and businesses sprouting up in the 1880s. Agricultural development of citrus fruits, avocados and olives soon changed the landscape. By the end of 1887, land prices fell throughout
San Diego County
San Diego County (), officially the County of San Diego, is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634, making it California's second-most populous county and the f ...
. However, the community survived on the back of its fertile agricultural lands.
The site of John Frazier's original well can still be found at ''Alt Karlsbad,'' a replica of a German
Hanseatic house, located on Carlsbad Boulevard.
In 1952, Carlsbad was incorporated to avoid annexation by its neighbor,
Oceanside.
The single-runway Palomar Airport opened in 1959 after
County of San Diego
San Diego County (), officially the County of San Diego, is a county in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,298,634, making it California's second-most populous county and the f ...
officials decided to replace the Del Mar Airport. The airport was annexed to the City of Carlsbad in 1978 and renamed
McClellan-Palomar Airport in 1982 after a local civic leader, Gerald McClellan.
The first modern
skateboard park
A skatepark, or skate park, is a purpose-built recreational environment made for skateboarding, BMX, scootering, wheelchairs, and aggressive inline skating. A skatepark may contain half-pipes, handrails, funboxes, vert ramps, stairsets, qu ...
, Carlsbad Skatepark, was built in March 1976.
It was located on the grounds of Carlsbad Raceway and was designed and built by inventors Jack Graham and John O'Malley. The site of the original Carlsbad Skatepark and
Carlsbad Raceway was demolished in 2005 and is now an industrial park.
However, two skateparks have since been developed.
In March 1999,
Legoland California was opened. It was the first Legoland theme park outside of Europe and is currently operated by
Merlin Entertainments. Merlin Entertainments owns 70 percent of the shares, and the remaining 30 percent is owned by the LEGO group and Kirkbi A/S.
Carlsbad is home to the nation's largest desalination plant. Construction of the
Carlsbad Desalination Plant at the
Encina Power Station
The Encina Power Station (EPS) was a large natural gas and oil-fueled electricity generating plant located in Carlsbad, California, in San Diego County. Constructed in 1954, it was one of the major suppliers of electricity for the region. On ...
was completed in December 2015. The Encina Power Station is currently being demolished, despite efforts to preserve it as a historical landmark.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...
, the city has a total area of of which are land and are (3.55%) water, the majority of which is contained within three
lagoons and one
lake
A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...
.
The northern area of the city is part of a tri-city area consisting of northern Carlsbad, southern
Oceanside and western
Vista.
The ocean-side cliffs fronting wide white-sand beaches and mild climate attract vacationers year-round.
Types of
Households in Carlsbad city, California in 2015–2019. 56.6% was Married-couple households, 5.1% was cohabiting couple households, 13.6% male householder no spouse, 24.7% female householder no spouse.
Climate
Carlsbad has a semi-arid
Mediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...
(Koppen classification ''BSh'') and averages 263 sunny days per year. Winters are mild with periodic rain. Frost is rare along the coast, but sometimes occurs in inland valleys in December and January. Summer is almost rain free, but overcast and cool with fog off the Pacific. While most days have mild and pleasant temperatures, hot dry
Santa Ana winds bring high temperatures on a few days each year, mostly in the fall.
Neighborhoods
For city planning and growth management purposes, Carlsbad is divided into four distinct quadrants.
Northwest quadrant
The northwest quadrant of Carlsbad (ZIP code 92008) includes the downtown "Village", "The Barrio", and "Olde Carlsbad." It was the first part of Carlsbad to be settled. Homes range from 1950s cottages and bungalows, 1960s ranch style houses, to elegant mansions on hills overlooking the ocean. It is also home to Hosp Grove Park, a grove of eucalyptus trees relatively untouched by development and now designated by the city for recreational use, in addition to the Buena Vista and Agua Hedionda Lagoons. It is located west of
El Camino Real and north of
Palomar Airport Road.
"The Barrio" area is near downtown Carlsbad bordered by Carlsbad Village Drive to the north, Tamarack Avenue to the south, Interstate 5 to the east and the railroad tracks to the west. It was settled by
Latinos in the early 20th century.
[New effort begins on planning for Carlsbad's Barrio area]
, in
North County Times
', retrieved October 19, 2011. It is the site of the Centro de Aprendizaje, a Spanish division of the
Carlsbad City Library
The Carlsbad City Library is a public library in Carlsbad, California. Operated by the city government, the library consists of three branches: the Georgina Cole Library, the Dove Library, and the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center.
The first l ...
.
[Las Bibliotecas de Carlsbad]
, retrieved October 19, 2011.
Northeast quadrant
This quadrant (ZIP code 92010) is located east of El Camino Real and north of Palomar Airport Road and consists mostly of single-family homes, with larger lots found in the older area known as Chestnut Hills and the newer developments around Calavera Hills.
The Northeast quadrant also contains the Lake Calavera Nature Preserve, a 110-acre space containing a 513-foot extinct volcano known as
Mount Calavera. The preserve — notable for its small lake, wide dam, and mountain — was officially set aside in the 1990s as the surrounding land was being developed. The preserve is bordered on three sides by suburban single-family homes, and on one side by small farms and rural compounds. In 2012, Sage Creek High School was developed in the southwest corner of the preserve amid some controversy. Nature experts challenged the decision to construct the school on the preserve, but Carlsbad High School was reaching its capacity and there were few undeveloped areas that had sufficient space for an additional high school. Despite missing one of its original corners, the preserve still offers miles of hiking trails with ocean views.
Southeast quadrant
The southeast quadrant (ZIP code 92009) is located east of El Camino Real and south of Palomar Airport Road and features several newer expensive
master-planned communities set among hillsides, golf courses, Alga Norte Community Park and permanent open spaces. It includes Bressi Ranch and the La Costa neighborhoods of Rancho La Costa, La Costa Ridge, La Costa Oaks, La Costa Greens, La Costa Valley, and Rancho Carillo. In 1965, La Costa gave its name to the Gold Medal Golf Resort, La Costa Resort and Spa, now known as the
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Residents here are served by the
Carlsbad Unified School District
The Carlsbad Unified School District is the school district for Carlsbad, California, USA. The Superintendent is Dr. Benjamin Churchill. The district manages two high schools, three middle schools and nine elementary schools. In addition they op ...
,
San Marcos Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) is a public school district based in San Marcos, California, and includes 19 schools with educational programs for kindergarten through adult education students. SMUSD serves San Marcos, as well as secti ...
and the
Encinitas Union School District.
Southwest quadrant
This quadrant (ZIP code 92011) extends along the Pacific Ocean to the south of the center of Carlsbad. It includes the
Aviara neighborhood, which is home to the
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. It is located west of El Camino Real and south of Palomar Airport Road.
Demographics
Carlsbad is part of the
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
2010
As of the
2010 United States Census
The United States census of 2010 was the twenty-third United States national census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2010. The census was taken via mail-in citizen self-reporting, with enumerators serving ...
Carlsbad had a population of 105,328. The population density was . The racial makeup of Carlsbad was 87,205 (82.8%)
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...
, 1,379 (1.3%)
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 514 (0.5%)
Native American, 7,460 (7.1%)
Asian, 198 (0.2%)
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, 4,189 (4.0%) from
other races, and 4,383 (4.2%) from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or
Latino of any race were 13,988 persons (13.3%).
The Census reported that 104,413 people (99.1% of the population) lived in households, 459 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 456 (0.4%) were institutionalized.
Out of 39,964 households in 2011, there were 26,992 (67.5%) families, of which 12,345 (30.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 21,705 (54.3%) were
married-couple families, 1,489 (3.7%) had a male householder with no wife present, and 3,798 (9.5%) had a female householder with no husband present. There were 12,972 (32.5%) nonfamily households, of which 10,198 (25.5%) were made up of a householder living alone and 3,299 (8.3%) were a householder living alone who was 65 years or over. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.10.
The population was spread out, with 25,366 people (24.1%) under the age of 18, 6,718 people (6.4%) aged 18 to 24, 28,073 people (26.7%) aged 25 to 44, 30,373 people (28.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 14,798 people (14.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
There were 44,673 housing units at an average density of , of which 26,808 (64.8%) were owner-occupied, and 14,537 (35.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%. 69,855 people (66.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34,558 people (32.8%) lived in rental housing units.
In 2011, the median household income was US$85,743 and the median family income was US$102,254, with 11.9% of households and 14.9% of families earning US$200,000 or more. Males had a median income of US$80,590 versus US$54,159 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the city was US$42,712. About 6.8% of families and 8.4% of the population reported income below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Of the population 25 years and over, 95.7% graduated from high school and 51.3% held a bachelor's degree or higher. 65.2% of the population 16 years and over was in the labor force.
2000
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...
of 2000, there were 78,247 people, 31,521 households, and 20,898 families residing in the city.
The population density was . There were 33,798 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 86.6%
Caucasian, 1.0%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 0.4%
Native American, 4.2%
Asian, 0.2%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...
, 4.7% from
other races, and 3.0% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...
or
Latino of any race were 11.7% of the population.
There were 31,521 households, out of which 30.7% contained children under the age of 18, 54.3% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of single individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The mean household size was 2.46 and the mean family size was 2.96.
23.3% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. Among those 18 and older, there were 92.8 males for every 100 females.
Government
Local government
In 2008, Carlsbad voters passed a measure to become a
charter city
In the United States, a charter city is a city in which the governing system is defined by the city's own charter document rather than solely by general law. In states where city charters are allowed by law, a city can adopt or modify its orga ...
(as opposed to the
general-law municipality they had been before), approving the proposed charter by 82% and officially becoming such that same year.
Before the 2018 elections, city government was led by an elected mayor and four council members, elected at large; however, in July 2017, the city council voted to transition to district elections (except for the mayoral office, which remains an at-large position). Elections for Districts 1 and 3 were held in 2018, and in 2020, elections were held for the remaining Districts 2 and 4. As was the case before changing to district elections for the city council, city council members and the mayor are elected to 4-year terms.
See the official district ma
here(not to scale).
Carlsbad's current mayor is Matt Hall, who has served since 2010 and was re-elected in 2018.
In May 2018, the Carlsbad city council voted 4–1 to back the federal government's lawsuit against California sanctuary state law
SB 54.
The city has drafted ordinances protecting sensitive wildlife habitat, becoming one of the first municipalities in California to do so. The city has also pledged to protect about 40 percent of the city as permanent open space.
Federal and state representation
In the
California State Legislature, Carlsbad is in , and in .
In the
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
, Carlsbad is in .
Politics
Carlsbad was a powerfully
Republican stronghold during the 20th century, a classic bastion of suburban conservatism in Southern California. However, the GOP's edge in Carlsbad started to narrow in the 1990s and 2000s, with the city shifting Democratic. In 2008,
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...
, then the
Democratic nominee for President, carried the city with a plurality. In 2012,
Mitt Romney, the GOP nominee, carried the city by a 9% margin. In 2016, the city flipped back to the
Democratic Party, voting for Hillary Clinton by a 10.4% margin over
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of P ...
.
Joe Biden expanded that margin to 17.6% over Trump in 2020.
Economy
Carlsbad's core industries include information technology, video game development, manufacturing, robotics, medical devices, life science, wireless technology,
clean technology, action sports, tourism, design development and real estate. In 2013, Google named Carlsbad the digital capital of California with the strongest online business community.
Carlsbad is also known as the "Titanium Valley" because of its golf manufacturing industry.
Callaway Golf Company,
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company,
Cobra Golf,
Titleist, and
Odyssey Golf
The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the '' Iliad'', ...
are all located in Carlsbad.
Top employers
According to 2021 figures, the top employers in the city are:
Notable corporate headquarters
*
Applied Spectral Imaging
Applied Spectral Imaging or ASI is a multinational biomedical company that develops and manufactures microscopy imaging and digital analysis tools for hospitals, service laboratories and research centers. The company provides cytogenetic, patholog ...
, multinational bioimaging technology company
*
Arkeia Software, network backup solutions
*
Atticus Clothing
Atticus is a brand of clothing founded in 2001 by Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge, along with their childhood friend Dylan Anderson.
Name
The name Atticus Clothing was derived from several places, one being the main character' ...
, Apparel
*
Business.com, online B2B marketing platform
*
Callaway Golf Company, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
*
Clear-Com, owned by HME; an electronics manufacturer of intercom systems
*
Cobra Golf, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
*
Fallen Footwear
Fallen Footwear is an American skateboarding footwear and apparel brand founded by professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas in 2003, after leaving Circa. The company which was out of the market for almost two years (2016-2017) has now been acquire ...
, Shoe company
*
Gemological Institute of America, Gem Nonprofit
*
Hay House, New Age Publisher
*
Hot Dog on a Stick, Restaurants
*
Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, restaurant
*
Jazzercise, International dance fitness program
*
Jenny Craig, Inc.
Jenny Craig, Inc., often known simply as Jenny Craig, is an American weight loss, weight management, and nutrition company. The company has more than 700 weight management centers in Australia, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. The pro ...
, Weight management
*
Kisco Senior Living
Kisco Senior Living, based in Carlsbad, California, owns 25 and operates 22 full services senior living communities in six states offering independent living, assisted living and in some locations, memory care.
Statistics
Kisco Senior Living is ra ...
, senior living
*
Macbeth Footwear
Macbeth Footwear, is a Southern Californian footwear, apparel, and accessories brand. Founded in 2002, It sells many vegan and organic products. One of its founders is Tom DeLonge, a member of Blink 182.
Since June 2014, Macbeth Footwear h ...
, apparel
*
MaxLinear
MaxLinear is an American hardware company. Founded in 2003, it provides highly integrated radio-frequency (RF) analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products for broadband communications applications. It is a New York Stock Exchange-traded com ...
, Semiconductors
*
No Fear
No Fear is an American lifestyle clothing brand that was created in 1989 by Mark Simo, Brian Simo, Boris Said, and Marty Moates. No Fear Inc. products are sold at various retail stores ancompany owned stores It also offers No Fear energy dri ...
, Apparel
*
Osiris Shoes
Osiris is a skateboard clothing brand founded in California by Swedish skater Tony Magnusson Brian Reid, Tony Chen and Doug Weston. Osiris was founded in 1996. Before October 2014 the company sponsored skateboarders, BMX riders and surfers.
...
, Shoe company
*
PC Power & Cooling
PC Power and Cooling (stylized as PC Power & Cooling), a subsidiary of FirePower Technology, is an American manufacturer of computer power supplies based in Carlsbad, California. The company was established by Doug Dodson in 1985. In 2007, the co ...
, PC power supply manufacturer
*
Rockstar San Diego, Video Game Developer
*
Rubio's Coastal Grill, Quick-serve Restaurants
*
TaylorMade Golf Company, Golf equipment and apparel manufacturer
*
Upper Deck
The Upper Deck Company, LLC (colloquially as Upper Deck and Upper Deck Authenticated, Ltd. in the UK), founded in 1988, is a private company primarily known for producing trading cards. Its headquarters are in Carlsbad, California, United State ...
, Sports and entertainment trading card manufacturer
*
ViaSat
Viasat may refer to:
*Viasat (American company) (founded 1986)
*Viasat (Nordic television service) (founded 1991)
* Danish 1st Division, officially Viasat Divisionen, second-highest football league in Denmark
* Viasat Cup, 2006 Danish football tour ...
, Satellite communications
Schools
;School Districts
*
Carlsbad Unified School District
The Carlsbad Unified School District is the school district for Carlsbad, California, USA. The Superintendent is Dr. Benjamin Churchill. The district manages two high schools, three middle schools and nine elementary schools. In addition they op ...
*
Encinitas Union School District-for Elementary schools South of Carlsbad
*
San Dieguito Union High School District-for Junior High and High schools in South Carlsbad
*
San Marcos Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) is a public school district based in San Marcos, California, and includes 19 schools with educational programs for kindergarten through adult education students. SMUSD serves San Marcos, as well as secti ...
-for schools in southeast Carlsbad
;Public High
*
Carlsbad High School
*
La Costa Canyon High School
*
Sage Creek High School
Sage Creek High School is a public high school in Carlsbad, California. It opened in the fall of 2013 and is located in a coastal suburb of San Diego. Sage Creek specializes in the STEM fields and was created to alleviate growing enrollment at Ca ...
;Public Intermediate
* Aviara Oaks Middle School
* Calavera Hills Middle School
* Valley Middle School
;Public Interlevel
* Carlsbad Seaside Academy (Independent Study)
;Public Elementary
* Aviara Oaks Elementary School
* Buena Vista Elementary School
* Calavera Hills Elementary School
* Carlsbad Seaside Academy (K-6 Alternative Education)
* El Camino Creek Elementary School
* Hope Elementary School
* Jefferson Elementary School
* Kelly Elementary School
* La Costa Heights Elementary School
* La Costa Meadows Elementary School
* Magnolia Elementary School
* Pacific Rim Elementary School
* Poinsettia Elementary School
* Mission Estancia Elementary School
* Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School
* Rancho Carillo Elementary School
;Private Schools
*
Army and Navy Academy
Army and Navy Academy is an elite private college-preparatory military boarding school for boys in Carlsbad, California. Founded in 1910, the academy admits boys in grades 7 through 12.
History
The academy was founded by Colonel Thomas A. Davis ...
: College Prep Middle and High School
* Carlsbad Christian Academy
* Montessori Arts and Sciences School
*
Pacific Ridge School
Pacific Ridge School, which is referred to as Pacific Ridge or PRS, is an independent co-educational college preparatory school for students in grades 6–12. The private school is located in the Bressi Ranch community of Carlsbad, a coastal reso ...
* Palisades Point Christian Academy
* St. Patrick School
* The Academy by the Sea: Camp Pacific
*Nautical Oceanside Achievement School
Public libraries
*
Carlsbad City Library
The Carlsbad City Library is a public library in Carlsbad, California. Operated by the city government, the library consists of three branches: the Georgina Cole Library, the Dove Library, and the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center.
The first l ...
(three branches)
Sister cities
Carlsbad's
sister cities are:
*
Futtsu,
Chiba, Japan
*
Karlovy Vary,
Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic
Attractions
;Amusement Parks
*
Legoland California
;Aquariums
* Sea Life Aquarium at
Legoland California
;Beaches
*
Carlsbad State Beach
*
South Carlsbad State Beach
;Campgrounds
*
South Carlsbad State Beach
;Golf
* Aviara Golf Club and The Aviara Golf Academy.
*
La Costa Resort and Spa
* The Crossings at Carlsbad.
* Rancho Carlsbad Golf Club
;Open Space
*
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon ("agua hedionda" means "fetid water" in Spanish) is a lagoon in Carlsbad, California, that is fed by the Agua Hedionda Creek. Stewardship of much of the lagoon is held by the Encina Power Station and its owner NRG Ene ...
*
Batiquitos Lagoon
The Batiquitos Lagoon is a coastal wetland and estuary located between southern Carlsbad, California, Carlsbad and Encinitas, California, Encinitas, in the North County (San Diego area), North County region of San Diego County, California. The la ...
*
Buena Vista Lagoon
* Lake Calavera Nature Preserve
*Rancho La Costa Preserve
;Museums
*
Carlsbad Historical Society Museum
Carlsbad may refer to:
*Carlsbad, California, United States
*Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
*Carlsbad, Texas, United States
*Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary (; german: Karlsbad, formerly also spelled ''Carlsbad'' in English) is a spa city in t ...
*
Museum of Making Music
The Museum of Making Music, is a division of the NAMM Foundation of the National Association of Music Merchants, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Carlsbad, California. The museum opened to the public on March 5, 2000. Its mission ...
*
Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
;Gardens
*
The Flower Fields
Transportation
North County Transit District (NCTD) provides public transportation services in Carlsbad, managing ''
Coaster'' commuter rail (with stops at
Carlsbad Village station and
Carlsbad Poinsettia station), ''Breeze'' bus service, ''Flex'' on-demand transit service, and ''Lift'' paratransit service.
''Sprinter'' hybrid rail, also managed by NCTD, does not pass through Carlsbad. While it passes through Carlsbad, the
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak () , is the national passenger railroad company of the United States. It operates inter-city rail service in 46 of the 48 contiguous U.S. States and nine cities in Canada. ...
Pacific Surfliner does not stop within the city.
Interstate 5 runs through the western part of Carlsbad, while
California State Route 78 passes close to its northern border.
McClellan–Palomar Airport is located about southeast of downtown Carlsbad, and allows general aviation and limited commercial service to the city.
Notable people
*
Frank Alesia
Frank Alesia (January 4, 1944 – February 27, 2011) was an American actor and television director. He was best known for his work in the beach party film genre during the 1960s, including such films as '' Pajama Party'' (1964) and ''Riot on Su ...
, character actor and
television director
*
Marcus Allen, college and professional football star
*
Brian P. Bilbray
Brian Phillip Bilbray (born January 28, 1951) is an American Republican politician who represented parts of San Diego County in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001 and again from 2006 to 2013.
Bilbray was Chairman of the Hou ...
, U.S. Congressman
*
Ron Blair, bassist for
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
*
David M. Brahms, Marine Corps Brigadier General, Military Lawyer
*
Adam Brody
Adam Jared Brody (born December 15, 1979) is an American actor, writer, musician, and producer. He is known for his breakthrough role as Seth Cohen on the Fox television series ''The O.C.'', which premiered in 2003. Subsequently, Brody appeared ...
, film and television actor; played
Seth Cohen on ''
The O.C.''
*
Francesca Capaldi, child actress
*
Ron Capps
Ron Capps is a writer, US Army and Foreign Service veteran, and founder of the ''Veterans Writing Project'', a nonprofit organization that hosts free writing workshops for veterans and others. Capps also wrote the book ''Seriously Not All Right: ...
, Current NHRa Funny Car Driver Former Top Fuel Driver 2016 NHRA Funny Car Champion
*
Leo Carrillo, actor, cartoonist, conservationist and preservationist, and owner of Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad
*
Aaron Chang
Aaron Chang (born August 9, 1956)Matt Warshaw"Aaron Chang". ''Encyclopedia of Surfing''. Retrieved 17 July 2016. is an American photographer specialized in surfing and ocean photography. He spent 25 years as a senior photographer at '' Surfing Maga ...
, surf and ocean photographer
*
Brandon Chillar
Brandon Chillar (born October 21, 1982) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won Super Bowl XLV over the P ...
, linebacker for the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. It is the t ...
*
Jim Cochran, pioneering organic strawberry farmer
*
Jonathan Compas, center for
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The cl ...
*
S.E. Cupp, journalist and political commentator
*
David Díaz, Caldecott-winning illustrator/author
*
Thomas Eshelman
Thomas Darwin Eshelman (born June 20, 1994) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current pitching coach in the San Diego Padres organization. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He ...
(CHS Grad 2012), MLB Pitcher for Baltimore Orioles
*
Drew Ferris
Drew Ferris (born March 7, 1992) is an American football long snapper who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Florida.
Early years
Ferris was born in Carlsbad, California, and is Jewish.Raphael Gellar (May ...
(born 1992), football player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League
*
Jon Foreman, lead singer of alternative band
Switchfoot
*
Tim Foreman
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman (lead vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler ( drums, percussion), and Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, ba ...
, brother of Jon Foreman and bassist for
Switchfoot
*
Robert C. Frazee, businessman and politician
*
John A. Frazier, city founder
*
Ryan Gallant
Ryan may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Ryan (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
*Ryan (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
Places Australia
* Division of Ryan, an elector ...
, professional
skateboarder
*
Sid Gillman
Sidney Gillman (October 26, 1911 – January 3, 2003) was an American football player, coach and executive. Gillman's insistence on stretching the football field by throwing deep downfield passes, instead of short passes to running backs or ...
, professional football player
*
Troy Glaus, baseball player
*
LeRoy Grannis, photographer
*
Ryan Guy
Ryan Michael Guy (born September 5, 1985) is a soccer coach and former professional player. Born in Carlsbad, California, he played for the Guam national team at international level. As of 2023, he works as a youth coach for San Diego Surf.
...
, football player for
St. Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club ( ga, Cumann Peile Lúthchleas Phádraig Naofa) is a professional Irish association football club based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division. Founded in May 1929, they played origin ...
*
Tony Hawk, professional skateboarder and entrepreneur
*
Taylor Knox
Taylor Knox (born May 15, 1971) is an American professional surfer.
Knox was born in Thousand Oaks, California and began surfing at 8 years old. He moved with his family to Carlsbad at 13 and continued to pursue his dream of becoming a pro sur ...
, professional surfer
*
Ted Johnson, professional football player
*
Michellie Jones
Michellie Yvonne Jones ( ; born 6 September 1969) is an Australian triathlete. She has won two ITU Triathlon World Championships, an Olympic silver medal, and the 2006 Ironman World Championship. She won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Paraly ...
, triathlete, 2006 Ironman world champion, 2000 Olympic silver medalist
*
Josh Kalis
Josh Kalis (born April 27, 1976) is a professional skateboarder who specializes in "street skateboarding". Kalis was sponsored by Alien Workshop for a significant period of time before switching to board sponsor, DGK, in 2009.
Biography
Kalis wa ...
, professional skateboarder
*
Rod Laver, former world #1 Australian tennis player, retired in La Costa
*
Fred Lynn, baseball player
*
Sal Masekela, son of musician
Hugh Masekela.
CHS CHS may refer to:
Businesses and organizations Healthcare bodies
* Canadian Hemophilia Society, a non-profit
* Center for Healthy Sex, a therapy center in Los Angeles, U.S.
* Community Health Systems, an American hospital network
Other businesse ...
graduate. TV host for
Winter X Games
Winter is the coldest season of the year in polar and temperate climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Different cultures ...
on
ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
*
Tim Miller, an original student of Ashtanga-yoga founder, K.P. Jois, and teacher of Ashtanga in the US.
*
Martin Milner, television actor, Route 66 and Adam-12
*
Dale D. Myers
Dale Dehaven Myers (January 8, 1922 – May 19, 2015) was an American aerospace engineer who was Deputy Administrator of NASA, serving between October 6, 1986 and May 13, 1989. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated with a Bach ...
, former Deputy Administrator of NASA, three NASA Distinguished Service Medals
*
Gregory R Nelson Sr., co-founder of DonJoy, Inc., CEO of United Orthopedic Group
*
Emily O'Brien, ''
The Young and the Restless'' actress; 2003 graduate
CHS CHS may refer to:
Businesses and organizations Healthcare bodies
* Canadian Hemophilia Society, a non-profit
* Center for Healthy Sex, a therapy center in Los Angeles, U.S.
* Community Health Systems, an American hospital network
Other businesse ...
*
Ron Packard
Ronald C. Packard, D.M.D. (born January 19, 1931) is a retired Republican politician from California who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2001.
Biography
Packard was born and raised in Meridian, Idaho. He attended Mer ...
, U.S. Congressman
*
Kevin Pearce, snowboarder, public speaker and advocate for
traumatic brain injury and
Down syndrome
Down syndrome or Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual d ...
research and education;
extreme sport commentator
*
Jean Peters, actress and wife of
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American business magnate, record-setting pilot, engineer, film producer, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most influential and richest people in t ...
*
John Pugsley,
libertarian
Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's en ...
political activist
*
Bridget Regan, actress known for her role as Kahlan Amnell on ''
Legend of the Seeker''
*
Allard Roen
Allard Roen (May 8, 1921 – August 28, 2008) was an American businessman in the hospitality industry. He was the Managing Director of the Desert Inn and the Stardust Resort and Casino in Paradise, Nevada. He was a co-founder of the Sunrise Hosp ...
, co-founder and the on-site Manager of the
La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
*
Gene Roddenberry, creator of ''
Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
''
*
Kerry Rossall
Kerry Darrell Rossall (born June 23, 1947) is an American stuntman, actor and producer. He is best known for portraying "Mike from San Diego" in the 1979 war film ''Apocalypse Now.'' Rossall's career as a stuntman and coordinator stems films suc ...
, stuntman, actor and producer
*
Boris Said,
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and ...
Sprint Cup Series driver
*
Steve Scott, champion miler
*
Pancho Segura, former professional tennis player and coach
*
Brian Simo
Brian Simo (pronounced "see-mow") (born October 1, 1959) is an American former professional racing driver and businessman. He is a veteran of Trans-Am racing and the owner and founder of the No Fear clothing line. In addition, he competed on the ...
, NASCAR
Nationwide Series driver
*
Sebastian Soto
Sebastian Guerra Soto (born July 28, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Austrian Bundesliga club Austria Klagenfurt and the United States national team.
Youth career
Soto began his youth career with ...
, professional soccer player for
SC Telstar and the
United States national team
*
Staciana Stitts, 2000
Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The ina ...
gold medalist swimmer; graduate
CHS CHS may refer to:
Businesses and organizations Healthcare bodies
* Canadian Hemophilia Society, a non-profit
* Center for Healthy Sex, a therapy center in Los Angeles, U.S.
* Community Health Systems, an American hospital network
Other businesse ...
*
Brett Swain, professional football player.
*
Joe Toledo
Joseph Christopher Toledo (born October 20, 1982) is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.
Toledo has also been a ...
, American football player
*
Victor Villaseñor
Victor Villaseñor is an American writer, best known for the national bestselling book '' Rain of Gold''. Villaseñor's works are often taught in American schools. He went on to write '' Thirteen Senses: A Memoir'' (2001), a continuation of ''Ra ...
, author
*
Barbara Werle, actress and dancer
*
Shaun White, professional snowboarder, skateboarder, 2006, 2010 and 2018
Winter Olympics gold medalist
See also
References
External links
*
Carlsbad Chamber of CommerceCarlsbad Historical Society
{{Authority control
Cities in San Diego County, California
North County (San Diego County)
Populated coastal places in California
San Diego metropolitan area
Incorporated cities and towns in California
Populated places established in 1952
1952 establishments in California