Carlsbad

I enjoy Carlsbad, and we frequent here to get out of L.A. for a few days. I feel torn between giving it 4 stars vs 4.5 (which would bump up to As Good As It Gets). 4.25 stars feels comfortable.
Carlsbad is a beachside community that is actually spread out and encompasses a lot of land. The resorts along the beach are lovely. The village is cute and locals seem friendly. This trip we went to the local farmer’s market. Very cute and small.
This place has a definite village feel. It reminds me more of the Pacific Palisades, which I love. It’s a great place to get away from the congestion of the city. BUT La Jolla and Manhattan Beach are 5 star cities to me. This is a solid 4.25. We plan on returning in December.
Highlights include Lego Land, sprawling resorts, the Village, the flower fields (in spring) to name a few.
Bottom Line: Check it out. It’s so close to home, but feels like you on vacation.

Meh. It’s like pretty average. Saw a lot of flip-​flops

This is the BEST city in north county. Born and raised here, I honestly must admit I’m spoiled. From the beaches to the hometown vibe, it’s hands down the place to raise a family. The school system here is supreme and the environment is so safe. Never felt uneasy running alone here. The public transportation is pretty alright, you’ve got the coaster and sprinter along with some buses as well as bike lanes throughout most of Carlsbad. There’s some pretty great local joints that I’ll let you discover on your own but if you haven’t been to Carlsbad you gotta come! It’s a great little beach town.

I am thinking of living here, can anybody tell me how gay friendly it is? And how does it compare to Carmel Valley? How is the surf too? Thanks. I like this city but I am just not sure.

Clean beaches, friendly locals, great variety of restaurants and shops. Definitely need to check out Beach Break Café if you’re looking for somewhere to grab breakfast or lunch. Tamarack State Beach is a nice low key place to hangout and watch the breaks or sit on the rocks and just relax. Always a pleasant vibe here. Downtown can get a bit busy during the weekend, especially during the summer. Not too much of a nightlife but it’s much cleaner and appealing than Oceanside IMO however Oceanside is a much bigger city with more things to do. If you are looking for some nightlife activity I recommend heading south to Encinitas.

Awesome beach, usually clean and nice people. It gets touristy in the summer but we do live in a touristy place! Way better then the oceanside beach.

Oh Carlsbad… how I love and miss you.
Carlsbad is my hometown and where I grew up. I’ve seen this town go through so many changes over the years but one thing that remains the same is the atmosphere. The city has done a great job of keeping Carlsbad’s downtown area feeling very cozy and almost like a village (which is the theme) in Germany or something like that. I saw Hostess bakery close and turn into one of the most renowned breweries in North County, Pizza Port.
I’ve seen a thousand places open and close and always another to take its place. Some staples in this town are Norte’s (formerly Fidels with same owner), the Carlsbad Inn which is also a renowned resort. Denny’s of all places lol. What I like best about Carlsbad though is that anything you might want to find, except for a smoke shop, can be found within the 20 square blocks or so of downtown.
Depending on what time of year you are here you may see the Carlsbad 500 marathon going on or the Arts & Crafts fair that is held twice yearly. You will always have good weather between 60 and 80 deg F and except for a few months a year we have sunny skies all day long.
The city may grow and change but the heart, soul and spirit of Carlsbad and its residents will never die nor will it ever be manipulated by greed and capitalism. Carlsbad will live on in the hearts of those who visit and especially those of us who have grown up here. Cheers to Carlsbad!