Carlsbad, California - Great beaches, world-class shopping, restaurants with character and a large variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, make Carlsbad the preferred year-round vacation destination.

With just a short drive to Legoland, Seaworld, The Wild Animal Park, The San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, The Gas lamp District, or Coronado Island, Carlsbad’s location is perfect as a vacation destination!

Long recognized as one of the most picturesque coastal communities in Southern California, Carlsbad is blessed with sun-splashed beaches, three graceful lagoons and a quaint downtown Village.

Often referred to as "The Village by the Sea," Carlsbad combines the charm of a European village with the laid-back manner of a beach town that hasn't yet gone commercial. Explore the narrow, tree-lined streets of the Village offering a downtown playhouse, boutiques, trendy shops, sidewalk cafes, diverse culinary experiences, and a vibrant night life.

Along the beach bluff, near the Village, is a seawall walkway that is popular with joggers and walkers. On a clear day, the view from the seawall extends south to La Jolla and north past the Oceanside pier to the sweeping bluffs and mountains of Camp Pendleton.

Carlsbad can boast of two magnificent resorts; the internationally renowned La Costa Resort and Spa and the splendid new Four Seasons Resort Aviara. Mingle with the rich and famous as you enjoy golf, tennis, elaborate spas and excellent dining!

After spending a wonderful day with your children at Legoland, California, you may wonder if there is anything else to see and do during your stay in Carlsbad. The answer is YES! How about a biplane ride along the coast, a visit to the Children's Museum, or a tour through one of Carlsbad's golf manufacturing facilities? There is also the Gemological Institute of America, offering free tours, located right above the world famous Carlsbad Flower Fields.

Why not pamper yourself with a herbal wrap at the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa, or enjoy a shopping excursion in the Village or to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets? There is so much to do in Carlsbad! Beaches, restaurants, shopping, hiking, biking, exploring, concerts, Farmer’s Market, special events, historical walking tours and much more!

It is easy to have fun in Carlsbad. Stop in at the Visitor Information Center in the historic Old Santa Fe Depot in the heart of the Village. The Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau staff will be pleased to offer suggestions to make your stay a very memorable experience. And of course, you can always contact us for more information!

Known as the gateway to San Diego, Oceanside is the classic California beach community with its warm sandy beaches, historic wooden pier and Cape Cod-style harbor village complete with unlimited water sports and recreation. Offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle, visitors still experience the casual spirit that made Southern California’s beach culture legendary. Being a classic Southern California community, there are plenty of activities in Oceanside to engage oneself in. With over 3.5 miles of spectacular white sandy beaches, Oceanside is the ultimate place for sunning, surfing, playing and relaxing. Sports fishing, whale watching, kayaking, and jet skiing are available out of our harbor. Oceanside also has plenty of opportunity for bike riding, rollerblading, skate boarding, bird watching and historical tours. With its year round sunny climate, and average temperature of 70 degrees, Oceanside's weather has been rated by USA Today as the second most ideal climate in the United States, and the fifth most ideal weather in the world.

The beautiful Harbor Beach is Oceanside's largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball. The Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Harbor Beach, has many amenities including the Marina Inn Hotel and a variety of shops. In the harbor, you can sail, spend the day on a deep-sea fishing boat, whale watch, rent kayaks or visit the marina. Fishing is an option from the jetties. Harbor Beach has three lifeguard towers, Towers 12, 14, 16. Tower 12, at the south end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the south jetty; Tower 14 is situated in the middle of the beach, and Tower 16, at the north end of Harbor Beach, is nearest the north jetty. Harbor Beach is a beautiful venue that has something to offer everyone.

Wide-open beaches are the top reason visitors escape to Oceanside, however exciting discoveries can be made while exploring Oceanside’s rich cultural heritage. From our outdoor amphitheater to historic museums, Oceanside's cultural resources vary from the classic to contemporary and are enjoyed through hands-on experiences, live theater performances and thought-provoking art. The Oceanside Museum of Art, California Surf Museum, Mission San Luis Rey, and Sunshine Brooks Theater are just a few of Oceanside’s popular art and cultural attractions.

The historic Oceanside Pier is a prized community resource as well as a monument to its citizens' persistence in seeing that a pier remains a part of its oceanfront recreational facilities. At its current 1,942 feet in length, it remains one of the longest wooden construction recreational piers on the West Coast. From its reach, viewers can peer into the entrance channel of Oceanside Harbor, a 900 + boat recreational marina that sits along the northwest borders of the city. The pier is a recreational common ground for Oceanside, a place where young and old, fisherman and surfer, tourist and residents mingle, stroll, and sit to watch the waves or the sunset while enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. While a fishing license is required for surf fishing on the beach, no license is needed for fishing off the pier.

From fine antiques shops along historic Highway 101 to the quaint treasures in the Harbor Village Oceanside offers a myriad of shopping to compliment everyone's style. The downtown shopping district is reflective of 50's-style architecture, lending it a nostalgic classic California flair. In fact, the district was recently certified by the California Trade & Commerce Agency as an official “ Main Street of America”, ensuring that our downtown area will continue to reflect its cultural ambiance. Oceanside is also home to modern retail centers for those looking for their favorite staples.

Bon Appetite! The City of Oceanside celebrates its vast diversity in several ways throughout this unique Southern Californian community. To dining enthusiasts this is deliciously reflected in the wide assortment of local eateries and fine restaurants to satiate virtually every appetite. Explore your options and eat to your heart's content!

For a complete list of tourist information, please stop by the California Welcome Center-Oceanside. And of course, you can always contact us for more information!