17 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad

As one of the best things to do in all of San Diego, LEGOLAND California should be high on your list of attractions to explore when you visit Carlsbad, especially if you have young kids. This family-friendly attraction is part of the all-inclusive Go City San Diego pass, which is well worth purchasing if you plan to visit many of Carlsbad’s greatest hits during your stay.

The theme park also includes the LEGOLAND California Resort, for those looking to stay near all the thrills the park has to offer. Go on roller coasters and other rides, build LEGO creations at activity stations throughout the park, and head to the attached LEGOLAND Water Park which includes pirate themed playgrounds, beaches, and water slides!

The dozens of rides, games, and live shows within the park are fun for the whole family. There are also multiple shopping and dining options, so you can easily spend the entire day making memories with your family.

Many of Carlsbad’s beaches are best known for their excellent surfing conditions. These include Warm Water Jetty Beach, Tamarack Surf Beach, North Ponto Beach, South Ponto Beach, and Terramar Beach. Even if you’ve never surfed before, or if your skills are a little rusty, you can make the most of these excellent waves by taking a group surfing lesson and learning the basics.

The 2-hour private surf lesson in Carlsbad is the perfect place to pick up a new skill while having fun with friends and family. An experienced surfer and personal instructor will be your guide, as you learn the basics of balancing and paddling on a surfboard, surf etiquette, safety, and recoveries.

Once you’ve honed your skills, you can rent a surfboard and head out to any of San Diego’s best surfing beaches for fun in the sun. The Go City San Diego pass is a great way to save on the cost of surf lessons and board rentals.

Carlsbad Village is full of incredible, locally-owned restaurants serving fresh meals with locally-sourced ingredients, to the extent that it can be hard to choose where you want to have lunch. Luckily, you don’t have to pick just one eatery when you take the 3-hour local food tour, where you’ll get the opportunity to learn about the neighborhood’s history and culture as you take a walking tour to various popular restaurants and sample tasty flavors from around the city.

Selections include offerings from specialty food stores, authentic ethnic cuisine, romantic dining options, bakeries, and even a winery! You’ll also get to check out local art galleries, stores, and various historic landmarks.

As one the overall best things to do in San Diego, the unique tour is not just one of the best food & beer tours in San Diego, but also an educational resource for those looking to learn more about the town they’re visiting!

Of the many beaches in Carlsbad, the Carlsbad State Beach, also known as Tamarack Surf Beach, is one of the best choices for traditional beach day activities like sunbathing, surfing, and swimming. It’s easy to spend a relaxing day on the wide, sandy shore soaking up the sun and cooling off in the ocean, but if you prefer your time on the beach to be a little more active, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well!

As the name implies, one of the standout activities here is surfing, with year-round excellent conditions for jetty breaks that can occasionally create hollow waves. This is a good spot for surfers with more experience, as the waves can be a little larger than beginner-friendly ones.

Other family-friendly fun activities include walking along the Seawall, fishing, paddle boarding, beachcombing, scuba diving, and kayaking. Rent kayaks and snorkeling gear before you arrive at the beach, and for cheap, with a Go City San Diego pass.

With so much to do at Tamarack Surf Beach, a visit easily makes our ultimate list of the best things to do in San Diego.

Just a few steps away from Carlsbad, the North County San Diego area is a haven for bars and breweries. It’s an especially appealing locale for craft beer enthusiasts, or anyone who wants to spend an afternoon or evening drinking and enjoying the company of friends. Sample beer from some of the area’s best breweries on the Cruise & Booze Brewery Tour, which is a half-day tour offered to small groups of no more than six people.

On the tour, you’ll get to take a backstage look at the area's local breweries, learning more about the brewing process and what gives each beer its unique flavor. You’ll also get to try a variety of samples, snack on light bites, and enjoy the beautiful weather in large outdoor biergartens. Take commemorative photos, play a few rounds of pool, and above all else, enjoy craft beer!

If you’re visiting Carlsbad in the spring, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are uniquely San Diego, and a must-see attraction!

Each year, the huge fields fill with blooming flowers between March and May, with dozens of species on display including sweet peas, ecke poinsettias, giant tecolote ranunculuses, roses, petunias, and orchids. You can explore the fields by antique tractor wagon ride, traverse the sweet pea maze, pick fresh blueberries, visit the demonstration garden, sift for gemstones, and see an American flag made entirely of flowers.

Visiting the flower fields is a great family-friendly activity that also has educational demonstrations and films about water wise farming and flower varieties suitable for encouraging a love of sustainable gardening in young children. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or you just want to see a truly breathtaking sight you won’t find anywhere else in the world, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are well worth a visit.

Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some commemorative family photos or the perfect shot for Instagram!

While the San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, an offshoot of the zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, can be found in Escondido not far from Carlsbad. The safari park is an incredible way to get up-close and personal with many exotic species of animals you won’t find anywhere else along the West Coast.

Drive through the park on a tour to see species environments that mimic habitats from all around the world, and check out specially designed stations and educational animal encounter shows where you can learn about the park’s inhabitants. Exhibits include Condor Ridge, Elephant Overlook, Lion Camp, Hidden Jungle, Heart of Africa, and Wings of the World Aviary.

Suitable for wildlife lovers of all ages, visitors are invited to check out the hands-on Discovery Station for kids, the Petting Kraal where you can pet deer and antelope, and a stunning Frequent Flyers Bird Show featuring an East African crowned crane performing aerial tricks.

California’s Missions date all the way back to the earliest days of European settlements along the Pacific coast. Many of them have been lovingly restored and maintained throughout the years. They now serve as educational resources and immersive museums, and you can visit the Mission San Luis Rey right in Carlsbad to step back into history and explore San Diego’s early days.

Mission San Luis Rey was founded in 1798, and it includes many artifacts from Native American, Spanish, and Mexican residents throughout the years. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark, showcasing the way Spanish culture has influenced the development of San Diego and how European and Native American populations interacted as settlements expanded along the coast.

This is one of the largest of California’s 21 missions, and it includes various interesting archeological and architectural exhibits, as well as unique sunken gardens.

The SEA LIFE Aquarium is located inside LEGOLAND California, and must be selected while purchasing a ticket to the park. This is an exceptionally entertaining aquarium, especially if you’re looking for a way to spend the day with the kids while also learning about marine life.

The SEA LIFE Aquarium has thousands of fish from hundreds of different species, and includes everything from various types of brightly colored tropical fish to rays, octopi, seahorses, and sharks. In addition to watching sea creatures in their tanks, where they swim together in large schools, you can also explore breathtaking walk-through tanks as well as hands-on touch tanks.

With so much for the whole family to do and see, the SEA LIFE Aquarium is just one part of what makes LEGOLAND California so special! Extend the magic with a Go City San Diego pass and bundle admission together with other popular, nearby sea life attractions such as SeaWorld San Diego and Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

Cruise around the boardwalk bordering the beach at your own leisurely pace, or enjoy a quick and speedy way to get from one end of the boardwalk to another for a shopping spree. Either way, a 3-hour electric bike rental is sure to get you where you need to go, all for an affordable price that’s much more convenient than traveling with a standard bicycle.

As you ride your e-bike, you’ll be able to easily stop in and visit various shops, enjoy a bite to eat at one of the boardwalk’s many dining options, or simply get some exercise in while feeling the sea breeze in your hair and soaking in the scenery. You are free to take the bike wherever you like, so you can also explore the nearby towns of Encinitas and Leucadia.

Bike rentals come with all necessary gear, including safety equipment and a bike lock.

Of the many beach resorts along the coast in Southern California, the Cape Rey Beach Resort is one of our favorites! This Hilton hotel has all the amenities you’ll need for a truly luxurious stay plus offers easy access to Carlsbad State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, and Carlsbad Lagoon.

In addition to incredible views from room balconies, Cape Rey offers guests access to an outdoor pool and whirlpool, a dedicated children’s pool, an upscale restaurant with outdoor patio seating, a complimentary beach care package, and access to the hotel’s fitness center and full-service spa. For an additional fee, rent your own private cabana by the pool, which comes complete with a TV, loungers, and WiFi.

All guests are guaranteed a classy and comfortable stay in the Cape Rey’s well-appointed rooms, whether your ideal California resort vacation involves sipping cocktails on the beach or a city-wide tour of the area’s best attractions and shopping!

LEGOLAND California includes its own LEGO-themed water park. It must be selected when you purchase a ticket if you wish to access both parks.

On San Diego county’s hottest and sunniest days, LEGOLAND Water Park is the perfect family-friendly place to cool off. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the wave pools and beach access from the park, and there are plenty of fun water slides and other rides if you’re seeking something a little more fast paced. Cruise down the build-a-raft river at a leisurely pace, or let the kids play in Pirate Reef while you sit back and relax in a lounge chair around the pool and waterpark playground area.

The water park also includes access to the themed CHIMA water park, as well as Surfers’ Cove in the summer. For added convenience, book a stay at the onsite LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, or explore one of the best hotels near LEGOLAND California.

Walk through a huge open-air mall with dozens of places to shop, eat, and rest at the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Smart shoppers can find great deals on premium brands and local boutique wares alike. The outlets are a great place to shop for gifts and souvenirs, and there are plenty of family-friendly stores with goods for kids and adults alike.

In addition to the many stores in the mall, there are also multiple places to eat, from standard mall fare chains to locally owned businesses offering up unique flavors. Refresh and fuel up before shopping great deals on accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, electronics, fragrances, home decor, and more.

Since the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall is outdoors, it’s best enjoyed when it’s warm and sunny out, but that’s rarely an issue given San Diego’s year-round excellent weather.

For aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts alike, there are few locations in Carlsbad that are as uniquely appealing as the Museum of Making Music. The museum includes exhibits detailing the history and inner workings of the music industry, mostly focusing on the production of instruments and songs, with plenty of behind-the-scenes facts and stories you won’t hear about anywhere else.

The Museum of Making Music is full of interactive exhibits that appeal to all ages. Galleries focus on various topics like instrument development and distribution, pop music through the ages, and music retail, and each exhibit is carefully designed to inspire a love of music in young and old visitors alike.

Like many popular attractions in Carlsbad, the Museum of Making Music is part of the Go City San Diego pass, which allows pass purchasers to enjoy discounts on admission.

Looking for a fun activity for a ladies’ weekend or couples’ vacation in Carlsbad? Look no further than Witch Creek Winery, the oldest Urban Winery in all of San Diego!

Dating all the way back to 1993, this site has wined and dined patrons with completely natural, additive-free products. As an Urban Winery, grapes are grown outside the city in large vineyards, then transported to Carlsbad for crushing, fermentation, and aging.

Try six different signature wines in the wine tasting room, paired with light bites and beautiful ocean view. There are a wide variety of wines to choose from, and if you find something you like, you can purchase a bottle to take home.

Even if wine isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to enjoy about Witch Creek Winery. You can order a coffee, listen to live music, use the complimentary WiFi, and even shop for antiques.

Carlsbad Village is a shopping, dining, and entertainment center located in Carlsbad’s Downtown area. This is one of the most hip and happening places in town, with the highest concentration of businesses. Start with shopping at local businesses and worldwide favorites, grab a delicious meal or take a Carlsbad food tour and experience regional flavors, then head down to the bluffs for a day at the beach.

There are many stores focusing on art and entertainment in Carlsbad Village. These include movie theaters, live theater venues, fine art shops, pottery studios, record stores, and galleries.

Events are held at Carlsbad Village throughout the year, like the annual Taste of Carlsbad restaurant festival and the weekly State Street Farmers Market and fish market, one of the best farmers markets in San Diego. Other fun events include Flicks at the Fountain, an outdoor family-friendly movie screening; Art in the Village, an art showcase; and Village Voices, a recurring business and resident meeting.

Founded by actor and preservationist Leo Carillo, the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park dates back to the 1980s, when it was first envisioned as a developing park that could assist with public outreach and education programs designed to teach visitors about California’s history.

The ranch still maintains this mission to this day, with a number of family-friendly educational presentations, pamphlets, and exhibits, but you can also immerse yourself in history simply by strolling around the park.

Take a walking tour through the grounds at your own pace as you learn about the native plants in the park, check out historic landmarks, and observe examples of Spanish architecture at the Hacienda compound. Visit historic gardens, and stop and take a photo or two under the Bride’s Arch, which is surrounded by the perfect scenic view. Be sure to stop in the Old Hay Barn, which serves as the ranch’s visitor center and plays a video presentation detailing the park’s history.