Most noted as the home of Legoland California, the city of Carlsbad is a charming coastal community 35 miles North of San Diego and bordered by mountains, lagoons and the blue Pacific Ocean. Incorporated in 1952, the origins of the village of Carlsbad date back over 100 years. Since incorporating, the city has grown to a population of more than 83,500 (2003 figures) and has increased in size to 42 square miles. With an average temperature range of 58o to 73o and average rainfall of 10 inches, residents and tourists alike enjoy all Carlsbad has to offer. Among its different neighborhoods is Old Carlsbad, a delightful beach village with restored Victorian homes and offices, small resort hotels, unique shops, restaurants and antique stores. The miles of beaches and the oceanfront boardwalk at Tamarack are enjoyed by cyclists, runners and walkers. In contrast, newer parts of Carlsbad include housing developments Eastward along the El Camino Real corridor and in La Costa and in the South Carlsbad section known as Aviara, as well as the growing industrial area of Palomar Airport Road. Among the many industries that have settled in Carlsbad are 16 auto dealers, 25 hotels with 2,200 rooms, electronics, high technology, multimedia and biomedical businesses and golf apparel and equipment manufacturers. Car County Carlsbad is a major auto mall and the second largest employer in Carlsbad. Palomar Airport provides convenient service for private planes and commuter aircraft from United and America West airlines.
History
The unusual history of Carlsbad began in 1769 when a group of Spanish explorers on a mission to claim territory for the King of Spain stopped to rest at a lagoon that was near the garbage pile of a local Indian Village. The troops named the lagoon Agua Hedionda (stinking water). Future soldiers and priests came to build pueblos and missions and in 1798, Mission San Luis Rey was established several miles North of the lagoon. In 1833, the rich mission holdings became secularized and divided into large land grants and rancheros. In the 1880s, John Frazier, founder of the Good Samaritan Mission in Los Angeles, took over a homestead claim and while digging a well on his property, he tapped the springs of both artesian and mineral water. The water he offered thirsty train passengers became famous for its apparent healing powers. Future owners of the land discovered that the chemical analysis of the well's mineral water had properties like those of a famous health spa in Karlsbad, Bohemia and so the town was named Carlsbad. In 1887, the Carlsbad train depot was built by the Arizona Eastern Railway, and it served as a telegraph office, post office, Wells Fargo Express Office and general store. Shut down in 1960, the building was deeded to the city and today serves as the Tourist Information Center as well as an historic landmark. By the 1920s, Carlsbad had its own school district, new churches, a movie theater and a weekly newspaper, the "Carlsbad Journal."
Demographics
As of the 2000 census, the median age of Carlsbad’s residents was 39 years and the median income was $77,000. Primarily these young, upper-middle-class families have been drawn to Carlsbad’s warm weather, economic health and fine schools. Children attend schools in the Carlsbad Unified School District, the San Marcos Unified School District, the Encinitas Union Elementary School District, La Costa Canyon High School and San Dieguito Union High School District, as well as highly-rated private schools in the area. Carlsbad residents enjoy the benefits of a full service city, which includes police, fire, parks and recreation, library, planning and zoning, building and engineering, various maintenance services and administration. The City Council is the community's legislative body and enacts laws know as ordinances, sets policies known as resolutions and adopts an annual budget. The Mayor, four City Council members, the city Clerk and City Treasurer are elected and serve four-year terms.
Points of Interest and Events
Carlsbad is an eclectic city offering a myriad of services, entertainment and recreation to the residents and tourists who flock here from around the globe. The popular Flower Fields on Palomar Airport Road draw thousands each spring to view the brilliant rainbow colors of ranunculus flowers. The Carlsbad Company Stores combine factory-outlet stores, restaurants and galleries. 2004 saw the addition of The Forum in South Carlsbad, a fashionable center to shop at "name brand" stores. The spectacular 64,000 square-foot Carlsbad City Library offers a performing arts center and art gallery, while the original library near City Hall has undergone a major renovation. The North end of the city hosts Plaza Camino Real, a huge regional shopping mall with major department stores and many specialty shops. Two Coaster stations serve commuters traveling downtown and to points North. Thirty-nine Carlsbad parks afford residents recreational opportunities such as tennis, softball, volleyball and picnicking, while some host free summer concerts. Camping is available at South Carlsbad State Beach with 220 sites for tents and RVs on the bluffs overlooking the beach. The twice-yearly Carlsbad street fairs attract tens of thousands to the city. Two world-class golf resorts serve the many local and visiting golfers and a municipal course is being developed. Major tennis events are held yearly at the world famous La Costa Resort and Spa. Two theater complexes show the latest movies, while live theater can be enjoyed at various intimate venues. Some historic points of interest include: the old Santa Fe Train Depot, Frazier’s mineral well, the Twin Inns and Magee House (both built in 1887) and Carrillo Ranch, among others.
Real Estate
Carlsbad real estate, Carlsbad homes & Carlsbad condos includes a wide variety of home styles and prices—something for everyone. Of the approximately 40,000 housing units, some older model single-family homes can be purchased for upwards of $300,000, while newer homes and estates are priced between $400,000 and several million, the average being in the mid-$700,000s. Among the older homes, the ones with large lots and great scenic views are in high demand. South Carlsbad along Poinsettia Road offers mostly newer homes in master-planned communities such as Aviara, which includes the Four Seasons Resort. In East Carlsbad the wide price range of real estate includes older and newer communities around the famous La Costa Resort and Spa. Some of the thousands of new homes being developed are in Bressi Ranch, La Costa Greens and La Costa Glen with prices beginning in the $800,000s. A well-planned and progressive city, Carlsbad still has enough land to accommodate its rapid growth. At build out, sometime beyond the year 2010, it is expected there will be at most 54,599 residential units (up from the 2003 count of 40,000) housing approximately 135,000 residents (up from the 2003 count of 83,500).
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