About
As you travel south on Interstate 5, the next city after Oceanside is Carlsbad, the idyllic “Village by the Sea.” Spouses we’ve spoken to awarded this quaint resort city “all the heart emojis,” and we can totally see why.
Its history originates with the native Luiseño people, named by the Spanish after their nearby Mission San Luis Rey. The town of Carlsbad began as a “whistle-stop” on the Southern California Railroad and one industrious local, John Frazier, dug a well to supply water to the locomotives. In the 1880’s, Frazier drilled a second well and had the mineral content of the water tested. When the results indicated that the composition of the water was comparable to one of Europe’s most famous health spas in Karlsbad, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), he knew that he had struck gold. The town was officially named Carlsbad, and the driving industry would be tourism.
Carlsbad has a walkable, quirky downtown filled with locally owned shops and boutiques, independent restaurants ranging from fine dining to taco stands, and running trails that follow its 7-mile stretch of Pacific coastline. Biking is a favorite pastime, and the city has made a concerted effort to promote walking and cycling by widening bike lanes, creating “walkabouts,” and more roundabouts for vehicles. The town is very family friendly and unpretentious, making it very popular with military families. The schools are very desirable, and the shopping ranges from small mom-and-pop stores to popular chains like Trader Joe’s, Target, and Costco.
Neighbors
Carlsbad is a wonderful retirement town, but you’ll also find many young families in this laid-back beach town. The slow pace, cozy homes, and great schools are attractive to many military families as well. Your neighbors will likely be active and take advantage of the great outdoors and mellow weather. You may find dual income military families here, or those that have decided to spend a little more of their budget for housing to take advantage of living in this picturesque coastal town.
Neighborhood Feel
Carlsbad uses quadrants to reference each area of the city. The Northwest is the oldest section of the city and includes the Downtown Village, the Barrio, and Old Carlsbad. The homes here range from 1950s bungalows brimming with character to elegant, oceanside mansions. The Northeast (east of El Camino Real Highway) is where you’ll find single-family homes and larger lots. There are older neighborhoods alongside a few newer developments. Southeast (south of Palomar Airport Road) is where you’ll find the more modern, master-planned developments in Carlsbad. Southwest is a pricey area with huge, beachfront homes that overlook the Pacific.
