The City of Carlsbad is a lovely and unique coastal community and resort town located 35 miles north of the City of San Diego. Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west tend to create weather patterns that are ideal for year-round outdoor living. Carlsbad was incorporated in 1952, but the history of the area dates back over 100 years. Since its incorporation, Carlsbad has grown substantially in population and size. As of the 2000 census, the population of Carlsbad was 78,247 and had a total area of approximately 41 square miles, a little over 8% of which is water in the form of lagoons and lakes.
There will be no foreseeable growth in the land size of Carlsbad because all County islands have been annexed. "Build-out" is anticipated to be sometime beyond the year 2010, at which time there will be at most 54,599 residential units in Carlsbad, housing approximately 135,000 residents. This "dwelling unit cap" was ratified by the voters of Carlsbad in the November 1986 election and can only be increased by a majority vote of the people. Carlsbad has passed laws to protect various wildlife habitat, and the City has promised to protect certain portions of land from any type of development. Carlsbad is the home of the world famous La Costa Resort and Spa, consisting of two world-class 18-hole golf courses, 19 tennis courts, a resort hotel and condo units, and related retail businesses. La Costa is, additionally, a residential community within Carlsbad, with shopping centers, upscale boutiques and fine-dining restaurants. Carlsbad is also home to the beautiful Four Seasons Resort Aviara, one of Southern California's finest resorts. Warranting its own "Aviara" off-ramp from Interstate 5, this experience offers world class Arnold Palmer-signature golf, the area's finest dining, an extensive spa and a casual elegance in a natural setting accented by wildlife and wildflowers. Carlsbad boasts a major regional shopping center, multiple auto dealers, hi-tech, multimedia and biomedical businesses, and sports equipment manufacturers.
Average Annual Household Income: $65,145 (household)
Carlsbad Education
93.1% of persons 25 and over completed high school
45.7% of persons 25 and over have Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4% of persons 25 and over have Graduate or professional degree
Carlsbad History
Carlsbad's history begins with the Luiseño people who located one of their villages, Palamai, near what is today Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Modern-day Carlsbad came about when in the 1880s a former sea captain named John Frazier dug a well for water. He began offering his water at the train station and soon the whistle-stop became known as Frazier's Station. A test done on a second fresh-water well found the water to be chemically similar to one of the most famous spas in Europe in Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary), Czech Republic. To take advantage of this find, a partnership named the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company was founded. It was founded by a German-born merchant from the Midwest named Gerhard Schutte, Samuel Church Smith, D.D.Wadsworth and Henry Nelson. The naming of the town followed soon-after along with a major marketing campaign to attract visitors. The area experienced a period of growth, with homes and businesses appearing. But by the end of 1887, the real estate bubble had burst and land prices slid all throughout San Diego County. The community survived though, due to the agricultural opportunities available. The site of John Frazier's original well can still be found at Alt Karlsbad, a replica of a German Hanseatic house.
Carlsbad Sports and Attractions
The La Costa Resort and Spa consists of two world-class 18-hole golf courses and 19 tennis courts, resort hotel and condominium units, and related retail businesses.
TheFour Seasons Resort Aviara, one of Southern California's finest resorts, offering world class Arnold Palmer-signature golf, and the area's finest dining.
Fantastic surfing, swimming, fishing, strolling and sunbathing are the favorite activities along Carlsbad's seven miles of beautiful beaches. The CarlsbadSeawall is a popular location for a leisurely stroll along the beach or a nice aerobic run off of the sand. Carlsbad is also blessed with three picturesque lagoons.
Nearest cities: Encinitas, CA (5.6 miles), Lake San Marcos, CA (6.0 miles), Vista, CA (6.3 miles), Oceanside, CA (6.5 miles), San Marcos, CA (8.8 miles), Solana Beach, CA (9.1 miles), Camp Pendleton South, CA (9.2 miles), Rancho Santa Fe, CA (9.5 miles).
Carlsbad Links
