Saturday, February 2, 2013

Six Things Every Visitor Must Experience While Vacationing In Carlsbad CA

By Terry Hunefeld


Conveniently located on the Pacific Ocean in north county San Diego, the Village of Carlsbad offers a multitude of sights and sounds ready for you to explore. Carlsbad's unique blend of museums, art galleries and outdoor concerts combined with incredible beaches and awesome ocean sunsets, make it a vacationer's paradise. This article focuses on the six things every visitor MUST do when visiting this village that locals call "Paradise By The Sea."

1. Located on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Flower Fields have become one of Carlsbad's most cherished and waited-for traditions. Each spring this 50 acre farm bursts into a dazzling rainbow of color. The annual display is an important part of Carlsbad's heritage - nature's way of announcing the arrival of spring. The Flower Fields are located at 5704 Paseo de Norte Drive in Carlsbad and are visible from Interstate 5.

2. 600 acre Batiquitos Lagoon is a nature preserve rimmed with more than 2 miles of walking trails -The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation maintains and staffs a small but specimen-packed interpretive center on the north shore. Trained naturalists lead interesting walks pointing out many of the flora, fauna and unique characteristics of the lagoon - home to more than 180 species of birds. The lagoon is treasured for its diversity of native plants.

3. Legoland is a theme park designed especially for children - but adults enjoy it, too. The park is clean, pleasantly landscaped and alive with color. There are plenty of rides and attractions plus free play areas where the kids can run around and blow off steam. Oh, and if it's hot, there's no shortage of places for them to get wet and refreshed. Parents appreciate the healthy caf with tasty, healthy food and snack choices that the kids will enjoy - without emptying your wallet.

4. Downtown Carlsbad has the charm of a European village. Its wide tree-lined streets and sidewalks make it a great place for walking and exploring. Visitors will find cute boutiques, rare antique shops, unusual gift stores, delightful restaurants and cafes, picturesque hotels, stunning art galleries, quaint pubs and architecturally significant historic homes. A well-known landmark is the Alt Karlsbad House, site of the first mineral water spa in Carlsbad, built in the 1880s.

5. Carlsbad Village offers many dining choices from inexpensive cafes to upscale fine dining. Jay's Gourmet is a favorite, as is Dini's by the Sea (awesome views of the Pacific Ocean). Vigilucci's (Italian) also enjoys ocean views. If you like Mexican, Fidel's Norte is a fiesta for all the senses. Tucked away behind the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, Fidel's has been a local favorite for 30 years.

6. Agua Hedionda Lagoon is an important Ecological Reserve managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Trails along the Lagoon lead from the Discovery Center which offers unique exhibits about the lagoon with a focus on the Native Americans who once inhabited the area. The Center affords spectacular views overlooking the surrounding lagoon and Pacific Ocean in the distance. Visitors may walk through the garden containing more than 800 native plants and displays chock full of information about Agua Hedionda Lagoon and its native plants and animals.




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