Discover Carlsbad Beaches

The north half of the Carlsbad coast is composed of a series of small beaches divided by sea walls, while South Carlsbad State Beach is where you'll find happy campers, riding bikes around the campground and body boarding on the often uncrowded beach below.

The cliffs around Carlsbad beaches are relatively low and in most places the historic Coast Highway 101 passes right next to the shore, offering an unobstructed view of the sea and open access to the beach. Well-designed walkways, attractive sea walls and a host of facilities make the beaches in Carlsbad as pleasing to the eye as they are accommodating to visitors.

Popular Beach Activities

• Jogging, strolling and dog-walking on leashes along the walkways of Carlsbad State Beach.
• Surfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding at Tamarack Beach.
• Fishing off of Ponto Jetty in South Carlsbad State Beach.

What to Know

• Beaches here are exposed, so there's not much in the way of grass or shade.
• Wind picks up in the afternoons, blowing predominantly onshore.
• Reservations for the campground must be made well in advance.
• At high tide the water can flood the beach all the way to the cliffs—be sure you don't get cut off from a route back.
• Use only established stairways and marked trails to access the beach.

What to Love

• The quaint town of Carlsbad is an easy walk from the beach, offering plenty of dining and shopping options.
• Carlsbad lagoon is an easy place to learn how to kayak within a protected area.
• The sea wall and paved path running along the beach are excellent for a day of bicycling.
• The trails at Batiquitos Lagoon provide a great walk by one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the Southern California coast.