Carlsbad

Low tide adds a lot of beach in Carlsbad; at high tide the sand near the waterline gets crowded. The waves are usually a comfortable size for families. Carlsbad has no NOAA tide station of its own, and the nearest is La Jolla, farther south.

Families come for LEGOLAND California: rides, building stations, the SEA LIFE aquarium and the water park, which take a full day. The rest of the town is wide sandy beaches and a downtown village you can cross on foot or by bike.

Beaches:

• Carlsbad State Beach — the main beach, along Carlsbad Boulevard (see below).
• Tamarack Beach — next to the village, with generally mellow surf for swimming, volleyball and sandcastles.
• La Costa — south Carlsbad near the Encinitas border, with surf breaks.
• Agua Hedionda Lagoon — calm, protected water for kayaking and paddleboarding, with rentals; easier than the open ocean for young kids.

Carlsbad Village, downtown along Carlsbad Boulevard, has boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and galleries. Just inland, Carlsbad Premium Outlets has over 90 stores. The Carlsbad Flower Fields bloom with acres of ranunculus, usually March to May, with the ocean behind them. La Costa Resort hosted the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions from 1969 to 1998, and the Museum of Making Music covers the history of American musical instruments.