Cardiff is a quaint and charming seaside village with a long surfing history. Sandwiched between Solana Beach to the south, and Encinitas to the north, with terrific views of the Pacific and the San Elijo Lagoon from many areas. In Cardiff, also know as Cardiff-by-the-Sea, you will see lots of surfboards heading down the hill under arms, on bikes, in the backs of trucks, and running across the coast highway to the beach. Enjoy all that Cardiff has to offer from Italian restaurants to the world famous Seaside Market and more.
Carlsbad is a sunny coastal city of 40 square miles with approximately 115,000 residents in Southern California at the northern edge of San Diego County. The gorgeous, rugged beaches under a seemingly endless series of bluffs have long been a draw to surfers from San Diego and Los Angeles seeking a haven from the crowds. Carlsbad is nicknamed the Village by the Sea, and its quaint downtown area is faintly reminiscent of an upscale beach city in the South of France but with more Spanish architecture. In addition to the Village neighborhood, there are 23 neighborhoods in Carlsbad of various shapes and income levels. However, generally, incomes are high in this North County city, with a median of $147,000.
Along with its expansive beaches, Carlsbad has a large trail system crossing 67 miles of diverse terrain. Bicyclists, runners, skateboarders, rollerbladers and walkers use this enviable trail system daily, traversing along nature trails of dirt and gravel, wooden boardwalks, roadside bike lanes and asphalt trails. “Each city in North County has a coastal trail, and there are plans for them to connect so people can ride all the way down to San Diego,” says Jess Levy, communications manager for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. “A great resource is the list of the top 20 trails the city put out in 2023. The most unique is Annie’s Canyon, where people hike these narrow slot trails.” There are two California state parks, 17 municipal parks, two famous private golf courses and two municipal courses, among other amenities. The beaches in the south of Carlsbad have lifeguards, restrooms, and other amenities, whereas the northern beaches are free of any development. Other outdoor recreation amenities like skate parks, frisbee golf courses, ecological reserves, and lagoons where stand-up paddleboarding is a popular pastime can be found in all corners of the city.
Wildflowers and berries
When it comes to arts and culture, “the biggest draw is the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch where they have the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus,” says Levy. Cultivation of the 55 acres of ranunculi began almost a century ago, and visitors from around the world come to see the yellow, orange, red and pink flowers in bloom. In recent years, the ranch has diversified its operation. Now, locals may come year-round to pick pumpkins or blueberries, do yoga, see sunflowers, live music, or even enjoy the secret speakeasy hidden in the corn maze. “My perfect day, and what I like to do when I have visitors,” says Levy, “is to go to the flower fields and then across the street to Carlsbad Strawberry Field, pick strawberries, and then take a picnic to the cliffs above the beach down the street.” Younger residents might prefer a visit to Legoland California Resort, which is the only Legoland in the state and features a marine aquarium, along with rides, a water park, a hotel, and, of course, Legos in every size, shape and color. Surf schools abound in Carlsbad. There are museums for Latino history, Carlsbad history, music-making, engineering craftsmanship, fine art and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), where visitors can see dinosaur fossils and cutting-edge lab-grown diamonds, among other rocks and minerals. In early August, the Carlsbad Music Festival features eclectic performers over three days in North Coastal Carlsbad.
A Michelin star
Carlsbad’s higher median income level is reflected in the presence of its own Michelin-starred restaurant, a rarity in a city this small. The two Carlsbad restaurants featured in Eater Magazine’s list, The 38 Essential Restaurants in San Diego, are owned by the same people. Campfire, a modern and cozy spot with outdoor tables and a dining room under an exposed A-frame roof, serves artisanal cocktails and smoked and grilled meats and seafood. Their newer venture, Jeune et Jolie, is an upscale French restaurant in a whitewashed Mediterranean building, is the winner of the Michelin star and undoubtedly the trendiest restaurant in town. For now, anyway. “A little fun fact is the executive chef and the hostess of Jeune et Jolie fell in love and opened up a really cool brunch spot in Leucadia [7 miles south] called Atelier Mama,” says Levy. But she says Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi Bar is her favorite. “The Hawaiian Malo fish tastes like butter.” Levy says locals saw it as a point of pride when the owners of Nick’s San Clemente opened a location of their beloved Southern California fish restaurant on State Street in Carlsbad. Oyster lovers can shuck their own at Carlsbad Aqua Farm. The Shoppes at Carlsbad is the preferred shopping destination here. Patrons will find high-end Americana chains like Hollister and American Eagle and fast fashion like H&M and Zara. A Regal Cinema sit-down chains like Cheesecake Factory and quicker options like Panera operate in the mall. Next door, there’s a branch of the regional chain Sprouts Farmers Market. A Vons supermarket and big box stores like Target and Walmart are within a 5-mile radius of Carlsbad Village, the downtown area.
The housing market is “still pretty crazy.”
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median home price in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $857,000 in the San Diego-Carlsbad area, $500,000 more than the national median home price. According to the Census Bureau, the median home value in Carlsbad city as of 2022 was $1,070,500. Homes in Carlsbad appreciated 8.7% during 2023 compared to a 3.9% appreciation average nationwide, although appreciation in the San Diego-Carlsbad area and the nation are about equal during the last three years. The monthly mortgage payment to income rate for 2023 was a whopping 93.7% in the San Diego-Carlsbad area, compared to 68.8% nationwide. When asked about the local market in Carlsbad city, Levy says, “It’s still pretty crazy. There are a couple new developments like Marca Acres, but not much generally.” Like the rest of Southern California, Carlsbad is suffering a housing shortage. Buyers won’t find a detached home for less than $1 million, and, like in other coastal California cities, one can find some of the nicest manufactured homes in the nation. The prices, however, are likely to surprise, with two-bedroom units listing in the ballpark of $650,000.
A coastal freeway
Carlsbad is 90 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, but John Wayne International Airport is only 50 miles away, and the drive is less crowded. Carlsbad is right on the 5 Freeway, which takes a coastal route from the Tijuana, Mexico border up to Irvine before heading inland and running all the way north to Vancouver, Canada. San Diego is 35 miles south of Carlsbad on the 5. Drivers going inland can head south on the 5 for 30 miles to connect to the 8 Freeway, which runs through South Texas before merging with the 10. Those who prefer to head north can take the 15 Freeway and connect with the 10 or the 40, both of which cross the country. Carlsbad is a stop on Amtrak’s beautiful Pacific Surfliner route, which cruises along the coast from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. Most people in the city get around by car, although bicycles are a popular alternative because of the extensive trail system.
The Carlsbad Unified School District received an A-plus on the school ranking website Niche. The district’s academics, teachers and college preparatory program are particularly strong. The average student-teacher ratio is 23 to one. Niche ranks Carlsbad Unified as the 11th best for athletes out of the 414 districts with athletic programs in California and the best in the San Diego Area. Carlsbad is ranked the 25th best school overall out of 504 statewide. On a national level, the district is in the top 10% of school districts in the United States. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Rising Stars program selects a cadre of seniors from area public schools to award funds for college tuition. The top-ranked private school in the area is the Pacific Ridge School. The sixth through 12th-grade institution is known for its innovative experiential learning curriculum. Many Carlsbad seniors matriculate to the well-regarded state universities nearby in San Diego, such as the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University.
According to the CAP Index, Carlsbad City has a moderate crime score of 4, the same as the average nationwide. According to CAP, violent crime is roughly 35% lower in Carlsbad than the national average. Property crimes are equal to the national average, except for petty larceny, which is slightly higher. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) reports arrest rates are down to a seven-year low in San Diego County, of which Carlsbad is a part. However, juvenile arrests rose slightly. Violent offenses make up part of that rise, which is down in the adult population. 2022 is the first year juvenile arrests have increased in four years, and some experts attribute this blip to the socio-emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. All in all, residents report feeling a great deal of safety and peace in Carlsbad, with nothing more than the occasional theft of sunglasses off an unlocked car’s dashboard to worry about.
The City of Carlsbad is well-run. City services, including its website, are consistently helpful. According to the city, there is a grant-funded study in the works to renovate infrastructure in light of the effects of climate change. Carlsbad Boulevard, a gorgeous coastal road, is under consideration for protection from future floods. The Barrio neighborhood, one of Carlsbad’s most historic, is being retrofitted with new streetlights to improve walkability and safety. There are several construction projects citywide to enhance pedestrian and cyclist conditions. A new 95-acre park commemorating veterans and an 11-acre pocket park are under construction. The city’s 15-year capital projects plan allocates sustainable funding for 245 municipal projects.
It pays to have a trusted local Realtor by your side in your home-buying journey in Carlsbad. Their experience and knowledge of the market can save you time and effort, as well as keep you within budget.
Drawing from more than 20 years of experience in luxury coastal real estate, We specialize in leading buyers like you toward their dream properties in Carlsbad and surrounding areas. As trusted and experienced Realtors, you can expect us to deliver personalized service that meets your every need and protects your investment.
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