Beat the heat with a coastal getaway to Carlsbad! From the beaches to the resorts, surfing to golfing and more, Family Entourage is here with ways to create an ultimate escape this summer.
CARLSBAD COASTAL GETAWAY
Carlsbad is a coastal playground – embodying the Southern California lifestyle. This is the ultimate destination to unwind and enjoy an unforgettable escape. Carlsbad offers abundant access to seven miles of pristine beaches and outdoor activities including surfing, golfing, biking, hiking trails and pickleball courts. A variety of premier and budget-friendly hotels are available to suit every type of traveler. Carlsbad is also home to the 2024-2028 NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
- Attractions including LEGOLAND® California Resort, Museum of Making Music and the iconic Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch®, provide an ideal family experience. From championship-level golf and a dynamic culinary scene to craft breweries and rejuvenating spa experiences, Carlsbad offers something for everyone! Visit Carlsbad has curated lots of different options for all your adventures.
- Wellness Destination: Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Park Hyatt Aviara, The Spa at Omni La Costa, SUP Yoga on the Carlsbad Lagoon, 50+ miles of hiking trails
- Culinary Destination: Michelin star restaurant Jeune et Jolie, Michelin selected Campfire, Lilo, Ember & Rye (Celebrity Chef Richard Blais) at Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad Food Tours
- Sustainability Efforts and Education: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, The Flower Fields Foundation, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation
OMNI LA COSTA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
Since 1965, Omni La Costa has welcomed generations of travelers, celebrities, and champions and in celebration of their 60th anniversary, Omni La Costa completed a multi-million dollar renovation that blends Spanish-style architecture with modern luxury; featuring refreshed guestrooms, a redesigned spa, and North Course. To honor six decades of iconic moments, the resort is hosting a Legacy Weekend, July 11–13.
This nostalgic, fun-filled weekend is an elevated escape through the decades. Kicking things off on Friday, July 11 it will be a Throwback TV Night. Think a retro-inspired evening featuring gourmet TV dinners paired with screenings of classic television episodes under the stars. The next evening, guest can indulge in a Yes, Chef! Dinner. This will be an intimate 4-course dinner crafted by Omni la Costa Chef Emily alongside her Yes, Chef! friends from the NBC show — Chefs Lee, Ronny, Zain, T, Jake and Peter. Afterwards, we’ll host a Casino Night, a glamorous nod to La Costa’s legendary past as a playground for Hollywood elites and underworld legends. There will also be a dive into the Splashback Pool Party with retro poolside snacks throwback hits, and Sunday, July 13 will boast a vintage golf tournament, The Persimmon Classic. You can also submit your favorite memory from too at: https://www.lacosta60.com/
If you can’t make the weekend, family-fun still continues all summer long at the multiple pools and waterslides, championship golf courses and incredible tennis facility (that also includes pickleball)! Notables on the summer calendar include:
- Kids Eat Free – through September 14h (ages 10 and under)
- Scoop Social – scooping complimentary ice cream every afternoon at 5pm
- Neon Nights – evening glow experiences for the whole family
- Dine-In Movies – drop-off childcare on Friday/Saturday evenings
- Live at La Costa – two more outdoor concerts in this annual series: July 26, August 31
- Star-Spangled Spectacular – 4 th of July celebration
Bold flavors take center stage with the Summer of Sweet & Spice menu at Splash Pools, where fruits, syrups, and spices meet in playful, refreshing ways. Plus Tiki Social – parents’ night out; summer pop-up bar at Edge Pool in partnership with tiki expert Jeff “Beachbum” Berry.
Moving indoors, the Spa at La Costa has Spa Summer Camp inviting for the first time, parents and teens (ages 12–17) to connect through floating sound baths, curated treatments, lunch, and interactive skincare experiences. For grown-up escapes, the Secret Garden Parties return on select Wednesday nights with after-hours spa access, live music, and handcrafted cocktails in an enchanting setting.
CARLSBAD FOOD TOUR
Eat your way through the city! Discover the rich history and vibrant flavors of Carlsbad through a guided culinary experience on the Carlsbad Food Tour where you walk, talk and taste your way through Carlsbad with delicious local specialties from favorite bakeries, restaurants and iconic eateries.
There are six stops on the three-hour food tour and we really enjoyed getting to hear the history of the area as well as try regional flavors on the multiple stops. Highlights for us was The Goods, where started the tour with amazing donuts and learned the origins of this family-owned restaurant. We also indulged at the Strawberry Shack while learning about the precision that went into every offering and how it’s all sourced from local strawberry farms.
Check out the full calendar for dates and times of tour, as well as other tour offerings too!
SAFE FUN IN THE SUN
Temps are high in the summer but families still want to be outdoors. Whether in the pool, splash pad, hiking, or headed out of town… sun protective clothing is a must. We love Coolibar because it has us covered regardless of the activity!
Coolibar has been leading UPF 50+ fabric technology for over 20 years. Their line features over 50 different fabrics, all of which block 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Whether they are at the pool, camp or just playing outside, we love all of the great options Coolibar has for kids including swimsuits, shorts, hats, skirts and shirts. It is so helpful to have the sun protection built into the fabric and not have to worry about reapplying sunscreen all day long.
From running errands or walking around on vacation, we love the Mendocino Travel Skirt and Destin Travel Windbreaker. The material is lightweight and great for cool nights. Plus, we love that there are pockets perfect for keys, phone and other travel necessities. Another one of our favorites is the Namaste Yoga jacket and legging. So many of our favorite workouts are outside and Coolibar has some great color ways that keep us looking great from gym to lunch with friends. For those “working” from the golf course or country club, Coolibar has lots of great options for men and women.
TRAVEL MADE EASY
Whether we’re traveling to San Diego or somewhere even further, the right gear makes all the difference. From your favorite tourist spot to taking the road less traveled, you always want to be prepared for any adventure and your shoes can actually set the tone for the day. We turn to Vessi footwear.
With 100% waterproof shoes (that are still stylish and comfortable) your family can focus on the fun to be had at any location. They are made to provide support and breathability with their innovative Dyma-tex technology. The shoes are lightweight and use soft and comfortable materials so they don’t need a break period and can be worn all day! Ocean or pool play, hiking or boating Vessi sneakers and even every day slides are the only shoes you’ll need to pack. Weather may be unpredictable but having a shoe that is meant to handle both sunny days and pouring rain will have you ready to take on anything.
Vessi has shoes for your whole family, they even dropped a new shoe named the Pacific Sneaker… these are the ultimate travel shoes no matter where you’re going — even if it’s running errands in your own city.
Surfing in Carlsbad
If you are looking to surf, Carlsbad has seven miles of beaches. It is considered a favorable surf spot due to its consistent waves, warm weather and welcoming surf community.
Here are some of the beaches in Carlsbad. Degree 33 Surfboards is a great place to get gear and lessons for your surfing adventure.
