Carlsbad (population 78,000) is located on the coast of southern
California, 30 miles north of
San Diego. It was discovered in 1769, and originally named Agua Hedionda, Stinking Water, because of the smell from its mineral springs. Later, in the late nineteenth century, it was renamed Carlsbad after a German spa town with the same type of natural mineral water. Carlsbad began its growth spurt during World War II. It was incorporated in 1952, and has been growing steadily ever since.
Carlsbad is right off Interstate 5. It also boasts its own airport, McClellan-Palomar, with a new terminal that opened in January of 2009. Some Carlsbad flights might land at the San Diego International Airport.
The climate of Carlsbad has the rainfall of a desert, ten inches or less a year, but its temperatures are moderated because it is so close to the ocean. The average low is 58 degrees in January and the average high is 73 degrees in July.
Carlsbad has two state-owned beaches, Carlsbad State Beach and the less crowded South Carlsbad State Beach. Carlsbad also hosts an amusement park,
Legoland, and a historic ranch, Leo Carrillo Ranch, which offers walking tours. The city is known for its golf courses and its summer jazz festival as well.
Much of Carlsbad’s economy is tied to tourism. Its easily accessible beaches and cool, dry weather are major tourist draws. In addition to its many golf courses, Carlsbad is also the corporate headquarters for at least three golf equipment manufactures. Carlsbad has one of the highest per capita income rates in the
United States.
