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Most of San Diego lies dormant throughout the long summer months, as south swells march straight past and along to the beaches farther north. Carlsbad is situated right on the cutoff point for south swell retrieval. It is a welcome relief for San Diegans tired of surfing the meager surf we receive throughout June, July and August. The city stretches for six miles along the coast, and, unlike most cities in North County, virtually all of the coastline is accessible.
Carlsbad is sandwiched between two exceptionally different towns. Oceanside, to the north, is a military community, while Leucadia, to the south, is alternately affluent and hippy-esque. Carlsbad serves as a transition between the two, and one end of the city is quite different from the other. You may not see hundreds of Marines walking the streets of North Carlsbad, but you probably wouldn't have any trouble finding a barber with special $5 haircuts for military personnel.
The beaches throughout Carlsbad are mostly unimpressive beachbreaks, with the exception of a few quality spots. If it weren't for man-made jetties and rivermouths, Carlsbad would be nothing but a six-mile expanse of closed-out garbage. Luckily, our tax dollars went toward a few adjustments to the coast, which have benefited surfers immensely.
Tamarack State Park is located at the foot of Tamarack Avenue, which is nothing more than a parking lot right on the beach. Peaks form just to the north of the small river, which provides enough water movement to create some decent sandbars. Conditions vary greatly here with tide and swell, but it's best with a medium tide and a south swell less than 6 feet. While Tamarack doesn't often see perfectly lined-up waves, it does offer plenty of fun, shifting peaks that seem to have some kind of lip to destroy. With a larger swell, a right-hander begins to break off the south side of the river. The takeoff zone is between the two jetties, and the right wraps into the beach around the southern jetty. A lower tide is best on this side.
-- Kimball Taylor
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low to mid
WNW, W, SW, SSW; most South swells will miss
1 to 6 feet
E, NE
4
beachbreak/reef
first-timer to advanced
anything that floats
year-round
Take Tamarack Avenue to the beach. There's a parking lot in front of the break.
mellow to a few hassles
very little
5
4
Some car rip-offs in the parking lot
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Brett Strother recommends Don's Country Kitchen at 2885 Roosevelt St. (760-729-2274). Pizza Port is another local standard for beers and a pie, at 571 Carlsbad Village Dr. (760-720-7007). For some of the best Italian food this side of Rome, try Jay's Gourmet (760-720-9688), located on the corner of Carlsbad Boulevard and Carlsbad Village Drive, right next to Witt's Carlsbad Pipelines.
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From the South Carlsbad State Beach campgrounds, you can access one of Carlsbad's best breaks, and also peruse the beachbreak directly in front of the campgrounds. Spots range from $17 to $22. Reservations in summer months will be a problem if not booked seven months in advance. During winter months, it's fairly easy to get a spot without reservations. For information online, check http://cal-parks.ca.gov/COUNTIES/san_diego.htm. For reservations, call 800-444-PARK. Other than that, there's a hotel/motel at just about every exit in the area.
Or try
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If you go to Legoland, you'll be shunned by Brett Strother's mom -- see "Interview with a Local" -- so we're not recommending that. Hot-air balloon rides and biplane and antique aircraft rides ( www.barnstorming.com) are popular, yet expensive, attractions in North County. The flower fields off of Palomar Airport Road are probably the most famous attraction in Carlsbad, but you'll get the gist of it before you get out of the car. They bloom March to May. Check out the city of Carlsbad's website, to keep updated on changing attractions.
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Offshore Surf Shop, 3179 Carlsbad Blvd., 760-729-4934
Salty Sister Surf Shop, 2796 Carlsbad Blvd., 760-434-1122
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