Hotel at a Glance: Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

Guests at the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort often have the early part of the evening booked up—that’s when they gather in the lush outdoor courtyard to watch the sunset. They get uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean from the hotel’s expansive back lawn, which is situated atop a coastal bluff. Fire pits keep everyone warm well into the night as they enjoy the view.

• Carlsbad State Beach is right across the street; the hotel loans out boogie boards and beach chairs.
• Splashy fun: A heated outdoor pool sits next to an adults-only hot tub.
• SoCal style: Guest rooms are decorated with sunny lemon and orange hues.
• Getting around: Restaurants and shops are within walking distance, and rental bikes can get guests to attractions farther away.
• Where to eat: Norte Mexican Food and Cocktails serves flavored margaritas and steamy fajitas.

Carlsbad, California: Coastal Town North of San Diego

Carlsbad’s swath of golden coastline, nestled between San Diego and LA, is often called the Riviera of the West. It connects several of SoCal’s most well-known beach towns, including La Jolla and Coronado. The city was founded when an artesian well was discovered there in the 1880s, and the locals christened it after Karlsbad, a health-spa village in Bohemian Europe. The discovery of the mineral spring—coupled with the arrival of the Arizona Eastern Railway—helped promote Carlsbad as a tourist destination. It retains a small-town feel, though; its downtown is lined with boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants.

Unspoiled natural beauty is part of what draws people to Carlsbad. Carlsbad State Beach stretches for 4 miles along the Pacific Ocean; here, visitors can swim, surf, or stroll beside the nearby rocky bluffs. The city is also renowned as a premier growing region for poinsettias and ranunculus. Each year, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch herald the arrival of spring as 50 acres of ranunculus fields blossom into a spectacular burst of color.