San Diego Coast Life Blog

A Travel Guide for Locals and Visitors

Archive for category North County Cities

Carlsbad State Beach

Nov 30

Posted by admin in Beaches, Carlsbad | No Comments

Also known as Tamarack Beach, Carlsbad State Beach extends from Frazee Beach (a part of Carlsbad Beach) near Carlsbad Village Drive southward to the warm water jetties, just south of Tamarack Avenue. The main entrance and parking lot to the beach are at the end of Tamarack Beach off of Carlsbad Blvd.

Carsbad Beach, especially near the jetties, is a popular surfing spot. The jetties offer good fishing. This family-friendly beach is fairly wide during low tide and has good sand.

Carlsbad Seawall separates the beach from Carlsbad Blvd above. The seawall has a concrete pathway about half way down the bluff that extends the length of the beach. Atop the seawall is another concrete pathway and a narrow palisade park with benches and picnic tables. The pathways are a popular spot for walking, jogging, rollerblading, bike riding and strolling baby carriages.

Most of Carsbad Beach is in a residential area. Carlsbad Village begins on the Frazee Beach side, with restaurants, shops and hotels. On top of the bluff at Frazee Beach at the seawall’s north entry point is a small park, a favorite spot for viewing the sunset.

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Torrey Pines State Beach

Nov 29

Posted by admin in Beaches, San Diego, Torrey Pines | No Comments

Torrey Pines State Beach is a long sandy beach that extends over four miles from Del Mar to La Jolla. The beach is away from development in one of San Diego’s most scenic natural areas. The closest shops and restaurants are on Carmel Valley Rd, east of N. Torrey Pines, Road, and in Del Mar Village.

Torrey Pines State Beach

Torrey Pines State Beach

At the north end from Del Mar Beach to Carmel Valley Rd, Torrey Pines State Beach is hidden below bluffs. On the bluffs is a small natural park. To the south is Los Peñasquitos Marsh inlet which separates the northern section of beach from the main stretch of beach to the south.

This main stretch is open to the coast highway with easy street parking and access along side the beach. Some rocks separate the beach from the highway. Across the highway is Los Peñasquitos Marsh, a scenic preserve, nestled in a small valley, closed to the public.

Further south, the bluffs begin again, taller than those to the north. Atop the bluffs is Torrey Pines State Reserve, which can be accessed from a road at the base of the bluffs near the highway. A large beach parking lot is located next to the park reserve entrance. Both parking and access to the reserve require a fee.

The beach below the Torrey Pines bluffs is more secluded and less crowded than the beach to the north. This southern section of beach is popular for walking, jogging, and photography. The south end of Torrey Pines State Beach is marked by Bathtub Rock, a small flat rock that protrudes above the surf several feet from the beach.

Beyond this point is Blacks Beach, San Diego’s most secluded beach, hidden by tall bluffs, and difficult to access.

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Moonlight Beach

Nov 28

Posted by admin in Beaches, Encinitas | 1 Comment

Moonlight Beach is just a few blocks from Hwy 101 in Encinitas, CA. The beach is well suited for people of all ages, particularly families with children, with its wide sandy beach, year round life guard, a playground, a snack bar (opened during summer), restrooms, outdoor rinse showers, and plenty of parking.

Moonlight State Beach

Moonlight State Beach

The beach also has volleyball courts on the sand, as well as several fire pits. Moonlight Beach is a popular spot for gatherings, especially on weekends and holidays. The water directly in front of the beach is designated for swimming while the water to the left and right are for surfing, marked by flags.

Moonlight Beach is part of an almost uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach that extends from La Jolla to Oceanside. The beach is ideal for walking and jogging, especially from Moonlight Beach to South Ponto Beach in Carlsbad.  Just be aware of the tides, since much of the beach along the bluffs can disappear at high tide.

During late spring and summer, the beach hosts such events as Wavecrest Woodie Meet, Encinitas Sunday Concerts by the Sea, and the Encinitas Sports Festival.

The beach is within walking distance or an easy drive to Encinitas historic downtown on South Coast Hwy 101. The town is a bit quaint and off beat at the same time with its good selection of outdoor cafes, restaurants, specialty shops, and old Hwy 101 charm. The commuter train station is also nearby.

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Del Mar Beach

Nov 28

Posted by admin in Beaches, Del Mar | No Comments

Del Mar Beach is a popular sandy beach, about a mile long, frequented by locals and tourists. Located in Del Mar, CA, north of San Diego, much of the beach is lined with expensive beachfront homes. The beach can be accessed from almost every side street that connects the beach to both Coast Blvd and Camino Del Mar.

At the south end of the beach near 15th Street is Powerhouse Park, a large grassy area overlooking the beach, and host of the Del Mar Summer Concert Series. Also at the south end are the Del Mar Motel on the Beach, Jakes Del Mar and Poseidon Restaurant, the city’s only beachfront hotel and restaurants. Parking is available along Coast Blvd and in a public paid parking lot across the street from the park.

At the north end of the beach is Del Mar Dog Beach, one of only a few dog beaches in the county. Here, dogs can go unleashed and enjoy running on the sand and through the water. Beach access and parking are available along Camino Del Mar, just north of the bridge over the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet.

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Oceanside Pier

Sep 7

Posted by admin in Oceanside, Piers, Restaurants | No Comments

Oceanside Pier

Oceanside Pier

By Mark Goodkin
San Diego Coast Life
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Oceanside Pier is a long, wooden pier on the north end of Oceanside, CA, about two miles south of Oceanside Harbor. On a clear night, the lights of Oceanside Pier can be seen far down the coast – as far as La Jolla.

About half way out along the pier is a bait and tackle shop. The pier is a popular fishing spot, as are all the public piers in San Diego County. Sometimes, the pier gets crowded with people fishing, but they fish along the sides, near the railing. The wooden walkway is wide enough for everyone.

The pier makes for a nice walk, especially on a sunny day. As you walk out along the pier, the beach, beachgoers, homes, and swimmers subside in the distance. At 1,954 feet, Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the west coast. Why go there in the first place. Well, it’s a chance to get outdoors, take a long walk, and breath in some fresh, sea air.

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Oceanside Harbor

Aug 6

Posted by admin in Harbors, Oceanside, Restaurants | No Comments

By Mark Goodkin
San Diego Coast Life
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Entering Oceanside Harbor

Entering Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor is San Diego County’s northern most harbor, located in Oceanside, CA. Everytime I drive down the hill on Harbor Drive and enter the harbor, I’m struck by its secluded and peaceful quality, with commercial fishing boats in the foreground and the Harbor Village and lighthouse behind – a fairytale setting.

I usually go to the harbor to take photos or just walk around. Oceanside Harbor has a north and south section. The north harbor is a marina for small to medium-size private boats, while the south harbor has a commercial fishing fleet, with charters, and boat rentals, as well as private boats.

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Oceanside Harbor Village Shops

Aug 3

Posted by admin in Harbors, Oceanside, Restaurants | 3 Comments

By Mark Goodkin
San Diego Coast Life
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Oceanside Harbor Village

Oceanside Harbor Village

Oceanside Harbor Village is a cluster of a dozen or so shops, restaurants, and a sportsfishing center, reminiscent of an old California harbor fishing village with muted blue, yellow, and red wooden buildings, steep shingle roofs, and a lighthouse.

Harbor Village gives Oceanside Harbor a magical quality. The lighthouse is not only a familiar landmark for the quaint shopping village, but for Oceanside Harbor and Oceanside, itself.

Harbor Village is Oceanside’s version of Seaport Village on San Diego Bay. The village sits on the south side of Oceanside Harbor, where the commercial fishing fleet is. The small shopping village comes right up to the water, separated only by a boardwalk. You can eat outdoors and watch charter fishing boats come and go, along with pelicans and seagulls. Once you’re done eating, you can shop through the stores and walk along the boardwalk. The beach is also within steps.

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Torrey Pines State Reserve

Aug 1

Posted by admin in Lagoons and Reserves, Nature Centers, Torrey Pines | No Comments

By Mark Goodkin
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Torrey Pines State Reserve View

Torrey Pines State Reserve View

Torrey Pines State Reserve is a very special place in North San Diego County, between La Jolla and Del Mar. The park is part of the California State Park System. I love going up to the reserve to get away from the bustle of the city.

The park has about half a dozen hiking trails that emanate from the Torrey Pines Visitor’s Lodge (download trail map). Round trip distance ranges from half a mile to over two miles. One trail leads to Torrey Pines State Beach.

When I go to Torrey Pines State Reserve, I like to park in the parking lots at the top of the hill, near the visitor center. The two parking lots are small and can fill up fast during the summer. Below, at the base of the reserve is a larger parking lot and an entry outpost where you pay to enter. Many people like to park here and walk up the windy road to the visitor center and trails. Read the rest of this entry »

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Seagrove Park in Del Mar, CA

Jul 31

Posted by admin in Del Mar, Shoreline Parks | No Comments

By Mark Goodkin
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Seagrove Park, Del Mar, CA

Seagrove Park, Del Mar, CA

Seagrove Park sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean in beautiful Del Mar, CA, a small affluent beach community, with its own distinct vibe. The town is a great getaway for families, romantics, or friends. Seagrove Park sits at the bottom of 15th Street, a block from Camino Del Mar, the town’s main drag and center of Del Mar Downtown Village. The park is a popular place for weddings

I remember one summer evening when I had an evening picnic there with some family and friends. We parked our cars up the street at Del Mar Plaza, which saved us the hassle of trying to find a space along Camino Del Mar. Parking in the underground garage is free for the first two hours, as long as you bring a receipt from a plaza shop or restaurant.

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Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center

Jul 30

Posted by admin in Nature Centers, Oceanside | No Comments

Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center

Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center

By Mark Goodkin
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For the longest time, I drove by the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center, along South Coast Hwy, just inside of Oceanside, CA, without knowing what it was. The wooden building stood out from the nearby condos. One day, I visited the nature center to see what it was all about. Upon entering, I was greeted by a life-like fox with a slight grin in its own glass-enclosed display, along with tall, glass-enclosed cases full of several displays of taxidermy animals in realistic settings, depicting life around the Buena Vista Lagoon.

A couple of docents greeted me and answered my questions about the displays and lagoon. The Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center also has a library and a lecture/project room with more exhibits, and tables for classroom projects and seminars.

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