I've been exploring the local beaches lately and decided to document what I’ve learned. Carlsbad has some lovely beaches. Here’s what I’ve found:
North Carlsbad Beaches
Owned jointly by the state and the coastal property owners along this stretch, North Carlsbad beaches are open to the public via easements at the Ocean Street public parking lot and Carlsbad Village Drive, Grand Avenue, Christiansen Way, Beech Avenue and Rue des Chateaux. Public restrooms for North Carlsbad beaches are located at nearby Magee Park, on Beech Avenue and Garfield Street.. They do not have any lifeguard services or showers. There are rules against board surfing between May and October so head to Tamarack Surf Beach south of here during those months
Robert Frazee State Beach is one of several great beaches within Carlsbad State Beach. There is ramp access from the intersection of Pine Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard . The often full parking lot at Oak Avenue and Ocean Street gives access to a small grass park with benches looking out over the ocean and the Pine Ave ramp. This beach is similar to Tamarack Beach to the south, but it’s less crowded. Between these two beaches is a beach promenade walkway on a seawall below the bluff. This is a great walk or running route and you can return on the sidewalk of Carlsbad Blvd to make a loop. The beach at Frazee is wide and sandy. North of the parking lot the state beach continues in front of homes and condos and it lacks lifeguards and facilities.
Tamarack Beach Located where Tamarack Avenue crosses Carlsbad Boulevard. At this intersection is the entrance to a large parking lot that is usually full on nice days. The city provides a stairway for access to the rest of Carlsbad State Beach at Sycamore, Maple, Cherry and Hemlock Avenues. The parking lot and beach access at Pine Avenue is called Robert Frazee Beach. Between Tamarack Beach and Frazee Beach are two paved paths, a sidewalk at the top of the bluff and a promenade at the back of the beach on a seawall, which makes this a great place to get out and walk. Tamarack Beach is a nice wide sandy beach all the way to Frazee Beach.
Tower 33 Not sure what the official name for this one is but I refer to it by the name of the life guard tower next to the sidewalk. South of Tamarack and across a channel is this long stretch of beach you can access from parking along the coast highway. It's closest to the iconic smoke stack of the retired Encina Power Station.
Terramar Beach Terramar is located south of the Carlsbad Power plant and north of Palomar Airport Road. This quaint and somewhat hidden beach is a great spot for local surfers to catch a wave. There are no public restrooms at the beach or within walking distance of the beach. Though there aren’t lifeguards on duty, lifeguards do patrol the area in their vehicles.
North Ponto Beach North Ponto Beach is the northern access point at South Carlsbad State Beach. The North Ponto parking lot is located on the southbound lanes of Carlsbad Boulevard at the north end of South Carlsbad Campground. The water quality at this location next to the Encinas Creek outflow has tested “excellent” year-round despite the Carlsbad wastewater facility nearby. The beach here is narrow unlike the wide beach at South Ponto at the other end of the campground. Surfers park and head out from North Ponto, but few sunbathers and other beachgoers flock to this location.
South Ponto Beach A wide, sandy beach, South Ponto Beach is one of Carlsbad’s nicest beaches. It sits between the southern end of South Carlsbad State Beach Campground and La Costa Avenue, at the city’s border with Encinitas. The Pacific Coast Highway hugs this stretch of shoreline and crosses the Batiquitos Lagoon — a nature preserve located on the other side of the highway. Located on the large sandspit that protects the Lagoon, there are access points to the Preserve along the north side. This is a favorite stretch of beach for families. It’s much larger than many of the nearby beaches, and it tends to be packed during summer. There is a large paid parking lot at the southern end of the beach near La Costa Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. It fills up quickly during summer, so plan to come early for a spot. During nonpeak times, it’s easy to find free parking along the southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway.