Adventure Awaits: Carlsbad's 2024 Summer Adventure Playbook

In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the best spots in Carlsbad to enjoy outdoor dining and thrilling activities with your family.

There might be only a few weeks left in summer, but there are tons of adventures to be had before school starts. Check them out here:

The Camp Store: Food, Music and Views

Looking for the perfect blend of good food, drinks and live music? The Camp Store at South Carlsbad State Beach is open for lunch from Friday to Sunday and dinner every night except Monday and Tuesday – it’s the ultimate place for a family meal with a view.

Sitting on a bluff overlooking the beach, The Camp Store serves up woodstone pizzas, healthy options and sweet treats for dessert. Guests can enjoy a beer or wine as they watch the sunset from the patio deck or picnic tables.

The Camp Store also has live music to lock in the ambience of the coast. Arrive early and rent a firepit for up to eight people, complete with wood, to enjoy a night of marshmallow roasting and stargazing.

Or, if you want a private dining spot, you can rent a bluffside table with amazing views of the water or a patio table closer to the action. Open daily, The Camp Store offers a membership for unlimited table reservations year-round so that frequent visitors always have a place to post up. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, The Camp Store is a top pick for summer family fun.

Agua Hedionda Discovery Center: Explore and Learn

Another way to have a Carlsbad adventure is by exploring nature at the Agua Hedionda Discovery Center. This spot gives families the ability to mix exploration and learning with some hands-on fun.

Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, this center is all about connecting with the environment. It’s super family-friendly and stroller accessible, making it a great outing for families with young kids. With a suggested donation of $10 per group or a $65 annual family membership, it’s an affordable way to enrich your summer.

Inside, you'll find cool exhibits like "Invertebrate Island" and the "Birds of Agua Hedionda Lagoon" photo gallery. Kids will love the "Kids Corner," where they can color animal pages, read nature books, and even touch real dinosaur bones. The "History Hall" and "Robert Kelly History Exhibit" dive into the area's rich past.

Outside, the fun continues with the Educational Nature Nodes, where you can join programs like Preschool Playdates, After School Enrichment and Kids Camps. These require advance registration but are worth it for the engaging and educational experiences. Rain or shine, all exhibits remain open to guests, with activities moving indoors on wet days. You can also stroll through the Native Plant Garden, featuring over 750 plants and 50 species. From vibrant succulents to detailed aquaponics systems and a buzzing live observation bee-aquarium, the Discovery Center is packed with natural wonders for a day of adventure and learning.

Batiquitos Lagoon: A Self-Guided Nature Tour

Another option for an outdoor adventure that includes nature, education and fun is a self-guided tour of Batiquitos Lagoon. This coastal sanctuary offers a 1.6-mile public walking and hiking trail along the north shore, suited for all ages.

You can start at the Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center, open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center has educational displays and a kids' area. Pick up pamphlets for self-guided walks or join a docent-led tour.

Educational programs like the Speaker Series cover topics like sea life and climate change. After exploring, guests can relax at a picnic table near the Nature Center. With its mix of education and outdoor recreation, Batiquitos Lagoon is a must-visit for families looking to get outdoors and have fun.

Carlsbad E-Bikes & More: Coastal Biking Fun

For those who really want to get moving, a ride along the Carlsbad coast is a great way to feel the wind in your hair. Carlsbad E-Bikes & More is conveniently located at the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive and Carlsbad Boulevard and is the place to go if you’re interested in renting, buying, or servicing e-bikes.

For this adventure, you can kick off your day with a leisurely ride, soaking up the ocean breeze and scenic views of the Pacific. The shop offers e-bikes, tandem bikes, stretch bikes, pedal bikes and even adult trikes and kid trailers. For a different kind of fun, they even have street-legal golf carts, which can fit 4 to 6 passengers and are a fun way to haul beach gear, shopping bags and furry friends.

The bike lanes and trails nearby Carlsbad E-Bikes & More make for a safe and enjoyable ride, letting you turn a simple bike ride into one of the highlights of your trip. The shop provides free test rides and has a range of e-bikes from top brands like Blix, Velotric, Himiway, Surface, Tern, and Gazelle. Their friendly staff will help you pick the right bike and ensure you’re ready to ride. If you can’t make it to the shop, they even deliver.

K1 Speed: Indoor Go Kart Racing

And lastly, if you want to take it up a notch, K1 Speed Carlsbad is open seven days a week for thrilling races in their electric karts.

Their Arrive & Drive packages let you jump right into the action without needing a reservation. The track is designed with both safety and excitement in mind, featuring adult karts that can reach speeds up to 45 mph and junior karts that go up to 20 mph.

K1 Speed Carlsbad also boasts an arcade, a café and comfy seating areas, covering all the bases for an exhilarating family day out.

Ready to feel the rush? Plan a high-energy family outing at K1 Speed.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Whether you choose a sunset meal or racing to the finish line, Carlsbad is ready to deliver the summer of a lifetime. Let the fun begin!