Beyond the Coast Finale: Discover Carlsbad’s Surf History and Origins 2026

The final two episodes of Beyond the Coast are now live. Hear from local legends about Carlsbad’s phenomenal surf history and discover how the city came to be from a 500-foot well in a barren landscape.

Carlsbad has long been recognized as a premier surf destination where generations of locals have forged a deep connection with the ocean and appreciation for the sport. In this episode of Beyond the Coast: Stories of Carlsbad, hear from surfers who helped mold Carlsbad’s surf culture and discover what beloved surf spots like Tamarack Beach looked like back in the day.

During the 1970s and ‘80s, the atmosphere at Tamarack was much different than it is today. Rather than the warm and welcoming beach community visitors experience now, rival groups of “outlaws” often brawled at the Tamarack stairs to decide who would have dominance on the steps. The surf lineup itself reflected a different era, filled with dedicated local “soul surfers” riding waves simply for the love of the ocean. Today, competitive surfing, sponsorships and professional athletes have transformed the sport into a global phenomenon. Despite this evolution, the heart of Carlsbad’s surf community remains the same, a shared passion and a deep respect for the coastline that continues to inspire each new generation.

The episode also highlights two local surf icons whose businesses have become staples of Carlsbad's surf community. Barbie Baron, owner of Offshore Surf Shop, and Witt Rowlett, owner of Carlsbad Pipelines, share how they built their businesses as surfing grew in popularity and how they've helped foster the welcoming surf culture that exists today. Their shops continue to serve as gathering places for both locals and visitors, offering expert advice, quality gear and a passion for helping others experience the joy of surfing. Whether you’re catching your first wave or adding another session to your surf trip, both shops have everything you could need from equipment, apparel, rentals and lessons.

Watch the full episode to hear the stories behind Tamarack Beach, relive the memories back from when surfing took off in Carlsbad and discover how this tight-knit community continues to inspire surfers from generation to generation.

The finale of Beyond the Coast: Stories of Carlsbad, dives into how Carlsbad, California came to be. Long before Carlsbad became an oasis for surfing, golf and luxurious beachside vacationing, it was a barren and dry landscape. In the 1880s, anyone that lived in Carlsbad depended on a well to get water to survive. John Frazier dug a 500-foot well that not only supplied water to residents but also powered the steam engines of trains passing through Carlsbad. Carlsbad’s name came from the mineral content of the water found in the well, which resembled the spa waters of Karlsbad, Bohemia now known as Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic.

After a short stint as a spa hotel destination, a drought led to a shift in focus for Carlsbad. Soon small farms began to pop up, making it an agricultural center that helped Carlsbad make a name for itself in the United States. Then, in 1952, Carlsbad experienced a boom in growth and officially incorporated, with Dewey McClellan serving as the city's first mayor.

You can pay a visit to a lot of historical places to this day. The Carlsbad Railroad Depot is one of the few railroad stations built prior to 1990 that is still standing, and it served as Carlsbad’s first commercial and public building. Campfire in Carlsbad is another spot with history! Now it’s known for delicious fire-roasted dishes, but it once was Dragmaster, an auto-mechanic shop that was the birthplace of the world-renowned dragster cars.

Be sure to watch the full episode to learn about more of the historic places you can visit and other interesting facts about what makes Carlsbad so unique.

--------------------------------

We hope that this series made you feel more connected to Carlsbad and inspires you to experience the people, history and traditions that make Carlsbad unlike anywhere else on the California coast. The stories may have come to an end, but your Journey through Carlsbad is just beginning.