The Best Things to Do Outdoors in Carlsbad

Yoga Your Way leads mat Pilates classes at Carlsbad’s Tamarack Beach. Bring your own mat and settle in on the sand as Yoga Your Way’s certified Piliates instructors guide you through a low-impact Pilates session that engages full-body strength, flexibility and mobility.

Unlike yoga, where breathing typically occurs throughout the movement of a pose, performing a movement during Pilates generally focuses on the exhale. Following a class you can easily roll right into a beachy afternoon.

Nab your preferred set of wheels for a spin along the coast, through Carlsbad Village or to one of Carlsbad’s 40 parks. Carlsbad e-Bikes & More rents a variety of bikes for kids and adults. Choose from eBikes, pedal bikes, road bikes, adult trikes and more by brands including Tern, Velotric, Blix, Himiway, Gazelle and Murf.

Stop in for a complimentary test ride, a custom fitting plus a helmet and locks. Rentals also come with a brief safety tour of your rental bike, and bike delivery is available to individuals staying at nearby hotels. Bike rentals—and 4- and 6-passenger golf carts—are available by the hour, day or week. Child seats and bike trailers are also available for kids and pets to tag along.

Set along the bluffs at Carlsbad State Beach, The Camp Store is the place to go for live outdoor so close to the Pacific you can smell the salty air while you jam out to a variety of genres. Reservations are possible for fire pit seating and bluff-top and patio tables, as well as first come, first served seating throughout. Their pizza menu is extensive and includes pies like the Honey Raye with pepperoni, salami and hot honey, and the Palomaar with garlic olive oil, arugula, prosciutto and goat cheese. The Camp Store hosts live music nearly every day of the week.

Considered a top “buddies trip golf destination” by Golf Digest, teeing up in Carlsbad is another way to spend a day outdoors. Consider golf resort destinations Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and Park Hyatt Aviara, as well as The Crossings at Carlsbad and Rancho Carlsbad Golf Club, each with a distinct personality.

Park Hyatt Aviara is the only course in San Diego County designed by the renowned Arnold Palmer, while Omni La Costa offers a two-course destination. The Crossings sports Pacific Ocean views from its clubhouse and part of its rolling, expansive course. And Rancho Carlsbad Golf Club features public access, a driving range, practice putting green and lessons.

With more than 50 miles of trails, everyone from the scenic stroller to the enthusiastic hiker will find opportunities to experience Carlsbad’s natural landscapes. The Aviara trail system is a good place to start and offers one of the most diverse trail systems in Carlsbad. You could trace the edges of Batiquitos Lagoon’s 526-acre coastal salt marsh—home to egrets, herons, and other migrating birds, about 185 species throughout the year. Or, take the Eucalyptus trail (about a mile and change) through its eponymous groves, elevation changes and views of Batiquitos lagoon and the distant Pacific.

Take to the water with California Watersports. Situated on the calm Agua Hedionda lagoon, rent single or tandem kayaks for a self-guided tour along one of SoCal’s remaining coastal wetlands. Single kayaks accommodate individuals up to 250 pounds, while tandem kayaks are suitable for pairs with a combined weight of 550 pounds. Hourly, half-day, and full-day rentals are available, though guests typically book a two-hour rental. Kayak rentals come with paddles, life vests and a brief orientation.

For a full day of sun-soaked fun, rent a number of private spaces along its beach from a large and small deck with picnic tables and spaces on the sand. Other human-powered watersports rentals include paddleboards and paddle boats, plus motorized pontoons and waverunners.

Cultivate mindfulness and balance through yoga, with a twist. Yoga Your Way offers stand up paddle (SUP) yoga on Agua Hedionda Lagoon (also known as Carlsbad Lagoon.) They provide everything you need to participate: paddle boards, anchors and paddles. Classes are 60 minutes on the water, and include a brief lesson on land about how to drop your anchor and attach your paddle to its leash. Modifications are always offered throughout class. Classes end in Savasana, lying weightlessly on your board. Some classes include the option of adding on a sound bath to the experience. Evolving wind and water conditions means each class is bound to be a little different. Bring a friend, or round up an entire group.

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With no shortage of things to do outdoors for a range of interests, it’s easy to plan a visit to Carlsbad.