San Juan Capistrano & Los Rios
Birders are drawn to the nearby inland lagoons by the pleasant beaches and the opportunity to spot native species. The quaint streets of San Juan Capistrano have attracted flights of swallows and visitors to the mission dating from the 1770s. The Los Rios District is adjacent to San Juan Capistrano and directly across the railroad tracks. It is the oldest neighborhood in California. The forty homes that remain here include three original adobe structures that housed the builders of the mission and the mission ranch workers. California Surfing Museum
Explore the history of the long board, shaping and creation of surfing as a sport. The California Surf Museum offers free admission and their long-running exhibits. Current exhibits display antique boards accompanied by photos and memorabilia. Explore the history of pioneer boardcrafters showing off their original designs along with highlighted personal biographies. The Surf Museum is located at 223 North Coast Highway on Highway 1, near the Pier. Special events and guided tours can be arranged by calling 760/721-MUSM.
Carlsbad
While Carlsbad is known as a place to escape the hectic pace of urban life, there are more things to do than shop, eat, sunbathe and golf. Enjoy family attractions, low impact adventure, art galleries, world-class sporting events and festivals.
Carlsbad beaches are perfect for building sand castles, learning to surf, playing beach volleyball, feasting on a picnic, taking a romantic sunset stroll and more.
Visitors may find infinite opportunities to enjoy the sheer pleasures of the endless summer lifestyle. Beaches are many things to many people; they are filled with romantic sunsets, colorful characters, invigorating waves and peaceful solitude. What more can you ask for?
Carlsbad’s appeal to the outdoor enthusiast doesn’t end with the waves. If there’s an activity involving water, boards, wheels or feet, you can bet that there’s a place for it in Carlsbad. Kayaking, biking, hiking, golfing, sailing, fishing, birding, camping, windsurfing, skateboarding and of course surfing, are just some of the activities you can enjoy in Carlsbad. The sun is shining, the air is clear and the water is sparkling. Aren’t you overdue for a little beach time? Batiquitos Lagoon
The first white explorers passed through the area in 1769. The San Luis Rey Mission was established 1798, using surrounding areas as grazing land for the livestock. Major changes started to happen to Batiquitos Lagoon due to an increase in trade and transportation. 
The earliest pre-historic site at Batiquitos Lagoon has been dated to 8,000 years ago. Around the shoreline, nearly 200 different pre-historic sites have been recorded. The lagoon itself consists of 610 acres with a drainage basin of about 30,000 acres. The watershed basin includes the cities of Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Encinitas, its primary freshwater tributaries being San Marcos Creek from the east and Encinitas Creek which flows north along Green Valley, entering the lagoon under El Camino Real and La Costa Avenue, respectively.
The lagoon can be seen and experienced from a nature trail (link to trail map with access and parking locations) on the north side.? The public walking and hiking trail is about 2 miles long. It starts just east of Interstate 5 at the end of Gabbiano Lane and goes most of the way to El Camino Real on the east end of the lagoon. |