Travel Carlsbad, California

When most tourists visit Carlsbad, they come for Legoland, which is a great family amusement park. But there's so much more to this beachside community that it's really worth staying awhile. Veronica Hill of California Travel Tips takes you on a 2-minute narrated video tour of Carlsbad California — a terrific spot for beach vacations. And right nearby is La Costa, a beach resort just minutes from the best beaches and golf in Carlsbad. It was here, in 1882, that a sea captain named John Frazier discovered what would become the city's namesake — a mineral water so pure that it rivaled that found at the world-famous Karlsbad health spa in Bohemia. Today, San Diego residents drive for miles to buy this soft and clean-tasting mineral water at the Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa. You can too, and it's well worth the price. Some locals consider Carlsbad the golf capital of the world, but there's plenty of other great things to do at this seaside resort. In Carlsbad Village, the boutique Witch Creek Winery serves up samples of its award-winning wines in the tasting room, where you can also shop for a great variety of wine gifts. Feeling lucky? Del Mar race track, where the surf meets the turf, is right up the road. Known for its colorful flower fields, Carlsbad is still very much a farming community, with dozens of fresh produce stands filled with every fruit and vegetable imaginable. A highlight is the U-Pick Strawberry field, where your hard work will be rewarded with a basketful of plump berries bursting with flavor. When you're ready to hit the waves, fuel up on a hearty breakfast at TipTop Meats (a locals favorite) and then hit Carlsbad state beach for a day of swimming and sand play. Don't have a surf board? Don't worry. Raw Skin Surf N' Sport is one of Carlsbad's premiere surf shops where locals go for their beach-gear needs. In addition to renting kayaks, bikes, boards and umbrellas, they also offer private and group surf lessons. Enjoy your beach vacation in Carlsbad, and don't forget to send us a postcard! Raw Skin Surf N Sport 2796 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad (760) 434-1122 www.rawskinsurf.com Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa 2802 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad 760-434-1887 www.carlsbadmineralspa.com La Costa Farms Corner of La Costa Ave. and Saxony Rd. 634-1932 Witch Creek Winery 2906 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad (760) 720-7499 www.witchcreekwinery.com Del Mar 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar (858) 755-1141 www.dmtc.com Season: July 16 - Sept 3 La Costa Resort & Spa 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad 438-9111 www.lacosta.com