Holiday Makers Market in Carlsbad Village The 2024 Holiday Makers Market, the 8th annual, will take place on Saturday December 7th from 9 am until 4 pm. The Holiday Makers Market has been a popular event in Carlsbad Village for 7 years. Because of their popularity the Makers Market has expanded, and now includes multiple events during the year, along with the special one for the holidays. The Holiday Makers Market is free to attend. And don’t forget to bring credit cards or cash for your holiday shopping. The Holiday Makers Market is held outdoors at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, located at 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard in the Village. The Makers Market should be a wonderful shopping opportunity with the approaching holidays. You can expect self-designed and handcrafted items fro... 11/16/2024

Celebrate Small Business Saturday 2024~ Carlsbad Village on November 30 ~ The holiday shopping season is approaching and seems to arrive earlier every year. Halloween is now a distant memory, and Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away. That means the 15th annual Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad Village is coming soon. The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is the traditional day to support small businesses throughout the US. And there are abundant opportunities at our Carlsbad Village retailers to #shopsmall. Many residents, and visitors, support small businesses in Carlsbad already but this is special opportunity! And with the holiday shopping season upon us, that’s good news. Mark your calendar to #ShopSmall in Carlsbad Village on Saturday November 30th. You’ll probably be surprised at t... 11/13/2024

16th Annual Veterans Day Military ReviewCarlsbad ~ November 11 The 16th Annual Veterans Day Military Review and parade takes place in Carlsbad on Monday, November 11, at Bliss Stadium on the campus of the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad Village. The stadium is just north of the Village at 2600 Carlsbad Boulevard. The Veterans ceremony runs from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. The ceremony will include a presentation by Colonel George J. Plys, a Military Review by the ANA Corp of Cadets, a wreath-laying presentation and Taps. There will also be a flyover by the Salute Formation Flying Team. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The memorial and military review is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad and the Army and Navy Academy and is free to the public. This memorial is a po... 11/09/2024

I'm Thankful for Wonderful Neighbors We have several wonderful neighbors next door and across the street in our neighborhood, and I am so very grateful for them for multiple reasons. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well in the 10 years we have lived here and know we can call on them, and they us, at any time should a need arise, night or day. There are loads of examples of kindness I could share, but here are just a few. When my wife had her back surgery last December these neighbors provided meals for several days which was a huge help to me since she was laid up in bed. They also offered to grocery shop for us as needed. My wife recently fell and fractured her kneecap in 2 places. We needed to go to a nearby Urgent Care (our preference over the ER), and since she was in a great... 11/08/2024

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for October 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to evolve, with shifts from September and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate as reported but are not guaranteed). Media market reports typically are very general. Thus they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you need to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 87 homes sold in Carlsbad in October (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), down 1 ... 11/05/2024

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in Carlsbad 2024 Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch Park is a beautiful venue to visit in Carlsbad, and a very special resource for the community, with a number of special events during the year. (Feature photo is of a family altar - ofrenda - at a friend's house for theis Dia de los Muertos celebration several years ago) Enjoy a visit to Leo Carrillo Historic Ranch Park  One of the fun events is the annual 2-day Dia de los Muertos Celebration, the “Day of the Dead.” This event is free as is the kids craft activity on Saturday. This popular Mexican tradition, around Halloween time, is a celebration of life. It’s a time when the spirits of the departed return to visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2. I have seen several different interpretatio... 10/20/2024

Halloween in Carlsbad Village The Annual Halloween in the Village takes place in Carlsbad on Saturday October 26th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with all sorts of Halloween fun and games. The Halloween in the Village event is FREE, and so is the parking in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Village Association does a marvelous job of promoting businesses and Village events, and Halloween in the Village is one of many.Kids in costume should stop by 2697 State Street early to pick up their free Jack-o-Lantern bucket (only 250 will be available) to hold their treasures. Kids can trick or treat at participating businesses in the Village. Just look for the candy corn decal in their windows. There will be costume contests for all at the Carlsbad Village Faire Shopping Center at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive at 4:00 ... 10/16/2024

2024 Halloween Pumpkin Plunge~ Alga Norte Aquatic Center in Carlsbad ~ Halloween is just around the corner and stores are filled with decorations, and have been for some time. The Carlsbad pumpkin patch and corn maze are open, and it’s a little over 1 week to the 2024 Carlsbad Pumpkin Plunge. This popular annual floating pumpkin patch is held at the Alga Norte Community Center in South Carlsbad (La Costa area), at 6565 Alicante Road (corner of Poinsettia Lane), on Saturday October 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. This event is one of several held each year at the Aquatics Center.  Carlsbad kids will have a chance to lasso their favorite pumpkin from the floating pumpkin patch, using a hula hoop, to take them home for carving, decorating, and Halloween festivities. You’ll likely find only the ... 10/09/2024

Spider on our Wall The spider on our wall is huge. And it's green.I am a bit of an arachnophobe, so I'm not entirely pleased about the situation. Good thing it's outside.Our nextdoor neighbors have 2 young children and they decorate their yard each Halloween with several inflatables. This year they added a new one - the spider - and asked if it could hang out on the wall. Of course we said yes. The grandkids won't get to see it in person this year but thought the photo I sent was great fun.  Here's the purple monster that hangs out in their yard, too. The kids love it when they have visited.  Halloween is in the air...and in lots of yards, no doubt with much more to come. 10/08/2024

Carlsbad Village Street Faire ~ November 3, 2024 ~ The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is a hugely popular event for 45 years, returning to Carlsbad Village Sunday, November 3rd. The Faire is hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Kennedy and Associates. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reported to be the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US. There is also a Carlsbad Village Street Faire held every May. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is held from 8 am until 4 pm. That should be ample time to enjoy hundreds of vendors and shop to your heart’s content. (photos are from another of Carlsbad's well-known art fairs in the Village).  The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place in the center of town, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Fa... 10/06/2024

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for September 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from August and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate as reported but are not guaranteed). Media market reports typically are very generalized. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you need to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 88 homes sold in Carlsbad in September (92008, 92009, 92010 and 920... 10/05/2024

Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Carlsbad The Annual Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze are open at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company in Carlsbad. The popular pumpkin patch opened on September 20 and will stay open until November 3rd. What’s Fall and Halloween without pumpkins? There’s no question the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is known far and wide for its strawberries, and they sell a ton of them; you can buy them already picked or enjoy picking them yourself. Unfortunately, strawberry season is now over (end of January to mid July depending on weather). However, at Halloween time the Carlsbad Strawberry Company also offers a huge pumpkin patch with great photo opportunities. The Patch is wheelchair accessible. And of course, there’s the opportunity for everyone to pick their favorite pumpkin, ... 10/03/2024

What’s the Value of My Cardiff-by-the-Sea Home? Cardiff Home Sales for September 2024 It’s essential that buyers and sellers in the Cardiff real estate market have current information about local market conditions. If you are planning to buy or sell this will allow you to make informed buying and selling decisions about Cardiff homes for sale. Supply and demand impact selling and buying in several ways, including pricing, the amount of competition, and days on market. It’s important to understand how local market conditions can impact your buying and/or selling decisions. Let’s talk now! Read More About Cardiff-by-the-Sea: Cardiff by the Sea – Quintessential Beach Community Like to Walk? Live in the Walking District in Cardiff CAWant to Live in a Musical Community? Try the Composer Dist... 10/02/2024

St. Michael’s Jazz Fest The inaugural St. Michael’s Jazz Fest takes place this weekend, September 28th and 29th. The festival will be held outdoors at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Carlsbad Village at 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard. (photo courtesy of Pixabay).  The festival is 1 block from the train station – a recommended way to get there in addition to walking or by bicycle. There is limited street parking and the Village is busy on the weekends. However, you can also park at the train station but that parking may also be limited on the weekend. St. Michael’s Jazz Fest is from 10:30 AM to around 7:30 PM on Saturday  (last band is at 6:00) and from 11:00 AM to around 2:00 (last band at 1:00 PM). Here’s the full band schedule which includes the Grammy-award winning Rebirth Bras... 09/26/2024

2024 Carlsbad Oktoberfest is October 5 The 42nd annual Carlsbad Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 5th, less than 3 weeks away! It’s time to put it on your calendar. Carlsbad’s annual Oktoberfest Family Fall Festival, for years traditionally taking place on the 1st Saturday in October, will be held at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company on Cannon Roard just east of the 5 freeway. The festival runs from 12 noon until 8 pm. Entrance fee (separate from food and drink) for the Carlsbad Strawberry Company is $10 and paid at the entrance, with children 5 and under free. Parking is complimentary but limited. No cash can be accepted. As in the past the 2024 Oktoberfest is sponsored by Carlsbad’s 2 rotary clubs – the Rotary Club of Carlsbad, and the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club. The festival is a majo... 09/16/2024

ArtWalk Carlsbad is September 21 and 22, 2024 The 5th Annual ArtWalk Carlsbad is just a week away on September 21 and 22. No doubt artists and art lovers alike are looking forward to this popular event. The inaugural ArtWalk Carlsbad was in 2018 and I had a great time then, and in 2022. Unfortunately, the 2020 and 2021 ArtWalks were canceled due to the pandemic. ArtWalk San Diego, the organization that produces the Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy and the ArtWalk @ Liberty Square, is the organizer of this popular 2-day art festival in North San Diego County. Multiple sponsors also help make this art event affordable for attendees and artists. ArtWalk Carlsbad is free to attend, and will feature more than 150 local, regional and international artists. Expect lots of high quality a... 09/13/2024

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for August 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from July and 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate as reported but are not guaranteed). Media market reports tend to be very generalized. As a result they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you need to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 97 homes sold in Carlsbad in August (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 13%... 09/03/2024

Carlsbad Has Its Own Volcanic Plug Dome Yes, that’s right. We have a volcanic plug dome in Carlsbad. Its name is Cerro de la Calavera or Mount Calavera. And it’s about 22 million years old. And I have stood on top of it to enjoy the glorious 360 degree views, to the ocean (see photo below) and inland to the backcountry and mountains plus the surrounding residential areas. It’s been years since I hiked Mount Calavera and I’m probably due for a trek.  It’s a pretty, and relatively vigorous, hike up the mountain, but it’s only 513 feet high so you don’t have to be all that impressed.  Mount Calavera is located in northeast Carlsbad bordering Oceanside, and along with Lake Calavera is in the Lake Calavera Preserve. The mountain is adjacent to the residential area of Calavera Hills.  Carlsba... 08/29/2024

This recipe has been a favorite of ours for years, and while my wife often makes it by herself today I was once again recruited as sous chef...a role I'm happy to play. It's more than enough for 2 people so we get to enjoy it for several days for lunch and dinner. And we have taken it to dinner parties and picnics multiple times and it's always a hit.  The recipe calls for Roma tomatoes which we had. But we've also used heirlooms and the classic beefsteaks depending on what we have. The crust is wonderful, flavored with parmesan cheese and lemon zest. My wife is the master at making pie and tart crusts and did the honors while I did all the prep work - chopping fresh herbs (Italian parsley, thyme, basil), slicing tomatoes, and grating fresh parmesan for the filling. You can make it in a... 08/25/2024

The 2024 Taste of Carlsbad Village NOTE: Tickets went on sale on September and the event is now SOLD OUT.The 7th Annual Taste of Carlsbad Village returns in 2024 to the Village on October 10th. The event runs from 5 until 8 pm. So why announce this so early? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, the Taste of Carlsbad Village is always very popular, and sells out quickly each year. Last year it took a little over 5 hours according to their website. And second, tickets go on sale September 3 at 9 am so you’ll want to get that on your calendar so you don’t forget and miss out. Keep in mind only 1000 tickets will be sold! Carlsbad food lovers get to spend 3 hours on Thursday October 10th on a self-guided tour with map and Passport (the ticket), tasting their way around charming Carlsb... 08/21/2024