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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home?Carlsbad Market Report for February 2026 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from January and from 1 year ago. Private sales, mobile homes and multi-family housing are not included in this report (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 in nature. 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 will benefit you when you want to make educated buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 76 homes sold in Carlsbad in February ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
EGGStravaganza Spring Festival ~ Coming Soon to Carlsbad ~ The popular Carlsbad EGGStravaganza Spring Festival 2025 takes place the day before Easter, Saturday April 19th. Don't forget to put it on your calendar even though it's several weeks away. The festival will be held in Carlsbad’s beautiful Poinsettia Community Park from 10 am until 1 pm. Poinsettia Community Park is located at 6600 Hidden Valley Road, south of Palomar Airport Road. Carlsbad’s EGGStravaganza offers loads of fun, with multiple activities including cookie decorating, face painting, “Soak the Bunny,” crafts, and a fun zone with inflatables. Kids will love Carlsbad’s largest Egg Scramble (Activity Cards are required) which is ongoing from 10:30 until 12:30, or until the candy-filled eggs run out. Don’t forget your ba...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Pirate Plunge in Carlsbad for 2025      The Pirate Plunge is a popular aquatic event, hosted by the Alga Norte Aquatic Center in South Carlsbad (La Costa area). The 2025 Pirate Plunge will take place on Saturday March 29th from 5 – 8 pm. Here’s what to expect at the Pirate Plunge Kids will enjoy several pirate-themed activities in the pool including a ship raider race and diving for treasure. Plus they can race across floating obstacles in the pool. Kids can also walk the diving board plank!! Additionally, on land there’s an inflatable pirate ship slide and a treasure hunt, with lots of photo opportunities. The Aquatic Center Splash Pad will be open for younger children. Food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the event, too. Admission and wristbands are $15 per person...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The 2025 Carlsbad 5000 Takes Place April 6 There are multiple running events during the year in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad 5000 takes place on April 6th and is supposedly the world’s fastest 5K race. Several world and US records have been set, and broken, since the race was established in 1986. Runners will certainly hope to set new records in 2025! (feature photo shows part of the same course as the Carlsbad Marathon). If you are interested you still have time to register online, but don’t wait as this event typically sells out.  Registration closes on April 4. There are multiple races taking place on Sunday April 6th. There is the main event, the Carlsbad 5000 (5K). But other runners may be interested in the All Day 20K (four 5K races) offering 4 categories of runners. (photo courtesy of ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for February 2025 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from January as well as 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 in nature. 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 will benefit you when you need to make informed buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 95 homes sold in Carlsbad in February (92008, 92...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Opening Day at the Flower Fields was March 1, 2025 The Carlsbad Flower Fields in Carlsbad CA opened for business on Saturday March 1, an annual tradition. Keep in mind you must book your tickets online for a specific date and arrival time. Tickets are not available at the entrance. However, once you are in the venue you can stay as long as you wish (the Flower Fields close at 6 pm). The top photo was taken today and the Fields are obviously not at peak bloom. That often happens in late March depending on the weather. However, the fields are beautiful even when not at peak, and are a wonderful sign of the coming spring!  The Carlsbad Flower Fields have been a popular tourist attraction for more than 60 years. There are approximately 55 acres of brightly colored Ranunculus, which is repor...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The first words out of my past client’s mouth when I answered her call, "it's so nice to hear your voice," were such a pleasure to hear.I had called the other day and left a message and it was nice to hear her voice as well…it’s been a number of years. I have sent multiple emails and handwritten cards in accordance with my “staying in touch with past clients” plan. And we have exchanged multiple emails about the housing market conditions, additional purchase opportunities, and more in response to her periodic email requests.But there is something special about talking in person on the phone, instead of sending multiple text messages and emails that are so much a part of our business, and no doubt our personal lives, too. They are important, for sure, but so much more impersonal in some ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for January 2025 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from December as well as 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 65 homes sold in Carlsbad in January (92008, 92009, 92010 an...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The Great Kindness Challenge 2025 The GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE kicks off Monday, January 27th and runs through Friday the 31st. Thousands of schools around the country, as well as over 100 other countries take part in this global event, impacting millions of students. Kindness is a wonderful idea anytime for us all, and not just in our schools but everywhere, isn’t it? The Great Kindness Challenge was founded in 2011 here in Carlsbad. The Kindness Challenge was started by Carlsbad resident Jill McManigal, co-founder (with Danielle Gram in 2006) and Executive Director of the non-profit, Kids for Peace. The Great Kindness program was piloted at 3 schools in Carlsbad in 2011, and the Great Kindness Challenge has expanded, not surprisingly, and pretty dramatically, since its creation.  Kids...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch Open March 1, 2025 The Carlsbad Flower Fields in Carlsbad CA are greening up for the big day. Opening Day is Saturday March 1st. According to the Blooming Status on their website 1 yellow Ranunculas is open (but perhaps there are more). However, I didn’t see any blooms when I stopped by yesterday morning to take these photos, just acres of greenery.  Having visited the Flower Fields several times I can tell you they are very special in person. Visitors must book their tickets online for a specific date and arrival time. Tickets are not available at the entrance. Once you are in the venue you can stay as long as you wish (the Flower Fields close at 6 pm).  Here's what to expect once the Flower Fields reach their peak bloom (photo is from 2024). That of...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
 2025 San Diego Restaurant Week Starts January 26th No doubt foodies will be thrilled San Diego Restaurant Week is just around the corner, beginning Sunday January 26th and running through February 2nd. This is the 1st of 2 such events for 2025 offering 8 days of wonderful dining opportunities. San Diegans can enjoy a wide range of food offerings at great prices at 100+ restaurants all around San Diego! Dedicated food lovers can’t go wrong with so many options. The challenge is making the decision about where to dine, and at how many different places during the 8 days. San Diego Restaurant Week offers reduced prices on fixed price multi-course menus for lunch, brunch and/or dinner. At some places you’ll find a drink included as a course. Remember that not all restaurants offer 3 meals –...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Hearts of Carlsbad Village Scavenger Hunt  The 5th Hearts of Carlsbad Village blown glass scavenger hunt in Carlsbad Village is coming soon. What a fun opportunity to spend time in Carlsbad Village outdoors exploring! The Carlsbad Village Association and Barrio Glassworks are sponsoring this fun treasure hunt on February 8th.  The event is supported by Visit Carlsbad, the official tourism marketing organization in the City of Carlsbad. February is American Heart Month, and Valentine’s Day is 6 days after the event. What’s more appropriate than a heart-themed treasure hunt? Here’s how the Hearts of Carlsbad Village works.  300 colorful hand-blown glass hearts created at Barrio Glassworks will be “hidden” in popular locations in the Village. Each engraved glass heart is numbered and dated...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
The 2025 Carlsbad Marathon~ Sunday January 19th ~ The always popular Carlsbad Marathon is Sunday January 19th.  That’s also the Martin Luther King holiday weekend with the official holiday on Monday the 20th. The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon is a popular world-class event. It’s also a qualifying race for the famed Boston Marathon. There are typically lots of runners from other areas of the US participating in this event! The Marathon is limited to 1200 runners. The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon also offers a Double Down Challenge, a combination of 2 races. First is the 5K (3.1 miles), which is followed by the half marathon, a total of 16.2 miles.  Hopefully you are registered, but if not keep in mind there are limits on the number of participants in the Marathon...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Heart of the Village Blood Drive ~ February 8, 2025 ~ Once again Carlsbad residents have an opportunity to help our community, specifically the San Diego Blood Bank, with their need for blood donations. The 8th Annual Heart of the Village Blood Drive will be held in Carlsbad Village on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm. Thanks are due Barrio Glassworks at 3060 Roosevelt Street for hosting the blood drive again. Blood donations will be taken at the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile in their parking lot.  Hundreds of pints have been donated through previous Heart of the Village Blood Drive events! As in the past the Carlsbad Village Association is the sponsor. All donations are Appointment Only, preferably in advance, but last minute appointments may be available on donatio...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for December 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to evolve, with changes from November as well as 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. As a result they do not reflect the local Carlsbad housing market conditions (read more - How Local IS Local?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions will benefit you when you want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about  Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 89 homes sold in Carlsbad in December (92008, 9200...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Free Christmas Tree Recycling in Carlsbad  Christmas is behind us now. And some people may already be thinking about taking down the holiday tree. As they do each year, the City of Carlsbad is offering free, curbside pickup of Christmas trees for Carlsbad residents, now through January 12th. Christmas Tree curbside pickup is on the regular trash pick-up day unless it falls on the Christmas and New Year’s observed holidays. Trash pick-up may be delayed during the week after these holidays. Christmas trees should be placed next to the green compost bin at curbside. Be sure to remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree stands before recycling. If possible cut the tree and place it in the Green Waste recycling bin for pick-up.  If the tree is taller than 6 feet it should be cut in half...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Some Holiday Lights in Carlsbad for 2024 We took a drive last night through the Ho Ho Highland neighborhood as it was getting dark to see all the Santas lit up…and one Grinch! Then we took some time to explore a few other areas to see what we could discover. Quite a number of homeowners had gone all out with decorations and light displays - far too many to photograph.  The display on 2695 Medford Court (feature photo and video below) was the most impressive with elaborate lighting and coordinated music. There was quite a crowd in their cars as well as in front of this home enjoying the show. It’s clearly very popular as there are multiple online references and YouTube videos. Here’s a short video I took. You can’t help but be impressed. Not only that but I looked up the public record an...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Another Visit to Ho Ho Highland in Carlsbad A bunch of neighbors living along Highland Drive in Olde Carlsbad (just east of Carlsbad Village) celebrate the holiday season with large inflatable Santas at the front of their properties. You can’t miss them - there's one right at the corner of Highland and Carlsbad Village Drive (a major road) at the light. I was out running errands today and took another drive down Highland south of Carlsbad Village Drive. I only discovered them for the first time last year despite living in Carlsbad since 2005. I counted 30 of the large inflatable Santas along the 6 block drive I took but I believe there are more further down Highland and on the North side of Carlsbad Village Drive for a total of around 60. They are all pretty similar and I’d estimate mos...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Holiday Window Decorating Contest Holiday events are in full swing in Carlsbad and it’s time once again for the Carlsbad Village Window Display Contest. Carlsbad residents will certainly recall the Holiday Window Display contest in Carlsbad Village from previous years. The Contest is sponsored by the Carlsbad Village Association and there are always some fabulous displays.  I’m not sure if ALL retailers participate but there is certainly a high percentage who do. Public voting online is on-going now through December 16th for the “People’s Choice Award.” The online ballot is on the Carlsbad Village Association website. A panel of judges will select the “Best Holiday Window for 2024,” and a group from the Carlsbad Boy’s and Girl’s Club will pick the “Kids Favorite Award” ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for November 2024 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to change, with shifts from October 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?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions will benefit you when you want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 64 homes sold in Carlsbad in November (92008, 92009, 92010 a...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Thankful for our Cookie-Making Tradition We have a long-standing cookie-making tradition at Thanksgiving. It’s been going on for decades, and I have shared it before. After all, it’s tradition! Both daughters and their families (4 grandkids) will be with us this Thanksgiving and for cookie-making. Making Honey Lebkuchen has been a tradition on the maternal side of my wife’s family for several generations, and we started our own tradition when we first started dating. Other family members make them as well but ours are the best! We make the cookies the Friday after Thanksgiving and depending on the size, and varying shapes with grandkids involved, there are usually about 15 dozen. I would estimate we’ve made more than 8000 Honey Lebkucken since our tradition began, not including other co...
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