The Village by the Sea: A Carlsbad Walking Tour

Carlsbad’s mineral springs transformed this once-quiet coastal area into the charming “Village by the Sea” that visitors know today. On this walking tour, you’ll follow the development of this Southern California gem from its founding in the 1880s to its evolution into a beloved coastal destination.

The tour starts at the Army and Navy Academy, from where you’ll weave through the heart of the village. I’ll point out Victorian architecture alongside mid-century landmarks, and explain how visionary residents worked to preserve the town’s unique character while embracing change. You’ll stroll tree-lined streets, past boutiques and cafés before reaching the Pacific shoreline, where seven miles of coastline have drawn visitors for generations. The tour ends at the mouth of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

Along the way, longtime San Diego residents Mindy and Jerry will tell you Carlsbad Village’s story of transformation. You’ll learn how Captain John Frazier’s discovery of mineral water (remarkably similar to that of Karlsbad, Bohemia) gave the town both its name and its early identity as a health retreat. You’ll also explore how the arrival of the railroad, Highway 101, and eventually Interstate 5 shaped the community and its character.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Visit the site of Captain Frazier’s original mineral springs, where the famous Carlsbad alkaline water was discovered in 1882
• Stroll through Magee Park with its historical landmarks, including the 1887 Shipley-Magee House that’s the Carlsbad Historical Society today
• Take in St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, the city’s first church built in 1894
• See the former Carlsbad-by-the-Sea Hotel, built in 1929 to capitalize on the area’s reputation as a health retreat
• Learn the story of the Twin Inns Restaurant, formerly the Schutte Mansion, famous for its chicken dinners that attracted travelers via Highway 101
• Appreciate the 1927 Crystal Theater, Carlsbad’s first movie palace and a community landmark, with its multiple identities over the years
• View the Santa Fe Depot in Rotary Park, a testament to the community’s railway heritage
• Promenade along the stunning Carlsbad State Beach, with its picturesque bluffs and scenic overlooks that have attracted visitors since the 1950s

Whether you’re a history buff, a curious traveler, or a local looking to see Carlsbad in a new light, this guided walking tour will transport you through time.