Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Stuff the Bus in Carlsbad 2023 Saturday December 9th is going to be a very special day. This is your chance to help Stuff the Bus in Carlsbad Village. This special holiday event is sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Unified School District’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES!). There are many families in need of help this holiday season, and you can make a child’s holiday a bit more special! Here’s how.  Bring a new unwrapped toy, or more than one if you want (for ages 6 to 12), to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad Clubhouse at 3115 Roosevelt between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm to help Stuff the Bus. Why a wonderful way you can share joy with a needy child this holiday season! Call the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad (Village Clubhouse) with questions or for mor...
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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 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes 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 when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms. 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 want to make important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 58 homes sold in Carlsbad in November (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 27% fewer...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
 2023 San Diego Restaurant WeekSeptember 24 - October 1 Food lovers no doubt will be thrilled. San Diego Restaurant Week is September 24th through October 1st. This is the 2nd of 2 events for 2023 with 8 days of dining opportunities. San Diegans can enjoy a wide range of food offerings at terrific prices at dozens of restaurants all over San Diego! How can a dedicated food lover go wrong with all these options? The challenge will be deciding where to dine. San Diego Restaurant Week is about reduced prices on fixed price multi-course menus for lunch, brunch and/or dinner. You’ll even find a drink included as a course at some eateries. Be aware that not all restaurants offer 3 meals - many may just have dinner. Restaurants are found across a wide geography, including downtown, inland/East...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Rustic Tomato Tart~ A Dedication ~ I don’t normally share recipes here. But this is a dedication to 2 of our AR chefs, Endre Barath, Jr. and Will Hamm, who often share delicious recipes and beautiful photos with those of us who appreciate good eating. And who doesn’t?! We have this a couple of times each year, and made it multiple times to take to the Hollywood Bowl Concerts in LA. It’s great right out of the oven (let it cool a little), or at room temperature.  I can’t claim chef status on this recipe – I am the sous chef while my wife, Kay, makes the crust, and the filling and assemble the tart. But it’s a vital role to the success of the dish. Fresh herbs are a must (thyme, basil, Italian parsley), as well as the freshest tomatoes you can find. Heirloom tomatoes work well, as do roma...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
ArtWalk Carlsbad~ September 9 and 10, 2023 ~ The 4th Annual ArtWalk Carlsbad is just a few weeks away on September 9 and 10. No doubt artists and art lovers alike are thrilled since this is a 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. (Photos are from ArtWalk Carlsbad 2022.)  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 offer more than 150 local, regional and internat...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Morning Glories  We have a pot of Morning Glories (several colors) on our back patio that have been blooming for weeks. It's such a pleasure to see them daily right outside the back door. Thankfully the blooms, especially the darker purple, have been abundant, since Morning Glory blossoms open in the morning and typically wither by midday or so. They don't last long but are glorious while they do! And it's such an appropriate name for them!
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Taste of Carlsbad Village~ October 12, 2023 ~ The 6th Annual Taste of Carlsbad Village returns in 2023 to the Village on October 12th. So why announce this almost 2 months early? First, the Taste of Carlsbad Village is historically very popular, selling out quickly each year. And second, tickets go on sale September 4 at 9 am so you’ll want to get that on your calendar. Carlsbad food lovers will spend 3 hours on Thursday October 12th on a self-guided tour with map and Passport (the ticket), tasting their way around charming Carlsbad Village. So what is the appeal? Why, the opportunity to enjoy bite-sized samples from dozens of local popular restaurants. This is a terrific opportunity to check out eateries you don’t know or haven’t tried, plus enjoy your favorites, too! Here’s a list of ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art Wall for August 2023 The 4th Carlsbad Art Wall (#CAW) mural of 2023 was completed last week. And it’s a very special journey under the sea....certainly appropriate for our seaside community. The wall was painted by Anna Pearson, who moved to California from the Ukraine.  This is the 37th mural since the Carlsbad Art Wall was founded. There has been some amazing diversity, creativity, and beauty over the past 8 years.   The Carlsbad Art Wall was founded in 2015 by Carlsbad artist, Bryan Snyder in cooperation with the owner of Senor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Carlsbad Village The Carlsbad Art Wall gives residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy temporary public art by local, regional, and sometimes even international artists. Bryan Snyder also founded the Carlsbad Al...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Our Monarch Caterpillar is Growing A number of weeks ago we saw a Monarch butterfly in our back yard, visiting different flowers. Since they love milkweed plants, and lay their eggs on them, we went out and bought a plant. We lucked out. One day we saw an egg on one of the leaves. And before long we had a small caterpillar devouring milkweed leaves and growing rapidly. Unfortunately the plant did not have a lot of leaves and the caterpillar ate them all. Yesterday we couldn’t see it on the plant but located it down inside the outer pot. We were able to get the caterpillar onto a potted parsley plant but it didn’t seem to care for the parsley (TOP PHOTO). My wife went out and bought a new milkweed with lots of leaves today. We cut the small parsley stem and put it right next to the milkw...
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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 July 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from June 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 when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in generalities. 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 making important buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 105 homes sold in Carlsbad in July (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 18% more sales than in ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Leo Carrillo Film Festival in Carlsbad Carlsbad’s weather and pleasant summer evenings are a great opportunity to enjoy being outdoors. If you enjoy historic movies, the annual film festival at the former ranch of Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo may be just the thing. The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad will host the 17th Annual Leo Carrillo Film Festival. The festival is on 3 consecutive Friday nights - August 18, August 25 and September 1. The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is a wonderful preservation of the land, hacienda, and other buildings owned by popular Hollywood film and TV star Leo Carrillo. Leo Carrillo is perhaps best known as Pancho in the 1950s TV series “The Cisco Kid”. A visit to this historic park in the heart of the Rancho Carrillo master planned community...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Snores and S'mores Family Campout The popular Carlsbad Snores and S’mores Family Campout is coming soon. The 2023 Carlsbad Snores and S’mores Family Campout is Saturday and Sunday, August 12th and 13th at the Aviara Community Park located at 6435 Ambrosia Lane (just north of Poinsettia Lane). The Snores and S’mores Family Campout takes place from 5 pm Saturday until 9 am Sunday (check-in and tent set up are from 4 - 6 pm). There is plenty of parking at the park. (images are from Pixabay). Campout tickets must be purchased in advance at $25 per person, all inclusive. Children 3 and under are free but they must be registered. No tickets are being sold at the event. You should register and buy tickets online before 11:00 pm on August 11. The number of attendees is limited so don’t delay. R...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art Wall by Bryan Snyder~ July 2023 ~ The 3rd Carlsbad Art Wall mural of 2023 was completed recently. And what a treat it is. The artist was none other than the founder and curator of the #CarlsbadArtWall, Bryan Snyder. Bryan founded the art wall in 2015 in cooperation with the owner of Senor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Carlsbad Village. This is the 36th mural since the Carlsbad Art Wall was founded. There has been some amazing diversity, creativity and beauty over the years.  Bryan has collaborated with several of the Carlsbad Art Wall artists but this was his first solo opportunity to showcase his artistic talents. The mural is a visual delight and the colors are vibrant. And the “Dripping Boy” immediately evokes childhood memories of playing at the beach, doesn’t it? The ...
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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 June 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes from May 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 when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms. As a result they do not reflect the local Carlsbad housing market conditions (learn 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 89 homes sold in Carlsbad in June (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 3 fewer sales th...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
4th of July Fireworks and More in Carlsbad in 2023 The July 4th holiday is just around the corner – it falls on Tuesday this year. So of course you can expect celebrations and fireworks in and around Carlsbad, along with private festivities, cookouts, and picnics. And of course that means some beach time too! Let’s hope for warm, sunny weather! The summer crowds have picked up, restaurants are busy, and public parking at the beaches, and in the Village, is harder to find, especially for the holiday weekend.  Red, White and BOOM at Legoland This popular annual celebration with fireworks is at Legoland California in Carlsbad on July 4th. There is fun for all ages, with rides, live performances, relay races, and a picnic! Why not come dressed for the holiday in red, white and blue? The Leg...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
American Flag of Flowers in Carlsbad The Flower Fields is a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike in Carlsbad. It's well worth a visit, whether you walk through the fields (yes, there is an admission fee) or park along Armada Drive at the top of the hill and enjoy more of an aerial view. Note - the fields are now closed for the season.  The American Flag of Flowers is planted on a hill in the SE corner of the fields and adjacent to the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort. I took the photo today after leaving Costco when I was sitting at the light at Palomar Airport Road, a busy main thoroughfare. There isn't really a good vantage point unless you visit the fields in person or are staying at the resort so it's not a great photo. But you get the idea. The field is about 300 ft. x...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Bands for the 2023 TGIF Concerts in the Parks Who wouldn’t enjoy free live music in a beautiful Carlsbad park on a Friday summer evening? What a winning combination for summer entertainment! And that’s what the 36th season of Carlsbad’s TGIF Concerts in the Parks series is all about. The Concerts are presented by the City of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts Office. Not only are the free concerts great entertainment, but the raffles held at intermission raise funds for Carlsbad art programs. Here’s some general information about the TGIF Concerts in the Parks I shared previously.  The bands have been announced for the 6 concerts - here’s the 2023 schedule.JULY 7 & 14Stagecoach Community Park - 3420 Camino de los Coches in 92009 July 7 – Band OverboardYacht Rock, 1970s and 1980s July 14 – B.I.G. ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Aloha Plunge in Carlsbad is July 22nd Come celebrate the 2023 summer season with the Aloha Plunge on Saturday July 22nd, from 5 to 8 PM. The Aloha Plunge will take place at the Alga Norte Community Park Aquatics Center. Alga Norte Community Park is at 6565 Alicante Road, at the corner of Poinsettia Lane, in the La Costa area of Carlsbad.  The Aloha Plunge is limited to 500 attendees and registrations tend to go quickly. Indeed the event is almost 25% full today. The cost is $10 per person, with children ages 3 and under FREE (must be identified at check-out online). Register online, and get your wrist bands now so you don't miss out. You can pick up wrist bands at the Aquatics Center during normal business hours during the week preceding the event. Tickets will be available at the ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Sun and Blue Skies in Carlsbad Today We had sun and blue skies in Carlsbad today beginning around 11 am, and it’s been warmer (low 70s) and beautiful today, and still is. (The photo is of the canyon behind our house taken from the back patio) You may wonder – why is that something to cheer about?  Southern California is sunny most of the time, isn’t it?! The reality is we’ve been having a lot of June Gloom, and May Gray. And April was nicknamed Graypril by the media because of how much gray weather we had following our rather rainy season. There were plenty of days with only a peak of the sun, or none at all. In addition to all the rain this seems to be a banner year so far for gray skies…more so than we commonly see during these months. It’s been disappointing for those living here – y...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Giant Bird of Paradise in Our Yard The Bird of Paradise is a favorite flower of mine. The tropical look has always appealed to me, from first seeing them in floral arrangements back east, but then seeing them growing all over SoCal. We have a bunch of them in our yard.  The Giant White Bird of Paradise, also known as the wild banana (photo at top), has a flower with a similar shape, but is much larger and a different color. Like the smaller Bird of Paradise it is beloved by the humming birds and other nectar eaters. It tends to be much larger (more like a small tree) and needs regular pruning and upkeep as it can get out of control if you let it. Ours has no problem growing even in the drought. And ours needs some trimming! I can keep some of the lower leaves trimmed but a tree company ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Carlsbad Village Flicks at the Fountain  Summer is just a few weeks away, which means a number of popular events in Carlsbad are almost here. One long-time favorite is the annual Flicks at the Fountain series, hosted by the Carlsbad Village Association.  The Flicks at the Fountain are on 5 consecutive Thursday nights. The series starts July 6th and ends August 3rd. Movies (rated G and PG) were decided by popular vote from residents. Here’s the 2023 schedule: Moana – July 6Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle – July 13Mary Poppins (Classic) – July 20Monsters Inc. - July 27Top Gun: Maverick - August 3  Flicks at the Fountain are held on a big screen in the parking lot by the Fountain. If you’re not familiar with the area, the parking lot is at the corner of State Street and Grand Avenue. Se...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Make Music Day is June 21Come celebrate Make Music Day on June 21 at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. It’s also the 1st day of summer, of course! Fête de la Musique, as it is called in France where it originated in 1982, is now celebrated in more than 1000 cities in 120 countries on June 21. The original vision of the founders was a day of music for everyone to enjoy, whether they make the music or just listen, everywhere in each city. That dream was realized and has spread throughout the world, coming to New York 14 years ago. On June 21, 2022 there were over 3800 free concerts in 104 US cities alone. The festivities at the Museum of Making Music on Make Music Day will include some special guests, a food truck, live performances, and of course hands-on opportunities to make musi...
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