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Carlsbad, CA Real Estate News

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.)
Grateful to Live in Carlsbad This is my 4th entry for the November Gratitude Challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell, CRS. We moved to Carlsbad in April 2005 from Boston, and I am very thankful that we did. It was a tough decision to leave the Boston area after living there for 20+ years in multiple homes and communities. We loved the Boston area, other than the winter cold, snow and ice, and left behind lots of friends and family in New England and the northeast. Photo is from the winter before we moved, in Harvard Square (Cambridge) near where we last lived before relocating.   We spent a lot of time (several house hunting trips over 1 year) looking at properties in different communities around San Diego before settling on Carlsbad. Why? It worked for our budget (a good sized house with land...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Holiday Tree Lighting in Carlsbad Village~ December 3, 2023 ~UPDATED 11/29/2023The 38th annual Holiday Tree Lighting is Sunday, December 3rd in Carlsbad Village.  As is the tradition, the Holiday Tree Lighting takes place at the front entrance to the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive.  It’s just west of the railroad tracks. The photo is from last year.  This festive annual event runs from 2:15 – 4:45 pm! The Tree Lighting is sure to get you into the holiday spirit if you aren’t already! Why not join this annual celebration, along with lots of Carlsbad residents, in the heart of Carlsbad Village. The Tree Lighting and festivities are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. Santa will arrive in the antique firetruck for photos, and along with Mrs. Clau...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Holiday Showcase Makers Market ~ December 2 in Carlsbad Village ~ The 2023 Holiday Showcase Makers Market takes place on Saturday December 2nd from 9 am until 4 pm. This is the 7th annual event. The Holiday Makers Market has been a popular event in Carlsbad Village for a number of years. Because of popularity the Makers Market has expanded, and now includes multiple events during the year, along with the special one at holiday time. The Holiday Showcase Makers Market is FREE to attend. Certainly you’ll want to bring credit cards or cash for your holiday shopping. And don’t forget you can #ShopSmall at Small Business Saturday in the Village on November 25th Thanksgiving weekend. The Makers Market is held outdoors at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church. The Church is located at...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Celebrate Small Business Saturday~ Carlsbad Village ~ November 25, 2023 ~ The holiday shopping season seems to arrive earlier every year. Halloween is a distant memory, and Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away. Which also means the 14th annual Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad Village is coming soon. Small Business Saturday was initiated by American Express back in 2010 The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is the traditional day to support small businesses throughout the US. And you’ll find abundant opportunities at our Carlsbad Village retailers to #shopsmall. Many residents, and visitors, support small businesses in Carlsbad already but this is special opportunity to do so! And with the holiday shopping season upon is, that’s good news. The Carlsbad Village Association website no...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Art Wall for November 2023 The 5th Carlsbad Art Wall mural of 2023 was just completed. And it’s so appropriate for our beach town. I thought the sunlight shining through the palm tree cast some interesting light on the mural, adding to the already brilliant colors. The wall was painted by Jeff Kukasik, a self-taught artist and surfer from San Clemente, CA. This is the 38th mural since the founding of the Carlsbad Art Wall. And we’ve seen impressive 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 affords residents and visitors the chance to enjoy temporary public art by local, regional, ...
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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 October 2023 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to shift, with changes 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 when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports about the housing market speak in general terms. 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 79 homes sold in Carlsbad in October (92008, 92009,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA~ Attractions ~ There are plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, Carlsbad CA. That includes our beaches, the arts, dining, shopping, recreational opportunities, housing, sports, parks and greenspace, and our weather. In this article the focus is on several attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy in Carlsbad. CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDSThe Flower Fields have been a popular attraction for Carlsbadians and visitors for decades. The Flower Fields are 55 acres of Ranunculus flowers in multiple brilliant colors planted on the hill below Armada Drive and overlooking the ocean. The flowers bloom for about 6 to 8 weeks depending on the weather. The Flower Fields generally open at the beginning of March and typically close on Mother’s Day in mid-...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village Street Faire November 5, 2023 The Carlsbad Village Street Faire, a popular event for decades, returns to Carlsbad Village this coming Sunday, November 5th. The Faire is hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is reportedly 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 runs from 8 am until 4 pm. That should be ample opportunity to enjoy the hundreds of vendors and shop to your heart’s content. The Carlsbad Village Street Faire takes place in the center of town, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire also spills over onto side streets, including State Street. (photo is from a prior art fair in Carlsbad.)  Be prepared...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Museum of Making Music Petting Zoo The Museum of Making Music is a popular attraction offering a wonderful museum collection, with special events and concerts during the year. On November 4, 2023 the Museum of Making Music (MOMM) will host a Petting Zoo. (photo taken at MOMM)   No, it’s not the kind of petting zoo you’re thinking about, where kids get to mingle with, and pet, all sorts of cute animals. This is an Instrument Petting Zoo, with a chance for kids to "pet" all sorts of instruments in varying shapes and sizes, and which make a range of sounds. What a fun way for kids to experience a bunch of different instruments and make music! And of course the adults can get in on the instrument petting, too! The Instrument Petting Zoo will run from 11:00 am until 1:30. This is a Pay-What-...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA – Dining There are plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, Carlsbad CA. That includes our beaches, the arts, dining, shopping, recreational opportunities, tourist stuff, housing, sports, parks and greenspace, and our weather. In this article the focus is on dining options, and wow, are they plentiful.  I thought the dining options were fair when we moved here from Boston in 2005, but things have really improved with plenty of new restaurants in recent years. Granted, our dining scene is not LA, New York, San Francisco, Boston or Chicago, but the overall quality and diversity is pretty good given the size of our Village by the Sea. Just a quick disclaimer. I have eaten at most of the places I mention, but not all. And no one has requested t...
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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 September 2023 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 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?). 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 CARLSBAD Carlsbad Village by the Sea 89 homes sold in Carlsbad in September (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 5% few...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA~ Shopping ~ There are plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, Carlsbad CA. That includes our beaches, the arts, dining, shopping, recreational opportunities, tourist stuff, housing, sports and our weather. In this 5th article in my series the focus is on the shopping opportunities. I confess I am not a big shopper. Oh, I go when needed – groceries, clothes, supplies – but I don’t spend a lot of time out shopping. But I’ve learned a lot in my travels about all the options, so here’s a summary of some of what shoppers can expect in Carlsbad.  MALLSIf you are interested in the mall-type shopping experience, there are 4 major ones (excluding smaller strip malls). The Shoppes at Carlsbad in the north just south of the 78 freeway offers a host o...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA~ Beaches ~ There are plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, Carlsbad CA. That includes our beaches, the arts, dining, shopping, recreational opportunities, tourist stuff, housing, sports and our weather.  In this article the focus is on the Carlsbad beaches. Carlsbad has about 7 miles of beach, from the Oceanside border at Point Malo and the mouth of the Buena Vista Lagoon to the north, and south along the Coast Road/Historic Route 101 to the Leucadia area of Encinitas.  There are lots of different beaches by name (e.g., Terramar, Warm Waters, Hole in the Fence, South Ponto, Frazee, Tamarack, Jetties, Carlsbad State Beach). However, it’s hard to tell where each one starts and ends, and perhaps it really doesn’t matter. It's one uninterrup...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Carlsbad Oktoberfest~ October 7 ~ The 41st annual Carlsbad Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 7, just 2 weeks from now! Carlsbad’s popular annual Oktoberfest Family Fall Festival, for years traditionally taking place the 1st Saturday in October, will be held at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. The festival runs from 12 noon until 8 pm. Entrance fee (separate from food and drink) is $10 and paid at the gate, with children 5 and under free. Parking is complimentary. This is a cashless event. (graphic courtesy of Pixabay)  As in the past the 2023 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 major fundraiser for the Carlsbad Rotary Clubs. There are other event sponsors, as well. Come enjoy a t...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
2023 Halloween Pumpkin Plunge~ Alga Norte Aquatic Center in Carlsbad ~ Fall is almost here, and stores are filled with Halloween decorations. The local pumpkin patches are opening soon, and it’s only 3 weeks to the 2023 Pumpkin Plunge in Carlsbad. This popular annual floating pumpkin patch is held at the Alga Norte Aquatics Center in South Carlsbad (La Costa area), at 6565 Alicante Road (at the corner of Poinsettia Lane), on Saturday October 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. (photo below) Carlsbad kids get to lasso their favorite pumpkin from the floating pumpkin patch with a hula hoop to take them home for carving, decorating and Halloween festivities.  Be sure to bring a bathing suit so you can enjoy all the fun in the pool! The fun out of the pool will include several Halloween-themed lawn ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA~ The Arts Part 3 ~ The arts are just one of many reasons to love living in Carlsbad CA.  In Part 1 of this series on the arts in Carlsbad we talked about theater and film including outdoor movies. Part 2 focused on the abundant music offerings in Carlsbad. Part 3 is about the visual arts, including galleries, art fairs, wall murals, sculpture and more. VISUAL ARTS Visual art in Carlsbad covers a wide range of public art such as sculpture and wall murals scattered around town, among other things. Here’s a link to an interactive site that shows where public art is located in the town. Just keep your eyes open, especially in the Village and you are sure to spot murals, painted utility boxes and fire hydrants, and more. WALL MURALSThe Carlsbad Art Wall ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Carlsbad Village LifestyleThe Carlsbad Sculpture Garden The Carlsbad Sculpture Garden near Carlsbad Village is a wonderful place to enjoy an outdoor stroll while enjoying beautiful works of art. The venue is small so you can enjoy the exhibit in a matter of minutes…or spend more time reflecting on what you see. The Carlsbad Sculpture Garden features changing exhibits of mid and large scale sculpture by local and regional artists in an intimate setting adjacent to the Georgina Cole Library. The Carlsbad Sculpture Garden is funded by the Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office.   The current exhibit at the Carlsbad Sculpture Garden features works by 7 different sculptors. The show entitled Geometric Garden is on display until August 30, 2024.  You can tour the sculpture garden in Carlsbad for free,...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA ~ The Arts - Part 2 ~ In Part 1 of this 3-part series on the Arts in Carlsbad we talked about theater and film/outdoor movies. In Part 2 we’ll focus on music in all its various forms in Carlsbad. The arts are just one of multiple reasons to love living in Carlsbad or visiting. And there are lots of popular options where music is concerned. The following is just a sampling of the music options throughout the year in Carlsbad. MUSIC TGIF CONCERTS IN THE PARKSThe TGIF Concerts offer a variety of different live bands, performing on consecutive Fridays each Summer in 4 of Carlsbad’s beautiful community parks. While in recent years there were more concerts each Summer, in 2023 there were 6 concerts.  What a great way to spend several hours in a beautiful ...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Reasons to Love Living in Carlsbad CA ~ The Arts - Part 1 ~ There are plenty of reasons to love living in Carlsbad CA, the arts just being one of them. As an art lover and collector (and former art gallery owner), it’s a topic I enjoy talking about and sharing with others who may be like-minded and enjoy the arts.  And I keep learning about new things in Carlsbad, too! Certainly, there is a broad range of art available in Carlsbad, depending on your passion and preference. You’ll find performing arts (theater, live music), visual arts (galleries, arts and craft fairs), film and more. There are multiple opportunities throughout the year to enjoy whatever artistic endeavor pleases you. And of course, you can try new things, too! In Part 1 of this 3-part series on enjoying the arts in Carl...
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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 August 2023 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 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 94 homes sold in Carlsbad in August (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 10% fewer sales tha...
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