We know a lot of you are traveling a long way, and Carlsbad is a wonderful place to turn a wedding into a long weekend. Here are a few of our favorite things to do, both on the resort and nearby.
October is one of the best months here. Warm days, cool evenings, and far smaller crowds than summer.
Thirty-six holes right on property, and the reason a lot of people know La Costa in the first place. The resort hosted PGA Tour events for decades, and the North Course was rebuilt by Gil Hanse in 2024 and now hosts the NCAA Division I Championships. The South Course is the more forgiving of the two if you're out for a relaxed round. Tee times fill up on wedding weekends, so book early through the resort.
We're hoping to put together a friendly pickleball tournament on Friday afternoon, before the welcome party. All skill levels genuinely welcome, including people who have never picked up a paddle. This one is still in the works, so consider it a save-the-date rather than a promise. We'll post details here once it's confirmed.
One of the best-known spas in California and the easiest possible way to spend a morning without leaving the property. If a treatment isn't your thing, there are eight pools on site and plenty of quiet places to sit with a book. Saturday morning appointments go quickly on wedding weekends, so book ahead.
Ten walkable blocks of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and boutiques, about fifteen minutes north of the resort. This is our pick for an easy afternoon out. Pizza Port and Pure Project are both excellent stops for beer, and Gonzo is worth the wait if you like ramen. If you're in town on a Wednesday, the State Street farmers market runs from mid-afternoon into the evening.
Known to locals as Tamarack. A wide, uncrowded stretch of sand with a paved path along the seawall that's ideal for a morning walk or run. The resort runs a complimentary shuttle down to the beach, so you don't need a car. October sunsets here are the best of the year, and the water is still warm enough to get in if you're brave.
Six miles from the resort, and the obvious answer if you're traveling with kids. A full day if you do the whole park, or an easy half day if you just hit the highlights. Tickets are noticeably cheaper booked online in advance than at the gate.
If you have a full day and a car, head south. La Jolla is about 30 minutes away and worth it for the cove, the sea lions and the cliff walk, with Birch Aquarium sitting right above it. Another 20 minutes gets you into San Diego proper for the zoo, Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter. This pairs nicely with a flight home out of SAN, since you'll be driving that direction anyway.