TRAVELING TO CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

When is your favorite time of year? For many it is spring, especially when traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget. It is when all the flowers are blooming and the days are starting to get longer and warmer! In Carlsbad, March and April are the best months to visit the revered Carlsbad Flower Field Ranch, where Ranunculus are in full bloom in any color of the rainbow you can imagine. It is truly breathtaking!

CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELD RANCH ON A BUDGET

As of March 2021, pandemic rules are still in order, so reservations are needed to visit the ranch, when traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget. You can visit their website here: https://www.theflowerfields.com/. The farm is absolutely breathtaking in person, photos only do so much justice to the actual beauty of these special little flowers. In the Ranunculus genus, there are over 600 species of flowering plants, some of the flowers included are Buttercups, Water Crowfoots and Spearworts. There are rows and rows of Ranunculus to view and is open to the public from March 1st through May 9th, covering a span of nine weeks to come and enjoy every year.

Traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget to visit Carlsbad Flower Field Ranch has been enjoyed by numerous amounts of people over the past 40 years, that is a long time! It has 50 beautiful acres that have rainbow colored Ranunculus in perfect rows assorted by color. Bouquets and souvenir items are available at the exit of the fields, although, things seemed a bit pricy so be careful or budget it in. The cost for entrance is $20 per adult, so make sure to budget that in as well, when organizing your visit. Once you arrive, you are able to stay as long as you like, but arrive ahead of your scheduled time to be there to ensure you aren’t late, due to the crowds. Have fun and take lots of pictures for your memories!

CAMPING AT CARLSBAD STATE BEACH CAMPGROUND ON A BUDGET

Another must-do when traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget, if it is available, is camping at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground. The campground is big and best of all is the stunning view of the ocean, while camping! This campground is very clean and well kept. It has several bathrooms with coin operated showers in them.

It is such an amazing campsite, that it is one of the hardest to get a reservation at. People will actually wake up early just to log onto Recreation.gov: https://www.recreation.gov/, early in the morning when the site opens up at 8:00 to be ready to check and see if anyone has canceled, in hopes of a spot opening up! If you are plan on taking a trip to Carlsbad, try your luck at getting into this fabulous campground off the ocean.

The prices range from $35-50 for no hookups, to $60-100 with full hookups and worth every single penny! When you arrive you will drive to the service station located at the entrance, check in with them there and be shown which direction your site will be in. As you pass by the communal area in the front, you will notice a large firepit for wood fires, picnic tables with umbrellas and a camp store all with ocean views. Each site also includes a picnic table and smaller fire ring for your convenience. Near there is a wooden stairway, provided by the campground, down to the beach, which can be quite rocky in areas, so be careful and prepared.

There is a nice patch of sand on the far side of the blue lifeguard tower, just a couple of yards away from the stairs. South Carlsbad State Beach is one of the more breathtaking beaches in San Diego. It usually has a very romantic view at sunset as well as in to the evening. Be sure to bring a flashlight or wear a headlamp if you decide to adventure around the grounds or down the stairs to the beach at night. It gets very dark, not a lot of light pollution, which makes for the ultimate camping experience!

CAMPSITE INFO WHILE TRAVELING TO CARLSBED ON A BUDGET

When traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget and staying at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, you will notice a few things. This large campground boasts a huge 226, year-round, campsites along a beautiful 3 mile long, golden brown beach, coastline and bluffs the whole way. Only 138 of the sites have ocean views, so be sure to check the site map when making your reservations. Site Map link: https://images.app.goo.gl/zrsgiPCjyPCAJ8Pg6. Check in time is 2:00 pm and check out time is 12:00. With quiet hours between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, you can be lulled to sleep by the sound of the crashing waves!

ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA, WHILE CAMPING AT SOUTH CARLSBAD STATE BEACH CAMPGROUND

Some of the activities in the area include; swimming, surfing, paddling and fishing. During your visit to Carlsbad lagoon (which we will discuss more in just a moment), keeping your budget in mind, there are free hiking trails nearby to check out as well. It is advised to try at least one on your trip to Carlsbad, California on a budget!

SWIMMING IN CARLSBAD ON A BUDGET

Swimming can be done pretty much anywhere you can access the water from the beach, although some areas can be very rocky and surfers tend to be on the left side, so just be careful. You may also run into some small sting rays and jellyfish so be on the lookout for them swimming by. Traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget can be a lot of fun if you plan correctly and take advantage of this free entertainment in the San Diego sun.

SURFING

Surfing is very popular on this stretch of beach, so be sure to bring your board and wetsuit to this iconic surf spot! Check out the surf report before heading out, when the swell is just right, usually in summer, it can be an unforgettable experience. This area offers both left and right (west and southwest) waves, but stay away from the right side of the beach as this is mostly swimmers. The rip currents can be dangerous, so just keep it in mind while you are out catching waves!

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING, KAYAKING AND BOATING

Stand up paddle boarding and Kayaking can be a slightly less dangerous adventure to take to be able to see the beautiful beach town of Carlsbad, California on a budget. You can usually find inexpensive Groupon deals for stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and boating, watch for those! Carlsbad lagoon has many different options for getting out on the waters of the lagoon, while taking in the scenery along the way! You can escape the ocean and beach for a while, enjoying your own paradise, while soaking up the sun. There are many different rental options to fit most budgets.

FISHING

Just like most Southern California beaches, South Carlsbad State Beach is a hot spot for fishing. You will see larger fish in these fishing areas. Sea Bass, Rays and Sharks are just a few of the fish being seen here. The Ponto Jetty tends to draw a crowd of fishermen from all over. So, bring your pole and gear, cast your line into the deep ocean for some fresh, salt water fish to grill at your campsite. Talk about dining well while traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget and saving money! All of these adventure await you and more!

SOUTH CARLSBAD STATE BEACH CAMPGROUND ON A BUDGET: THE VIEW

At the campsite in South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, you will be able to look down on the bluffs leading to the beach below. Sites 1-72 and 156-222 are all ocean view sites, nestled right on the edge of the cliff. Walking distance from each site is a camp store which offers food, ice and firewood. This campground is one of the few to allow wood fires all year round at your campsite. A lot of other campgrounds require charcoal or gas burning fires only, especially during the hazardous wildfire season. So with it’s many other amenities, along with it’s private beach access, make this campground a precious commodity!

OTHER LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS, WHILE TRAVELING TO CARLSBAD ON A BUDGET

Another lodging accommodation while traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget is the trusty Motel 6: https://www.motel6.com/content/g6/en/home/motels.ca.carlsbad.1021.html, it starts at around $65 a night and has a pool. It is also conveniently located near bars and restaurants for you to be able to walk to easily. Motel 6 in Carlsbad is clean and fairly inexpensive, but you don’t have a view of the ocean.

The third and final option is to rent an Airbnb https://romanticdaytrippers.com/?cat=5 which you can find more information here. There are some large beautiful homes and apartments just waiting to be rented, although this will be your most expensive option of them all. The upside would be choosing location and the possibility of ocean views and a home-like atmosphere to stay in. You also would be able to bring and cook your food if you so choose.

DINING WHILE TRAVELING TO CARLSBAD ON A BUDGET

If you are looking to venture in to town for food or entertainment, while traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget, there is a lot in this beach town village worth checking out! You must try some fresh by-the-beach food when in Southern California this close to the coast. In particular, a local favorite, Cessy’s Mexican Restaurant: http://cessysmexicanfood.menutoeat.com/. This is where you will find some of the best authentic Mexican cuisine in Carlsbad! The prices are right, the portions are huge and the food is always fabulous!

Next would be Dini’s Bistro: https://dinisbistro.com/, amazing food but a little pricier. The best part about Dini’s Bistro is that if you plan it right, at sunset you able to walk out onto the veranda to catch a breathtaking view of the sun melting in to the ocean with beautifully vibrant colors following it down into the dark night.

Lastly, Campfire: https://thisiscampfire.com/, the most expensive of the restaurants mentioned. Uniquely flavored entrees and cocktails are what they are known for. Seafood Pozole, Campfire Cocktail and Roasted Whole Fish, just to name a few, of these unique tasting meals and are made fresh to order!

Definitely make room in your budget to try at least one local eatery, while traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget!

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Carlsbad has so much to offer in this beach village town! If you choose to take the day to explore Carlsbad Flower Fields Ranch and the awe-inspiring 50 acres of Ranunculus, remember to buy you tickets online prior to going and also show up at your scheduled time, not any later.

Choosing to camp at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is a fantastic option, while traveling to Carlsbad, California on a budget. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and know that summer reservations fill up almost immediately after they open the season up for booking online.

Whether you go fishing for your meal or bring food with you, make sure to plan to take on some local grub, you won’t be disappointed! Also be sure to check out our Dining On A Budget Section: https://romanticdaytrippers.com/?cat=4 for more budget minded meal ideas while traveling on the road and more! Happy Trails! Love, light and positive vibes, friends!!