Memorial Day wasn’t technically celebrated in the U.S. until the late 19th century. The day commemorates exactly what it is named for – honoring those who have fallen in battle. One of the earliest arranged celebrations of fallen soldiers was organized by freed slaves. At the end of the Civil War, thousands of Union soldiers perished as prisoners of war. After the Confederate surrender, recently freed slaves and regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops gathered to provide a proper burial ground for their fellow soldiers. Approximately three years later, the commander-in-chief of the Union veteran’s Grand Army of the Republic issued a decree that designated May 30 as the nationwide day of memorial for the hundreds of thousands of soldiers that lost their lives in the Civil War. It officially became a federal holiday in 1971. Now, Memorial Day continues to honor veterans who have honorably served our country.  As a summer rite of passage and, more importantly, a day to remember – Memorial Day is a day to kick back, relax, and recall all of the sacrifices that those who came before us made.

Here are some ways to celebrate Memorial Day in Carlsbad this year:

Book a Stay at a Carlsbad Resort or Hotel

No matter what time of year you visit, the city of Carlsbad is a prime getaway destination. For Memorial Day, the coastline offers tourists a place to soak in the unique springtime sunsets of the west coast.

One of Carlsbad’s premier resorts, the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa recently reopened to locals and travelers. The resort has panoramic ocean views, two signature restaurants, pools, and ample outdoor space. For a limited time, guests can take advantage of a couple of different springtime discounts. Current packages include tickets to the Flower Fields and complimentary bicycles from the resort to get there. Through Memorial Weekend only, guests can hop on and off the Ride the Tide shuttle provided by the Westin. This open air-beach trolley drops guests off at destinations within a five-mile radius of the resort.

The Beach Terrace Inn is also running an enticing springtime deal that is perfect for Memorial Day weekend. Their Spring Revival pricing gives guests up to 20% off on various accommodations. These specials are a perfect excuse to shake off the winter chill and honor the holiday with a beach getaway that won’t break the bank.

For a luxury stay at an award-winning resort spa with eight sparkling pools and two championship golf courses – you can also consider booking a stay at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. For Memorial Day, guests can cash in on the Escape and Save package for up to 15% off when staying two nights or more.

Host a BBQ and Support Local Carlsbad Businesses

Modern-day Memorial Day festivities usually include good food, good drinks, and friends and family to match. For Memorial Day this year, many restaurants have reopened with takeaway options to support outdoor get-togethers.

If you are hosting a backyard barbeque for Memorial Day, or just want to kick back and enjoy a quiet meal outside – try any one of these options for a tasty summertime meal without the prep work:

– Park 101
– Notorious BBQ
– Felix’s BBQ with Soul
– Burger Lounge
– Pure Burger
– Eureka

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Alongside booking your stay, BBQs, and bike rides – Carlsbad beaches are a free way to enjoy the long weekend and experience the beauty of the coast.

Carlsbad has over 7 miles of pristine beaches, and each has something new to see. From expansive cliffs and drop-offs to boardwalks and sandy terraces – pack a beach chair and head to South Carlsbad State Beach or Tamarack Surf Beach to soak up the sun this Memorial Day.

Rouleur Brewing Memorial Day Ride

If bicycling is your thing, this year’s Memorial Day Ride is a fun way to pay homage to fallen soldiers and support one of Carlsbad’s local breweries all at the same time.

Rouleur Brewery was built on the love of cycling and a foundation of the principles that cycling is founded on. In French, ‘Rouleur’ quite literally translates to ‘having wheels’. They brew their beer with the balance and precision that comes with their name. On Memorial Day, the brewery is hosting its first official ride in over a year. They are offering two options for this year’s ride: gravel and pavement. Coffee will be available in the tasting room starting at 7 a.m. and beer will be available starting at 11 a.m. A food truck will also be onsite for sustenance after the ride.

Holidays are a reminder to celebrate important moments in history. On Memorial Day, use the three-day weekend to remember all of the fallen soldiers that have shaped our past and continue to shape our future.

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During Park Preview Days, advanced reservations will be required. The park will be operating at a limited capacity, preparing for the full reopening on the 15th. Face masks and social distancing will be in full effect and cashless payment will be available for the utmost in guest safety. If you are a pass holder who has been anxiously awaiting reopening, or if you’re a visitor who is trying to rid yourself of cabin fever, you’re in luck. During the entire month of April, throughout Park Preview Days and the full reopening, priority access will be given to Active Pass Holders, Existing Day Ticket Holders, and LEGOLAND Hotel Guests.

Guests can think of Park Preview Days as a teaser and a VIP experience all wrapped into one. For the first time in over a year, visitors will have access to a select grouping of rides and a sneak peek of the excitement that’s in store. The LEGO TECHNIC Coaster, Driving School (and all of its aged-based variations), Miniland U.S.A., Lost Kingdom Adventure, LEGOLAND Express Train, PLUS, Outdoor Playgrounds, Royal Joust, Fairy Tale Brook, and Coastersaurus are included in Park Preview admission. Guests can easily fill an entire day with rides, dining, live entertainment, and building.

Legoland California in Carlsbad Deep Sea Adventure

LEGOLAND’s full reopening will coincide perfectly with spring break. LEGOLAND is offering hotel and ticket packages that allow guests to take part in priority access and reserve their chance to visit the park. Hotel and Ticket Packages include your choice of a LEGO themed room at the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel, 1 or 2 day Hopper Tickets (after April 15th), in-room treasure hunts for kids, free breakfast, and access to a heated reservation-only resort-style pool. For Park Preview Days from April 1-12, hotel guests will also receive guaranteed access into the LEGO CHIMA Water Park and SEA LIFE Aquarium. The water park is the perfect place to welcome warmer weather. It includes favorites like the Lion Temple Wave Pool, Cragger’s Swamp, and Build-a-Boat.

When spring arrives its means we’ve survived another winter – and in Southern California that isn’t hard to do. However, this past winter marked the end of an exceptionally long and challenging year. This spring, there is so much to look forward to. Make the most of the season by visiting Carlsbad’s favorite theme park. The Online Booking Portal is a simple and easy way to reserve your spot. Grab your tickets today, and embrace the reopening and rebirth of 2021 at LEGOLAND.

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If you are a food show aficionado and can’t wait to get back to your favorite restaurants, Southern California is the place to be. From Food Network stars to best-selling cookbook authors and world-famous culinary elites, San Diego is home to some of the finest chefs around. Here in Carlsbad, we are excited to welcome Food Network and Bravo Top Chef’s own Richard Blais to our sun-kissed coast. On March 18, Richard Blais and executive chef William Griggs launched Ember & Rye right in the heart of the Park Hyatt Aviara – and it’s a can’t miss for restaurant goers.

Many recognize Blais for his win on Top Chef All-Stars. However, he has over 15 years of hospitality experience, including training from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Early on, Blais learned from the best. He spent time at French Laundry in Yountville, California under renowned Chef Thomas Kelelr, cooked alongside Chef Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel in New York City, and worked overseas with Ferran Adria in Roses, Spain. For years, Blais has worked to push creativity in the kitchen. Upon returning to the United States, he launched a suite of popular eateries throughout Atlanta via his culinary company Trail Blais. From Atlanta, Richard ventured westward and opened Juniper and Ivy in San Diego. While no longer affiliated with Juniper and Ivy, the West Coast restaurant has been recognized for providing a new look at seasonal freshness and local ingredients. Blais has also published a cookbook entitled ‘Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate’ that has been nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award and recently appeared on ‘Cook Your Ass Off’ on HLN.

Needless to say, Richard Blais knows his stuff. Which is why, when the Park Hyatt Aviara announced that he would be collaborating with them on an immersive dining experience –  excitement started brewing. Now, almost a year later, renovations at the resort are complete and Ember & Rye is open to the public.

From the outside, the restaurant is vibrant. Saturated, fun colors play alongside soothing coastal vibes. Black and brass accents anchor the color palette with tasteful elegance. From the second you enter, you can feel the upscale yet welcoming marriage of modern and vintage decor. Right inside the entryway, a bar with an interactive Chef’s station features small plates to whet your appetite. Combined with an extensive Whiskey Library, these are just the beginning of a number of small delights that Ember & Rye delivers.

Beyond the entryway, there are two large dining rooms radiating with natural light. The first dining room has wrap-around full-length windows, leading to the second dining room that has direct access to the outdoor dining terrace. If the team behind Ember & Rye knew one thing, they knew that the coastal Carlsbad weather is something to be enjoyed. The outdoor terrace has two bocce ball courts and miniature golf holes. Guests can watch their food being prepared at an outdoor grilling station that is fueled by natural energy sources.

And, if the ambience and the allure of the restaurant isn’t enough to make you want to pay a visit – the menu is definitely worth the trip. The food gives nod to the natural beauty that surrounds the restaurant. The dishes are a new, creative take on classic California cuisine. Steaks, fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables lead the way. The staples are a throw-back to vintage California steakhouses with innovative new taste profiles and contemporary prep work. Grilled entrees include rare cuts of Japanese A-5 beef and decadent vegetable sides like baked celery root.

The small delights are in the service, too. There are personalized presentations of sauces to accompany entrees. The sauces are a surprising bonus – homemade options like Jalapeno Salsa Verde join a list of unique flavors that diners don’t typically expect alongside steak and seafood.

Beyond everything else, Ember & Rye is founded both in the innate talents of Richard Blais and his team – and in the community as well. Ember & Rye has a stark commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and supporting farmers throughout Southern California. With sustainability at the forefront of their mission, Ember & Rye paves the way for high-end cuisine with responsible outcomes.

Make a reservation today to try out one of the newest and most esteemed restaurants in Carlsbad at the Park Hyatt Aviara. Your taste buds will thank you.

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During the pandemic, there has been no better time than now to get outside and explore. The sunny California skies offer the warmth we need to break outside of the walls of our homes and enjoy the open air at a safe distance. Carlsbad is a gem in the heart of Southern California with a long list of outdoor adventures to enjoy during the pandemic. If you’re on the lookout for adventures off the beaten path, grab your sneakers and visit these two lesser-known attractions in Carlsbad.

Cerezo Bluffs

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Everyone knows that Southern California has some of the prettiest beaches in the nation. The city of Carlsbad has over 7 miles of coastline with beaches perfect for surfers, swimmers, tourists, and everything in between. No matter where you are in Carlsbad, the ocean is just a short distance away. The coast permeates our culture and serves as a backdrop to local businesses. However, there are some hidden gems located along the coast that not everyone knows about, and Cerezo Bluffs is one of them.

Cerezo Bluffs is located adjacent to Terra Mar Point, and is a well known secret to seasoned surfers. The bluffs are lined by a small beach. You can climb to the top on either side with stops along the way to soak in the views. The bluffs require some adventurous maneuvering, but are worth every step. Depending on the tides, the waves may splash up over the rocks. If you walk along the beach, you will stumble upon a few small caves that you can peak inside of. During high tide, or after a storm, the elevated view from the top of the Bluffs is an exciting thrill. The water can splash high into the air and come down with a loud crash. The Bluffs are a truly spectacular wall of rock against the water. There are caverns and hidden treasures along the way. No two visits are ever the same – with erosion and the movement of the ocean every adventure comes with something new to uncover.

Copper Creek Falls & Mine

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Sometimes, it can be easy to move through a city without getting glimpses of its past. Carlsbad is a city that is full of colorful history and exciting stories. Another one of Carlsbad’s hidden gems is located deep in the woods of San Elijo. The hike starts off with a steep incline – a challenge to get up and over a mountain in order to uncover what’s on the other side. The ravine below is chock full of historical artifacts. The area was once home to one of the largest copper mines in the world back in the early 1900s. Now, the blasted mine shafts are still there and are surrounded by the rushing water of Copper Creek. The Creek’s water is sourced from the Escondido Creek Watershed, and it pours generously into two small waterfalls that can be viewed along the hike. During WWI, these mines were crucial to the war effort and the water in the dam is said to have been where miners could clean ore before transporting it elsewhere.

There are Eucalyptus trees scattered along the hike, concentrated around the larger of the two waterfalls. These trees may have served as firewood for miners, but are a welcome natural treat for guests today. During the spring, the hike is littered with wildflowers. If you’re looking for an adventure brimming with history, Copper Creek Falls & Mine can’t be missed.

No matter where you are, there is always something new to discover if you look close enough. Carlsbad has plenty of treasures to find – explore one of these hidden gems to get outside and find something new.

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The 2021 season at the Flower Fields started on March 1st. From now until Mother’s Day, guests can visit the 50+ acres of ranunculus blooms in person or take in the views at a safe distance from balconies at the recently reopened Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

This year, there are a few adaptations to the norm, but the experience is still world-renowned. A contactless ticketing system has been set up for the safety of staff, volunteers, and visitors. If you would like to attend the Flower Fields in person, you will need to purchase tickets in advance. All tickets must be purchased online in order to reduce crowds at the entrance. No onsite tickets will be sold. Per state guidelines, guests and staff will be required to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing while on the property.

Flower Field favorites like the American Flag of Flowers, Artist Gardens, Orchids, and Historic Poinsettia Display are all on the docket for 2021. Antique Wagon Tours will still be available with a limited capacity. And, there is an exciting new 2-Acre U-Pick Blueberry Patch where guests can pick their own fruit. Visitors can visit the Blueberry Patch on its own or together with a visit to the Flower Fields. The Patch will be open as long as fruit supply is available.

If you prefer to keep a safe distance, a stay at the Cassara Carlsbad offers a perfect spring escape just a stone’s throw away. The property is nestled on 12 lush acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and sits directly above the seasonal Carlsbad Flower Fields. It is a modern Mediterranean retreat that has undergone a variety of upgrades during the pandemic. The new Karlsbad Suites offer enough space for the whole family. Complete with a king room and parlor, a separate guest room with two twin beds, and three flat-screen televisions – the Karlsbad Suites offer a luxurious escape right in the heart of Carlsbad. Guest rooms have balconies overlooking the acres of ranunculus blooms and spanning all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The Cassara is offering a seasonal package that can turn your next visit to The Flower Fields into an overnight staycation. Stay anytime from March 1st to May 9th and receive two tickets to the Flower Fields. There is a complimentary shuttle to escort you to and from the fields.

Or, if you’re interested in staying a little closer to the water, you can cruise less than a mile down the road to the sister property at the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The Sheraton is a huge dual complex with panoramic ocean views. There is local craft beer and elevated comfort food available at the resort’s on-site open-air restaurant, 7 Mile Kitchen. The resort also has complimentary bike rentals to get you to and from the Flower Fields in little to no time.

Guests of the Cassara Carlsbad or the Sheraton Resort & Spa also have unique access to tap into tee times at the adjacent premier golf course, The Crossings at Carlsbad. The opportunities to explore the outdoors in Carlsbad are endless.

Book a stay at the Cassara or Sheraton today to add some color to your life this spring with the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

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It may come as no surprise that the Park Hyatt Aviara has gained acknowledgement as one of the best luxury resorts in the world. The pristine resort is home to some of the most recognized golf courses in the nation. Aside from the well manicured greens, the Park Hyatt Aviara spreads out over the Pacific Coast and is graced on all sides with hills and ocean air. The property hosts a world-class spa and facilities that are artfully positioned among 200 acres of lush natural beauty.

The views at the Park Hyatt Aviara are breathtaking. The Batiquitos Lagoon is right around the corner, offering a picturesque walking trail  to complement a sunny stay. The 2021 award is especially significant, considering the massive renovations that the resort completed in 2020. Clouded partly by the pandemic, the property worked through 2020 to completely transform almost every inch of the already luxurious grounds. With over $50 million invested in updates and improvements, the resort is truly a work of art. Guestrooms and suites have been reimagined with designer accents that drive home the high-end coastal vibes of Southern California. There are oversized bathrooms and private balconies. Soothing colors support each guest room with a personal oasis of privacy and views. The suites pull inspiration from the property and the Golf Club. The Palmer Suite features over 1,640 square feet of space and a putting green on the patio. The Blue Heron Suite champions nature – overlooking the greenery of the Aviara Golf Course and the Batiquitos Lagoon.

“It’s an incredible honor to receive this award for the seventh consecutive year from Forbes Travel Guide,” said Park Hyatt Aviara General Manager, Geoff Gray. “With our recent resort-wide property renovation, Park Hyatt Aviara is committed to elevating the guest experience and providing memorable moments for our guests as California’s preeminent luxury coastal resort.”

Beyond the accommodations, the renovations extend to the on-site dining, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, and pools and cabanas. There is now over 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space, ranging from ballrooms to outdoor terraces. A new signature restaurant has been added as well. Ember & Rye is led by celebrity chef Richard Blais. It has a robust surf and turf themed menu with California tasting notes. The resort has also created a new culinary experience called Ponto Lago that features Baja cuisine and an interactive bar experience overlooking the ocean.

For entertainment, the resort has added two Topgolf Swing Suites. This new social experience is a fun way to drink a beverage, snack, and play virtual games.

As the pandemic wanes and travel becomes available, Park Hyatt Aviara should be the first place you go to plan your next luxury vacation. Book a room now to experience the magnificence of a Forbes Travel Guide Star Award winning resort with genuine five-star service.

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Maxton Brown Park

Sometimes, imagination and freedom are all that kids need to have a good time. At Maxton Brown Park, there is plenty of room for both. The well manicured grassy terrain is perfect for picnics, capture the flag, pickup soccer, or whatever else you can dream up. Maxton Brown is a single acre park located at the corner of Laguna Drive and State Park. While it may not have all of the fancy amenities that Aviara Trails or Calavera Lake boast, it does have a variety of picnic tables and benches with a beautiful view of the Buena Vista Lagoon. The park is open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. and is right next to the ecological preserve.

Stagecoach Community Park

For most, Stagecoach is a giant music festival with flower crowns, campsites, and party goers. If you live near La Costa Canyon High School, Stagecoach Community Park is a fantastic place to stretch your legs and let your kids play. The park gets its name from the historic ruins on the property that are remnants of an actual stagecoach stop at Rancho Las Encinitas.

It is located in southeastern Carlsbad and is currently open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park is spread out over 28-acres with a community center and gymnasium. Outside, there is space for any sort of outdoor game you can imagine. There are two covered picnic areas with barbeques and electricity. There are also lighted basketball courts, four lighted tennis courts, and a large playground with sand cover.

Carlsbad SkatePark

Pro skater Tony Hawk is a San Diego native. In April, he partnered with Vans to support Carlsbad small businesses during the pandemic. A portion of the proceeds from the season’s custom slip-ons were donated to businesses in need. It’s no surprise that Carlsbad is a city that embraces skate culture and cultivates small businesses to support the sport.

Teens that look up to Tony and love to skateboard are in good luck. The Carlsbad SkatePark is one of the best places in the city to perfect a kickflip. The park has a healthy mix of obstacles and is a great place for beginners. Parents can watch from nearby picnic tables, and there are restrooms onsite. It is well lit and is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are two pyramids, pipe grinding ledges, and kidney and spine bowls – all of the key ingredients for skateboarders of any age.

Alga Norte Park

When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Alga Norte Park is the exception to that rule. Alga Norte is a one stop shop for all of the outdoor amenities you could possibly want – and it is huge.

The park has 32 acres of green grass and facilities for swimmers, skaters, basketball players, children, and furry family members. The aquatic center is state of the art. It has a competition pool, diving boards and splash pads for kids. There is an off leash dog park with dedicated space for small and large dogs, a playground with shade cover, and a large skatepark. The open air sections of the park have multipurpose ball fields, two lighted basketball courts and picnic areas with barbecues.

After months and months of staying inside, being outdoors can make all the difference. Get the kids off the couch and head to any one of these Carlsbad parks to burn off a little energy and feel renewed in the new year.

PS We’ve been loving our products from Sticker Mule and their weatherproof stickers​ are made to survive the sun, sea, and adventures that our area is known for. Keep an eye out for them on the cars around Carlsbad!

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The Pelican Cove Inn Bed & Breakfast is right in the heart of the beach community of Carlsbad. It is centrally located, within walking distance of the beach and downtown Carlsbad Village. Only three blocks in either direction puts the sun, sand, restaurants, shops, and views on your front stoop. And, staying at the Pelican Cove Inn provides a unique peehole into the history and charm of the community of Carlsbad.

Back in the mid 80s, Bob and Celeste Hale knew that Carlsbad was a unique gem along the coast of Southern California. They wanted to share their love of sun and cliffs with others, and purchased the original property at 320 Walnut Avenue. With only four rooms, the couple found that they needed a little more space to spread the joy of Carlsbad with guests. They expanded to four more adjoining guest rooms, Innkeepers quarters, and a conference room by purchasing the property next door.

After nine years of building a haven for travellers, Bob and Celeste decided to sell the property to Alaskan snowbirds Kris and Nancy Nayudo. Kris and Nancy were drawn to Carlsbad by Kris’ job and Nancy’s desire to stay at home and raise their young family. They have invested over sixteen years of love and care into the property and, after all this time, still treat every guest they have like family.

In 2003, the Nayduo’s moved from staying in the Innkeepers quarters and conference room to a home adjacent to the Inn. Now, the Inn has 10 rooms open to visitors. Each room is named with a different San Diego neighborhood in mind. They are comfortably decorated with the charm of home and have thoughtful touches like handmade soap, fireplaces, and balcony seating. The Inn takes spoiling their guests personally, and even shares the recipes to their included breakfasts for everyone to enjoy. When you book a stay, you can plan on being spoiled with things like raspberry french toast, Scotch eggs, and homemade scandinavian almond bars in. After breakfast, you can stretch out on the balcony or take a short stroll to the sand to soak in the surf.

Travel in 2021 is more than just a dream. Pack your bags and plan your next stay at the Pelican Cove Inn Bed & Breakfast.

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Birdwatching in Carlsbad

Bird watching is a hobby that, no pun intended, has flown under the radar for quite some time. Bird watching aficionados are well aware of the benefits of their pastime. But for many, birdwatching is just as foreign as taking time to stop and smell the roses. During the hustle and bustle of life it’s easy to forget to look up every once in a while. However, if you have the time, you might pick up on things you’d never known were there. At the Batiquitos Lagoon, there are hundreds of different native species of birds gracing the ground and soaring through the sky.

When you’re birding, location is key. At the Batiquitos Lagoon, you’ll need to navigate the terrain to find the right spot to cast your gaze. Walking along the trail to find your lookout will get your blood pumping and trigger those outdoor endorphins. Once you’ve found a post, the search for wildlife can peak the senses. Like fishing, bird watching takes patience. Honing your skills can reduce stress and relieve anxiety. When a bird flies overhead, quick reflexes are a must.

Batiquitos Lagoon Bird Estuary

The Batiquitos Lagoon has over 500 acres of coastal salt marsh. It is one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the coast and is protected by local game sanctuaries and bird estuaries. It is home to over 180 different species of birds at any given time, and the tidal mudflats make it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts. A full list of the types of birds found at the Lagoon can be found here. From shorebirds to wading birds, waterfowl, to raptors and land birds – the Lagoon is full of wildlife to keep you entertained as you explore the walking paths. The nature trail on the north side of the Lagoon is open to the public and is approximately 2 miles long. There are five different parking lots sprinkled along the trail, and the Nature Center provides guided walking tours. Since the Lagoon is an ecological reserve, the plants, animals, and habitats within the Lagoon are protected.

For a wintertime activity that will get your heart pumping and heighten your senses, take your binoculars to the Lagoon and grab a trail guide to get insider info on points of interest along the way. Wintertime is the perfect time to see a quick-moving Killdeer running along the mudflats. Enjoy the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and take a few minutes to ‘look up’ at the Batiquitos Lagoon – you won’t regret it!

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No doubt, 2020 was a doozy of a year. Nearly a year later, the pandemic continues to upend lives in ways we never imagined. And for many Carlsbad business owners, it’s been a disaster they couldn’t have mitigated.

If there’s ever been a time to safely support small businesses in Carlsbad and help them stay open, it’s now.

That’s precisely why we launched Gift Carlsbad in 2020 (giftcarlsbad.com). This program let you buy gift cards from Carlsbad businesses — allowing them to immediately collect on that purchase, instead of having to wait for someone to redeem it. In our first phase, the program supported 87 Carlsbad businesses by driving more than $88,000 in revenue directly to them. We received great feedback and expect to bring the program back this Spring. Stay tuned!

Gift Carlsbad is just one of the many ways we’re helping Carlsbad businesses weather this epic economic storm. That’s because we recognize small businesses truly are the backbone of this nation, and this community.

In fact, they account for 99% of our nation’s businesses, according to the US Small Business Administration (SBA). And 65% of net new jobs over the past 17 years are thanks to small businesses, according to SBA data. Carlsbad is home to about 7,000 businesses — 98% of which are small businesses. Collectively, they provide about 38,450 jobs in our community. If you’d like to join us in supporting our treasured local businesses, here are some safe ways you can help right now:

Go to the source
The restaurant industry has been especially rocked by COVID-19. The industry is projected to see a $240 billion revenue shortfall for 2020, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Ordering dinner from a locally-owned eatery is a surefire way to help. But think twice before you opt for delivery.

That’s because third-party services like DoorDash and Grubhub charge restaurants, which means their razor-thin margins get even thinner. If your favorite Carlsbad eatery does offer its own in-house delivery service, go for it — and tip well.

Show some love

Social media plays a major role in helping businesses attract new customers. Help your favorite Carlsbad companies by ‘liking’ their pages and tagging them in your posts.

Also share their content on social media. Better yet, tag a few friends you think should also shop there. Sign up for their newsletters, and forward them to your friends. Lastly, leave positive online reviews — along with photos, if possible. All of this support costs nothing, but it helps tremendously.

Adopt a shop

In other parts of the country, communities have been organizing on Facebook and Nextdoor to ‘adopt a shop’ — a coordinated effort where everyone agrees to shop at one particular local business.

Typically, everyone agrees to shop there once a week, with no spending minimum. Everyone in the group is encouraged to share their experiences and purchases via social media, giving the business a nice publicity perk.

Send good cheer

During these days of quarantine, it’s easy to feel isolated. Lift the spirits of your friends and family by dropping-off a festive treat, from your favorite Carlsbad shop, of course.

After all, nothing brightens quarantine like a surprise dozen cupcakes on your doorstep — or a cheery bouquet, or even a six-pack from a local brewery. However you do it, you’ll be creating much-needed social connection and helping local businesses in the process.

Get the merch

When you do pop into our local businesses, look at the walls behind the register. You’ll often see they are selling t-shirts or ballcaps promoting their businesses. Buy the merchandise. It’s yet another way you can support them. Also, sporting a t-shirt from your favorite Carlsbad pizzeria, boutique or brewery is a walking advertisement for them, which is an added benefit. Not to mention displaying your Carlsbad business pride is always in style.

Thank you for doing your part to safely support Carlsbad small businesses. Together, we can all stay safe, so our small businesses can stay open. #StaySafeStayOpen

If you’re looking for other COVID-19 safety information, visit carlsbadca.gov/COVID19.

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