Trails Banner Image 
Skip navigation links
Trails

Volunteer Opportunities Trails Volunteer Calendar Trail Talk Trail Info

The Citywide Trails Program strives to meet the leisure and recreational needs of Carlsbad residents while protecting and preserving open spaces in accordance with the City of Carlsbad General Plan.  In addition, a walkable community including a vital trail system, provides opportunities for a healthy and active lifestyle for those who live, work and visit Carlsbad. 

Development of the city's Trails Program

hikersThe city has been working for many years to develop and implement a comprehensive multi-use recreational trails system. Beginning as early as 1990, a Trails Feasibility Study laid the groundwork for planning the trails within the city. The city's Open Space and Conservation Resource Management Plan expanded upon the study and provided conceptual trail alignments used today to plan and construct the city's trail network.

 

In November 2001, the City Council approved the Citywide Trails Report which outlined more recent trail development guidelines, resulting in today’s current network:
    • 38 miles of open space trails 
    • 48 miles of bike lanes running alongside the city’s roadways 

trails

Future plans for approximately 20 more miles of trails in the city will bring the total trail mileage to approximately 58 miles.

Coastal Rail TrailWhile the citywide trails system provides many recreational opportunities to enjoy the city's unique natural areas, it also provides a comprehensive network for non-motorized transportation routes, connecting neighborhoods to commercial and business areas, schools, parks and beaches.

 

  • D.O.G.S on Trails flyer 
  • Maps for individual trails and citywide trails divided by north and south portions of the city are available at all community centers and libraries

    Trail

    Distance

    Difficulty

    Terrain

    Type

    Aviara 

    6 miles

    Moderate to difficult

    Unpaved. Flat to hilly 

    Open space
    Bressi

    1 mile

    Paved and unpaved Circulation

    Calavera Hills Village H North

    0.5 mile

    Moderate to difficult

    Unpaved

    Open space
    Calle Barcelona

    1 mile

    Moderate to difficult Paved Circulation

    Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park

     

    1.3 miles

    Moderate to difficult

    Unpaved 

    Open space
    Coastal Rail Trail 

    0.7 mile

    Easy Paved Special
    College-Calavera Hills

    0.5 mile

    Easy to moderately difficult Unpaved Circulation

    Golf Course - Veterans Park 

    4 miles

    Moderate to difficult

    Paved and unpaved. Moderately hilly 

    Open space

    Hidden Canyon 

    0.25 mile

    Easy

    Unpaved. Flat to hilly

    Open space

    Legoland 

    0.5 mile

     Easy

    Paved

    Connector

    Hosp Grove

    3 miles

    Moderate to difficult

     

    Unpaved.  Moderately hilly to steep; up to 100 ft. difference in elevation 

    Open space

    La Costa Glen

    1.2 miles

    Easy

    (wheelchair accessible)

    Paved and unpaved

    Open space

    La Costa Valley

    1.3 miles

    Easy

    (wheelchair accessible)

    Paved and unpaved

    Open space
    Lake Calavera

    6.24 miles

    Moderate to difficult Paved and unpaved. Flat to steep, wet, rocky Open space

    Rancho Carrillo

    4 miles

    Easy to moderately difficult

    (wheelchair accessible)

    Paved and unpaved.  Flat to moderately hilly

    Open space
    Rancho La Costa Preserve

    4 miles

    Easy to difficult, depending on trail Mix of paved, stabilized decomposed granite and rocky native soils. Flat to hilly and rugged, challenging Open space
    Robertson Ranch

    0.5 mile

    Unpaved Circulation
    Poinsettia Lane

    1.5 miles

    Moderate to difficult Unpaved Circulation

    San Pacifico 

    1 mile

     

    Unpaved

    Open space
    Sea Wall

    0.7 mile

    Moderate to difficult Paved Special

    Villagio - Arroyo Vista

     

    0.5 mile

    Easy (wheelchair accessible)

    Unpaved. Flat

    Open space
    Waters End 0.25 mile Easy Unpaved, stabilized decomposed granite Open space

     

    Second Saturday trail work 

    trail work volunteers

    On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers participate in trails work. All events are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  To verify work locations, contact Liz Ketabian 760-434-2978. Event details are subject to change. 

    View the volunteer calender for trail clean up dates and locations.

    Carlsbad residents are aware that it takes a partnership with the community to responsibly manage the unique and valuable natural resources we’ve been blessed with as a coastal community. Trails provide access and a nature window into these unique and valuable natural resources, as well as providing opportunities for leading a healthy lifestyle by walking, biking or hiking. Living adjacent to lagoons, hillsides of coastal sage, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean is not taken for granted by many who call this area home and so many local residents choose to volunteer their time helping in the maintenance and care of approximately 38 miles of trails that provide access to enjoy these unique natural areas within our community.

    Quarterly trail volunteer meetings

    A great way to learn about the many trail volunteer opportunities is to attend Quarterly Trail Volunteer Meetings. The 2013 Quarterly Trail Volunteer Meeting dates are:

    • March 21
    • June 20
    • Sept. 19
    • Dec. 19

    All meetings take place at 5 p.m. at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave., in the downtown village area of Carlsbad, next to Pine Park.

    Contributions from community organizations, businesses and individuals are critical to the success of the growing Citywide Trails program. The safety, beauty and sustainability of trails is made possible through both volunteer and monetary support.

     

    Contact Information

    Parks & Recreation
    Liz Ketabian, park planner
    liz.ketabian@carlsbadca.gov
    760-434-2978

    799 Pine Ave., Suite 200
    Carlsbad, CA 92008

    Report maintenance issues
    760-434-2824