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News from the City of Carlsbad | Aug. 21, 2025

Our 2025 TGIF concert season comes to a close this Friday at Alga Norte Community Park, and it’s always bittersweet. On the one hand, it signifies that summer is ending, but on the other, we can celebrate another year carrying on this amazing Carlsbad tradition. As always, I’ll preview the concert in today’s update.  

And before I get to this week’s stories, I want to share a behind the scenes video showing our team rising to the challenge of installing a new pipeline under train tracks on Cannon Road without interrupting service.

Here’s what’s in store for this week:

• Last call for TGIF concerts
• Addressing concerns about people living in vehicles
• Behind the scenes: Replacing pipelines under train tracks
• Reminder: Share your input on potential e-bike minimum age
• Know the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles
• Celebrating Carlsbad’s older residents
• Upcoming events
• City meetings next week

Last call for TGIF concerts

Our last TGIF show of the summer is at Alga Norte Community Park and will feature Euphoria Brass Band, an award-winning seven-piece powerhouse from San Diego that will serve up an electrifying blend of New Orleans-style brass band jazz, funky street beats and fresh, edgy grooves — all with an unmistakable West Coast flair.



Friday, Aug. 22

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Concert ends at 8 p.m.

Park site, bike valet and parking lots close at 9 p.m.

Alga Norte Community Park

6565 Alicante Road

Swing dance lessons and postcard art

• Learn how to jump and jive with swing-dance lessons with McCann Dance before the show from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
• Over at our pop-up art booth, concertgoers can create postcard art and send off summer by signing our giant-sized community postcard from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Carlsbad Police Department booth

• Additional Carlsbad Police Officers will be on site to answer questions and share information about how alcohol effects your ability to drive as part of the California Office of Traffic Safety’s “Know Your Limits” program. Volunteers can take a breathalyzer test to see if they’re able to guess their blood alcohol content.
• They’ll also share e-bike safety tips to keep top of mind.

Free shuttle and bike valet

• Getting to the concert is a breeze with our free shuttle. Park at Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane to take the shuttle to and from the concert from 4 to 9:15 p.m. General parking is not available at the park.
• Or ride your bike and check it in for free with our complimentary bike valet service at the concert site.

Tips to enjoy the evening

• Packing a picnic to enjoy with friends and neighbors is a treasured TGIF tradition. When you’re done eating, please toss your trash, compost and recycling items loose in the appropriate bins. No need to bag them.
• Concertgoers can set up low-back chairs (which sit lower than 8 inches from the ground). Seating is limited, so please only take the space you need.
• Please leave pets at home. Service animals are welcome.
• Wondering what you can bring? Here’s a list of the items that are allowed and what to avoid.
• All concert attendees will go through a quick security screening process when entering the concert area. This video shows what you can expect.

Addressing concerns about people living in vehicles

We’ve received questions recently about how the city is addressing illegal parking and people living in vehicles in public spaces in Carlsbad. Our Police and Housing & Homeless Services departments have been working together on a balanced approach to help people secure housing while continuing to hold people accountable and enforce city laws that prohibit illegal parking and camping in vehicles in public spaces. 

The city is working hard and taking significant steps to address this issue through education, outreach and enforcement. Here’s an update: 

Updated law 

• On March 18, the City Council updated a city law to prohibit camping in vehicles in public spaces such as parks, beaches and city-owned property and parking lots. The law took effect 30 days later.  
• Before enforcement began, our Homeless Outreach Team – consisting of six Officers and one sergeant who are out in the community seven days a week – conducted public outreach to individuals living in vehicles to inform them of the new laws and try to bridge them to available resources. 
• With the education period complete, enforcement is now in effect. Individuals who refuse offers of shelter or services are now receiving warnings and citations. 

New grant-funded outreach program 

• Since June, grant-funded outreach has been underway in the Village, Barrio and beach areas to connect people living in vehicles to housing and services. 
• Outreach hours now include early mornings and late nights, when people are more likely to be in their vehicles.

Results so far 

• In recent weeks, our Homeless Outreach Team Officers, Rangers and Community Service Officers have been conducting late night and early morning proactive enforcement details to address oversized vehicles, illegal camping and other illegal parking related violations. The effort is being conducted citywide. 
• Violations have included unlawful camping in vehicles, oversized vehicle parking, unregistered vehicles and parking in restricted areas. 

A full update on the proactive parking enforcement efforts will be presented at the Sept. 30 City Council meeting.

You can report concerns through our Carlsbad Connects app or by contacting our Homeless Outreach Team at policehot@carlsbadca.gov or 442-339-2249. 

Behind the scenes: Replacing pipelines under train tracks

Carlsbad city crews always rise to the challenge, no matter the task at hand. In this case, our Utilities team had to replace an underground pipeline right next to and crossing underneath the Amtrak and Coaster train tracks.

As you'll see in this behind the scenes video, trains traveled right by as our team continued working on the project, which helps ensure our water system remains reliable and compliant with current standards.

So, how did they do it? Instead of digging a trench, city crews used an auger with a pilot tube to create an underground tunnel for the new pipe that made for minimal interruption to the ground above. The process involved pushing a steel casing into the ground while simultaneously removing soil with the rotating auger.

This project is part of the Carlsbad Boulevard Water Line Improvements in the Terramar area, near Cannon Road. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026.

Thank you to our crews for your hard work and for going above and beyond to avoid disruption. Also, thanks to our community for showing kindness by slowing down in construction zones to ensure our team and community remain safe. 

Reminder: Share your input on potential e-bike minimum age

A reminder that the city’s Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 5 p.m. to hear from the community about whether children under 12 should be prohibited from riding e-bikes in Carlsbad.

• The City Council requested the commission hold the meeting to get community feedback and make a recommendation to the City Council. All input will be shared with the City Council.
• The city’s legislative team worked with Assemblymember Tasha Boerner to sponsor legislation which allows cities in San Diego County to establish a minimum age of 12 for e-bike riders.

There are two ways to provide input:

• Email traffic@carlsbadca.gov by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16
• Attend the meeting and provide a comment in person

Special Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Know the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles

The Carlsbad Police Department recently issued a reminder that e-motorcycles such as Surron, Talaria, 79-Bike, Rawrr Mantis and Stark are NOT e-bikes and cannot be operated legally on city roadways or trails.

The California Vehicle Code says e-motorcycles are designed for off-highway use only. A driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement, California vehicle registration and insurance are required to operate one.

Unlike e-bikes, e-motorcycles typically don’t have pedals and can reach speeds well past 28 mph (the maximum for e-bikes). 



Operating an e-motorcycle on roadways or trails in Carlsbad will result in a citation, fine and removal of the vehicle. Parents or guardians of riders under 18 may also be cited under the vehicle code.

Celebrating Carlsbad’s older residents

Today is National Senior Citizens Day, created in 1988 to honor the contributions of older Americans and highlight the issues that matter most to them.

Here in Carlsbad, we’re proud to support older adults with a variety of programs and activities at our Senior Center, open to anyone 50 and older. Here are a few coming up:

• Lunch Program: Delicious and nutritious meals served promptly at noon Monday to Friday for those 60 and older (monthly menu here). A $3.50 voluntary contribution is appreciated; guests under 60 are welcome for $5 per person.
• Successful Aging in Place Lecture Series (third Tuesday each month): Covering essential topics like understanding your Medicare choices, recent property tax law changes and the benefits of yoga for those 50 and older.
• Creative Crafting (first and third Fridays): This craft class has students turning everyday ‘throw-away’ items into works of art they can be proud of.
• Keeping the Keys (Sept. 17): This workshop helps drivers stay safe and confident behind the wheel.
• Halloween Bash (Oct. 30): Join this festive celebration filled with costumes, laughter and a fun-filled bingo event that brings generations together. Registration is encouraged.

Our monthly Seaside Insider newsletter has more details and you can also sign up for emails to be notified about activities at the Senior Center. 

Community events and activities

Here are some City of Carlsbad events and activities coming up soon at our libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center.

• End of Summer Bash (adults 50+) – Friday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Friday, "310 to Yuma" – Friday, Aug. 22, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday, “No Country for Old Men" – Wednesday, Aug. 27, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Open Studio, "Printed & Stitched" – Saturday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ann Kulchin Courtyard at Dove Library

Find more activities and information in our city calendar, the Senior Center’s Seaside Insider newsletter and our Fall Community Services Guide.

Upcoming city meetings

There is no City Council meeting next week, but some of our city boards and commissions are scheduled to meet, including the Library Board of Trustees and the Senior Commission. You can see the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

You’re welcome to attend any of these city meetings in person and they’re also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward.

Have a great weekend!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager