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News from the City of Carlsbad | July 10, 2025

After a holiday break, our TGIF Concerts series is back Friday with a band that delivers a mix of ‘80s pop, new wave and classic alternative music. I’ll give the full details below on this week’s TGIF concert, one of Carlsbad’s most popular traditions and a perfect example of how city parks and special events help bring our community together. I’ve also included ideas for three not-too-hot summer hikes (this week was a hot one!).

Before I get to that, I want to make sure you see a behind-the-scenes video of a construction project that may come through your area. 

Here’s the full lineup:

• TGIF is back with The Reflexx
• Summer hikes to beat the heat
• Give input on Barrio traffic circles
• Water valve replacement project underway
• Upcoming events
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

TGIF is back with The Reflexx

Our TGIF summer concert series is back at Stagecoach Community Park on Friday, July 11, with The Reflexx, a Southern California band that is sure to bring you back to the 1980s. If you like powerhouse hits from groups like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears and INXS, this show is for you!

Friday, July 11

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Stagecoach Community Park

3420 Camino De Los Coches

Heading to the concert? Here are a few helpful tips:

• Concerts at Stagecoach Community Park have free parking across the street at La Costa Canyon High School. You can also check your bicycle for free with our bike valet.
• If you’d like to set up early, you’re welcome to bring blankets and low-back chairs (which sit lower than 8 inches from the ground) to set up for a group starting at 4 p.m. Please only take the space that you need. Seating is limited.
• Please leave your pets at home (service animals are welcome).
• Let your inner artist shine at our pop-up art booth near the eastern security entrance, with a family friendly art activity from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Summer hikes to beat the heat



As we continue celebrating Park and Recreation Month, I want to highlight another one of the many things that makes Carlsbad special — our 67 miles of trails that wind through neighborhoods, open spaces and along the coast.

Summer is an ideal time to explore these trails, and with a little planning, you can stay cool while enjoying the outdoors. Here are three local hikes that help you beat the heat:

Start the day with a sunrise hike at Mount Calavera.

If you’re an early riser, the Lake Calavera Preserve offers a rewarding morning adventure. The scenic Lake Loop Trail passes by the base of Mount Calavera, an ancient volcanic plug and a familiar sight for many local hikers. While the summit of the mountain lies outside the city’s trail system, many hikers start from the Lake Loop Trail to reach the top. Early morning is ideal for cooler air and sweeping sunrise views.

Stay cool with a shaded loop through Hosp Grove.

If midday hikes are more your style, Hosp Grove is one of Carlsbad’s best options. Many trees line the trails, providing shade that makes it a cooler choice even during the warmer parts of the day. You’ll also find picnic areas and a playground at Hosp Grove Park, just off Jefferson Drive, near Marron Road. The park offers a view of the Buena Vista Lagoon and is perfect for a relaxing break mid-way through or after your hike.

Catch the sunset near the future Veterans Memorial Park.

To end the day, The Crossings/Veterans Park Trail offers about four miles of paths with panoramic views of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and the coastline. You can park on Faraday Avenue and walk north to a scenic overlook — a prime spot to take in one of Carlsbad’s iconic sunsets. Veterans Memorial Park is anticipated to be under construction by the end of the year.

Plan your next adventure

Find maps and details for these and other trails on the city’s Trail Locations webpage or GoHike portal.

Give input on Barrio traffic circles

The Carlsbad City Council is seeking community input before its July 29 meeting on whether to move forward with a project to install traffic circles at five intersections in the Barrio or explore different ways to reduce speeding.

The concept for the project was originally proposed in 2016 as part of the Village and Barrio Master Plan, with the overall goal of improving traffic safety and walkability.

Since then, there have been several changes to state laws around housing and parking that have impacted the Barrio, and the city has received new community feedback about traffic circles and roundabouts.

Given these changes and concerns about parking impacts and potential impacts on emergency response times, the City Council postponed a decision to award a construction contract at its recent meeting on June 24. Instead, the City Council asked staff to bring the proposal back July 29 to give the community another opportunity to provide input on the traffic circles and other options to reduce speeding.

Potential parking impacts

Adding five traffic circles would mean some parking in the neighborhood would be removed.

• If the traffic circles project is completed as proposed, 27 existing parking spaces would be removed.
• An additional 11 spaces are being removed whether or not the project moves forward, due to the new state “daylighting” law, which restricts parking within 20 feet of most intersections.
• The city is analyzing opportunities to increase on-street parking in the Barrio to help offset the parking impacts.

Grant funding

The traffic circles project was awarded $4 million in federal grant funding to help offset construction costs. If the project design changes, the city could lose access to this funding. The full amount would remain if the project moves forward as proposed with all five traffic circles.

How to provide input

The City Council will review options and consider community input during its meeting on July 29, 2025. There are three ways residents in the area can share their opinions:

• Complete an online feedback form
• Email comments to clerk@carlsbadca.gov before the meeting
• Attend the City Council meeting and provide comments in person 

City Council meeting

Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 5 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

Water valve replacement project underway

While you’re out and about town in the coming months, you may come across crews installing 87 new water valves at 26 locations around the city to help keep our water system running smoothly.

Last week, our crews were working near Garfield Street and Redwood Avenue and we captured this video to take you behind the scenes.

Water valves control the flow of water through underground pipes, making it easier to turn off water in specific areas when repairs are needed. Think of it almost like a light switch, but for water. Carlsbad has more than 10,000 valves citywide and they’re tested regularly to keep them in good working condition.

What to expect during construction

• We expect construction to last about a week at each location.
• Because there are 87 total valves to install, the entire project will take about a year to complete.
• If construction is taking place in your neighborhood, you may notice temporary lane closures, noise or dust.
• At some locations, water may need to be temporarily shut off. You’ll get advanced notice if your water service will be impacted.

As always, don’t forget to check the city’s construction map each week to see where large city projects are happening that could impact traffic. Remember, the map only shows city projects. It doesn’t include construction projects by local utilities, private companies or other agencies.

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.

• Cinema Club Friday, "Cinema Paradisio" – Friday, July 11, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Classic Car Show – Saturday, July 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
• Musician Craig Newton – Saturday, July 12, 3 p.m., Cole Library
• Concerts in the Courtyard: U.S. Navy Southwest Band – Saturday, July 12, 5 p.m., Dove Library
• Courtyard Concert: Blue Suede Crew (adults 50+) – Monday, July 14, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Reel Wednesday, “Tootsie" – Wednesday, July 16, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library

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

What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 15, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics on the agenda include:

• Monthly update on how the city’s investments are performing 
• Adjusting the special tax on properties in Community Facilities District No. 1, which helps pay for certain city projects and facilities.
• Accepting donations from the Friends of the Carlsbad Library to support library programs and from the Carlsbad Friends of the Arts to support cultural arts activities 
• Approval of loan agreement and lease amendment with New Village Arts 
• An agreement with the company that trains the city’s police dogs  
• Authorize City Clerk to advertise for bids for the Barrio Street Lighting Project
• Terminating the declaration of the existence of an emergency condition in the Kelly Drive Channel
• Adopting an ordinance to install stop signs in all directions on Kelly Drive at the intersections with Park Drive and Hillside Drive 
• Setting the annual assessments for the city’s two lighting and landscaping districts 
• Updating the fees charged by the San Diego County Humane Society for some of the animal services it provides for the city   
• Options for processing requests to make amendments to the city’s General Plan or zoning that would allow for new residential development 
• Approval of the annual work plan for the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission  
• Consider approval of the conceptual plan for a project to improve the sidewalks along Tyler Street between Oak Avenue and Chestnut Avenue 

The agenda and staff reports are available on the city’s website.

3 easy ways to participate

1. Sign up to get agendas and staff reports emailed to you directly
2. Provide feedback via email before the meeting 
3. Sign up to speak at the meeting

… and 3 ways to watch

1. Follow the meeting live on the city's website 
2. Watch the meeting live on the city’s cable channel: Spectrum channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99
3. Watch a recording of the meeting afterward (online or on our channel)

Board and commission meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Thanks for making Carlsbad the amazing community it is and enjoy your weekend.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager