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News from the City of Carlsbad | June 4, 2026

If you’ve headed north on El Camino Real between College and Jackspar recently, you’re probably noticing traffic flowing more smoothly. That’s because we recently finished widening that road segment. You can go behind the scenes in this video.

Also in today’s update, I’ll share how our beaches are earning top water quality grades and a video highlighting how our Small Business Liaison program is helping local entrepreneurs.

Here’s the full lineup:

• First phase of El Camino Real widening wrapping up
• City Council to consider Chestnut underpass art design
• Carlsbad beaches earn top marks for water quality
• Fix, reuse and grow at Dove Library
• Behind-the-scenes with our Small Business Liaison Program
• CPR in the Park set for Friday
• Community events and activities 
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting
• Carlsbad surfer joins world’s best

First phase of El Camino Real widening wrapping up

The new third lane on the northbound side of El Camino Real between College Avenue and Jackspar/Rancho Carlsbad drives is now open. This marks the completion of the first phase of widening El Camino Real and significant progress on the city’s goal to improve traffic flow and safety by widening three segments along the road that are only two lanes in one direction.

We’ll be adding permanent lane striping in the next few weeks, but you’ll already find new sidewalks and landscaping on the northbound side along with a bike lane that improves safety by providing extra breathing room between cars and cyclists. You can see the improvements in this video.

The second phase of the widening project is already underway in the northbound lanes of El Camino Real between Poinsettia Lane and Camino Vida Roble. That work is expected to be done by next summer. During construction, there will be a temporary barrier separating traffic from construction crews and a 45 mph speed limit in the construction zone. The bike lane in the area is also temporarily closed.

The third and final phase to create an additional southbound lane between Arenal Road and La Costa Avenue is being designed, and construction is expected to start early next year.



Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure that everyone driving, biking or walking can get where they’re going safely and quickly on El Camino Real. 

City Council to consider Chestnut underpass art design



On Tuesday, the City Council will consider approving the final design for public art at the Chestnut Avenue I-5 underpass.

The underpass serves as one of the main entrances to the Barrio and connects neighborhoods on both sides of I-5. The project would add permanent public art to all four exterior corners of the underpass, building on recent street improvements completed through the Build NCC project.

The proposed design features layered, sculptural panels inspired by plants that reflect Carlsbad’s coastal setting, agricultural history and community identity.

Community input helped shape several updates to the design, including:

• More color and variation
• Stronger connections to Carlsbad through locally meaningful plants
• Plant species suggested by community members
• Coastal references and ocean-inspired colors
• A clearer connection to the Barrio’s history and culture

The Harding Street side of the underpass would feature bird-of-paradise, Matilija poppy, white sage and opuntia plants. The Pio Pico Drive side would feature poinsettia, ranunculus, California poppy and freesia.

Each side would include a similar, nearly mirrored floral composition on the opposite corner to create a consistent look for people walking, biking or driving through the area.

The Arts Commission reviewed the updated design on April 2 and recommended approval. Since then, city staff and the artist team have refined the design based on Arts Commission input and feedback from Caltrans on maintenance and safety.

City Council meeting 

Tuesday, June 9, 5 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

The agenda and staff report will be available on the city’s website by Friday, June 5.

If approved, the city will submit the design to Caltrans through the Transportation Art Proposal process, which is required for artwork in the underpass area. The city will also develop a fabrication contract with the artist and return to the City Council for approval before fabrication begins.

Carlsbad beaches earn top marks for water quality

Three Carlsbad beaches earned a spot on Heal the Bay’s 2025-26 Beach Report Card Honor Roll, which recognizes beaches with excellent water quality year-round. The annual report evaluates beach water quality along the West Coast using bacteria monitoring data, and assigns easy-to-understand grades from A to F.

To qualify for the Honor Roll, a beach must receive an A+ grade during summer dry weather, winter dry weather and wet weather conditions, while also being monitored consistently throughout the year. Only 21 beaches in California earned this distinction in the latest report.

The three local beaches recognized this year were:

• Carlsbad at Cerezo Drive
• Carlsbad at Palomar Airport Road
• Carlsbad at Poinsettia Lane

In addition to the three Honor Roll beaches, every Carlsbad beach that received a grade in the report earned an A or better for water quality. San Diego County led the state with 11 beaches on the Honor Roll, more than any other county in California.

Our community played a key role in achieving these high marks! That’s because anything that enters the storm drain system flows untreated to local creeks, lagoons and the ocean. As stormwater travels across streets and neighborhoods, it can pick up pollutants such as pet waste, trash, fertilizers and bacteria before eventually reaching the beach.

And that brings me to...

How Carlsbad helps protect ocean water quality

The City of Carlsbad works year-round to protect local waterways through stormwater pollution prevention programs, public education, inspections and enforcement of water quality regulations. 

Here’s how residents and businesses can also help keep beaches clean:

• Check your sprinklers regularly and adjust them so water stays on your lawn and plants, not the street.
• Always pick up after your pets and place pet waste in the trash.
• Sweep driveways, patios and sidewalks instead of washing debris into the gutter with a hose.
• Use only the amount of fertilizer or weed-control products your yard needs and follow the directions on the package.
• Take batteries, paint, motor oil and other household hazardous waste to an approved collection site.
• Report water flowing into the street, illegal dumping or other pollution concerns to the city's Storm Water Hotline at 442-339-2799 or email stormwater@carlsbadca.gov.

Visit our website for more sustainability tips.

Fix, reuse and grow at Dove Library

Speaking of helping to protect our environment, a special Fixit Clinic is coming to Dove Library on Saturday, June 13, with a theme that connects everyday repairs with simple ways to support your home and garden.

Community members can bring broken or non-working items, including electronics, small appliances, bicycles, clothing and more, to work alongside volunteer coaches who can help troubleshoot and make repairs. The city will provide workspace, specialty tools and guidance.

This Fixit Clinic will also feature a “From Kitchen to Garden” theme, with hands-on activities and resources to help reduce waste and support healthy plants at home.

Activities include:

• Garden tool sharpening
• Tips for food waste recycling and free kitchen caddies
• A simple fertilizer starter kit activity
• A succulent swap
• Seed library resources

Fixit Clinic: From Kitchen to Garden

Saturday, June 13

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

Register online

Registration is encouraged to help pair you with the best available repair coach for your item. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis as space and volunteer availability allow.

Even if an item cannot be fixed, Fixit Clinics are a great way to learn how things are made, how they work and how to keep more items out of the landfill.

• The Fixit Clinic will take place at the same time as the library’s Grow Your Garden program: “Is My Garden Soil Dirt?”
• In keeping with this year’s Summer Reading Adventure theme, “Plant a Seed, Read,” the program will include hands-on demonstrations about soil texture and how air, water and nutrients move through soil.

Grow Your Garden: Is My Garden Soil Dirt?

Saturday, June 13

10 a.m. to noon

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

Behind the scenes with our Small Business Liaison Program

Our Small Business Liaison Program is helping entrepreneurs and business owners navigate city processes and connect with one-on-one support from the city’s Economic Development team. In this new video, hear from our Small Business Liaison and a local business owner about how the program works and the difference it can make for businesses starting, growing or relocating in Carlsbad. 

Who can make a one-on-one appointment?

• Anyone interested in starting a business in Carlsbad
• Existing businesses planning to expand or relocate
• Business owners who have operational or regulatory questions

Hours and locations

Every Tuesday

9 to 11 a.m. (30-minute appointments)

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

First Wednesday of each month

9 to 11 a.m. (30-minute appointments)

Carlsbad Village Association

2695 State St.

To make an appointment or learn more, please visit our website.

CPR in the Park set for Friday

In honor of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, the Carlsbad Fire Department and Revive & Survive San Diego are partnering on a “CPR in the Park” pop-up event Friday near the corner of Carlsbad Boulevard and Pine Avenue. Stop by for some free hands-only CPR training and learn a simple skill that could help save the life of a family member, friend, neighbor or coworker.

CPR in the Park

Park area at Carlsbad Boulevard and Pine Avenue

Friday, June 5

10 a.m. to noon

No registration required; just stop by anytime. Learn more and find additional training opportunities throughout San Diego County.

Community events and activities

Here are some activities and events happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:

• Creative Crafting: Fairy House – Friday, June 5, 1 to 3 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Cinema Club Friday: "Saving Grace" – Friday, June 5, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Trail Volunteer Event – Saturday, June 6, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., The Crossings at Carlsbad Trail
• Local Author Fair – Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dove Library
• Pot Painting & Seed Planting – Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Library Learning Center
• Reel Wednesday: "Superman" – Wednesday, June 10, 4 p.m., Dove Library
• “Light Years” documentary – Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m., Dove Library

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

The next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 9, starting at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics include: 

• Beginning the process to set annual assessments for lighting in the city's Lighting & Landscaping District No. 1
• Beginning the same process for Lighting & Landscaping District No. 2
• The annual assessments for the Buena Vista Channel Maintenance District  
• Calling the Nov. 3, 2026, General Municipal Election
• An agreement to provide substance abuse outreach services using funding from the national settlement of opioid-related lawsuits
• Giving up unneeded easements that gave the city access to sewer lines at an apartment complex
• Authorizing the sale of the city-owned Chestnut Apartments complex to a new owner who will continue to operate it as affordable housing
• Approving the final design of the permanent public art for the Chestnut Avenue Interstate 5 underpass
• Terminating the declaration of a local emergency to make repairs to a damaged sewage pipeline in the Ponto area
• Authorizing city staff to negotiate with SteelWave LLC, Steerpoint Capital and Carlsbad 2525 LLC for the future use of the city’s parking lot properties located at the Shoppes
• Appointing one member to the Environmental Sustainability Commission
• Updates to the city's regulations on local massage businesses
• Adopting an ordinance to update city rules on public meetings to comply with a new state law
• Options for improvements on Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road in the Terramar area
• A report on the first phase of the city’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan
• An appointment to represent the city on the San Diego County Water Authority Board

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 to clerk@carlsbadca.gov by 2 p.m. the day of 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) 

The Housing Commission and the City Council’s Legislative Subcommittee are also scheduled to meet next week. Board and commission meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. See the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Carlsbad surfer joins world’s best

Before I close, congratulations to Carlsbad native Jack Van Wagoner for earning a spot on the World Surf League Longboard Tour for the 2026-27 season! Jack secured his place on the tour after a victory last week at the North America Longboard Regional in Virginia Beach – his second regional title.

Way to go, Jack, and thanks to everyone for reading!

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager