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News from the City of Carlsbad | Nov. 13, 2025

With construction now underway on a project to replace the beach stairs and widen the sidewalk along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues, we have received a few follow-up questions from the community. This week, I’ll share the answers in a quick Q&A.

Here’s the full lineup:

• Questions answered: Beach access and sidewalk improvements
• Mattress recycling made simple
• Registration now open for winter classes
• Save the date for Holiday at the Rancho
• Community events and activities
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• What’s on the agenda for your next City Council meeting
• Storm safety and sandbag information
• Full-circle moment: From rescue to service

Questions answered: Beach access and sidewalk improvements

Work started last week on our project to replace the beach stairs and widen the sidewalk along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues. 

If you’re planning to visit the coast in that area, here’s what you need to know:

How can I access the beach during construction?

Part of the sidewalk on the west side of the street and the stairways at Hemlock and Cherry avenues are closed. Nearby access points, including the ramps at Pine and Tamarack and stairways at Maple and Sycamore, will remain open.

Is there a walking detour in place?

While the west-side sidewalk is closed, you can use the lower seawall or cross Carlsbad Boulevard at one of the marked crosswalks and use the sidewalk on the east side. If you’re walking a furry friend, remember that dogs are not allowed on the lower sea wall, so please use the sidewalk on the east side of Carlsbad Boulevard to avoid the work zone.

Does this project improve ADA access to the beach?

The city has a separate project underway to improve ADA beach access near Pine and Tamarack avenues. This project is in the design phase.

How is traffic being affected?

During construction, the number of southbound traffic lanes has been temporarily reduced and the speed limit has been temporarily lowered to 20 mph in the work area. These temporary changes are in place to keep everyone safe during construction. All lanes will reopen, and the speed limit will return to normal during the summertime pause in work between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we make these improvements. Once complete, the new stairs and wider sidewalks will make it even easier—and safer—to enjoy our beautiful coastline.

You can find more details on the city’s website or sign up to get email updates on the project.

Mattress recycling made simple

America Recycles Day is this Saturday, Nov. 15, which is a good reminder that even bulky items like mattresses can have a second life.

When recycled, mattresses are taken apart so their materials can be reused. Steel springs are melted down for new products, foam is turned into carpet padding and fibers are made into insulation and other industrial materials.

If you’re replacing a mattress, here are two easy ways to recycle it in Carlsbad:

Schedule a bulky item pickup

Republic Services offers bulky item pickups included in your waste collection bill.

• Each household receives three pickups per year with up to five items collected each time
• Call 760-332-6464 to schedule
• Wrap mattresses in plastic before collection (to keep them clean and prevent mold or pests during transport)

Drop it off

You can also take mattresses directly to the Palomar Transfer Station for recycling.

Palomar Transfer Station

5960 El Camino Real

Daily, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proof of Carlsbad residency required

Mattresses and box springs are accepted for recycling at no cost to Carlsbad residents. In California, a mattress recycling fee is added to the price of a new mattress, helping fund the statewide program that collects and recycles used mattresses.

By recycling, you help keep valuable materials in use and reduce what goes to the landfill. Efforts like these support the City Council’s goal to protect the environment and natural resources through responsible waste reduction.

Registration now open for winter classes

Winter is an ideal time to stay active, get creative or learn something new. The City of Carlsbad’s Winter Community Services Guide is filled with classes, camps and programs for all ages – from art and sports to fitness, music and more.

Registration is now open and the first classes begin Dec. 1. Here’s a small sample of this season’s offerings:

• Pickleball League at Stagecoach Community Park – Join Carlsbad’s newest pickleball league and test your skills in a fun, social setting.
• Adult Kickball – Gather friends for a friendly competition or sign up as a free agent to be placed on a team.
• Teen and Adult Ballet – Learn or refine classical ballet techniques in a welcoming environment for all experience levels.
• ArtVenture Holiday Camps – Let creativity shine during school break with themed art projects and hands-on fun.
• Understanding AI Workshops at the Senior Center – Discover how artificial intelligence can make daily life easier in these popular, easy-to-follow sessions led by Mike the Tech Guy.

Save the date for Holiday at the Rancho

Speaking of fun things to do, Carlsbad’s annual Holiday at the Rancho is coming up on Saturday, Dec. 6. Bring friends and family to Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park for an evening of holiday lights, live music, crafts, cookie decorating, train rides and a special outdoor showing of “Elf” (rated PG). The event also features a 6 p.m. tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa.

Holiday at the Rancho

Saturday, Dec. 6

5 to 8 p.m.

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane

Register online

Know before you go

• Tickets are $15 per person. (Children ages three and under are free but must be registered online.)
• All activities and entertainment are included with admission.
• Food, beverages and souvenir photos will be available for purchase.
• The event may be modified or canceled in case of inclement weather.
• Parking will be available at Carrillo Elementary School, 2875 Poinsettia Lane. 

More community events and activities

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

• Cinema Club Friday, "The Woman Who Wasn't There" – Friday, Nov. 14, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Eric Davis Author Event – Saturday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday, “A Monster Calls" – Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m., Dove Library
• Reel Wednesday Film Academy presentation, "Holiday" - Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Broadway Film: "Wicked" (Adults 50+) – Thursday, Nov. 20, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center

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

Apply to serve on a city commission

If you love Carlsbad and want to help make a difference in our community, serving on a city commission is a great way to get involved. The city currently has three openings. It’s easy to apply online.

Senior Commission

One vacancy

Apply by Friday, Nov. 21, at noon

This commission makes recommendations and advises the City Council on the needs and concerns of seniors, including the creation, operation, maintenance and control of senior programs, activities and facilities.

Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Citizens Advisory Committee

One vacancy

Apply by Monday, Dec. 1, at noon

This committee helps guide how the city invests in preserving agricultural land, lagoons and coastal wetlands for the future.

Housing Commission

One vacancy

Apply by Dec. 8, at noon

This commission makes recommendations on affordable housing projects and programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

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

The next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Topics on the agenda include:

• Monthly update on how the city’s investments are performing
• An agreement with the Carlsbad City Employees’ Association to provide hazard pay to the technicians who must enter confined spaces to work on the system the city uses to monitor and control its water and wastewater infrastructure
• An agreement for a system that will monitor city buildings for conditions that could result in property damage, such as flooding or outages
• Authorizing bids for the Barrio traffic calming project
• Authorizing bids for a project to make sewer improvements along Poinsettia Lane and in Bressi Ranch
• Awarding the contract to replace the synthetic turf on Poinsettia Community Park’s large multi-purpose athletic field
• A request to extend the term and increase the amount of a loan awarded to an affordable housing project along Palomar Airport Road
• Appointing one member to the Parks & Recreation Commission
• Introducing an ordinance to add stop signs to four intersections included in the Barrio traffic calming project
• A public hearing on the city’s plan to spend federal Community Development Block Grant funding to help people with low incomes find housing in the next fiscal year, which is required by federal law
• A request from Barons Market for sign standards modifications
• An update on Carlsbad’s economic and financial conditions in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, July through September
• A report on how recent changes in how the state categorizes certain crimes have impacted the Police Department and its crime reporting

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 city’s Parks & Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and Legislative Subcommittee are also scheduled to meet next week. Board and commission meetings are also livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. You can see the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Be safe in the rain

We’re keeping a close eye on the heavy rain in this weekend’s forecast. You can find tips on our website for staying safe before and during the storm, along with city locations offering a limited supply of sandbags and how to report flooding or other hazards. City crews are prepared and will be ready to respond as needed.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe by planning ahead and driving carefully.

Full-circle moment: From rescue to service

Before I close, I want to share a story that illustrates what a lasting impact our first responders have on our community. When Griffin Vu was just 3 years old, medics from Carlsbad Fire Station 4 rushed to save his life after a near-drowning at Seapointe Resort.

Fifteen years later, Griffin is now in college and a Fire Explorer, pursuing a career in the service. Last week, he and his mom, Jen, returned to Station 4 to thank the team that gave him a second chance, sharing memories and soaking up career advice. Stories like Griffin’s are a powerful reminder of what makes Carlsbad’s public safety teams so special.

Have a great weekend.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager