View as Webpage

News from the City of Carlsbad | Nov. 6, 2025

Carlsbad’s coastline is one of our greatest treasures, and this week the city is beginning a project to enhance our iconic bluff-top walkway and access to the beach. I'll share what to expect, plus a new video showing how city staff are inspiring the next generation to live sustainably.

Here’s today’s full lineup:

• Construction to start on beach stairs and sidewalk
• Meet our new Fire rescue rig
• Teaching students in Carlsbad to protect our waterways
• Celebrating America Recycles Day
• Apply to serve on a city commission
• Winter Community Services Guide now online
• Tri-City hospital district to hold meeting in Carlsbad
• An inspiring Veterans Day author talk
• Veterans Day holiday city service hours
• City meetings next week
• Thank you to our veterans

Construction to start on beach stairs and sidewalk

Crews are in the area this week along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Tamarack avenues as work gets underway to replace the upper sea wall stairs and widen a portion of the sidewalk.

What to expect during construction

• Traffic lanes will shift with one car lane in each direction.
• Bike lanes will be maintained.
• Speed limits will be reduced to 20 mph in the work zone.
• Portions of the sidewalk on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard will be closed. Please use the lower seawall or the sidewalk on the east side of Carlsbad Boulevard.
• One to two beach stairways will be closed at a time. Please use nearby beach access points as alternatives.
• Some street parking will be restricted.
• Please use caution and give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.
• Projects like this can create noise and dust with construction equipment stored nearby.

Thank you for your patience as we take care of important maintenance needs and ensure long-term, safe coastal and beach access. 

Construction schedule

Phase 1: November 2025 to Spring 2026

Phase 2: Fall 2026 to Spring 2027

No construction between Memorial Day and Labor Day

Monday to Friday, except city holidays

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What we're doing

The beach access repair project will replace the four stairways along Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine and Hemlock avenues and widen a portion of the sidewalk between Pine and Cherry avenues.

The sidewalks and stairways were built in the 1980s and concrete has chipped away in places to expose rebar, there is visible corrosion, and soil has eroded away from some of the foundations.



• The stair locations and general design, including the overlooks and landing areas/platforms, will remain the same
• The sidewalk between Pine and Cherry avenues will be widened by 2 ½ feet to make more room for the many walkers, joggers and other users who enjoy this popular location
• One foot will come from the removal of the surface mounted railing and metal beam guardrail, which is consistent with sidewalks to the north and south
• The sidewalk will also be extended 1½ feet to the west over the bluff
• Existing streetlight poles will be replaced
• The project will help reinforce and stabilize the bluff

Thank you again for your patience during construction as the city takes care of these important maintenance needs.

Introducing our new Urban Search & Rescue rig

Earlier this week, the Mayor and City Council got an up-close look at the Fire Department’s newest Urban Search & Rescue rig.

The rig replaces the city’s original 1996 unit and represents the highest level of technical rescue capability in California.

Built to Cal OES Type 1 US&R standards, this “heavy rescue” carries advanced tools for complex operations including trench, confined space, high-angle rope and heavy construction rescues. 

Carlsbad is proud to be one of only four fire departments in San Diego County maintaining a Type 1 US&R capability. Once fully outfitted and loaded, this rig will serve Carlsbad, the San Diego region and the state as part of Regional Task Force 13, a multi-agency partnership ready to mobilize within 45 minutes when disaster strikes.

The new truck was authorized through the city budget process and approved by the City Council.

Students in Carlsbad learn to protect our waterways

Teaching kids how the environment works can lead to lifelong habits that protect our natural resources. This week, we’re highlighting a city partnership that brings hands-on watershed education directly into Carlsbad classrooms. Through these lessons, students learn how our everyday actions affect local waterways and what they can do to help protect them.

We’ve been offering this program for almost 10 years, partnering today with 30 classes and more than 1,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade to make science come to life. This video features some of Carlsbad’s young residents sharing what they’ve learned and how they’re already putting it into action.

For anyone who could use a quick refresher, a watershed is the area of land that drains water into a common waterway such as a creek, lagoon or the ocean. Unlike water that goes down indoor drains to the sewage treatment plant, stormwater that flows along streets and gutters is not treated. That means anything left on the ground — like soap, fertilizer or litter — can wash straight into our creeks and lagoons when it rains.

We can all take a few tips from these young learners. If you want to put their lessons into practice at home, here are a few easy ways to protect our watershed this fall:

• Sweep leaves and yard debris instead of hosing them into the street.
• Use fertilizer and pesticides sparingly, especially before rain.
• Check that sprinklers are not overspraying onto sidewalks or gutters.
• Pick up after pets and properly dispose of waste.
• Dispose of household hazardous waste properly instead of pouring it down drains.

If you ever spot water pollution in progress, such as someone washing or dumping liquids into a storm drain, report it to the city’s Storm Water Hotline at 442-339-2799.

Celebrating America Recycles Day

Speaking of protecting our environment, Saturday, Nov. 15, is America Recycles Day, a national observance that began in 1997 to raise awareness and encourage recycling across the country.

Here in Carlsbad, we’re celebrating with a shred-and-recycle event that supports our ongoing efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment — a key goal in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan.

Shred and Recycle It! event

Saturday, Nov. 15

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carlsbad location provided upon registration

Reserve your timeslot online today and scroll down on the registration page to view all available options.

Know before you go:

• Be ready to provide proof of Carlsbad residency.
• Bring up to five boxes of paper for free shredding.
• Remove any binders, clips or plastic covers before you arrive.
• Follow on-site directions to the shredding area, where staff will unload your boxes. You can park nearby to watch the shredding in action.

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 two 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. 

Winter Community Services Guide now online 

Registration opens next Wednesday, Nov. 12, for the City of Carlsbad’s winter recreation programs and our Winter Community Services Guide, now online, is a great way to find your next favorite activity. From aquatics to art classes to sports and fitness programs, we’ve got something for everyone. Take a look now so you’re ready to sign up once registration opens.

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

• Cinema Club Friday, "Permanent Green Light" – Friday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Saturdays in the Courtyard - Mando Basso – Saturday, Nov. 8, 5 p.m., Dove Library
• Veterans Day Musical Program (Adults 50+) – Monday, Nov. 10, noon to 12:45 p.m., Carlsbad Senior Center
• Reel Wednesday, “Get Out" – Wednesday, Nov. 12, 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 Winter Community Services Guide.

Meeting on proposed Tri-City and Sharp HealthCare affiliation

While I’m talking about community events, Tri-City Healthcare District — a public agency whose board is elected by voters in Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista — is considering a long-term affiliation with Sharp HealthCare.



The district will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Carlsbad Senior Center to share details and gather community feedback.

Learn more

An inspiring Veterans Day author talk

Next weekend, the library is hosting a special author talk with veteran Navy SEAL, author, lecturer and Carlsbad local Eric Davis as he shares insights from his book "Raising Men: From Fathers to Sons – Life Lessons from Navy SEAL Training." Come discover how the principles of elite military training can guide and strengthen the father-son bond, and get ready to be inspired.

Author Talk with Eric Davis

Saturday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. 

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland Meeting Room 

1775 Dove Lane

The library hosts free author events throughout the year. It’s a great opportunity to hear from authors from a wide variety of genres, ask questions or get books signed.


Learn more about other upcoming author talks.

Veterans Day holiday city service hours

City offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. A full holiday schedule for city services is listed below:

Trash pickup: No delay

City offices: Closed

Emergency services: Regular service

City libraries: Closed

Cannon Art Gallery: Closed

City sculpture garden: Closed

Alga Norte Aquatic Center: Closed

Community centers: Closed

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

No street sweeping on city holidays

Transit: For the holiday transit schedule, please visit gonctd.com or call 5-1-1



For more information, please call the City of Carlsbad at 442-339-2820.

Upcoming city meetings

There’s no City Council meeting next week, but several city commissions are scheduled to meet including the Historic Preservation Commission and Housing Commission.

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

Thank you to our veterans

Veterans Day is on Tuesday – a time to honor those who have served in our U.S. Armed Forces. I’m proud to say that many of our city staff and their family members are veterans. On behalf of the city, thank you to all who have served and continue to serve and let me be among the first to wish you a Happy Veterans Day.

Have a great weekend,

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager