With springtime looming ever closer, people staying at Carlsbad oceanfront hotels will likely be looking for some enjoyable outdoor activities. Running or hiking alone some of Carlsbad’s numerous trails can be a great option for singles or the entire family – even your dog!

Carlsbad boasts over 50 miles of gorgeous trails with breathtaking views of the cityscape, beaches, mountains, greenery, and coastline. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best trails North County San Diego has to offer.

Rancho Carillo

The nearly two miles loops offers mild elevation gains with a historic backdrop that is excellent for beginners or families. The City of Carlsbad owns part of the Leo Carillo Ranch, and has made this park into a National Historic Landmark. This trail is paved, and will showcase classic Southern California plant life such as sage and various cacti. You’ll even get to traverse a bridge that crosses over a creek, giving you a chance to gaze and maybe even sneak a peek at rabbits or squirrels. The old adobe building offers shade for you to enjoy a picnic before or after you enjoy your hike.

Batiquitos Lagoon

This gorgeous salt marsh right along the coast is just a skip and a hop from the legendary Aviara golf course, and is perhaps one of Carlsbad’s locals favorite landmarks. This epic trail is home to a massive diversity of wildlife, include dozens of species of birds, and goes right alongside the lagoon – allowing you a constant flow of fresh ocean breezes. This trail is somewhere between easy and moderately challenging, and is just over three miles long.

Aviara Trails

While Batiquitos Lagoon is probably the most popular trail in Aviara, it’s certainly not the only one. You’ll also find great spots like the Black Sage, Eucalyptus, Salt Marsh, and Gold View Trails. They all offer their own unique benefits. The Black Sage trails offers an abundance of sage and also sports great views of local mountains. The Eucalyptus trails is lined with massive eucalyptus trees. Also, has a higher elevation than many other Aviara trails so you can look at the lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Altogether, these four trails give you six miles of hiking to choose from.