Terramar — Attraction in Carlsbad

I really like this beach, because it's different than most. It's a great slender strip of sand to walk along! You may find lobster shells, kelp, or some bizarre-looking tidal rocks, to gaze at. Also gorgeous here are the reddish-brown sandstone cliffs. Sand to stretch out on without getting wet is limited, but there are little, 5 foot high rock tabletops, to hang out on, should the 2 small fluffy sand beach areas be full, or swallowed up by water at high tide. From this slightly elevated position, you'll get a better view of the surfers, waves & all the beach happenings.

Terramar is a revered spot for longboard surfers, because of the smaller-sized, seemingly endless waves that are perfect for a longboard, found at this beach. Surfers I've encountered here have been very friendly.

In a short amount of time walking this beach the other day, I saw a Great Egret, a Whimbrel, Willet, and a Snowy Egret, as well as aerial wave after wave of Brown Pelicans, usually flying in V-Formations up high, before gliding single file down low, wing-tips nearly touching the peaks of waves.

Interesting slender curvy rocks can be found here, a bit north of where the bottom of the stairs meets the beach. They are quite fascinating to look at, & best viewed during low or minus tides. The Snowy Egret I saw, was hunting for small fish from these rocks.

Because it's scenic, & not you run-of-the-mill beach, is the reason I like this spot. Easy parking along a guardrail on beach side of PCH, in Carlsbad, is another reason. Toughest part for me are the steps here, either going down, or on the way back up to the top...

Easy parking and easy access down the stairs. Very nice beach, nice tide pools to the north. Just go down the steps and walk up (north) the beach a bit at low tide. Tide pools often have hidden treasures, such as crabs, Sea Anemones and Sea Stars (starfish). Often there are a lot of surfers.

Keep walking north to reach Carlsbad State Beach. Keep walking south and you'll reach North Ponto Beach, and eventually the state campground. No toilets or running water at the top. Nearest porta-potty is at Cannon Park (topside), just south of the old power plant. Or farther north at Carlsbad State...

One of my MANY favorite spots to enjoy. I've been coming to this beach over 40 years and have been watching its transformation over decades. Much of the cliffs we had bonfires on in the 90s are eroded away but it's still incredibly beautiful. Great place to get away from it all. #exploringmyworld...