In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
A big Carlsbad 5000 weekend in the Village, with ways to run, volunteer, or just cheer from the sidelines while soaking up the energy by the coast.
Spring events up and down North County, including art and wine walks, skate panels, live music happy hours, pet adoption festivals, gear swaps, and Masters golf watch parties.
Plenty of treats for ice cream lovers and pet people, from a limited-time Scoop San Diego fundraiser flavor in Oceanside to National Pet Day stops and a high-energy indoor action park slated to open in Oceanside soon.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 4/9:
🍦 Scoop San Diego x Little Fox Fundraiser | Little Fox Cups and Cones, 1940 S Freeman St Suite 100, Oceanside | Thu-Sun, Apr 9-12, 11:30am-9pm
Weeklong ice cream fundraiser featuring a limited orange creamsicle flavor made with local organic tangelos, created to celebrate Feeding San Diego as Scoop San Diego’s long-term partner. Donate $5, $10, or $15 for different scoop sizes, with each donation helping provide meals and support hunger relief across San Diego County. details
Friday 4/10:
🎶 Friday Sunset Sessions at Fox Point Farms | Fox Point Farms, 1200 Fox Point Farms Ln, Encinitas | Fri Apr 10, 5-8pm
Weekly golden-hour gathering with live music, farm-fresh food and drinks, $10 margaritas, tractor rides, and plenty of space to unwind as the sun sets. Free parking. Dogs welcome on leash in the Lawn area. details🎉 Atomic Groove “Good Vibez” Dance Party Happy Hour | Belly Up Tavern, 143 S Cedros Ave, Solana Beach | Fri, Apr 10, 5-8pm
High-energy happy hour with Atomic Groove bringing feel-good dance jams to kick off the weekend. Full band, guest vocalists, AG Fly Girlz performances, and a packed dance floor. Tickets start at $12 in advance. details
Saturday 4/11:
🍷 Spring Art & Wine Walk | The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad | Sat, Apr 11, 2-5pm
Open-air afternoon at The Forum with local artists popping up in shops, a Creative Court art market, and a 21+ Wine Garden near YETI pouring complimentary tastings with bites from Mirabelle Charcuterie and Jimbo’s. Look for live acoustic music, a live painting demo, photo ops by the koi pond, and a pressed flower bookmark workshop benefiting The Flower Fields Foundation. details🧘♀️ Carlsbad 5000 x YogaSix - FREE Yoga | Village Faire, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad | Sat, Apr 11, 10:30am-1pm
Three free 30-minute yoga sessions (10:30–11:00, 11:30–12:00, 12:30–1:00) led by YogaSix North Carlsbad open to runners and non-runners. Limited mats available but bring your own if you can. Meet on the grassy fountain area in the Carlsbad Village Faire. details🐾 National Pet Day at Del Mar Highlands | Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12925 El Camino Real, San Diego | Sat, Apr 11
Dog-friendly afternoon at Del Mar Highlands with plenty of patios and two handy pet stops for your pup. Dirty Dogs & Meow offers self-wash dog baths with elevated tubs, premium products, and treats on the way out, while Just Food For Dogs focuses on fresh, vet-supported meals for better everyday health. details🐾 Pawpalooza Pet Adoption Festival | Frontwave Credit Union, 1278 Rocky Point Dr, Oceanside | Sat, Apr 11, 9am-1pm
Community pet adoption day with local rescues, food trucks, games, mascots, and a pet-themed mini market, all focused on helping dogs, cats, and more find new homes. Frontwave puts $100 toward each adoption fee and donates another $100 per pet adopted back to partner rescues, so every new match makes a big impact. details🐾 Animal Buddies Family Festival | Humane Education Campus, 6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe | Sat, Apr 11, 9am-3pm
Free spring family festival with hands-on animal encounters, kid-friendly crafts, games, and seasonal activities, created for toddlers through elementary ages. A relaxing way to spend the day outdoors with friends and family. details🛹 ShredTalk | AVO Playhouse, 303 Main St, Vista | Sat, Apr 11, 3-8pm
Free skate-centric afternoon in Downtown Vista with panels featuring Hall of Fame skateboarders, a screening of the “Skate SD” documentary, skaters from LVLUP and Exposure Skate, plus merch and boards on site. Chris Coté hosts, with brews from Tavern 508, drinks from Drink Weird, and free churros for the first 500 people. details
Sunday 4/12:
⛳️ Sunday Golf Masters Watch Party | Del Mar Social, 3444 Tripp Ct #A2, San Diego | Sun, Apr 12, 11am-5pm
Masters Sunday watch party with the tournament on, beers, bites, and an easygoing golf crowd at Del Mar Social. Free to join, with giveaways and plenty of time to hang with friends while you watch the final round. details🎽 Carlsbad 5000 Cheer Station with lululemon | Acacia Ave & Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad | Sun, Apr 12, 7am–1pm
Race day cheer zone hosted by lululemon San Diego and local run crews, celebrating 40 years of the Carlsbad 5000. Mile 1 will be packed with good energy, music, bubbles, snacks, and plenty of caffeine to keep the crowd going. Food and hydration provided. details🎸 Music Gear Exchange at Amplified Studios | Amplified Studios, 2796 Loker Ave W Suite 102, Carlsbad | Sun, Apr 12, 10am-2pm
Free all-ages community gear swap with 10+ local vendors selling new and used pedals, guitars, amps, and more, plus food and live music in the parking lot. Cool stop for players, collectors, and curious beginners to browse, talk gear, and support local makers. details📚 Book Swap @ Meadiocrity Mead | Meadiocrity Mead, 1365 Grand Ave, Suite 100, San Marcos | Sun, Apr 12, 2-4pm
San Diego Book Swap Society hosts a casual, all-ages swap. Bring at least one book, lay them out, and take home up to four “new-to-you” titles. Leftover books are recycled into future swaps or donated to Little Free Libraries. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Street | details
Thursday: Oceanside: 9am-1pm | Pier View Way | details
Friday: San Marcos: 4pm-8pm | N City Drive | details
Saturday:
Sunday:
🌤️🌊 Carlsbad Weather and Wave Forecast
Weather ☀️
Thursday 4/9
69 🌡️ 59 | ⛅
Friday 4/10
70 🌡️ 59 | ☀️
Saturday 4/11
67 🌡️ 59 | ⛅
Sunday 4/12
69 🌡️ 56 | 🌧
🏃♀️ Carlsbad 5000 Turns 40 in the Village
If you’ve been in the Village this week and noticed more runners on the sidewalks and a little extra buzz near the coast, that’s because the Carlsbad 5000 is back this weekend for its 40th year. The “World’s Fastest 5K” brings everyone out, from serious racers to stroller crews, all running along Coast Highway and finishing under the Carlsbad Village sign with that classic ocean backdrop. Whether you’re lacing up or just walking over with a coffee to watch, it’s one of those weekends where Carlsbad feels extra proud of itself.
You don’t have to be running to be part of it. You can volunteer, join a cheer station, or find a spot along the course and make a morning of it with friends or family. Just keep in mind there will be road closures around Grand Ave, Carlsbad Blvd, and a few nearby streets on Sunday, so it’s worth heading in a little early and planning to park once and wander.
🎢 Slick City Action Park (Almost) Ready in Oceanside
Slick City Action Park has been teasing its Oceanside opening for months, and it’s now aiming for the end of April. The huge indoor space is built around dry slides and air courts, so you get full waterslide energy without the water, plus basketball and dodgeball courts for kids and adults. There’s even a dedicated junior zone for the littles with their own play structures.
Because the timeline has shifted a few times already, it’s worth calling ahead later this month or checking their site and socials before you promise it to the kids. Once the doors are officially open, it should be a fun go-to for high-energy, weather-proof fun in North County.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop