La Costa refers to both a residential community of Carlsbad and the world famous resort that lies at its center. With a population of approximately 27,445, this community became a part of Carlsbad in1972. Not only does it offer spectacular views, a relaxed lifestyle, beautiful weather and seemingly unlimited social and recreational activities, but it also offers a prime location and excellent schools. Everything you could need or want is at your doorstep.
Location
La Costa is a residential community of the City of Carlsbad, located just two miles from the beautiful Pacific coastline in northern San Diego County.
The community is situated south of Palomar Airport Road and east of El Camino Real. As a part of Carlsbad, it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, by the city of Oceanside on the north, by the city of San Marcos on the east, and on the south by the city of Encinitas.
La Costa is also the name of the famous resort that lies at the center of the community of La Costa.
La Costa is located approximately 25.8 miles north of San Diego, 85 miles south of Los Angeles, and 388 miles from San Jose.
Geography/Terrain
La Costa covers an area of 3 square miles of rolling hills and canyons. The Resort and Spa sprawls over 400 lush green acres, nestled amidst the beautiful coastal region of Carlsbad.
La Costa sits just east of the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon. The lagoon itself is bordered by the ocean on the west, a steep coastal ridge on the south, gently rising banks, covered with eucalyptus trees, on the north, and San Marcos Creek on the east.
Jobs
There are ample opportunities for employment available to the residents of La Costa. The community’s economy is primarily based on Carlsbad’s high-tech, biotechnology, healthcare, multimedia corporations and golf manufacturers.
Some of the main corporations that employ La Costa's highly educated workforce are: Isis Pharmaceuticals, Immune Response, Taylor Made, Callaway and Cobra Golf, Jazzercise and The Gemological Institute of America.
Housing
Much of the area surrounding the La Costa resort was developed in the late 1970's. Its unique residences and condominium communities dot the surrounding hills around the golf course, providing a wide price range in a delightfully eclectic neighborhood. Housing options range from established private estates to newer custom luxury homes and condominiums, most offering scenic golf course and Pacific Ocean views.
Real estate in La Costa is priced well above the average for both California and San Diego County, homes ranging in price from $519,000 to $4,500,000.
The Greystone Collection at La Costa Valley is a residential community offering multimillion dollar luxury properties. On the high La Costa hills, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean are The Estates of La Costa. These luxury custom homes are built on one half to two-acre sites, and sell for $1.5 million and up. The last of the original Rancho La Costa land is being developed into new master-planned, residential communities. La Costa Greens and La Costa Oaks are offering new luxury homes with prices beginning in the $800,000 range.
An innovative real estate concept is being developed in the area, with 197 one, two and three-bedroom villas being built on the La Costa Resort grounds. These villas will be sold to individual owners, who can use them for up to 120 days per year, and the rest of the year the villas will be part of the rental pool of hotel rooms.
Brief History
La Costa had its beginnings in 1965, when a partner in the Desert Inn hotel in Las Vegas bought 3,500 acres of this scenic natural area. He quickly developed a golf course and began selling La Costa real estate. In order to accommodate the visitors coming to look at these first home sites, the 90-room Rancho La Costa Inn was built. Later a Spa was added, and in time, as the Inn grew, another 2,000 acres were purchased. At that time the resort was a little known hideaway for Hollywood’s rich and famous, in the quaint little beach town known as Carlsbad by the Sea. A Japanese company, Sports Shinko, bought the Resort in 1987, for a record high price, and fourteen years later they sold it to KSL, a California resort hotel group.
Recreation
La Costa offers all of the recreational opportunities available in the Southern California Coastal area. There are water sports such as swimming, surfing, fishing and other activities like hiking in the mountains, cycling, tennis and, of course, golf. It has parks, open space, walking trails, community recreation facilities and a day-care center for children. Batiquitos Lagoon can be seen and enjoyed from the two-mile nature trail on the north side.
The La Costa Resort and Spa is a luxury resort with an 18-hole golf course, resort hotel and condominium units, along with related retail businesses. Dr. Deepak Chopra’s health facility, the Chopra Center, is also located at the resort. The La Costa Resort and Spa also offers the ultimate relaxation of its rock steam rooms and Roman pools.
La Costa offers numerous tennis clubs. It is the site of the Acura Classic, prelude to the U.S. Open, with a 21-court championship facility and professional staff. It offers tennis courts on three different surfaces (grass, clay and composite), and its tennis school is considered one of the best in the country.
La Costa is probably best known for its golf courses, which are among the most prestigious and spectacular in the U.S. It has been listed as one of the Best of Golf Resorts by Links magazine. It has two beautiful and traditionally designed 18-hole PGA champion golf courses. They offer plenty of challenges for both professional level golfers and amateurs. They also present players with special challenges, such as the last four holes of the South Course, known as “the longest mile in golf.”
Whether a beginner or a pro, golfers can improve their skills at the newly opened Jim McLean Golf School. Jim McLean is rated by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as one of the top instructors in the world.
Special Attractions/Events
La Costa Resort is the home of the Accenture Match Play Championship. It has hosted the PGA Tournament of Champions Format for over thirty years and holds the World Golf Championships each February. Golfers can measure their performance on the courses which have challenged the best players in the world.
The Acura TIG Tennis Tournament is growing increasingly popular. Each August it brings together the world's top women tennis players.
The La Costa Resort and Spa is undergoing a $150 million renovation that will transform the facility. The plan is not only to upgrade the existing amenities, but also to add 14,000 square feet of luxury retail space and a 42,000 square-foot ballroom. The resort presently boasts two 18-hole PGA championship golf courses, 23 tennis courts, three swimming pools, excellent restaurants, three lounges and a movie theater.
From La Costa, day trips to Big Bear for skiing, getaways to Catalina and Coronado Islands, world-class shopping, and the Mexican border are all accessible.
La Costa is within easy reach of such attractions as Sea Port Village, Convention Center, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Qualcomm Stadium, Wild Animal Park, and Lindbergh Field Airport.
La Costa offers superb dining to fit every taste. The Pisces Restaurant offers seafood and the Ristorante Figaro has more innovative cuisine. For those in the mood for more informal dining, there is the Brasserie La Costa.
La Costa Greens: This community is off of Alga Road and El Camino Real. A Mediterranean resort-style community exists here on the North boundary of the La Costa Golf Course. A new Elementary School site and Children’s day care center will be included in this community along with an RV Storage site and 246 acres of open space and trails. This area includes single family attached as well as detached residences on 660 acres. The subdivisions include: Castlemar, Villareal, Bacara, Isla Vista and Cordelane.
Builders: Laing, Warmington, D.R. Horton, Pulte Homes
Starting price of homes: $800,000
Total homes to be built: 1038
La Costa Oaks: This community is at the intersection of La Costa Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Roads. A primarily Craftsman style home exists here spread out on 712 acres which include 14 different neighborhoods within 5 subdivisions. These subdivisions include: Highgrove, Clifton Heights, Hillock, Stoneridge and Starboard.
Builders: Shea, Centex, K. Hovnanian, Warmington and Davidson
Starting price of homes: $800,000
Total homes to be built: 1032
La Costa Ridge: This community between El Fuerte and Rancho Santa Fe Road includes 320 single family and semi-custom estate sites. A Tuscan-style home exists here on a hilltop with a gate-guarded entrance. Over 355 acres are preserved for open space for hiking and biking trails which are linked to the community-wide trail system.
Builders: Unknown
Starting price of homes:
Total homes to be built: 93
La Costa Valley: This community at Barcelona and El Camino Real is already built out as of 1998. This subdivision includes 11 neighborhoods ranging from 2200-3518 square feet. The subdivisions include: Greystone, Westfield, San Alicia, Monterey, Parkridge, Shelbourne, The Greystone Collection II, The Enclave, Arbor Heights, The Monterey Collection II and the Preserve.
Builders: Greystone, Shea, Centex, K. Hovanian, Standard Pacific and Kaufman & Broad and Davidson
Starting price of homes: $800,000
Total homes to be built: 1073
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
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