When Hollywood Fell in Love with Carlsbad
A Coastal Escape During California’s Golden Age
Long before Carlsbad became known for LEGOLAND® California Resort, championship golf, luxury resorts, and an award-winning culinary scene, it had already earned another distinction.
It was one of Southern California’s favorite places to get away.
During the 1920s through the 1950s, Hollywood’s biggest stars quietly found their way to this little coastal village—not for red carpets or movie premieres, but for something much more meaningful.
Peace.
Fresh ocean air.
Beautiful beaches.
Friendly people.
And the chance to leave Hollywood behind for a few days.
As I share these stories with our guests, I often remind them that Carlsbad has always offered the same gift.
A place to slow down.
If you’re discovering our city for the first time, begin with Discover Carlsbad, where you’ll find the people, places, and stories that make this community so extraordinary.
The Journey Was Part of the Experience
Before Interstate 5 existed, everyone traveling between Los Angeles and San Diego followed the scenic curves of Historic Highway 101.
Imagine yourself in the late 1940s.
The top is down on a shiny Cadillac.
The Pacific Ocean stretches endlessly beside the road.
Palm trees sway in the breeze.
There are no traffic reports.
No freeways.
No rush.
Just one beautiful coastal drive.
For Hollywood stars, the journey itself became part of the vacation.
And right in the middle of that journey sat Carlsbad.
A welcoming coastal village where travelers naturally slowed down.
Why They Came
It’s fascinating how little has changed.
The reasons celebrities came to Carlsbad decades ago are almost identical to the reasons people visit today.
They came for:
- Beautiful beaches
- Mild year-round weather
- Ocean views
- Fresh coastal air
- Wonderful restaurants
- Peace and privacy
- Mineral water spa treatments
- Scenic drives along Highway 101
- Genuine hospitality
Some things never go out of style.
The Twin Inns
Where Travelers Became Guests
One of the most beloved stops along Highway 101 was the Twin Inns.
Built in 1887, this beautiful Victorian landmark welcomed travelers for generations with warm hospitality and its legendary family-style chicken dinners.
During the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, it became one of Southern California’s favorite roadside destinations.
Families stopped here.
Business travelers stopped here.
And according to long-shared local stories, so did many familiar faces from Hollywood.
One of the best-known was John Wayne, whose connection to the Twin Inns is still remembered today in the beautifully restored Duke Room inside the historic building.
Standing here today, it’s easy to imagine travelers pulling up after a long drive along Highway 101, eager for a good meal and a peaceful evening by the coast.
To learn more, read our story about the Twin Inns.
Bing Crosby Changed Everything
In 1937, entertainer Bing Crosby helped open the Del Mar Racetrack, creating one of Southern California’s most glamorous social destinations.
Movie stars, musicians, athletes, and business leaders flocked to Del Mar for race season.
And nearly all of them traveled the same coastal highway.
Carlsbad became the natural stopping place along the journey.
Some came for lunch.
Others stayed overnight.
Many simply enjoyed the spectacular ocean views before continuing south.
The excitement surrounding Del Mar helped introduce even more visitors to North County’s beautiful coastline.
A Hollywood Ranch
Not every celebrity was simply passing through.
Some decided to stay.
Actor Leo Carrillo, beloved for his role as Pancho in The Cisco Kid, purchased more than 2,500 acres in Carlsbad during the 1930s.
His ranch became a peaceful escape from Hollywood.
Today, Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park remains one of Carlsbad’s hidden treasures, where visitors can stroll through historic adobe buildings, lush gardens, and encounter the park’s famous free-roaming peacocks.
It offers a glimpse into the quieter life Carrillo cherished.
The Prohibition Years
The 1920s added another fascinating chapter to Carlsbad’s story.
During Prohibition, alcohol was illegal throughout the United States.
Just across the border in Agua Caliente, near Tijuana, elegant hotels, casinos, fine dining, and cocktails flourished.
Hollywood celebrities often traveled south to enjoy the excitement.
Carlsbad sat almost exactly halfway between Los Angeles and Tijuana.
The Twin Inns became one of the journey’s favorite stopping places.
Over the years, local legends have told stories of discreet deliveries, whispered conversations, and hidden speakeasies associated with the building.
Whether every detail belongs to documented history or has grown into community folklore, those stories have become part of Carlsbad’s enduring charm.
Today, a modern speakeasy tucked behind the Twin Inns pays tribute to that colorful era.
More Than Celebrity Stories
What I find most interesting isn’t simply that famous people came here.
It’s why they came.
Carlsbad offered something increasingly difficult to find.
A slower pace.
Natural beauty.
Friendly neighbors.
Wonderful food.
And a sense of peace.
Those same qualities continue to define our community today.
Walking Through Living History
One of my favorite moments during our tours is watching guests realize they’re standing in places where generations of people have gathered before them.
Movie stars.
Ranchers.
Artists.
Surfers.
Entrepreneurs.
Families.
The buildings may have changed.
The restaurants may have evolved.
But the spirit of Carlsbad remains remarkably unchanged.
People still come here for the same reasons they always have.
To breathe the ocean air.
Share a great meal.
Slow down.
Reconnect with what matters most.
Experience Carlsbad Like Old Hollywood Did
At Carlsbad Food Tours, we believe the best way to discover Carlsbad is by walking its streets, meeting the people who bring it to life, and hearing the stories hidden behind every historic building and local restaurant.
Our Taste of Carlsbad Food Tour blends history, architecture, public art, and unforgettable food into an experience that helps guests see Carlsbad through the eyes of a local.
To continue exploring, visit Complete Guide to Carlsbad Village, discover more Things to Do in Carlsbad, or browse our Carlsbad History Blog.
If you’re planning a visit, Contact Us. We’d love to welcome you to our community.
Cheri’s Reflection
Sometimes people ask me why so many famous names appear throughout Carlsbad’s history.
My answer is simple.
They came for the same reason everyone else does.
Not because Carlsbad was flashy.
But because it wasn’t.
It offered something timeless.
A place where people could slow down, enjoy good food, breathe the ocean air, and spend time with the people they loved.
Nearly a century later, I think that’s still Carlsbad’s greatest gift.
The names may have changed.
The cars certainly have.
But the feeling hasn’t.
And every time I walk through the Village with our guests, I hope they experience that same feeling.
Because that’s the Carlsbad I fell in love with.
And it’s the Carlsbad I love sharing with others.