Poinsettia, Carlsbad, CA

Between Palomar Airport Road and Batiquitos Lagoon, the Poinsettia area of Carlsbad runs from the coast inland to Aviara Parkway, with Interstate 5 and the rail line cutting through the middle. It is newer than the north end of town, and its draw is having the lagoon, the beach and a train station all within a few minutes. Housing is newer planned-community construction, split among many small subdivisions with their own associations. Subdivision names like Mariners Point, Harbor Pointe and Las Playas hint at the coastal setting, and lagoon or ocean views turn up from the higher streets. Poinsettia Park on Hidden Valley Road is the neighborhood's big green space and home to a city tennis complex. Along the south edge, the Batiquitos Lagoon trail starts at the end of Gabbiano Lane and runs about 1.6 miles each way along the north shore, past the nature center and nesting areas for least terns and snowy plovers. To the west, across Carlsbad Boulevard, South Carlsbad State Beach has a 220-site campground and the Ponto surf breaks shaped by the lagoon jetties. For food, Pelly's Fish Market and Cafe on Avenida Encinas has been cutting fresh fish and ladling clam chowder since 1989, with fish tacos and house key lime pie on the menu. Coffee comes from Invita, a small Italian-style espresso bar on Embarcadero Lane. Up on Paseo del Norte, the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum serves lobster rolls and burgers alongside a free collection of documents from early American history. Errands are easy by car. Ralphs Fresh Fare anchors the Avenida Encinas center by the freeway, and the Costco on Palomar Airport Road handles bulk runs. The Coaster station on Avenida Encinas has parking and links to the BREEZE 445 bus, and the Poinsettia Lane interchange puts Interstate 5 right at hand. Living with Interstate 5 and the tracks is part of the deal in Poinsettia. Streets near Avenida Encinas hear both, and getting from the inland side to the beach means crossing the freeway and the rail line. The best hour here is late afternoon on the lagoon trail, with egrets in the shallows and a Coaster train sliding past toward the coast.