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The CityThe guide was updated:In the late 18th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area that is now Carlsbad. Until that point, the Luiseños, as the Spaniards had named them due to their proximity to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, inhabited the area. Spain continued to build missions and dwellings to maintain the area until Mexico won its independence in 1821, taking control of what is now California and other lands. The land changed hands a few times, and, shortly after the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Arizona Eastern Railway opened up access to the now Carlsbad area.
The area continued to grow in population, agriculture, tourism and amenities. The city organized its chamber of commerce in 1922 and a few years later Carlsbad had a newspaper, school district and theater, among other improvements. Camp Pendleton to the north provided another population boom with veterans of World War II returning from overseas and settling in the area. The area's continued growth resulted in incorporation in 1952.
Carlsbad is a seaside city named after a Bohemian spa town in the Czech Republic. Its boundaries are full of businesses from which to browse and shop, eateries that circle the globe (from nostalgic food carts to immaculate five-star restaurants) and attractions both natural and man-made.