Hosp Grove Playground

If you’ve got a toddler and you’re tired of crowded beach parking lots, this is your spot. Hosp Grove sits right up against actual forest trails, so you can let the little ones burn energy on the play equipment and then wander into the trees without getting back in the car. The walking path is easy enough to do with a stroller, and the whole place has this shady, calm vibe that’s hard to find in Carlsbad. It stays well-kept, which honestly makes a difference when you’re there every other weekend.