Alt Karlsbad: A California Historic Site in Carlsbad - Club Chaos Eye Candy

Carlsbad, California is known for many things, in particular its beautiful beaches, terrific weather and as a place to live, vacation and retire. But many folks are probably not aware of its early beginnings.

In 1882 John Frazier, a sea captain, was digging a well on his farm near the ocean (which is, today, much of the downtown Carlsbad Village area) and discovered the natural mineral springs that lay hundreds of feet beneath the surface. The mineral water, as tests showed, is very like the mineral springs at a famous European spa called Karlsbad in Bohemia (the modern day Czech Republic, and now known as Karlovy Vary), which gave Carlsbad its name.

While the site is historic (being declared a Historic Site and Monument in 1955 by the CA Senate), the Alt Karlsbad building you see was built in the 1960s. It does resemble the old buildings you see in Europe and stands in stark contrast to the newer architecture of the Village area, much of which is more Mediterranean in style. You can't miss it on the main road, and you can't help but wonder what it's all about, which is part of its allure to residents and tourists alike.

Mineral springs have been known for years for their health benefits, and today you can still enjoy the feeling of warmth and well-being, the increased blood circulation, and tension relief associated with mineral baths at Alt Karlsbad. There are also important minerals in the water that help to recharge the body and leave the skin soft. The Carlsbad mineral water has been shown, through tests, to be about 9500 years old.

There are 3 rooms decorated in dramatic style (Egyptian Cleopatra, Roman Caesar, and Exotic Oriental) where you can take a mineral bath and enjoy a personal 1-hour massage (I spied one of the employees outside so we chatted for a bit about the history and services, and she graciously showed us the Egyptian room and let me snap some interior pics). There are a variety of other services provided including mud facials, herbal wraps and aromatherapy, with several spa packages to enjoy; prices are very reasonable, with a 1-hour massage priced at $69 (as compared to places like the Four Seasons and the La Costa Resort and Spa where a 40 minute massage runs $120 and more).

READ MORE: Visit the Carlsbad Mineral Spa website for more details

You can have water delivered in 3 and 5 gallon plastic jugs to your business or home, and there is a cute kiosk outside in front where you can load up on water yourself - bring your own container.

Alt Karlsbad is a little bit of history in the quaint seaside town of Carlsbad, California, located at 2802 Carlsbad Boulevard, the historic Route 101 just a couple blocks from the ocean.

Why not enjoy a mineral bath and massage after a hard day of surfing, or midway through your shopping spree in charming Carlsbad Village, before heading off to dinner at one of our many restaurants? You'll feel great and you will be supporting a local historic landmark and business.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits