City Guide Filming in Carlsbad, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Fee - $0
- Cost To Film On Private Property
- 1st Day - $30
- Consecutive days - $10 per day
- Cost To Film On Public Property
- 1st Day - $100
- Consecutive days - $50 per day
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability - $1,000,000 minimum
- Vehicle Liability - $1,000,000 minimum
- Bodily Injury Cover - $1,000,000 minimum
- Property Damage Cover - $1,000,000 minimum
Additional Permits
- Fees For Filming in Parks
- Application fee - $50 non-refundable but deducted from the final cost of the film permit
- 1 Hour - $100
- Half Day - $300 (4 hours)
- Full Day - $600
- Security Deposit - $300
- State Park Monitor - $79 per hour
- State Park Lifeguard - $39 per hour
- Fees For Filming in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
- $100 per hour
- $400 for half a day
- $800 for a full day
- Filming out of hours - $100 per hour
Discounts
About Carlsbad
Carlsbad has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on filmmaking history over the years. Situated on the California coast halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, this resort city just about has it all where filming locations are concerned. The only thing you won't find in Carlsbad are skyscrapers, so if you're hoping to shoot scenes on streets lined with them, then you're looking in the wrong place.
While Carlsbad doesn't have streets lined with skyscrapers, it has beaches, lagoons, lakes, caves, mountains, golf courses, and one of the most popular family amusement parks in California, Legoland. Carlsbad also hosts the annual natural phenomena known as the Flower Fields, which would add more than a splash of color to any b-roll you might want to shoot.
Those incredibly varied Carlsbad attributes have brought producers and directors back to the city to film there time and time again. As far back as 1971, Carlsbad was chosen as the backdrop for movies like Doctor's Wives, featuring the well-known actor Gene Hackman.
Movie themes being shot in Carlsbad got even stranger with the filming of Addy Daddy followed by All This Mayhem. In the second decade of the 2000s, films being shot in Carlsbad took a more eerie turn as it was used for some of the filming locations in Paranormal Activity – Beyond Ritual and in the scary short thriller Hurtcore.
Undoubtedly, one of the most memorable films to be shot in Carlsbad was the documentary Au Revoir in 2022. Au Revoir details the biography of wakeboarder Raph Derome, but from a filmmaker's point of view, highlights the versatility of Carlsbad as a filming location. If you haven’t seen it, take time out to watch it, and you may find yourself inspired.
It's hard not to get excited about using Carlsbad as a place to shoot your movie, but before you go hurtling down the I5 to get there, check out some of the filming locations on Giggster. They'll give you a good idea of what is available and where it is without you making a big hole in your film budget funds by paying for lots of gas. Carlsbad is a film-friendly city, but as with anywhere in the US, there are some rules and regulations to abide by, so before you start filming, make sure you know what they are.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Carlsbad?
There is no cut-and-dry answer to whether or not you'll need a filming permit to shoot your production in Carlsbad. You may, or you may not. It all depends on the locations you've selected to film at.
There is one thing you will need to get, without fail, before you start filming in Carlsbad — a business license. You should get a business license whether your location requires a filming permit. You should obtain a business license even if your shoot is a day or less.
The City of Carlsbad issues Carlsbad business licenses. You can apply for a business license online, in person, or by mail. Online will probably give you a swifter result, but expect the process to take around four weeks. Once your application has been processed, the production company will receive an invoice, which must be paid before you begin filming.
Depending on the chosen shoot location, you may need to apply to different authorities for a filming permit. They are as follows:-
Filming on Private Property
If filming on private property, you may need a special event permit. It's not always required, so you should liaise with the Carlsbad Community and Economic Development Department to learn if you should get one.
Interrupting Traffic or Using City Parking Facilities
If you need to interrupt traffic or using city parking facilities interrupts their daily use, you should contact the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department.
Filming in a City Park
If you plan to film in a city park, you should liaise with the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department. If you're implementing any special effects, pyrotechnics, use tents, open flames, or generators, you should contact the City of Carlsbad Fire Department first.
Filming on the Beach
Contact the California State Parks Special Events Department for permission to film on the beach.
Permit Management in Carlsbad
None
As the City of Carlsbad doesn't issue film permits, they have no managing body that oversees them or film ordinance. The City of Carlsbad does not issue business licenses, as mentioned previously.
If you are required to deal with any city authorities concerning filming permits, it will be one or more of the following:-
Carlsbad Community and Economic Development Department
Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department
City of Carlsbad Fire Department
California State Parks Special Events Department
What Insurance Do I Need in Carlsbad?
The City of Carlsbad does not state any general liability insurance requirements for filming in the city. To prevent you from getting into all sorts of situations that may be difficult to extract yourself from, it's sensible to have liability insurance.
Even if you have a cast and crew of one, namely yourself, you can never predict when an accident might happen. You or a member of the public get injured or unintentionally damage public or private property. Get decent insurance to cover your lead actor when kayaking offshore sea caves.
There are multiple entertainment insurance brokers and specialists in the Los Angeles area, so consult with several before purchasing. Having even the minimum insurance to cover all eventualities will take the weight of worry off your shoulders, and if the worst happens, you will be covered.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad is in a league of its own in terms of filming locations. Apart from the lack of skyscrapers, which is not bad, Carlsbad has diverse types of filming locations you could imagine covered.
The external shoot locations in Carlsbad are exceptional. For countryside shots, you have Mount Calavera, where there are superb walking trails, but even better, it's accessible by a vehicle along Carlsbad Village Road, from where there are views of Lake Calavera.
The beaches of Carlsbad, Tamarack Surf Beach, and the city's three lagoons, Agua Hedionda, Batiquitos, and Buena Vista, deserve a mention. Terramar Point is an exceptionally scenic spot for a film shoot, especially if you want to b-roll the sunset.
Carlsbad Boulevard is the ideal highway for driving scenes with the ocean in the background. The Carlsbad Boulevard Seawall Walk favors oceanside walks, along which you'll come across park areas and sports facilities like volleyball courts.
They're not the end of Carlsbad's impressive natural features either. Several movies came to life at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, but for a luxurious setting, peek at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa; you will find it a perfect match.
You'll get three locations in one, and more besides, at Legoland California, where there's an aquarium, theme park, and mini world, which would be an excellent set for another Gulliver remake.
You'll still have options in Carlsbad if you need internal shoot locations rather than external ones. The city is ideal for filming family dramas, with selections of houses, apartments, and rooms available for hire.
Think awe-inspiring mansion by the side of golf courses, houses with contemporary décor that are a stone's throw from the beach, and state-of-the-art bungalows on the waterfront but still have their pool.
Start searching for business-type locations, and you'll come across a Boho craft brewery complete with bar and furnishings, dance studios, recording studios, gyms that can be converted into event spaces, and a rustic restaurant.
Special Requirements in Carlsbad
Filming At Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
To be able to get permission to film at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, you will first need to get an application form. These are available on the City of Carlsbad website, the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park website, or from the park's visitor center. You will also need a business license and general liability insurance.
Filming is only permitted during opening hours and must be completed by five in the afternoon at the latest. Whether you will be granted a permit to film at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is entirely at the discretion of the City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department.
Filming In Carlsbad Parks
To be able to film in any of the parks in Carlsbad, you will be required to liaise directly with the City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department. Once they learn of your project, they will advise you on how to proceed, as each case is dealt with on a case-by-cae basis. The use of park and park property incurs fees, which you will be advised of on application.
Example Fees For Filming in Parks
Application fee - $50 non-refundable but deducted from the final cost of the film permit
1 Hour - $100
Half Day - $300 (4 hours)
Full Day - $600
Security Deposit - $300
Filming At Legoland
If you want to film in the Legoland theme park, you will need to obtain special permission first. All of the rides and activities in the park are copyrighted, and you need to be granted a copyright waiver before you can use images of them commercially. The first step in getting permission is to contact the parks marketing department, and they will advise you of what to do from there.
Filming On Carlsbad's Lagoons
While you won't need a film permit to film at any of the city's three lagoons, you will need a boat permit if your scenes involve using boats. This also applies if using kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, jet skis, or actors fishing from a dinghy.
The City of Carlsbad, from their office in the Harding Community Center, issues boat permits. Permits can only be applied for by mail or in person. Before you set sail on the lagoons, make sure you're fully aware of the guidelines that are in place to prevent contamination from bacteria and other aquatic-related dangers.
Filming At The Flower Fields
If you want to include the glorious blooms of the fifty-acre Flower Fields in your shoot, you'll need to be precise when choosing your shoot date. The fantastic phenomenon only lasts a few weeks, so timing is crucial.
Contact them to reserve a time before you can film at the Flower Fields. Unless by prior agreement, most filming is restricted to a two-hour session. The use of drones is strictly prohibited. To make sure you get a reservation, you'll need to contact the Flower Fields at least ten days before you want to film.
You should have general liability insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000, stating several companies as additionally insured, and mention the Flower Fields in the film credits.
Filming On Carlsbad's Beaches
You should obtain a permit if the script you're working from involves scenes requiring a beach. The California Film Commission manages California state beaches permits, but before applying, check availability with California State Parks.
You may be required to have a State Park Monitor present during the shoot or a State Park Lifeguard if the filming involves activities on the water. The production company will be charged a fee for the attendance of a monitor or lifeguard.
State Park Monitor - $79 per hour
State Park Lifeguard - $39 per hour
What Does it Cost to Film in Carlsbad?
The Carlsbad city authorities might not issue filming permits, but filming there isn't cost-free. You should obtain your business license, and that's a process that incurs fees. They're not so significant they'll break your budget, but they still have to be paid before you can begin filming. Different rates apply to the business license, depending on whether you are filming for commercial purposes and on private or public property.
Additional Fees
Having a business license to film on public property allows you to film on private property without incurring extra expenses.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Carlsbad?
Carlsbad occupies around thirty-nine square miles of the California coast. It is approximately ninety miles south of Los Angeles and forty miles north of San Diego. Carlsbad is part of San Diego County and home to around a hundred and fifteen thousand people. Carlsbad's western border faces out onto the North Atlantic Ocean and is lined with several beaches, including Tamarack Surf Beach, Carlsbad State Beach, and North Ponto Beach. Offshore is the Swami's State Marine Conservation Area. To the north, Carlsbad is bordered by several neighborhoods of the city of Oceanside. They are South Oceanside, Fire Mountain, Mira Costa, and Tri-City. To the northeast is the Oceanside neighborhood of Lake and Ocean Hills. To the east of Carlsbad is Lake San Marcos and the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, while to the south is the city of Encinitas. Should your chosen shoot locations encroach into the neighborhoods of the city of Oceanside then you will need to apply for a film permit. Film permits for Oceanside are managed by the city's Special Events Office, which is part of the Parks and Recreation Department. If you decide to head off into the woods of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve to film a few scenes, then you will be required to get a filming permit. Film permits for the reserve can be obtained by applying online through the official website. Applications should be made at least three working days before the estimated filming date.
Outreach in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad authorities do not publish any requirements concerning outreach. But as the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If you're filming in a heavily populated area, blocking a sidewalk, or interrupting traffic, it's a good idea to let the community around the shoot know what you're doing.
Distributing notifications to residents and business owners may seem like a time-consuming waste of time, but it's not. It's more time-consuming dealing with incensed people interrupting the film shoot. If you don't want to do outreach personally, you should consider having a community manager on your crew to do it for you.
Community Management in Carlsbad
No matter where you're filming, have a community manager on your team. A community manager with well-practiced public relations skills can usually sort out any minor incident before it develops into a full-blown problem.
Having angry or upset locals making their presence known during the shoot can be pretty disruptive. You'll have to stop shooting, and that's not good if your cast is in full flow. A community manager can diffuse any situation and remove the disturbance so you can keep working without worrying that someone will make an official complaint about your filming activities.
Conclusion
Carlsbad is a fantastic filming location with a lot of variety, especially where outdoor shoot locations are concerned. It's also a relatively economical place to film without too much paperwork to struggle your way through. If you're considering Carlsbad as your film shoot location, believe it, you're on to a winner.