“Camping at South Carlsbad State Beach offers an unforgettable experience with its scenic oceanfront setting and well-maintained facilities,” the website wrote of the park.

The linear park would be sandwiched between the South Carlsbad State Beach Campground and Carlsbad Boulevard, also known as the Coast Highway or Highway 101.

But Carlsbad, where many hotels, restaurants and shops are just steps from the sand and clustered around the downtown train station in Carlsbad Village, has the genuine feel of a small-town beach ...

The South Carlsbad State Beach and the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park were among the 21 parks selected for the grant funding.