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2 superleggero karts on track

Corporate Events

Birthday Parties

Arrive & Drive

Paddock Lounge

Delicious Food &
Refreshing Drinks
At the Paddock Lounge

View Menu
four teens birthdayBOOK NOW

WE MAKE IT EASY TO PLAN
YOUR PARTY AND CELEBRATE
WITH FRIENDS!

Birthday Fun

in charge of
2 superleggero karts on track

Corporate Events

Birthday Parties

Arrive & Drive

Paddock Lounge

Delicious Food &
Refreshing Drinks
At the Paddock Lounge

View Menu
four teens birthdayBOOK NOW

WE MAKE IT EASY
TO PLAN YOUR PARTY
AND CELEBRATE
WITH FRIENDS!

Birthday Fun

in charge of

GROUP RESERVATIONS OF 8 OR MORE

START PLANNING

Indoor Go-Kart Racing Carlsbad

CONTACT

Other Locations Nearby

K1 CIRCUIT – OUTDOOR

HOURS

  • MON-THU:
    FRI:
    SAT:
    SUN:

NOTE: No Junior races after 8pm on FRI and SAT.

DETAILS

  The Very First K1 Speed! Open Since 2003

  1 Challenging Track

  Adult and Junior Electric Karts

  Arcade

  2 Meeting Rooms with A/V Connections

North County’s Go-To Spot for Racing, Food & Family Fun

Welcome to K1 Speed Carlsbad — the original K1 Speed location that launched it all back in 2003! As the very first center in what’s now a global karting phenomenon, our Carlsbad venue has been delivering high-speed thrills and unforgettable memories to North County San Diego for over two decades.

 

Whether you’re planning a fun night out, a weekend adventure with the family, or a unique group event, K1 Speed Carlsbad offers a full-throttle indoor entertainment experience under one roof. Kick things off with Arrive & Drive racing in our all-electric go-karts — no reservation needed — on a professionally designed track that’s built for speed and excitement.

 

Then head over to our lively arcade, packed with games for all ages. Hungry or thirsty? Relax at our Paddock Lounge, where you can enjoy a full food menu including appetizers, pizzas, sliders, wings, and more, plus drinks while catching all the racing action from our trackside seating.

 

Perfect for birthday parties, corporate events, team building, or just blowing off steam after work, K1 Speed Carlsbad combines racing, gaming, dining, and socializing in one unforgettable destination — just minutes from Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, and The Shoppes at Carlsbad.

 

One of the best indoor go kart tracks in Southern California!

Feel the Rush of Arrive & Drive Indoor Karting

People race OTL Superleggero go-karts at K1 Speed

At K1 Speed Carlsbad, our Arrive & Drive indoor go-kart races let you compete against the clock with up to 12 racers on the track. The goal? Set the fastest lap time and earn bragging rights. It’s a test of skill and consistency—one mistake can cost you the win.

 

Our all-electric go-karts deliver instant torque with 20hp motors, giving you lightning-fast acceleration from the start. Unlike gas karts that slow down in corners, our electric karts maintain speed and power through every turn. Lightweight or heavy, everyone gets the same thrilling performance.

 

If you’re used to slow, noisy gas karts, prepare for a whole new level of racing excitement. Once you try K1 Speed’s electric karts, you’ll never want to race any other way!

SEE RACE PRICES

Non-Stop Fun in the Arcade

girls playing an arcade game at k1 speed

After the race, keep the excitement going in our exciting arcade, packed with games for all ages. Whether you’re a kid, teen, or adult, you’ll find something to enjoy, from classic favorites to the latest high-tech video games. Challenge your friends to air hockey, test your skills on prize machines and claw games, or compete for high scores on popular arcade cabinets.

 

Our arcade is the perfect spot to unwind, have fun, and make memories between races or after your session. It’s a key part of the full entertainment experience at K1 Speed Carlsbad, offering something for everyone in the family.

MORE ARCADE INFO

Recharge & Chill Out at the Paddock Lounge

Teens eating pizza at K1 Speed.

When it’s time to catch your breath, the Paddock Lounge is where the fun continues off the track. Enjoy a menu filled with flavorful appetizers like quesadillas, loaded nachos, and warm giant pretzels. For something more substantial, savor our Italian stone-fired pizzas, juicy sliders, wings tossed in your favorite sauces, and a variety of other tasty options.

 

Designed as a casual and welcoming space, the lounge is perfect for socializing, celebrating, or just relaxing with friends and family. Whether you’re fueling up between races or winding down after an epic day of racing, the Paddock Lounge offers a cool, comfortable atmosphere to keep the good times rolling.

SEE THE MENU

Group Events that Break the Mold

Adults celebrate on the podium at K1 Speed during a team building activity.

Forget boring outings — K1 Speed Carlsbad turns group events into unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a kid’s birthday, a company team-building day, or a weekend get-together with friends, we’ve got everything you need to make it special.

Start with high-speed racing in our all-electric go-karts, then keep the fun going in our arcade or with a bite to eat in our Paddock Lounge. We offer flexible event packages, private rooms for meetings or celebrations, and catering options from top local providers to keep your group fueled and focused.

From small gatherings to large corporate events, we make planning easy—and the memories last. This isn’t just an event. It’s an adrenaline-charged experience.

EXPLORE EVENT PACKAGES

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

SEE FAQs

Come In and Race Today

Arrive & Drive racing is offered every day of the year, at every single K1 Speed indoor karting location. Contact K1 Speed Carlsbad in North County, San Diego today to inquire about private closures to ensure that our location is open for business, as well as for driving directions. We make the thrill of wheel-to-wheel racing accessible to young and old alike, and would be happy to welcome you to our 60,000 sq. ft. track, rain or shine!

I didn't have to pay for the ticket to this premium event because of the codes I get from the regional center since I am a client of them and my case manager gave the code I used for it
Tanner B.
Tanner B.
20:50 17 Jan 26
It's a really fun place if you go in a group and you like racing. There's an arcade for the younger ones, and those who don't want to race can relax and grab something to eat.
victor V.
victor V.
13:04 13 Jan 26
The staff here are great. The track is challenging and the karts are excellent, they use the OTL Superleggero, which is a top notch electric kart for the rental domain.This is a very popular activity and popular destination, so you need to be diligent and plan around peak hours and how long you're willing to wait. Google already provides a pretty good measure of how busy the place is at any time during the week. But if you go during peak hours, on a holiday, a weekend, be prepared for a substantial wait time.Wait times aside, it's pure fun, absolutely hooked and it's truly addicting. The race metrics are also a lot of fun. There isn't a person who doesn't exit the track after a race that isn't just beaming with excitement.I'd suggest 3 races as a minimum for one day, I was doing 2 races per day for awhile, but it wasn't cutting it. 3 races and you've scratched the itch and are worn out enough to call it a day.
Clayton T.
Clayton T.
03:32 07 Jan 26
First time at K1 and it did not disappoint. Went for my sons 11th birthday and it was an easy check-in process, and warm welcome at the front desk. Staff was pleasant and helpful throughout our time there. The racing was fun and we all enjoyed it.
Andrew G.
Andrew G.
16:58 05 Jan 26
My 5 teenagers loved this place ! We will definitely come back . I have an autistic granddaughter dhe had so much fun .
Sandie V.
Sandie V.
00:03 03 Jan 26
Great to start the kiddos off slow and steady. We’ve been trying to kart every six months in order to prep them for real life. I’ve explained to them just keep it consistent and comfortable. Let the racers pass you. Just get a good feel for speed and cornering and vehicle dynamics.At the Carlsbad location the staff is great especially the Asst. Manager Sam! Kudos to Sam for being a great leader displaying encouragement to the young drivers and handling the overall business matters.
Awe Some O.
Awe Some O.
18:13 02 Jan 26
I have not been to this location in a few years. It was definitely a much better experience. Took the family for some fun and we had a good time. Our cars worked properly, though my friends daughter had an issue with her car being slow for her first race. Her second race had a better car. That is one of the main issues I’ve seen, is that it can take your experience down a notch or kinda of ruin it if you get a bad car for a race. It was a busy day, so maybe it just wasn’t charging up as fast as it needed to. It was one race and the rest of the day was pretty good.The only other “issue/policy” I wish would go back to what is was in the beginning, is that you can use your own action cameras. If it’s your own personal helmet I don’t see the issue. I was told you are not allowed to if it attaches to the outside of the helmet. I think that is a poor policy or excuse employees make up, since even their own rental cameras attach to the top of their provided helmets. At $30 a race for roughly 10 minutes, is it really that necessary to grab for that extra rental fee with the few people that would bring their own? I’m sure more people have access now, but how many bring them. And I’m not talking about using cell phones or some make-shift device that could likely come off on the track. I’m referring to legit action cameras that are made for such thing. Personal, I run Insta360 now or would have even been ok using my old GoPro, but was denied. I bring my own helmet, and I’m not really comfortable using the ones here. So, that is my rant. I hope one day they let me use them again. I have them for these experiences and it sucks when I can’t get my money worth from them sitting at home.
Jeff B.
Jeff B.
23:41 01 Jan 26
Great fun! And my credits from another location transferred over!
Brian L.
Brian L.
21:26 31 Dec 25
Tons of fun, perfect for a quick and easy Holiday Party
Chris S.
Chris S.
20:08 26 Dec 25
Our family had an awesome time 😄
Mark K.
Mark K.
18:36 26 Dec 25
Very friendly and helpful staffs!
Jason
Jason
19:57 25 Dec 25
So much fun racing and bumping into my coworkers!
Garrett P.
Garrett P.
01:33 21 Dec 25

Testimonials

Hello,
My family and I came into K1 on the morning of 1/1/16. Your offer to have us come in early so the whole family could enjoy a safe race with my son Garrett, made my year. Garrett suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident on 1/2/11, his best friend did not survive the accident. According to the statistics, Garrett should never of come out of his coma. But he did! Slowly but surely he recovers. Doing things we thought would never be possible, like driving a go kart. You and your staff’s generosity started our new year off right & created a positive vibe that fortunately carried us through the next day (which can be a very tough day for all of us). An extra thanks for treating Garrett with respect & consideration, like he and all people with disabilities deserve.  Please share this heartfelt thank you to your supervisors and staff.

Forever thankful,

Krista L.

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