If ever there was a town that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the SoCal lifestyle, it’s Carlsbad. Located in the North County region of San Diego, all the colors of California come together vibrantly through fields of flowers, a vast coastline and flavorful eateries. Home to LEGOLAND, nine breweries and activities to keep you busy for days, the town is perfect for practically any getaway—but family-friendly is its specialty. It’s low-key enough to keep the adults relaxed while bringing activities with enough of a buzz for the kids to get excited about! From golfing to watersports and all of the dining experiences in between, here’s how to spend an ideal 24 hours in Carlsbad with your kids this summer.
Credit: @sandiegowithkids (Alisha Service)
Credit: The Cassara Carlsbad
The most important ingredient when it comes to your vacation itinerary? Your home base. Set the tone for your stay at The Cassara Carlsbad, bringing a coastal, family-friendly vibe to set you off on the right foot and welcome you back even better than when you arrived. Book a room with a coastline view and get the most out of your stay at this expansive resort in the heart of Carlsbad. Plus, it’s so close to LEGOLAND that there’s a built-in pedestrian entrance! The resort’s on-site activity center is complete with a basketball half court, game room and foosball table, giving your kids enough to do to buy yourself hours of R&R at the pool. Once they come to find you, your me-time isn’t over: head to the kids’ pool complete with a slide and a splash pad to keep ‘em occupied. Don’t want to leave your furry friend behind? Book a Pet-Cation Package complete with treats and toys! It’s time to bring the whole crew along, paws and all.
9 a.m.
Start your day just steps away from your room at The Cassara Kitchen & Bar, where you can either grab a quick continental breakfast or made-to-order meal, depending on how quickly the city is beckoning you to come play! Enjoy homestyle oatmeal, seasonal fresh fruit and toast with the continental option, or order the hearty breakfast burrito from the menu, stuffed with cheese, peppers, onions, breakfast potatoes and your choice of bacon or chorizo. Keep the kids happy early with their choice of kids’ oatmeal, kids’ French toast or the kids’ egg breakfast.
10 a.m.
Get the day going with some golf at The Crossings at Carlsbad, a gorgeous course offering stunning views from every angle–whether you’re playing on the green, chillin’ at the clubhouse or grabbing a bite at the on-site restaurant. Be strong enough to admit you weren’t born a golf professional and book everyone a golf lesson in advance: if you’ve never golfed a day in your life, it’s nothing their PGA pros can’t fix. Junior clinics for kids ages 6-17 are also available Tuesdays through Thursdays with morning and afternoon sessions!
Noon
No Carlsbad itinerary would be complete without a dedicated portion on the water. Head to the picturesque Carlsbad Lagoon and rent whatever mode of transportation you’re into—go the relaxing route with a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or swan pedal boat, or kick it up a notch with a WaveRunner or mini speed boat! If you’re looking to score even more of a deal, The Cassara Carlsbad offers a Carlsbad Lagoon Package, which includes an overnight stay at the hotel, a free shuttle to lagoon beaches and a $50 voucher towards a watersport rental!
1 p.m.
The active morning has earned you some good old-fashioned comfort BBQ. Start the afternoon with lunch at Park 101, an 8,000-square-foot, multi-level space with indoor and outdoor seating—and plenty of room for the kiddos to roam. Share a little and satisfy everyone’s cravings with the surf ‘n’ turf fries, then move on to your own plate with the St. Louis ribs. The kids can grab their classically favorite chicken dino nuggets or grilled cheese before they head over to the game area filled with cornhole, foosball, shuffleboard, life-size Connect Four and Giant Jenga.
2 p.m.
Spend the afternoon at LEGOLAND
As if Carlsbad weren’t magical enough, enter a world of fantasy at LEGOLAND! This family-friendly amusement park is known for its expansive collection of rides and interactive experiences for kids of all ages. Soar on classic roller coasters like The Dragon in Castle Hill or let your crew become master of the ship on rides like the pirate battleship-themed Splash Battle. Plenty of 4D show experiences happen around the park all day long along with a real sea-life aquarium with hands-on feeding times. The newest addition to the park is The LEGO Movie World experience, based off of the blockbuster “LEGO Movie” films, featuring three brand new rides: Emmet’s Flying Adventure, Unikitty’s Disco Drop and Queen Watevra’s Carousel! If you’re planning your stay in July, catch the fireworks in action at their Red, White and BOOM Fourth of July event, complete with all-American family activities throughout the park during the day and a dazzling patriotic fireworks show at night.
6:30 p.m.
Escape the park and grab a bite at what is possibly San Diego’s most locally loved pizza place, Pizza Port! Your kids will be stoked about the restaurant’s arcade games, while you’ll be hyped on the craft beer selection. For the family that can agree, grab one or two of their signature “anti-wimpy” pizzas for the table—or for those with a pickier palate, build-your-own pizzas are available from personal sized to a shareable large. Not sure what’s on tap? They’ve got a live look at their on-tap beers at every location!
8:30 p.m.
Grab a Scoop at GelatoLove in Carlsbad Village
You’ve been telling the kids there won’t be ice cream later if they misbehave, but we all know you wouldn’t skip it for yourself. A stop at GelatoLove in Carlsbad Village was inevitable, and we don’t blame you! Their artfully crafted, handmade gelato looks as good on Instagram as it does in your hands, and it tastes even better. You can get an extra scoop of their Bacio (chocolate hazelnut) or organic lemon custard and feel good about it too—all of their flavors are made from organic, natural ingredients with lower sugar content than your typical gelato.
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.