Travel

Ever been to Carlsbad? No, I don’t mean LEGOLAND. I mean have you ever taken time to explore the city itself, which is famous for LEGOLAND? Carlsbad is a quiet seaside community about 40 minutes north of San Diego. It’s easy to pass by on the freeway. Many people do on their way to the big city. But if you’re looking for a low-key, relaxing place to go with your family for the weekend – out of town, but not too far out of town – then put on the brakes at the Carlsbad exit.

Right now, in spring, it’s the ideal time to take that short drive to Carlsbad, with average temperatures in the upper 60s and the world-famous Flower Fields in full bloom. There’s so much more to do than you can squeeze into a weekend, but my daughters and I can tell you first-hand that if you and your family explore even a few of the spots highlighted in this story, it will be well worth the trip.

As far as where to stay, you have ample choices. I HIGHLY recommend the West Inn & Suites, a boutique hotel right off the 5 freeway that took me by surprise. To be honest, I was expecting a Rodeway Inn-type hotel, where we could park and sleep. Little did I realize how luxurious it would be: large, spacious rooms with a separate living room and extra flat-screen TV, king-size pillow-top beds and, best of all, a FREE buffet breakfast every morning with all the trimmings, which will save an average family of 4 about $100 in food, I’m guessing. They also offer 2 on-site restaurants – a nice steak house if you’re feeling fancy one night and Bistro West, for more casual dining.

West Inn & Suites is also centrally located to all the hot spots – within walking distance to the beaches, right down the street from LEGOLAND and a half-hour’s drive from the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. We’ll definitely be back.

Lots to see and do in Carlsbad:
>> LEGOLAND: If you haven’t taken your little ones to this one-of-a-kind amusement park yet, you really ought to while they’re still young. Created by a Danish toy manufacturer, LEGOLAND features kid-friendly rides, including a few roller coasters that even parents will get a thrill from, lively shows (we saw a fantastic ventriloquist!) and plenty of LEGO displays to marvel at. The miniature replica of major U.S. landmarks created from more than 20 million Lego bricks is a must-see. LEGOLAND caters best to the younger set  –   children ages 1-13 – but my 14-year-old enjoyed herself, too, especially at the driving school, where she got to drive an electric car (at low speeds) through a LEGO pretend town. The Carlsbad location is the only one in the U.S. You can find other LEGOLAND parks in Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom. A 1-day ticket costs $59 for adults (ages 13-59) and $47 for children (ages 3-12). For more details, log onto Lego.com.

>> Museum of Making Music (MMM): Do you have any up-and-coming musicians in the family? They’re sure to be in music heaven here, where you can wander in and out of 5 separate rooms in this museum, each tracing the growth of American music from the 1800s to today. The best part about the MMM is that it’s interactive – you can push buttons to hear songs or a few notes from a favorite instrument. More than 450 vintage instruments are on display. My oldest daughter couldn’t resist playing “Canon in D Minor” on a white baby grand piano. She drew quite an audience, and I was happy to see all those years of music lessons paying off. We spent several hours here, and, surprisingly, my musically gifted daughters said they had more fun here than at LEGOLAND, especially in the last room where they can play drums, guitar, violin and other instruments I couldn’t identify. I was perfectly in tune with the gift shop, where I picked up several unique souvenirs that I’ve never seen anywhere else for my blues-lovin’ brother-in-law. General admission is $5; students (ages 4-18) pay $3; and children under 3 get in free. For directions, call 760.438.5996 or museumofmakingmusic.org.

>> K1 Speed: It’s an indoor electric-kart racing track. If you have sons, it’s a great place for them to burn off all that boy energy. To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to driving dangerously, with cars on every side of me, trying to outpace the guy behind me. Seemed too much like my daily commute on the 405. But my 14 laps around this curvy track were exhilarating, even if I did come in dead last. A 12-lap race costs $15. For another $5, you get lunch and a drink. For more details, visit K1speed.com/cb.

>> Carlsbad Flower Fields: Every spring, from March to May, nearly 50 acres of hillsides in Carlsbad come alive with rainbows of colorful ranunculus – millions of them! It’s really quite a sight to see from the freeway and especially up close, where you can walk through row after row of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus on this working flower farm. The vibrant colors create a beautiful backdrop for family photos. Your children will also have fun winding through the Sweet Pea flower maze, and the Arts & Crafts Faire is open for business 2 weekends in April. I recommend you pack a picnic lunch and spend a few hours here surrounded by the kaleidoscopic beauty of Mother Nature. It’s the perfect place to teach your very young ones about colors. Admission: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids (ages 3-10), and children 2 and under are free. For directions, log on to visit.theflowerfields.com.

>> Quail Botanical Gardens: If your family loves and appreciates the outdoors, put this destination on your day-trip list. You’ll discover more than 4,000 plants from 15 bio-geographical regions, including rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, tropical rain forests, California native plants and the Undersea Succulent Garden. Let your young ones explore “Seeds of Wonder,” a special garden just for kids. Admission: Free for members; $10 for non-members; seniors, students and active military, $7; children under 12, $5. For directions, call 760.436.3036 or visit qbgardens.org.

>> Carlsbad beaches: I’ve heard that Carlsbad beaches are the “best-kept secret” in San Diego, and now I know why. They’re stunning and clean, and not as crowded as beaches in Orange County. The Carlsbad coastline stretches for about 6 miles and is home to 2 beaches – Carlsbad State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach, which offers beachside camping. Families can enjoy all the typical beach offerings – swimming, sunning, surfing, fishing, diving, jogging and picnicking (on the beach and the bluff). Or take a leisurely stroll on the nearly 1-mile-long seawall. Pack some chairs, a beach bag and sunscreen, and make a family day out of it. For directions, Google “Carlsbad beaches.”


Editor Lynn Armitage and her 2 daughters will never again drive by Carlsbad without stopping.