Itineraries for Your Trip to Carlsbad
3 Days in Carlsbad for Families
When my kids were little, Carlsbad meant one thing: LEGOLAND®. Our family has been there more than a dozen times, and we get to know more about the area on every visit. Now that my kids are aging out of the park, I have a broader view of the North County coast, which boasts wonderful beaches and beach towns, opportunities to surf and whale-watch, historic missions, and delightful restaurants. While my years at Legoland are cherished, there is more to Carlsbad. Take a day to enjoy the beach and hit up one of Carlsbad’s many family-friendly restaurants, such as Campfire, complete with tipis to play in and fire pits to make s’mores.
Here's how to spend three days in and around Carlsbad.
If you only have time for one thing, make it LEGOLAND.
Southern California weather is predictably nice, but thanks to its proximity to the ocean, expect cooler mornings and evenings.
Carlsbad, known as the Village by the Sea, was founded as a spa town in 1882, and it retains its early European charm. To get a feel for the area, explore Magee Park, Carlsbad Village, and the original site of Carlsbad’s founding spa on a phone-guided walking tour.
Head north of town to Oceanside to discover another area of this SoCal coast. Check out the California Surf Museum, historic wooden pier, indoor skydiving, and the site of a Queen Anne bungalow home where Tom Cruise visits his girlfriend in Top Gun at The Famous High Pie.
Save today for LEGOLAND to check out Miniland USA, LEGO® Ninjago World, LEGO® Movie™ World, and more. Don’t forget to try out Granny’s Apple Fries in Castle Hill. And, if you still have energy at the end of the day, SEA LIFE® Aquarium is worth it.
If LEGOLAND isn’t on the table, spend the morning on the beach and head south to Encinitas for lunch, a surfer’s paradise where wellness is a way of life. A wide range of delicious plant-based restaurants, alongside taco shops slinging fish tacos, will fill your belly while soaking up the beach town vibes.
The North San Diego County region offers some of the best marine life viewing on the Pacific. These waters harbor many species of whales, sea lions, seals, dolphins, and a wide range of bird life. While you can see some of these creatures from the beach, a whale-watching tour will take you to the action.
