Carlsbad, California is a wealthy northern San Diego County community with some wonderful attractions for visitors. I recently went with my wife and two daughters, ages 11 & 12. Here are some highlights:
Accommodations: We stayed at Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort, a quality resort across the street from the beach with great views of the Pacific Ocean. It is a solid choice for families. We had a room with two queen beds and a bathroom with a walk-in shower.
You have a choice of taking a shuttle or walking to the beach. If you stay at the resort, you can enjoy a large swimming pool with a wading area for children. Included in your stay are beach chairs and towels, and beach cruisers. At night, enjoy an outdoor fireplace near the pool or take a shuttle over to Carlsbad Village.
In addition to beaches and the downtown area, nearby you can enjoy the lush Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, the Oceanside pier and LEGOLAND, which has Lego-themed rides, shows and attractions.
Dining: We ate breakfast at the resort’s restaurant, Chandlers, which offers a reasonably priced and wide selection of breakfast foods. In addition to lunch and dinner, highlights include weekday happy hour specials and Sunday brunch. Sit either indoors or outdoors, and enjoy a fabulous view of the ocean.
Attractions: One way to enjoy the beautiful area around Carlsbad is by renting an electric bike from Pedego Electric Bikes. Either ride your own, or with children 12 and under, rent a tandem bike. The bikes allow you either to pedal or hum along using the bike’s electric motor, reaching speeds of up to 20 mph. The bikes are easy to use and safe. Carlsbad has ample bike lanes around the downtown area, some of which take you to fabulous spots along the beach.
A great way to spend a day in Carlsbad is at Carlsbad Lagoon, a boating and recreation area along the I-5 freeway. You can rent a variety of water craft by the hour, including Waverunners, paddleboards, aquacycles, kayaks, canoes and other boats. It’s a lot of fun, safe for kids, and you can enjoy your lunch on the beach afterward.
Carlsbad is a beautiful, safe and fun community in which to enjoy a few days’ vacation. We’ll be back soon.
