Carlsbad, California, is not only pure eye-candy, but a great time. Located roughly 35 miles north of San Diego, this waterfront playground offers beachfront camping, an indulgent spa resort and one of the most innovative amusement parks in California. Come for the beach, but stay long enough to enjoy more of what this seaside town has to offer.
South Carlsbad State Beach is the go-to spot for local surfers. The waves are decent, the water warm and the beach perfect for long walks or picnics. Camping is available at a bluff-top campground for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Steps lead down to the beach at various points along the shore. Leashed dogs are welcome at the campground, but not on the beach. Reservations are advised, available through Reserve America. Roughly half of the campsites offer ocean views. From this vantage point, the vivid blue water provides quite the contrast to the frothy white surf and golden-hued sand.
Batiquitos Lagoon is a protected wetland area that welcomes visitors. Roughly 185 bird species have been found at the reserve, most of them migratory. Notable exceptions are raptors like the kestrel and peregrine falcon. The abundant food source keeps them around throughout the year. The brackish water is also home to small fish, fish larvae and eels that like to hide in submerged plants. A 2-mile trail leads through the north side of the preserve, with several available parking lots and access points. Leashed dogs are welcome, but bikes and horses are not. Most of the trail is accessible to the physically challenged. Guides and trail maps are available at the on-site Nature Center.
Oceanside Pier, on the northern edge of Carlsbad, is a great place to bring the family to fish. No license is required, and you have a good chance of catching something from the 1,600-foot-long pier. Summer brings the California halibut, while Pacific bonito and sand bass are around most of the year. On the northern end of the pier is Harbor Beach, a wide stretch of sand perfect for sand castle building. Paid parking is available, but tends to fill up fast.
You might have played with these bright-colored blocks when you were a child. Now imagine all the kids in your neighborhood pooling their Lego blocks to create massive displays of buildings and other structures. That’s what the creators of Legoland California Resort did, only on a much larger scale. The first thing you see when you enter the park is Bronte, a 34-foot-long dinosaur made of red Legos. Wander past miniature landscapes of San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas. Located in the heart of Carlsbad, this fantasy park now has its own rides, water park, aquarium and hotel -- and Bronte has plenty of Lego-cousins hanging out on Dino Island.
Omni Resorts La Costa has its own on-site spa as well as two 18-hole championship-quality golf courses. Bring the kids; the resort offers the Sandy Beach Family Pool as well as a water play area and two water slides. Three of the resort’s eight pools are for adults only, giving parents a place to enjoy some peace and quiet. At the Spa at Omni La Costa, enjoy exotic massages and body treatments featuring honey, strawberry and even champagne body wraps. The Romantic Journey for Two package includes a couple’s massage followed by some private time in a hot tub. Indulge in champagne, strawberries and chocolate truffles while you relax. The Kidtopia Kids Club program keeps the rest of the family busy while you indulge. The rooms are high-end, the food gourmet and the setting easy on the eyes.
