Legoland, San Diego
We have just had the most delightful few days in Los Angeles and the family we stayed with has 2 Mums and 2 kids as it was a chance for us to share our lives as they shared their home before our road trip through San Diego began. For my son, it is a great time with the kids. For me, it is also a great way to make new friends, and to get first-hand advice on what to see in the area. Our host also helped me hire a car as well as planning the next leg of our trip.
We got a chance to enjoy Halloween, collect candy and dress up. I loved their son and his friend’s costumes! Especially in light of the US election this week.
©Exploramum and Explorason – Halloween
I am extremely thankful for the time we shared with them. Life mixes you with all sorts of people, in all walks of life.
©Exploramum and Explorason – Carving pumpkins
I have hired a car and driven to Legoland for our road trip through San Diego. Now driving the I5 is a nightmare for me. You need to be aggressive. The ‘Tom-Tom’ keeps telling me to change lanes. I am driving on the other side of the road. I keep using the side mirror instead of the center mirror to change lanes, so the perspective is out and I chop a few cars off. But hey, we got here!
There are tricks to save money so read on. It costs you to park. Then you have to pay $140 for 1 adult and 1 child. The whole park can be done in less than a day. Plus you pay for your food and drinks when you get in.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – entrance
Tip
Now a tip for all travelers is this: Go online to eBay or a coupon site first. We hadn’t planned this leg of our trip but could have saved $65 if we did. They sell kids’ pass for about $2. I used my Australian Roadside Assist card = AAA in the USA and I get 10% off. This also works for hotels.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – Lion
Explorason loves the Lego cars. Funny as he causes a crash driving on the left. So I yell for him to ‘drive American’ and all the parents laugh!
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – getting a license
There are many moving, musical Lego displays. We love this Mexican one. Interestingly, as later in our trip we fall in love with parts of Mexico with all the bright color.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – Mexican musicians
We each drive a Lego boat around the lake.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – boating
If you go to Legoland you MUST try the Apple fries with cream. They are not like fries. They are like apple pie – so yummy!
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – Apple fries
We are still slowly going on rides thanks to the fear factor after Disneyland. So he won’t go on any roller-coasters or things on tracks. But I get him on this tame horse.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – all sorts of rides
He enjoys this ride as it spins around with the other boys.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – spin ride
We love the boat ride through the Lego of the World. The New York display is amazing.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – mini land
I finally get him on a track ride and it is a cycling one. We both go on together.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – cycling ride
Then he goes alone and is chasing me. So now I have him on a track ride having fun – victory!
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – more cycling
Now Explorason is losing his fears. He rides the helicopter that goes up and down – another fear. We do it together first.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – the helicopter ride
Then Explorason does it alone and he is gaining his confidence after the fears he gathered in Disneyland just a few days ago.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – solo pilot
We finish the day with the Lego displays. This park really is for kids under 10. There are a lot of kids under 5. But the park has roller-coasters and some rides for bigger kids if you have them in your family. It also has a great restaurant that sells healthy snacks and lunches. This is rare in most theme parks. So you can get yogurt or salad etc.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Legoland – the Lego traveler duo
The Legoland park shuts at 5 pm. We have nowhere to stay. We often find it quite awkward and useless asking people at parks. But after asking 5 people, we find a helpful assistant near the Lego cars. She googles a couple of addresses for me. We want to stay by the beach. We find a boutique hotel in Carlsbad with a kitchenette containing a microwave and fridge and a pool at our doorstep – perfect for our needs.
©Exploramum and Explorason – Surf Motel – San Diego – Carlsbad
We take a quick walk to watch the sunset. Today has been a great day; although the driving was horrible for me as we started our road trip through San Diego., I did it! And we found a nice place to stay.
Tip:
Haggle with hotel room prices. We checked out 3 hotels in the area and came back to this one. He dropped the price by $20 a night as we stayed 2 nights.
©Exploramum and Explorason – San Diego – Carlsbad beach
Questions and Comments
- What excites you about San Diego?
- Have you been to the Legoland in San Diego?
- Do share your comments with us below.
Overseas checklist – Toys for the trip
Attraction Name: Legoland, San Diego
Location: 1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA
Telephone: (760) 918-LEGO (760-918-5346)
email: experience@legoland.com
Child-friendly: yes
