Where to eat and sight see in Carlsbad, CA

[lease1]

I am trading into the Carlsbad Inn Resort the week after Thanksgiving. Can anyone suggest some good seafood places to eat without breaking the bank? We don't mind spending $30-40 for two but want to avoid $100 for two dinners. Also, does anyone have any suggestions about Lego land or any other amusement areas? Our children are grown and we are empty nesters. We are open to all suggestions. I hope the weather in Southern Cal is warm enough to swim. Also, is it worth driving to Disneyland? We have been to Disney in Florida several times. Would appreciate guidance from Tuggers! Thanks!

jv
Pittsburgh, PA

 

[Barbeque]

Fish House Vera Cruz is our favorite restaurant in Carlsbad. It is a short walk (We like to have a couple of cocktails with dinner and do not wish to drive when on vacation most of the time) up the street just across the railroad tracks. There is also a good Italian place right across the street Fresco and Jays Gourmet is good also. We love Carlsbad Inn. We traded in there through RCI and liked it so much due to the 1 in 4 year rule we bought a week there. We keep going back. There is a couple of Mexican Fast food restaurants that are ok too if you need to get in a cheap night. Cessys and Senor Grubby's. Pizza Port has good pizza.
If you want to drive a few miles in Leucadia there is a great Mexican restaurant La Especial del Norte. They are known for their tortilla soup (I had octopus) I have not been to La Especial in a couple of years double check with the front desk at the Carlsbad Inn to make sure it is still excellent. The employees of the Carlsbad Inn really work hard to make your stay enjoyable If there is any thing you want or need ask and they will try to accomodate you.
I took my son and a friend to LegoLand when they were 11 my wife went to the horse races at the Del Mar racetrack with her mother that day. I will not go back to Legoland without grandchildren many years from now (I hope)
Son is now 16. We love going to Sea World. The San Diego Zoo was also worthwhile. Disneyland is a drive but a wonderful place. Coronodo Island is neat to see. In years past I would have mentioned driving to Mexico like down to Rosarito Beach or Ensenada but due to the border situations I would not do that at this time. I will still fly down to Cabo Mazatlan or Cancun however but will stay away from the border.

 

[Cathyb]

Since I live in Carlsbad...

I am trading into the Carlsbad Inn Resort the week after Thanksgiving. Can anyone suggest some good seafood places to eat without breaking the bank? We don't mind spending $30-40 for two but want to avoid $100 for two dinners. Also, does anyone have any suggestions about Lego land or any other amusement areas? Our children are grown and we are empty nesters. We are open to all suggestions. I hope the weather in Southern Cal is warm enough to swim. Also, is it worth driving to Disneyland? We have been to Disney in Florida several times. Would appreciate guidance from Tuggers! Thanks!

jv
Pittsburgh, PA

Here are some restaurants we enjoy: Mexican - Las Olas on State Street is close to Carlsbad Inn. Fish House Vera Cruz is one of our favorite fish places and is on Carlsbad Village Drive -- walkable from Carlsbad Inn. King's Fish House is more expensive and is near our upscale outlet mall near Legoland. There are several Italian restaurants also on State Street (I don't lke Italian so cannot comment). There is a great sandwich place, Linda's, right next to Carlsbad Inn. Fidel's Mexican is also onsite to Carlsbad Inn, but we prefer Las Olas. If you cross Carlsbad Blvd there is a small shopping center and in it a great cafe called Naked Cafe. They serve delicious tacos, healthy salads, etc.

Disneyland is about 1-1/2 to 2 hours away depending on time of day. It is very similar to Florida's. Like animals? We have Wild Animal Park that houses everything from giraffes to lions to monkeys in outdoor environment. Google for more info on that one. If you like music, there is a Music Museum right near Legoland. Carlsbad Inn has tours to Hollywood. There is a train about 3 blocks away that goes to San Diego and also Old Town.

If I can answer any other stuff, let me know

 

[John Cummings]

Legoland will be of no interest to older kids. It is aimed at the under 12 crowd. Our favorite amusement park is Sea World in San Diego. You should spend some time in San Diego as it is a great city with lots to see and do. We lived in San Diego for 18 years and now live just an hour from there.

As far as swimming goes it will probably be too cold for outdoors unless we get a Santa Ana. Right now it is pretty cold for us. The forecast for Carlsbad for the week after Thanksgiving is 64-66 Hi and 44 low. The ocean is frigid.

I would skip Disneyland unless you are Disney aficionados. It is like Disney World except on a smaller scale. We have been to both. We are very familiar with all of Southern California having lived here for many years. I would spend all my time from Carlsbad south rather than north.

 

[lease1]

Thanks for the help. We leave tomorrow morning. Happy Thanksgiving to all TUGGERS!!

 

[kwilson]

No one mentioned Dini's By The Sea at Tamarack Beach Resort about 2 blocks south. They have great early bird specials and coupons from resaurant.com. Also a good sports bar.

http://dinisbistro.com/

 

[billwright1]

State park at Torre Pines is beautiful