A couple of weeks ago we took a trip down to LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, California. We bought passes last year before my son’s birthday and this was our last trip before our passes would expire. This was a quick trip weekend trip and we made the most of it. Today I’ll be sharing how to spend 48 hours in Carlsbad when you have kids in tow. I’m including all the details on the perfect hotel to stay at during your adventures. This post is in collaboration with Carlsbad Seapointe Resort. They generously hosted our family during our stay. All opinions are completely my own.

Carlsbad hotel near the beach

ideal location

Carlsbad Seapointe Resort is located right across from the beach on Carlsbad Boulevard. Our first afternoon staying there we were able to walk to the beach and enjoy some time playing on the sand and splashing in the waves. It took us less than 10 minutes to walk down to the sand, and all of my kids (except for the 15 month old) walked the whole way! Being able to see the waves from our hotel room was a beautiful bonus.

Other then being right by the beach, Carlsbad Seapointe Resort is also located conveniently close to several Carlsbad attractions and has easy access to the freeway. Carlsbad Village is just a short drive down Carlsbad Boulevard and you can get there in less than 10 minutes.

LEGOLAND is also about a 10 minute drive away from Carlsbad Seapointe Resort and the famous Flower Fields are even closer than that. Whether you have 48 hours in Carlsbad or a week to explore, this resort will put you right in the perfect spot.

48 hours in Carlsbad: day 1

Of course, the main attraction in Carlsbad is LEGOLAND; at least if you have kids. Definitely take a day to experience this fun park if you have kids age 2-12. In my opinion the aquarium is just okay and if your time is limited spend it in the park instead. If the weather is nice then you can also enjoy the water park.

Ideally, if you’re planning to do both parks (LEGOLAND and the water park) in one day you’ll sandwich them. Start out at LEGOLAND park for the first couple hours until the water park opens. It’s a fun water park but not very big so you’ll easily be able to see all of it and cool off during the hottest part of the day (noon to 3:00pm or so). Then head back to the regular park for the last few hours until they close. In our experience, the water park gets more crowded in the later part of the day, while LEGOLAND itself will usually start to thin out.

48 hours in Carlsbad: day 2

Start your morning in Carlsbad Village where you can enjoy breakfast at one of the many restaurants there. You can also spend some time wall hunting while the morning light is ideal. There are incredible wall murals everywhere! Then head back to the resort after a couple of hours and get ready for some fun in the sun.

With its close proximity to the beach, Carlsbad Seapointe Resort makes it easy to enjoy the beautiful beach in Carlsbad. As I mentioned, we walked over from our hotel and with all the kids in tow made it in less than 10 minutes.

Insider tip: You can rent out beach toys, umbrellas, chairs, and even wagons from the front desk at Carlsbad Seapointe Resort.

perfect amenities

When you’re done splashing in the waves head back to Carlsbad Seapointe Resort to enjoy all of their fabulous amenities! You could spend weeks there and never get bored. Whether you’re there with kids (like we were) or enjoying a couples retreat you’ll never want to leave.

Insider tip: Coming back from the beach? Make sure to utilize the beach clean-off area. It’s located outside the gate near the pirate playground.

Not only does Carlsbad Seapointe Resort have beach toys you can borrow, but there’s also various sports equipment, items for the Dolphin Golfin putting green, and a pool table. Of course, those are all in addition to the family swimming pool with a splash pad and a hot tub. Throughout the week there are also fun family-friendly activities such as s’mores and outdoor movie nights. Check the back of your resort map for a calendar of weekly events.

Insider tip: Don’t miss out on the game room and the workout area located on the ground floor. They’re both tucked away across from the front desk area.

If you’re ready to unwind or you’re enjoying a kids-free vacation then you can also utilize the adult pool and spa located near the clubhouse. There’s more events that Carlsbad Seapointe Resort hosts for adults during the week too. You’ll find everything from a champagne check-in social to water aerobics.

comfortable accommodations

When you’re done with you adventures for the day the rooms at Carlsbad Seapointe Resort will feel like home. We stayed in a two bedroom suite that had a full kitchen. Our family of seven had plenty of room to spread out and relax at the end of the day. And plenty of storage to tuck away all our things in closets and on shelves. I always appreciate good storage in a hotel room!

We utilized our full kitchen for quick breakfasts before heading out for the day. It was also a nice place to enjoy some dessert before bedtime. If we’d had more time we also would have liked to try one of the several barbecue grills on-site to grill up some dinner! We also loved the fireplace which was nice on those chilly beach nights. We found the room comfortable and luxurious at the same time. We would definitely stay here again on another Carlsbad trip!

Have you been to Carlsbad, California? What do you like to do near the beach?