Sales Tax for San Diego is: 8%
Where we stayed- Handlery San Diego hotel Handlery San Diego Hotel Website
Where we stayed- Handlery San Diego hotel Handlery San Diego Hotel Website
This was a standard hotel (mid-range) in the 'hotel district' on Hotel Circle North. All the hotels in this area are all the typical chain hotels, but we love Handlery Union hotel in San Francisco so this drew me into this hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel as a clean, safe hotel to see you by in San Diego.
The best mode of Transport-
We hired a car from LAX and drove down to San Diego. San Diego is spread out,so even though many hotels have shuttles to many of the attractions, it is still good to have the freedom of a car to get to shops and restaurants etc.
Driving Times to Hotel Circle area
From LAX- 2h 30 mins
From San Diego International Airport-18 mins
From Las Vegas- 5h 15 mins
From Anaheim- 1h 43 mins
From Los Angeles downtown 2h 30 mins
Dining Nearby
Restaurants in the Fashion Valley Mall
7007 Friars Rd San Diego
7007 Friars Rd San Diego
Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Factory Menu Link here
California Pizza Kitchen CPK Menu link here
P.F. Changs PF Changs Menu link here
Rubio's Rubio's Menu link here
849 West Harbour Drive San Diego
Asaggio Pizza Pasta Plus Asaggio website link here
Buster's Beach House Buster's website link here
Greek Island Cafe Greek Island Cafe website link here
San Diego Pier Cafe San Diego Pier Cafe website link here
Hard Rock Cafe in the Gaslamp Quarter Hard Rock San Diego Menu
801 Fourth Ave San Diego
Places to go and things to see in San Diego
Seaport Village-
849 West Harbour Drive San Diego
This is a great little 'village' that has quaint shops and restaurants. Seaport Village Website
I particularly like that you can take a walk and see the view of the Navy aircraft carrier USS Midway for free. If you want to go on board here is the link to current prices Buying Tickets for USS Midway
My favourite shops at Seaport are Alamo Flags- I have a number of banners and flags for different seasons that hang out the front of my portico at home from here.
I also really love American Nostalgia- everything our generation saw on TV about America as kids are in this store. Bet you can't leave without buying some good old fashioned bubblegum!
Crazy Shirts all over the USA are a great good quality t-shirt. Mistletoe is your San Diego Christmas shop location to grab a San Diego decoration. Windsong and Village Shop are must browse locations also.
There are a lot of open areas to let the kids run around freely...just keep between them and the water.
Parking with validation from a restaurant/ retail shop ($10 minimum spend) is $4 for 3 hours and $3 for every 30 mins (so try and stay for a maximum of 3 hours)
Sea World Sea World San Diego website
500 Sea World Drive San Diego
This is a half to full day location depending on how many areas suit your travelling party.
Things to know before you go
- Don't take glass bottles or straws into Sea World. There are hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
- Dining with Shamu is AMAZING! To be up so close to these amazing animals is great. Food ok but you are paying for the experience. Bring sunscreen/hats/sunglasses.
- Be prepared to get wet! Be prepared to get wet! Yes, it needed to be said twice.
- Look for ways to get discounts on tickets such as One example of ways to save money on Sea World admission costs Try AAA as well as Sea World offer discount on admission.
Travel Concierge Tip- Bring a towel or two from the hotel to dry the water off you before you leave.
San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo website
2920 Zoo Drive Balboa Park
We are so spoilt in Australia with our Zoos, but this one is worth checking out as well.
A family favourite of ours is the giraffe feeding. This only operates Saturday and Sunday.
Again allow about 4 hours to a full day. There are a number of amazing animal encounters here like Sea World.
Things to know before you go
-To get your kids into the action of each animal, go to theVideo and Cams link on the above website. They are a great way to see the animals up close before you get there.
-There are a number of tours and encounters that you could incorporate into your day so look here
to plan your day before you get there and reserve tours etc. so you don't miss out on crossing off a few bucket list items for your family.
-Look for ways to save money off the ticket price including doing a combo pass.
Travel Concierge Tip- You can get 10% off admission cost for up to 6 people if you have a AAA card (Australian Motor groups like NRMA are part of AAA)
Carlsbad and LegoLand
To San Diego- 30 mins.
To Anaheim- 1h 10mins.
To Las Vegas- 4h 39mins.
*Specific driving directions are here
*Getting there from the airport- there are a number of options the hotel suggests found
*Specific driving directions are here
*Getting there from the airport- there are a number of options the hotel suggests found
Essentials
*Park Map is here
*Height Restrictions are here
*Wait Times for the day of operation are here
*Car Parking- $15 Preferred Parking $25
* Hours- To see what hours the park is open when you are going to be there go here
* Cost: Admission costs are here
* AAA discount gives you 5% off admission cost
* Twilight discount- 50% off the cost of a 1-day pass if you enter 2 hours prior to park closure
There are also discounts if you combine a theme park and hotel booking.
*Child Swap available? Yes. Here it is called Parent Swap
How it works- The whole party needs to line up ad when you get to the front of the line you tell the ride operator that you need to do a Parent swap. The parent that waits with the child that is too young/ not meeting height restrictions can then ride with the older child after the first parent returns.
Stroller / Wheelchair Rental
Single Stroller- $11
Double Stroller- $15
Infant Stroller- $11
Wheelchair rental $12
Reserve and Ride system
This is similar to a Fastpass at Disney but there is quite a hefty cost associated with it. If the cost outweighs the wait times for you, find all the details here. You can purchase these online and pick the device used for booking in The Beginning near The Big Shop.
Mini Figure Trading.
You need a complete Lego figure- (head,body and legs). You can trade with a “Model Citizen” (the name for employees at Legoland Resort) in the parks and hotel. You can buy Lego figures in the park, however, they will cost a lot more than pre-purchasing ones back home and taking them with you. Again a zip lock bag will keep your figure/s safe for trading. It is a good idea to have a “Trading bag” and a “Keep Bag” so that a trade doesn’t accidently happen on a figure you really want to keep.
Character Meet and Greet
These are listed on your park guide as you enter the park.
Events throughout the year
Legoland has 3 main events they run- "Red, White, and Boom” for July 4th, “Brick or Treat” for Halloween and “Kids New Year’s Eve.” Details can be found here
Know before You go
Height Restrictions Riders must be 42 inches/ 106.68 cm to ride the 'Orange Rush', 'Twin Chasers' and 'Splash Out'. Children under 6 years old need adult supervision in the 'Duplo Splash Safari'.Lockers
Single Size $8
Family Size $11
These are available to rent opposite the Duplo Splash Safari. They are available to rent for a day charge not hourly and are opened by a wristband that you get when you hire the locker
There is no designated stroller parking, so you need to plan ahead for whether you will not bring a stroller or plan around this.
Water shoes are not able to be worn on the slides so you will need to prepare for what you will do with them when riding these attractions.
Floatation devices are available to use for free on a first come basis.
Food
You can only bring food into the water park that has been purchased from the Waterpark or Legoland. Outside food is not able to be brought in. Likewise, esky’s or coolers cannot be brought in.
You can only bring food into the water park that has been purchased from the Waterpark or Legoland. Outside food is not able to be brought in. Likewise, esky’s or coolers cannot be brought in.
Travel Concierge Tip- Children 3 and under are required to wear swim nappies. Even if your child is toilet trained, you may be required for them to wear these. They will be a lot more expensive in the park than buying them yourself elsewhere.
Travel Concierge Tip- Towels are not available to rent in the water park so bring ones from your hotel.
Address: 5885 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad
Why stay here?
*Who wouldn’t want to eat breath and sleep Lego 24/7? With themed Lego rooms, play areas, lobby and even the lift is themed!
*You get early access to the theme park- up to 1 hr before opening hours.
*Breakfast Buffet is included in hotel bookings. You can also purchase dinner at a reduced rate in conjunction with your room booking.
*You are right by the entrance to the theme park, so you can race back to the hotel if you forgot something.
*Lego interactive areas throughout the hotel
*Extra opportunity for Mini Figure trading.
*Treasure hunt throughout the hotel to get a Lego surprise hidden within a locked treasure chest in your hotel room.
*Entertainment at night including exclusive Meet and Greet and Lego building competitions.
Look out for packages for theme park and hotel combinations.
Shopping
Fashion Valley Mall
Where: 7007 Friars Rd San Diego
This is a charming open-air style Mall with a real "Ala Moana' feel to it. I love being able to shop here while waiting for my Cheesecake Factory Buzzer to go off.
Hours are Monday- Saturday 10-9, Sunday 11-7
Store Directory is here
Anchor Stores are: Nordstrom, JC Penney
Las Americas Outlet Mall
Where: 4211 Camino de la Plaza San Diego
Driving Times to outlets from:
Sea World - 38 mins.
San Diego Zoo- 1h 5 mins.
Hotel Circle- 24mins.
This is a Simon Outlet. The outlet Directory is here
Outlet Map is here
Hours are: Monday-Saturday: 10-9 Sunday: 10-7pm
The Travel Concierge Tip: To make the most of your time at outlets, I always print off the outlet map and write onto it any stores that are my priority. This enables me to save time going into stores that won’t be of interest to me. I'm sure you know that when travelling with a family, you only have a certain time before you just have to stop and get back in the car so shop smart!
The Travel Concierge Coupon Book Voucher can be downloaded here This will allow you to get a free coupon book from Guest Services. Print at home and take with you to the outlet.
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