Expert: Steve Summers - 5/11/2002

Question
We will be taking our grandson to Legoland in June.  Are  there any inexpensive hotels in the area?  Also. what other attractions would you recommend.  We will only be in the area for about 3 days.  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hotels: The closest hotel is the Holiday Inn Legoland, formerly Pea Soup Anderson's. It's OK, but at $140 I would rather spend $30 more and stay at La Costa Resort and Spa, a very classy place. One tip: Don't stay anywhere in Oceanside, especially the Ramada. Oceanside is immediately adjacent to Camp Pendleton, the marine base. It's full of bars and drunk Marines, so I steer clear. Your best bet is probably the Inns of America in Carlsbad (www.innsofamerica.com 760-931-1185) or the Fairfield Inn in Carlsbad (www.fairfieldinn.com). Both have decent location and a pool, but I prefer IOAC because, well, it's less expensive. Nothing fancy, but then all I want is a clean comfortable room where everything works. Anything more is a luxery, anything less is unacceptable. Alternate hotels include the Holiday Inn Express (Vista) and the Rodeway in Escondido. You can find and book all these at www.travelocity.com, and do a search for hotels in and near Carlsbad, CA. The traveler's reviews can be helpful, but remember that one person's dump can be another one's castle. Also note location of hotel. Avoid hotels adjacent to I-5. Some are next to RR tracks, but I have found that it's not too bad. Trains only come once in awhile. Traffic on I-5 goes 24 hrs. a day.

Other attractions: Definitely Sea World (www.seaworld.com) and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (www.sandiegozoo.com). My advice is to pick one of these in addition to Legoland, then spend your 3rd day at the beach. There are wonderful Beaches from Carlsbad to La Jolla. My favorites are by South Carlsbad and Solano. Just take old Highway 101 (parallel to RR tracks) south, and find one that you like. Swami's, in Encinitas, is a famous beach, especially with surfers. You can't miss it, it's on old 101 next to the Golden Lotus Temple. If Swami's isn't for you, then Moonlight Beach, just a little north, is good, too. Don't forget to check out the boat houses at 726 and 732 3rd Street in Encinitas, between F & G Streets.

Food: You didn't ask, but I know of lots of places to eat. There are a lot of restaurants at the Palomar Airport Rd exit off of I-5, but my two favorites are Claim Jumper and In N Out. If you aren't from California, then you need to know that burgers are very popular here, and In-N-Out has the best. It might be hard to convince your grandson, because there is a McDonald's right down the street, but hang in there. I have made believers of all 3 of my older kids (the youngest is only 1, but she'll learn). Claim Jumper is a 49'er/mining-themed restaurant, where the portions are BIG, and the food and the service are very good. It is more expensive, but my wife and I make it more affordable by splitting an entree and ordering an extra side of garlic mashed potatoes for her to take home. Somtimes my son and I split a rack of ribs. And save some room for dessert, if you can. Take a good look at the desserts beforehand, they are right in the front of the restaurant. Warning: Motherlode cake requires 5 hungry friends to devour. :) Arrive early or be prepared for a wait. For breakfast, I can think of nothing better than the potato shack in Encinitas. Check them out at www.encinitas101.com/potatoshack.htm. Be sure to have the American style fried potatoes, their signature. It comes with most breakfasts. This is another busy place, especially on weekends. I can also heartily recommend Leucadia Pizzeria, which has traditional and gourmet pizza, pasta, and more. It's on the corner of Encinitas and old 101.

Have fun!