LEGOLAND California (17) has many highlights within the park, including a scaled replica of five regions of the U.S. and three roller coasters. Each month they featured new exhibits based on people and places from around the world. LEGOLAND features more than 50 other rides, shows and attractions including Miniland Las Vegas! The park is located just 30 minutes north of San Diego off I-5 and Cannon Road, which leads to LEGOLAND Drive (see map). Be sure to use their discount coupon and get $4 off per person, up to six people! For information call (760-918-5346).

Right next door to LEGOLAND California is the SEA LIFE Aquarium (17). From the fresh waters of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, SEA LIFE is a child’s guide to the life of the sea. The aquarium provides an educational and interactive experience for children of all ages. Exhibits include a seahorse kingdom, bay of rays, 360-degree view of schools of fish, an interactive discovery zone, tide pools and more. Admission is ($18.95) for adults, ($15.95) for seniors, ($11.95) kids 3–12. For just ($10) you can upgrade LEGOLAND tickets to include SEA LIFE. Call (760-918-5346) for more information.

The famous Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (16) (760-431-0352), located at the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Paseo del Norte, are a sight to see. In the spring from March through early May, a rainbow of brightly colored flowers can be seen from Interstate 5, and all but stops traffic. There are 53 acres of colorful ranunculus and a mixture of specialty flowers shimmering on the hillside. Over 3 million cut flowers and 6 –12 million bulbs are harvested each season and shipped throughout North America.

The Museum of Making Music (21) is also located near LEGOLAND at 5790 Armada Dr. (760-438-5996). Open Tues.–Sun., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. General admission is ($7), seniors, students and active military ($5) and children under 5 are admitted free. The focus of this impressive museum is to present a nostalgic walk through the past 100 years of American music and music-making. Featured are more than 500 vintage instruments. Plus, there are lots of interactiveexhibits and hundreds of audio and video clips. This is a unique educational adventure for everyone!

The Carlsbad Village (3) is in the heart of this seaside resort. A great place to begin your tour is at the Historic Santa Fe Depot, which is the home of the Carlsbad Conventions and Visitors Bureau (7). Here you can get brochures and information on things to see and do in the area. It is open daily. Once you get the lay of the land, you'll definitely want to visit the Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall at 2752 State Street (760-730-9494). At the opposite end of the block is the Witch Creek Winery (8) at 2906 Carlsbad Blvd. (760-720-7499). Be sure to come in for a winetasting.

Carlsbad's seaside village is a haven for romantic oceanfront dining. One of Carlsbad's landmark restaurants is Dini's Bistro (14) at 3290 Carlsbad Blvd. (760-434-6000), which celebrating over 22 years in business and is famous for their sunset dinners (4:30pm to 7pm). They are also very well known for their fresh seafood, impressive steaks, salads, outdoor patio dining, a beach bar ambiance second to none.

A Village favorite since 1991 is Al’s Cafe In The Village (2) at 795 Carlsbad Village Dr. (760-729-5448). This restaurant adds a touch of Hawaii to breakfast and lunch. Slow-smoked salmon, pulled pork, great salads and homemade soup are just some of the delicious entrées that have created a loyal following among Carlsbad residents. Don’t miss this one.

Also in the Village is Ocean House (7) at 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. (760-729- 4131). It is known for both its excellent food and historical setting. It’s located in the remodeled Twin Inns, which were built in 1887 by two of Carlsbad’s founding fathers. American cuisine with a seafood flair is featured. Their nightly dancing and Sunday happy hour, 3 p.m.–6 p.m. have made Ocean House one of Carlsbad’s popular nightclubs.

Casa De Bandini at 1901 Calle Barcelona (760-634-3443), it’s one of Bazaar del Mundo’s great Mexican restaurants.

Shopping adventures abound in Carlsbad. The quaint Village lends itself to shopping and dining, and is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. Also here is Carlsbad’s big shopping attraction, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets.

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets (15), 5620 Paseo del Nor te (760-804-9000), feature 90 designer and name-brand outlet stores, it’s one of the most upscale outlet shopping destinations in the county where you’ll enjoy savings of 25 to 65 percent every day. A walk through this beautiful villagestyle center reveals a collection of designer and leading brands that will thrill even the most discriminating shopper. Brands include 2b, bebe, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Dooney & Bourke, Gap Outlet, Guess, Jones New York, Juicy Couture, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Polo Ralph Lauren, Theory, Tommy Hilfiger and more. There is also a Barneys New York Outlet, which carries a wide range of top labels for less.

For destination shopping at its very best, The Forum Carlsbad (22) at 1923 Calle Barcelona (760-479-0166) gets rave reviews. It’s near the corner of El Camino Real and Leucadia Boulevard at Calle Barcelona. Name-brand stores include Talbots, Bombay and the impressiveColdwater Creek. As for restaurants, you’ll be highly impressed with Buca di Beppo (760-479-2533). Here too is Casa De Bandini at 1901 Calle Barcelona (760-634-3443), it’s one of Bazaar del Mundo’s great Mexican restaurants.

The Ramada Inn & Suites (13) at 751 Macadamia Dr. (800-644-9394) is conveniently located just a half mile from Carlsbad State Park.This 121 room hotel offers studios starting at ($89) and one- and two-bedroom suites starting at ($109) and ($229), respectively. They also feature a complimentary continental breakfast, heated pool and spa, laundry facilities, free wireless Internet, as well as meeting facilities. Enjoy the comforts of home with minifridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, cable TV and more.

Discover the Sheraton Carlsbad Hotel, at 5480 Grand Pacific Drive (760-827-2400), it is a spectacular resort minutes from the Carlsbad beaches and alongside the Crossings at Carlsbad and LEGOLAND California. With beautiful Contemporary Mediterranean architecture, rolling lawns, flowering shrubs and nearby pristine beaches, the carlsbad hotel offers a beautiful setting sure to inspire guests of every kind. The hotel sits alongside the Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Course and LEGOLAND California Resort, providing access to a wide variety of exciting things to see and do.

La Costa Resort and Spa at 2100 Costa Del Mar Road (760-438-9111), is a experience first-class luxury resort, with impressive accommodations in a beautiful Southern California location.

The Four Seasons Resort Aviara at 7100 4 Seasons (760-804-1588), is a 200-acre, Spanish colonial-style pleasure palace set high on a bluff carpeted with wildflowers. Its Arnold Palmer-signature golf course is superbly laid out around the natural topography of the resort. This is a picturesque course where the water traps are part of the lagoon and the clubhouse is a Spanish colonial structure offering every amenity that serious golfers require and that occasional duffers relish.

Inns of America Suites at 5010 Avenida Encinas (760-929-8200), is the best place to stay if you're looking for an ideal Southern California beach hotel. Located on the coast in beautiful Carlsbad, Inns of America Suites is conveniently situated near the beach and close to many of San Diego's best attractions.If you're looking for somewhere to stay near Legoland, Palomar Airport Business Park, Carlsbad Flower Fields, major golf courses, shopping, Oceanside Harbor, and the famous Del Mar Racetrack, then you will enjoy this amazing location.

Located at 2192 Palomar Airport Road  (760-431-4646), this airport has regularly scheduled flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via United Express. With 215,847 takeoffs and landings in 2007 by private planes, corporate jets and commuter airline flights, McClellan-Palomar is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the country. There are nearly 350 aircraft based at the airport, of which over 30 of them are jets or jet props.

The new terminal also serves Sky West, providing seven daily flights to Los Angeles.