LEGOLAND California
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Located in northern San Diego County near the town of Carlsad, LEGOLAND California Resort is a fun toy-themed theme park, miniature park, and aquarium that first opened in 1999. A waterpark was added in 2010.
Today, the park covers more than 120 acres, hosts around 3 million visitors each year, and employs 2,200 people.
How to Get There
LEGOLAND is located in the city of Carlsbad, which is north of San Diego, California. Other nearby cities include Oceanside and Encinitas. The closest airport is San Diego International. Transport options from the airport include the airport shuttle and the COASTER commuter rail line. While in Carlsbad, taxis and rideshares are available.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to LEGOLAND California
Visit LEGOLAND California
There are 12 different themed areas at LEGOLAND California Resort, so you'll need to decide which ones you'd like to prioritize seeing. Shopping, dining, and photo experiences can be found throughout the park.
Whether you want to ride the roller coasters, view the LEGO models of famous landmarks from around the world, take a boat cruise, or have fun at a 4-D movie, there's something for everyone at LEGOLAND, including rock climbing, dinosaur digging, and more. You'll find 60 different rides and attractions, live shows, interactive exhibits, and lots of educational opportunities and hands-on fun. There's even a DJ and live music shows at The Beginning zone, and LEGO character meet-and-greets can be found in Fun Town at the LEGO Ninjago World zone.
The park is open year-round from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily and until 6:00 p.m. on the weekends, with extended summer hours. Hours and opening days may vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the website when planning your visit.
Halloween is a fun time to visit LEGOLAND as the park hosts their annual "Brick-or-Treat" event, complete with monster LEGO characters, scary shows, and lots of candy.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available online at the LEGOLAND website. Prices for a one-day pass start at $79 though you can find tickets as low as $59.50 when there is a special sale, such as around Labor Day. Two-day tickets, vacation packages that include a hotel, and annual passes are also available. Children under the age of 3 do not require a ticket. Tickets cost more at the gate, so it's a good idea to purchase your tickets in advance.
Admission to the water park is a separate cost, and even the littlest ones must have a ticket though a toddler pass is only $5. Parking is an additional cost of $30 per vehicle.
Family-Friendly Options
LEGOLAND largely markets itself as suitable for children ages 15 and under, but there's something to engage visitors of all ages. Younger kids will enjoy the huge multi-level wooden playground in the Castle Hill area, and many of the rides, such as the BIONICLE Blaster and the Driving School in the Fun Town zone are hand-powered, which means that kids get to control the speed or direction of the ride on their own.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
In addition to the main park, you may also want to visit the SEA LIFE California Aquarium and the Water Park. Downloading the park's free mobile app in advance will help you plan out your priorities.
Along with the rides, there are also indoor activities, a water park, and the SEA LIFE California Aquarium. To commemorate your trip, consider purchasing the LEGOLAND Single Day Photo Pass. With this pass, you'll have unlimited digital picture downloads from the rides and costumed character meet-and-greets.
LEGOLAND California Accommodations
On Site Accommodations
There are two on-site hotel options at LEGOLAND. LEGOLAND Resort Hotel has 250 rooms, and the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel is a castle-themed hotel that looks like it is made out of LEGOS. You'll enjoy having a free full breakfast buffet at the hotel before heading to the park. Both on-site options have the added bonus of offering exclusive early park access with your stay.
Campgrounds Nearby
South Carlsbad State Beach is situated to the south of downtown Carlsbad. This extensive beach is easy to access off Interstate 5, and it features a large campground. This is one of the few RV parks in Carlsbad that still offer some hookups while providing beach access.
Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort is located in Oceanside, California. It sits directly on the beach, and it is about 15 minutes away from Vista. Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort is relatively small, and it is within walking distance of Walmart.
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort bills itself as the only beach RV resort in Southern California. It is situated between Highway 101 and Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside. You can walk through the resort’s beach gate and be on the beach in just three minutes.
Activities Near LEGOLAND California
Things to Do
Swimming
You can head to the beach to enjoy some excellent swimming year-round. Carlsbad Beach is just 2 miles away. Lake Carlsbad has an area for lake swimming that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hiking
With rolling hills and ocean views, there are lots of excellent nearby trails to choose from. A couple of the more popular ones are the Hidden Valley Trail and the trail at Hosp Grove Park, both of which are nearby. A little farther away, you can head to the hills at Daley Ranch.
Boating
About a minute's drive away from LEGOLAND, you'll find the Carlsbad Lagoon Recreation Area. Along with a 1.3-mile hiking trail, you can enjoy lots of boating opportunities at the Lagoon. If you didn't bring your own along, you can rent a power boat, kayak, or paddleboard.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The weather in southern California is relatively mild all year long, and rain is rare. Temperatures rarely stray below 50 degrees or above the low 80s. From April to October, the area near LEGOLAND receives almost no rain at all, making LEGOLAND an excellent place to visit any time of year. You may get wet during your visit, so consider bringing a change of clothes, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack sunscreen and a sun hat.
Safety & Accessibility
In addition to respecting all of the height requirements for the various rides, LEGOLAND helps visitors stay safe by providing hand sanitizer throughout the park.
Many of the park's rides and attractions are accessible to disabled visitors. You'll find signs clearly posted at each attraction. If you need special accommodations for a hearing or visual limitation, you're encouraged to reach out to Guest Services at least two weeks before your visit. For more specific information, you can view LEGOLAND's comprehensive Disabled Access Guide online.
Conclusion
From roller coasters to miniatures, LEGOLAND is a fun and family-friendly experience that is sure to thrill visitors of all ages. This unique theme park, dedicated to the globally recognized LEGO brand of building blocks, offers hands-on educational and immersive experiences that can't be found anywhere else. A trip to LEGOLAND is a must as part of your journey exploring all that California and the western United States have to offer.
FAQ
You'll find lots of great RV camping spots nearby, including South Carlsbad State Beach, which is open year-round and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. In the nearby town of Oceanside, Paradise by the Sea is a popular RV resort with beach access.
Yes. The parking lot at LEGOLAND can accommodate even the largest RVs at a cost of $50.
If you'd like to treat yourself to something extra, you can add various extra experiences to your visit. With the park's VIP Experience, for example, you'll have your own private host to show you around and enjoy valet parking plus priority access to all rides and shows. Note that cash is not accepted anywhere at LEGOLAND, so plan on using your debit or credit cards.
Yes, absolutely! Some attractions may have minimum and maximum height requirements for the safety of all guests.
No. Pets are not allowed at the park.