Please critique my San Diego itinerary!

[gennyu]

Planning out itinerary for San Diego/Carlsbad trip in April for me, DH, and DS (9).  It is our first trip to CA and while we have specific "wish list" items to hit I also want to build in time to enjoy the scenery.
Below is what I have so far. Any and all feedback is appreciated!

Sun:    Travel day and check into Legoland hotel.
Mon:   Legoland all day followed by Taco Stand for dinner and Moonlight Beach after. (Carlsbad hotel TBD - please rec your fave!)
Tue:    San Diego Safari Park all day followed by Burger Bench for dinner. (Carlsbad hotel TBD - please rec your fave!)
Wed:   Flower Fields in the am; GIA museum tour after lunch; followed by Campfire for dinner and Tamarack surf beach after. (Carlsbad hotel TBD - please rec your fave!)
Thu:    Oceanview Mining then driving back to San Diego for a fancy dinner - maybe Ironside - and staying at the Omni for our last night.
Fri:     Travel day home

[Stan]

I lived in Carlsbad/Oceanside/Vista so my hotel recs would be more area than specific property. I always like Carlsbad Village. Plenty of little places (froyo/pizza port/etc) to walk to. The Best Western there always seemed fine if it’s in budget.

[alleinesein]

Mmm...Burger Bench! I am working in downtown Esco this week and I keep walking by Burger Bench and it smells so good.

If you like wine, Orfila Vineyards is close to the Wild Animal Park and their tasting room is open until 7pm.

On your way back to San Diego from Pala, you can take the "long" way and and loop through Valley Center and stop at Bates Nut Farm before you head down the hill.

[gennyu]

Stan , alleinesein , since you are both local - thoughts on Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park? Is it worth carving out an hour or two since we will be so close?

[fiddles]

I would look at Airbnb in downtown Carlsbad. It’s a very cute downtown with lots of yummy food places and shops. Plus it’s right on the water so getting to the beach is easy.

I think it’s a sheraton that is right by Legoland. Not sure what your budget is. Super nice hotel and great location. Right by the flower fields and all that.

[tacom]

Feb 4, 2020 20:08:34 GMT -5 gennyu said:

Stan , alleinesein , since you are both local - thoughts on Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park? Is it worth carving out an hour or two since we will be so close?

We go a few times a month and walk around to see the free roaming peacocks. The grounds are beautiful and it’s free. We usually just spend about 45 min walking; I don’t think you need two hours.

[alleinesein]

gennyu If you like history and just want to unwind, go check it out. But if you have a phobia of large birds, be aware that there are free-range peacocks.

[Stan]

Feb 4, 2020 20:08:34 GMT -5 gennyu said:

Stan , alleinesein , since you are both local - thoughts on Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park? Is it worth carving out an hour or two since we will be so close?

I’m no longer local, but I always liked it. I almost had one of my many weddings there lol.

[gennyu]

Feb 4, 2020 22:19:08 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

gennyu If you like history and just want to unwind, go check it out. But if you have a phobia of large birds, be aware that there are free-range peacocks.

lol, thanks for the heads up.  The peacocks are what I want to see!

[fryjack2]

What about hiking Torrey Pines? Would you be up for adding that in? We did one of the hikes in about an hour along the ocean.