Beachy Carlsbad Offers Up Much More than Awesome Theme Parks

The GIA is the world's leading authority and educator on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. Even most San Diegans don't know that you can actually tour The Gemological Institute of American by appointment, which has locations around the world. Guests can visit the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library & Information Center and see the Tower of Brilliance; the world's largest crystal octahedron. The Carlsbad location is also the world headquarters and it's a major attraction for gem lovers and collectors worldwide. As one might imagine, security is tight so you'll need to bring a photo ID with you. The tour is about a half hour long.

It's not stunning skyline views you'll find here at Bartiquitos Lagoon, but great views of a different sort: endangered birds that occupy the tranquil lagoons situated near the hustle and bustle of San Diego. Located between Carlsbad and Encinitas and identified as one of the few remaining tidal wetlands in southern California, the area is perfect for hiking and provides outstanding opportunities for bird watching. Interpretive signs along the trails assist with identifying these rare birds. Begin your hike at the lagoon's Nature Center. You can take a docent-guided tour or walk the trails on your own. Kids love it.

A seasonal attraction, The Carlsbad Flower Fields provide an amazing seaside show of color between March and May of each year, showcasing the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. It's one of the only working ranunculus farms in the world that allows the public to run through the fields, take photos, and ride on an antique tractor. Kids love exploring the maze of flowers, too. There is also a beautiful All-American Rose walk-of-fame that features 170 All-American Rose selection winners since 1940. No pets are allowed and parking is free though admission is $22 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 and under.

This is a fun and interesting museum where you can not only look at exhibits of musical instruments but you can try your hand at playing some of them. Each gallery represents 20 years, with vintage instruments as well as audio and video clips of that era's popular music. The final gallery is an interactive music room where visitors put on head phones and try out keyboards, guitars and uncommon instruments. Temporary exhibits usually take a more in-depth look at specific instruments such as the violin or the ukulele, or at certain genres of music. Regularly scheduled events include musical story times for children, performances by artists such as Laurie Anderson, and music workshops.

This is actually two separate beaches: Carlsbad State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach. Situated at the foot of the bluffs, access in spots is a tad inconvenient, which makes them a bit less crowded. Surfing, swimming, boogie boarding and beachcombing are all popular. Carlsbad State Beach is close to restaurants, shops and other facilities; South Carlsbad has a great campground that gets booked up well in advance. A restroom and picnic area are near the parking lot. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer. Parking can be tough but look for it on Carlsbad Blvd. You'll notice many residents here come to watch the sunset.

Carlsbad Lagoon is a more relaxed hub of watersports activities ranging from paddleboarding on peaceful waters to wakeboarding to jet skiing. It's technically called Agua Hedionda Lagoon, located just east of the freeway and utilized by residents who have homes on the water there. However, Wakesports Unlimited offers gear like kayaks and WaveRunners and aqua cycles in addition to the above. They even offer youth camps during the summer. Near the beach where you'll launch is a private area for water play that is free from other boats and wakeboarders. And, you can even paddle yourself under the freeway to an even quieter side from which you can kayak out into the ocean.

Located right next door to LEGOLAND, SEALIFE Aquarium is the perfect place to start or end a theme park-filled day. Kids will love seeing LEGO people woven into the aquarium displays as well as a handful of hands-on interaction opportunities. Check the schedule for show times where staff narrate an educational yet entertaining story about a resident sea creature. The average visit time is about 45 minutes. As you weave through the aquarium and out through the gift shop or cafeteria, there is a salad bar and even design your own mac and cheese on offer. The aquarium is fairly easy to navigate with a stroller despite some narrower walkways.

This state beach is known by locals as both South Carlsbad State Beach and South Ponto Beach. The beach is rustic, considered a rare gem and boasts some of the widest sand in the county. Its one of the few beaches in the area with public restrooms and showers, making it a family-friendly choice in Carlsbad. Here, visitors can sunbathe, surf and even play volleyball (bring your own net and ball). No dogs are allowed. Camping is allowed and parking for $8 per day is offered at the south end of the beach though there is free parking further north.

This park was once part of the original 2,538 acre working ranch and vacation retreat of Leo Carrillo (who acted in almost 100 films from 1927 to 1950 and co-starred in the TV series The Cisco Kid). Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park's 27 acres opened to the public in 2003. You can take a guided or self-guided tour of historic ranch structures including the hacienda, reflecting pool, cabana, cantina, carriage house tack shed, stable, barn and foundry, equipment shed and hand-crafted adobe buildings. Be sure to start at the visitor's center. Dogs are not allowed but kids will love exploring the scenic space and the peacocks.

This is the place for kids and the kid in you. LEGOLAND California is perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad, a 40-minute drive north from Downtown San Diego. Everything looks like it was built with LEGOs. Miniland USA, with its miniature models of famous cities and landmarks, is one of the most popular exhibits. The SEA LIFE Aquarium next door offers educational and hands on exhibits and a walk-through tunnel where you can view sting-rays and other sea creatures swimming right in front of your eyes. An interactive water park is a great experience during warmer months and boasts a 45-foot-tall LEGO tower. A new LEGO Friends area geared toward girls has just been added and a Ninjago area is coming soon. You could spend a half-day or even two days here, easily.