My family and I had been eyeing MarBrisa, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Carlsbad, California, for several years, and we finally decided to fly out for a few days this spring. When we think of a spring break spot, we want to go somewhere warm with palm trees, and Carlsbad did not disappoint. 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the most welcoming Team Members. They were the best at giving recommendations.

Amazing Gifts Upon Our Arrival

Including a foreign exchange student we’re hosting, we’re a party of six, so we reserved two rooms based on what was available.

The staff was able to arrange for us to have connected rooms, which was great when we played games and watched movies together at night. They also gifted us with an amazing basket of treats, which was a hit after a long day of traveling.

I could go on about the resort’s amazing amenities, but wanted to share our itinerary for exploring both Carlsbad and San Diego on our 4-day trip. I hope this helps you plan your next visit to Southern California. 

Day 1:  San Diego to Carlsbad

We arrived at 9 a.m. so we could get in a full day of activities. After price-checking rental cars, we realized that Turo was our cheapest option for a van to fit the six of us, so that’s what we opted for. If you haven’t tried Turo yet, do it! You will never go back. 

We started by exploring the San Diego area with some stops on the way up to Carlsbad. We had breakfast at Morning Glory near Little Italy, where the ambiance was top notch. We loved the Very Frenchie French Toast and their fancy hot chocolate selection. Luckily, it was a weekday when we went. I heard the line to get in is usually out the door, so keep that in mind if you go on a weekend. 

Another highlight of our day was visiting the farmer’s market in Little Italy. They had a ton of great vendors and fresh foods. They’re open Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Next, we drove to Coronado Island via the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, which spans about 2 miles over the San Diego Bay. My son loved this. We didn’t stop anywhere, but did drive along Ocean Boulevard to see the beautiful beaches and luxurious homes on the island. 

We made one last stop on the way to Carlsbad at Pacific Beach, where we bought cheap sunglasses for the kids, beach toys and shaved ice before hitting the road again.

Once we arrived at MarBrisa, we immediately changed and went down to the beautiful pool. This pool is a paradise with palm trees, fire pits and The Cove Bar & Grill right next to it. While my son hit the waterslide and my girls got their tan on, my husband and I had a long-awaited cocktail. 

After hours at the pool, we went out for dinner at the Karl Strauss Brewing Company. This spot had a wide selection on their menu, so everyone was happy. The food and service were great. They also had a ton of TVs for watching sports.

To end the day, we drove along Carlsbad Boulevard to see the most beautiful sunset.  

Day 2: LEGOLAND® California

This was the day we planned to go to LEGOLAND®. Thanks to the park opening at 10 a.m. and our resort’s private entrance to it, we were able to sleep in, then walk next door to our destination. This was one of the best perks we have ever experienced. We were first in line and went straight in.

We had a fun day with amazing weather, and walked back to our room around 5 p.m. We asked for the best pizza recommendation and were referred to Knockout Pizza. It was perfect after a day at the park.

Finally, we hit the hot tub and fire pit before bed. It was the best! 

Day 3: La Jolla

We heard amazing things about La Jolla and our kids were itching for a beach day. We went and walked along a trail near Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave. This is a good spot to find parking. We got some amazing pictures here and also got to see some sea lions.

Next, we headed to La Jolla Shores. This beach was full of locals, which was awesome. We got to swim, watch some surfers and eat popsicles from a local vendor by the sea.

After a few hours, we headed back to the resort, but not before hitting up In-N-Out Burger for our kids.  We dropped them off to eat dinner and spend the evening playing games in the room while my husband and I went out for date night. 

We asked MarBrisa Team Members for a few recommendations and chose to dine at Via Vai Cucina Italiana. We loved the little patio and intimate setting. The lobster ravioli was top notch, too!

From there, we walked to the beach and watched the sunset with the locals. It was beautiful to see how many people from all walks of life came to see the day close out. A sunset by the ocean just hits different than it does in Colorado.

Before heading back, we stopped for a quick drink at Park 101 to see the end of a basketball game.   

Day 4: More Exploring Before Heading Home

On our final day, we drove back into San Diego to explore the Gaslamp Quarter and let our kids buy souvenirs. There were lots of shops, restaurants and places like the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, which was a must-stop for us.  

We then headed back to Little Italy and ate at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, which was an authentic restaurant that was recommended to us. Then we dropped by Seaport Village to shop, see the ocean once more and ride the historic Seaport Village Carousel under the twinkling lights.

It was a wonderful end to an outstanding vacation.

 

Read about another Member’s great spring getaway in San Diego here.