Ah, Spring Break. That magical time of year when you trade the chaos of your daily routine… for chaos in another zip code. And let me tell you, our family of six (yes, six!) went all in this year. From Disneyland to Carlsbad, churros to roller coasters, we road-tripped, theme-park-hopped, and ice-cream-sampled our way through Southern California—and somehow lived to tell the tale.
Our Grand Kickoff: Disneyland Dreams and Hotel Beds That Weren’t Ours
We kicked things off with a road trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. (Because what’s happier than four kids crammed in a minivan with zero legroom and 13 snacks rolling around the floor?) We stayed one night at Cambria Hotel & Suites, and let me just say—this place gets families. Rooms with bunks for the kids, modern amenities, and walking distance to Disneyland? Yes, please.
Pro tip: If you’re planning a Disney trip, we highly recommend booking through Get Away Today. We’ve used them multiple times, and they make it ridiculously easy to bundle hotel and Disneyland tickets—plus, they sometimes have deals that make you feel like a budgeting wizard.
From Mickey to Luxury: The Carlsbad Upgrade
After surviving the Disney crowd (and a $27 churro—I kid, but barely), we headed down to Carlsbad. We were lucky enough to crash at a friend’s timeshare at the Four Seasons Aviara, and wow, it was incredible. Think: family-size comfort meets resort-style luxury. Heated pools, palm trees, and we didn’t even have to make our own beds.
Not blessed with timeshare-owning friends? Check out RedWeek—you pay $17 for a yearly membership and get access to legit deals on timeshares all over. It’s perfect for bigger families needing more space without the Four Seasons price tag.
The Ultimate Attraction Marathon: SeaWorld, Legoland & More
Once we were settled, it was full throttle from there.
🐬 SeaWorld San Diego
Shows, sea lions, and just enough splash zones to make you question your outfit choices. The kids loved the orca show, and the new Arctic Rescue coaster? Surprisingly thrilling.
⚾ Padres Game
Petco Park is seriously one of the best ballparks in the country. Clean, easy to navigate, and filled with incredible food (and yes, beer). Our kids didn’t sit for a second, but they still talk about it like they were the MVPs.
🦁 San Diego Zoo
This is basically the gold standard for zoos. But if I’m being honest, after doing all of the above, we were beat. So while we loved seeing the pandas, lions, and flamingos, I wouldn’t have been mad if we’d skipped it. Still, if you haven’t been, it’s worth it.
🎢 LEGOLAND California
Our 7-year-old called this “the best day of his life,” so that says it all. It’s perfect for younger kids, super clean, and has just the right mix of rides and LEGO magic.
Planning to hit multiple attractions? Do yourself a favor and grab a San Diego CityPASS. It’s customizable and saves you a ton if you’re park-hopping like we did.
The Real Reason We Travel: THE FOOD
Let’s be real—no trip is complete without food that your kids will remember more than the actual vacation. Here are some highlights:
- 🥟 Din Tai Fung – UTC Mall – Juicy dumplings, incredible noodles, and a surprisingly kid-friendly vibe.
- 🍩 VG Donuts – Classic California donut shop with chef’s kiss quality.
- 🍓 Swami’s Café – Get the acai bowl. It’s practically a requirement.
- 🥯 Inglorious Bagels – Best bagels outside NYC, hands down.
- 🍔 BJ’s Bar & Grill – You know what you’re getting here, and it hits the spot.
- 🌮 Casa De Bandini – Colorful, festive, and the chips + salsa were bottomless. Enough said.
- 🍦 Salt & Straw and Jeni’s Ice Cream** – A two-stop ice cream crawl. Yes, we did both. No regrets.
- 🍔 Hodad’s – Hands down the best burgers in San Diego. Bring napkins. Like, a lot of napkins.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. I might need a nap (or a week-long recovery retreat), but this trip gave our family some core memories. Sure, we were exhausted. But the joy on our kids’ faces as they screamed on rides, devoured another churro, and held our hands in the crowd? Totally worth it.
If I could change anything, it would maybe be skipping the zoo just because of how jam-packed our itinerary was. But really? No regrets. We had an epic Spring Break road trip—and I highly recommend it.
Let me know if you’ve used RedWeek, CityPASS, or have your own SoCal travel tips. I’m already thinking about our next one.
