It’s hard to say who enjoys LEGOLAND California more: the little ones running around in a magical world created by 60 million LEGO plastic bricks, or their parents who get a kick out of it too. This theme park in Carlsbad, on the north side of San Diego County, first opened in 1999, and today is one of the most popular family destinations in the state.
Things to Do at LEGOLAND California
The park has roller coasters, shows, and attractions, many based on LEGO incarnations from The LEGO Movie, LEGO Friends, Ninjago, LEGO City, and LEGO Duplo. It’s conveniently located within an hour or two of a variety of theme parks and attractions in Southern California—but it’s also just a few minutes’ drive to a state beach.
Miniland USA
Walk through Miniland USA for a visual and structural jaw-dropper: expansive miniaturized LEGO recreations of Washington D.C., New York City, and San Francisco, among other cities, as well as Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Some of the cities have water elements like fountains and rivers and moving buses, cars, and trains, and each one, including San Diego, has teeming populations of Minilander citizens. Fun fact: The LEGO replica of New York City’s Freedom Tower is the tallest LEGO building in the country.
LEGO MOVIE WORLD
Fans of the LEGO movie series will love The LEGO MOVIE WORLD, featuring characters, attractions, and rides inspired by the films—like the Build Wat’evra You Wa’Na Build play zone, a recreation of Emmet’s apartment, and the Unikitty Disco Drop ride. Don’t miss Emmet’s Flying Adventure Ride, in which you sit on a Triple Decker Flying Couch and immerse yourself in sights and sounds of the LEGO movies within a full-dome virtual screen.
LEGO Ferrari Build & Race
Visitors with a need for speed are in for a thrill at the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race attraction, where they can sit inside a life-size Ferrari F40 made with 350,000 of the tiny plastic bricks. Next, it’s time to get interactive at the Build and Test area, where they can assemble and fine-tune their own mini LEGO Ferrari, which can be tested on big ramps. Then it’s time to scan your car and enter it, virtually, onto the racetrack to compete with other participants’ creations. Once rubber hits the road, work the controls of the track-side racing kiosk to accelerate and pass the competition while going for the fastest lap.
LEGOLAND Water Park
It’s easy to build a whole vacation around the Carlsbad theme park. It has two onsite hotels and plenty of nearby hotels, too. Beyond the main theme park, the resort also includes the LEGOLAND Water Park with family slides, a wave pool and a build-a-raft lazy river, and the adjacent SEA LIFE Aquarium, home to more than 5,000 sea creatures.
More Rides & Attractions at LEGOLAND
While the focus here leans toward making little ones smile, there’s plenty to entertain bigger kids and grownups too. The park has more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions—including three roller coasters (including the Dragon), the Deep Sea Adventure ride, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, live shows by the LEGO Friends, and entertainment and meet-and-greets with characters from various LEGO incarnations, from Ninjago to The LEGO Movie and LEGO Batman.
The Dragon
This is one that is sure to get the teens—or brave tweens—in your crew screaming at the inevitable adrenaline rush. On The Dragon roller coaster, cars twist, turn, climb, and descend inside and out of a massive LEGO castle, home to jesters, knights, princesses, and an enormous LEGO-constructed dragon.
Deep Sea Adventure, Driving School, and Ninjago the Ride
How about an underwater LEGO excursion? On the Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride, passengers look through the sub’s portholes to find LEGO models and search for gold coins and other sunken treasures, all the while surrounded by gliding fish. At Driving School, they get behind the wheel of electric LEGO cars and tool around on a winding track. (Kids are encouraged to practice obeying traffic laws, like stopping at red lights, and are awarded driver’s licenses.) In Ninjago The Ride, kids are whisked from one battle royale to the next, flinging animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves, and ice to vanquish their foes.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
At SEA LIFE Aquarium, interactive exhibits and 360-degree immersive marine displays take visitors on a journey through various ocean habitats, all of them inhabited by diverse sea creatures from colorful fish to majestic sharks (as well as the occasional adventurous LEGO character). Make actual contact with tiny denizens of the ocean such as starfish and billowing sea urchins, while learning about marine conservation and ways to protect sea life.
LEGOLAND Ticket Upgrades and VIP Experience
Upgrade your regular theme park ticket for less wait times, or bundle your park ticket with passes to the aquarium at a discounted rate. Another way to spend less time in lines is to opt for the VIP Experience pass, which includes a personal host to escort you around the park, priority access to all rides, shows and attractions, a behind-the-scenes model shop tour, and more.
Where to Eat at LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND California offers an array of creative dining options that often go beyond classic theme park fare. Enjoy burgers and fries at Burger Kitchen, barbecue and craft beer at Knight’s Smokehouse BBQ, or help yourself to your favorite Italian specialties at the Pizza & Pasta Buffet. Those craving healthy choices can head to the salad bar at Fun Town Urban Kitchen, where they’ll assemble a sandwich of your liking right in front of you; fans of ramen, rice bowls, and salads should head for Everything Is Ramen. Within the SEA LIFE Aquarium is the Ocean Journey Café, where fish, sandwiches, and salads are the focus. To satisfy a sweet tooth, Granny's Apple Fries is a must-try, serving up unique apple treats with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Various snack kiosks around the park offer quick bites like popcorn, ice cream, churros, and beverages.
Where to Stay at LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND California offers two distinct lodging options for its guests. The LEGOLAND Hotel, located at the park's entrance, features themed rooms such as Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, and LEGO Friends, all of which are equipped with fun LEGO decor and interactive elements. Just across the main walkway, the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel offers accommodations with themes such as Knights & Dragons, Royal Princess, and Magic Wizard, all of which evoke a medieval, castle-like experience. A stay at either hotel comes with benefits such as early park access, themed play areas for children, and a complimentary breakfast.
Things to Do Near LEGOLAND California
Just 30 minutes north of San Diego and an hour south of Anaheim, LEGOLAND’s home of Carlsbad is smack dab in the middle of Southern California, meaning there are plenty of other things do nearby: more theme parks, museums, and world-famous beaches (in both San Diego County and Orange County)—not to mention the city’s own Flower Fields. To discover some of the region’s more under-the-radar points of interest, check out So You Think You Know San Diego?, So You Think You Know Anaheim?, and 5 Amazing Things to Do in Anaheim.
Click here for schedule and hours of operation.
LEGOLAND California Address
One LEGOLAND Drive
Carlsbad, CA 90028
Phone: 877.376.5346
