We're planning a 6 night trip to San Diego in late June. The highlight for my boy/girl twins will be Legoland. Do we need more than one day there, and if so, should we stay in the area for a couple of nights? We also plan on the usual - zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park... Is it silly to change hotels if we're only there for 6 nights? Thanks in advance. Also, any hotel advice for families is appreciated.

One day is more than enough, even for the kids. Stay in the same hotel in San Diego -- it's about 1/2 hour away.

I would say that one day should be enough, depending on the lines. If there are long lines you won't get through everything and may want to go back. If that happens, take your ticket and receipt to guest services and they will only charge you the difference between what you paid to get in and the two day pass, and you will be able to return within the week. They're nice that way! Usually it's about $8.00 each so a pretty good deal.

When traveling with family I STRONGLY prefer to stay in a condo where the kids are in a separate room and we have a kitchen. Dave Stubbs Realty at www.vacationbeachhomes.com has a bunch in Solana Beach, which is South of Legoland but North of San Diego. I know some on this forum think it's far but we've never had a problem getting into San Diego proper and some of the better beaches (Del Mar, Encinitas) are closer to the condo anyhow.

In terms of dates:
pls be aware that I-5 the main North South freeway to & from Lego land will be very busy:::

June 9-15 US Golf Open will be at Torrey Pines exit at I-5 Genesse (La Jolla area)

June 14 - July 6 San Diego County Fair at Del Mar Fairgrounds

I would avoid I -5 North South as much as possible (no real good alternative road either as the ocean Hwy 1 dumps you out of the coast inland right at Torrey Pines)...and FOR SURE avoid I-5 on overlap days 6/14 & 6/15

The "freeway" will be gridlocked...

normally would suggest stay in 1 hotel and commute..this time because of traffic I would split stays choose a hotel near Legoland like Sheraton Carlsbad next door to Lego, and then one more central to Seaworld/Downtown like Paradise Point, Hilton Mission Bay, Hotel Del etc depending on $$$.

BTW Seaworld is opening at end of May new Sesame Street Bay of Play with parent/child rides breakfast with Elmo etc would be nice.

You can do it all in one day. Stay anywhere in San Diego and it's only about minutes to Legoland (unless you get stuck in terrible I-5 rush-hour traffic)

I meant to say "Only about 30 minutes . . . .

When we went to Legoland mid-week a few years ago with our 8 year old, it was so empty we arrived at 10AM and completed the park by 2PM. I believe the park is 25 miles north of San Diego. We got lucky with traffic at 10AM but heading back at 2:30 was a little tougher. I echo those saying there is no need to plan more than one hotel for 6 days and one day at Legoland.

With kids, I don't know your budget but we had the best time at the Hilton Resort in Mission Bay. The place upgraded our room at no charge, they have a nice pool and grounds for the kids to run around in and is near a park. But you are not in walking distance of restaurants, stores, etc. so that place is best if you plan on spending all day out and using the hotel more as a place to unwind from the day.

One day will be enough. How old are your children? My daughter was almost 9 when we visited and was not impressed. She felt is was more for boys. Geared more for younger children & boys.

MY

Thanks everybody. I'm glad I asked, since I was leaning toward 2 days Legoland, and switching hotels.

jjgittes - who did you book the Hilton through? Did you contact them directly? How'd you get the upgrade? (always good to know...)

I booked directly thru the Hilton website as a Triple A member. The upgrade was strange in that it was just given to us at check-in. They simply told us there was a last minute cancellation & being a triple A member worked in our favor. I just think it was lucky timing more than anything else since it sounded like they may have already collected some of the money for the room so they weren't losing anything on the lower "tower" rates(the multi-story building on the property) we were paying. Let's put it this way-it was the first time it ever happened to us and it hasn't happened since!

Quick warning: Our stay was about 4 years ago. You may want to check on tripadvisor.com as I see the negative reviews have recently outweighed the positive reviews. We loved it but who knows as it is one of the older resorts in the area.....