California - Hotel recommendation for Legoland/Sea World

Need hotel for 3 adults and a 3-year-old for four nights and additional adult for the last two nights. Right now Sea World, Zoo, and Legoland are on the agenda. Would prefer Hilton chain--I'm considering the Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn in San Diego Del Mar. We will not be going to the beaches. Any thoughts? Suggestions for restaurants that are kid friendly but relatively healthy and other suggestions also appreciated.

There is a new Hilton resort opening in Carlsbad. Looks pretty close to being done. Very close to Legoland.

I like the Hilton Resort on Mission Bay. Very close to Sea World.

There is a Homewood Suites on Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad and the HGI in Carmel Valley is a nice Property as is the Doubletree in Carmel Valley. Doubletree in Mission Valley is ok too.

San Diego Magazine has a great website re: Restaurants as does the San Diego Reader.

Costco has great deals on Legoland tickets. (and the zoo and sea world ).

The Homewood Suites Del Mar is very well managed - I've had great experiences there, and there is a shopping center nearby with a Red Robin, Sammy's, etc. so you'd have many dining options.

The only challenge is that the location isn't really ideal for either downtown (Zoo/SeaWorld) or Carlsbad, but if you have a vehicle and don't mind a 15-20 minute drive you should be fine. The freeway access is excellent, so that helps.

Since you are doing SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and Legoland, most of your time is spent near downtown and the airport, I'd stay at the Homewood Suites at Liberty Station. It is one of the highest rated family hotels in San Diego.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60750-d656430-Reviews-Homewood_Suites_San_Diego_Airport_Liberty_Station-San_Diego_California.html

I'm in Carlsbad for work regularly. My favorite hotel is the Best Western Beach View Lodge right across from the beach in Carlsbad Village. It's in a great location and is a very unique hotel. I also regularly stay at the Hilton Garden Inn on Carlsbad Boulevard, the Homewood Suites on Palomar Airport Road, and the Pacific Palisades Resort which is right by the entrance to Legoland and has an attached Karl Strauss microbrewery.

I'd avoid any hotel on Hotel Circle in San Diego. They look convenient on a map, but they're all dumps IMO.

I'm in Carlsbad for work regularly. My favorite hotel is the Best Western Beach View Lodge right across from the beach in Carlsbad Village. It's in a great location and is a very unique hotel. I also regularly stay at the Hilton Garden Inn on Carlsbad Boulevard, the Homewood Suites on Palomar Airport Road, and the Pacific Palisades Resort which is right by the entrance to Legoland and has an attached Karl Strauss microbrewery.

I'd avoid any hotel on Hotel Circle in San Diego. They look convenient on a map, but they're all dumps IMO.

Right.... but she only has one day planned for Carlsbad, everything else is way south. It makes no sense to stay in Carlsbad for the Zoo and SeaWorld.

Thanks for the advice! I am recommending the Homewood Suites Del Mar to my family. We will have a car. The liberty Station location sounds neat and would have been great but no availability for the dates i need. I like the Carlsbad area but part of the group arrives San Diego close to midnight, and the ride is too far. I stayed in Mission Valley before, and I agree, it is not ideal.