Looking to plan that much-deserved and long awaited vacation? The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is the perfect destination for your next holiday or mini-break. Relax and share quality time with the entire family. You can even take along the family dog to this pet-friendly resort.* My family and I were recently hosted for two-nights at the hotel where we experienced all the lux amenities The Cassara has to offer. There are so many fun things to do in Carlsbad and we think it’s the ultimate vacation getaway for families!
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This incredible Southern California resort is located near San Diego and is under a two-hour drive south of Los Angeles. The property is nestled on 12 lush acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is close proximity to many of San Diego’s top attractions, such as the San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld. Legoland is also literally right next to the hotel!!! You can access it through a secret side gate making your parenting life super easy!
The hotel overlooks the seasonal Carlsbad Flower Fields, where you’ll see 50-acres of blooming ranunculus flowers gently swaying in the warm California sun and ocean breeze. We loved our visit to the iconic Flower Fields. It’s a two-minute shuttle drive from the hotel and definitely one for your bucket list.
The recently reopened Cassara Carlsbad exudes a modern Mediterranean atmosphere that embodies the seasonal, colorful blooms you see as you gaze out of the hotel. The minute you walk into the lobby, you’ll see motifs of centuries old Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian architecture. Intertwined in the lobby and the room styles are organic colors of natural sand and ocean hues. Looking out into the sunset, you’ll feel the peacefulness of a beach-front villa and the laid-back lifestyle that people dream about.
My daughter loved hanging out in the lobby and specifically in these swinging chairs. I think I'm going to have to research where to get one and hang it in her room.
There are so many unique little nooks for sitting and you can look outside and see the gorgeous day or sunset from every spot in the room.
The accommodations are perfect for families. There are 29 two-bedroom Karlsbad Family Suites for guests to enjoy with loved ones for much needed time away from home amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The brand new spacious suites feature a king room with a parlor (sitting area), a separate guest room with two twin beds and three flat-screen televisions - creating the perfect home away from home. We always love the extra space so that everyone can have their “me” time if they need it.
A giant wardrobe will be able to fit all your purchases from the outlet stores. In case of online work or distance learning, there’s a desk/work space with complimentary wi-fi and a mini-fridge and Keurig® Coffeemaker so you can sit on your balcony and enjoy the mesmerizing views. The ensuite bathroom typically offers a bath/shower combo and they also offer wheelchair accessible, if needed. Luxurious soaps and hair products were given to us at the front desk when we checked in as part of the safety protocols.*
The Cassara Carlsbad has access to two pools. If you're looking for a little solitude and relaxation, a quiet pool with cabanas and cozy fire pit seating is perfect. Take a magazine and chill-lax with a frozen drink. Look out across the Flower Fields to the Pacific Ocean and breathe in the fresh beach air. Stick your feet in the water and feel the warmth of the sun. Take a dip in the pool; there are divided lanes for swimming and it's heated to the perfect temperature.
A family pool with a splash pad and a kids activity center is also on the property and is the ultimate family fun. I know my daughter could spend hours playing in the splash pad. Right outside the pool gates is a playground and ping-pong table. A calendar of daily events and activities include things like watercoloring, loom-bracelet making, and ice cream sundae eating, which we all loved.
Guests can enjoy the fitness center, a basketball court, and scenic running and biking paths. You can borrow bikes from the concierge. I also saw quite a few people with dogs and we brought our pup; there are many places for pets to walk if you’d like to bring your furry friends.
Socially distanced BBQ grills are nearby, so bring your own food if you'd like. Personally, I don't like to cook on vacation, but if my husband wants to throw some steaks or fresh caught fish on the grill so that we can continue playing at the pool, I'm all for it. Happy wife, happy life! Sometimes it's nice not having to be anywhere; isn't that what vacation is all about? Spending quality time with the family is so easy at this resort because it has everything you need at your fingertips.
If you don’t feel like cooking, locally sourced libations and small bites are available at The Cassara Kitchen and Bar. The Karl Strauss Brewery located mere steps away from the hotel offers American bar food with a gourmet twist alongside house-brewed craft ales. They offer heat lamp and fire pit seating areas or take it to go if you’d prefer. We met up for lunch with our friends after the girls visited the Flower Fields and the boys went surfing. The food here is delicious!
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There are so many places to dine in nearby Carlsbad. Most restaurants are open with patio dining and some indoor dining. The atmosphere of the town is pretty laid back and casual, so you’re bound to find a ton of traditional American cuisine, gastropubs + breweries, coffee shops + cafes, and of course seafood. If you’re looking for more of a fine dining experience, think surf and turf, farm-to-table gastronomy, grape-to-glass, and grain-to-glass. There’s something for everyone and lots of fun areas to experience, discover, and start tasting.
We ate in Carlsbad Village at 264 Fresco with @thetravnav, our good friends and travel buddies! So fun to meet up with friends again.
The Cassara Carlsbad resort offers convenient access to exciting activities, which guests can explore via the complimentary shuttle service operating within a 5-mile radius. We were also thrilled about Carlsbad’s one-of-a-kind Ride the Tide open-air beach trolley with daily service to Tamarack Beach. Both make getting around with families super easy. Sometimes families have different interests though. While my husband is an avid surfer and always likes to take off to some of the local beaches, we’ve found some great ways to entertain and enjoy ourselves in our leisure time using the shuttle. On one of the days, we took the shuttle to Terra Mar Point and walked along the bluffs. This scenic spot has gorgeous views of the sunset as well as the Terramar Beach below, frequented by local surfers. I think that's my husband paddling out to try and catch a wave, but they all look like little specs in the distance to me.
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Here are some other ideas for you to indulge in when you stay at The Cassara Carlsbad:
- Carlsbad Premium Outlet ~ one of San Diego's premier shopping destinations. Shop more than 85 designer and name-brand outlet stores including Coach, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, and more. Food options as well.
- Carlsbad Lagoon ~ a paradise of fun, watersport activities on calm, uncrowded water. Along with a large fleet of power and passive rental watercraft, they also offer a kids summer camp by the week.
- Carlsbad Crossings ~ 18-hole championship municipal golf course, nestled among the natural habitat and wildlife on more than 400 acres of Carlsbad's coastal terrain and offering visitors a magnificent setting in a relaxed California Coastal environment.
Photo Credit: @thecrossingsatcarlsbad
- Legoland ~ Love Legos? With more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, it's an interactive, hands-on theme park experience for families with children 2 - 12. The Resort is also home to SEA LIFE® Aquarium and the world's first LEGOLAND® Water Park. Reservations are currently required. You can enter through the pedestrian gate next to the Cassara Carlsbad.
- Carlsbad Strawberry Company ~ super fresh and tasty strawberries with the unique experience of getting to pick your own! A giant sunflower maze is fun to walk through in the summer. As the seasons change, so does the farm! In the fall, you'll find an epic Pumpkin Patch and an exciting corn maze. Visit for a perfect family day at the farm.
Photo Credit: @carlsbadstrawberrycompany
- Carlsbad Flower Fields ~ 50 acres of ranunculus, blueberry picking, spectacular photographic opportunities, antique tractor rides, sweet pea maze and a children’s playground. Open every Spring from March 1st to Mother’s Day. Need a bouquet for mom? You can order ranunculus from them online at (shop.flowerfields.com) and they’ll ship anywhere in the U.S.
- Carlsbad Poinsettia SD Coaster Station ~ take a short drive over to the Carlsbad Poinsettia station, a commuter rail station on the NCTD COASTER commuter rail line. The station serves the Poinsettia and La Costa communities of Carlsbad, and connects to other transit as well as quaint beach towns along the coast for a fun day trip!
Photo Credit: @transit_plus
We loved staying at The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton with the family and our sweet dog. It’s kid-friendly/dog-friendly beachy vibes made for the perfect ambience on our getaway vacation! There were so many fun things to do there and many activities were accessible via the shuttle. If you’re thinking of a vacay, there are currently a few special promotions going on at The Cassara Carlsbad so start packing your bags and plan the ultimate, beachy escape to Carlsbad with your family and maybe Fido too!
Thank you Cassara Carlsbad for hosting us on a fun family getaway. All opinions in this article are my own and 100% true!
If you would like to include the Cassara Carlsbad in your upcoming travels, here are some of the current offerings that you can find on the Cassara Carlsbad website:
*The Cassara has a 20lb pet weight limit & $85 NR pet fee. Service dogs are allowed.
**The Cassara Resort has adopted enhanced cleaning steps aligned with recommended protocols and safety procedures. Contactless check-in, check-out and room entry are available via digital key access through the Hilton Honors app.
The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is located at 5805 Armada Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
thecassarares@gpresorts.com
760-827-3232
Reservations 833-447-9195
Hilton Honors 800-446-6677
April 19, 2021 ~ By Chanin Victor @chaninvictor
