Summer is the perfect time to press pause on the daily routine and make memories together—whether that’s planning a fun staycation, exploring a local hidden gem, or saying yes to a brand-new family adventure. We share easy ways to bring everyone together without the stress of over planning.
KID-APPROVED ADVENTURES
Summer vacations are at their best when they strike the perfect balance—kids are busy making memories, parents actually get to relax, and everyone leaves feeling like they experienced something special. Tucked into the heart of Carlsbad, Hotel Solea, An Autograph Collection Hotel, delivers exactly that, making it one of Southern California’s standout family escapes this season.
Fresh, modern, and thoughtfully designed, Hotel Solea offers a boutique feel with the kind of family-friendly perks that make planning a vacation refreshingly easy. Its location couldn’t be more ideal. Families enjoy private access to LEGOLAND California, while some of the region’s most iconic attractions—including Carlsbad’s beautiful beaches and the spectacular Flower Fields (when in bloom)—are just minutes away. Whether you’re chasing roller coaster thrills, building sandcastles, or exploring coastal trails, Hotel Solea puts every adventure within reach.
But what truly sets this summer destination apart is what happens after you return from a day of exploring.
New this year, Hotel Solea and the neighboring Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa have introduced Pacific Kids Club, an imaginative weekly lineup of activities designed to keep children entertained while giving parents something that’s often hard to find on a family vacation: genuine downtime.
Every week brings a full calendar of hands-on fun. Young animal lovers can meet local wildlife during Animal Pals, presented in partnership with Agua Hedionda Lagoon on Tuesdays and Fridays, where kids enjoy an up-close introduction to native creatures through gentle, interactive encounters.
Weekends are especially packed with excitement. Saturdays feature Mini Masters, a colorful nine-hole mini golf course perfect for family competition, followed by Swiftie Bracelet Making, where little creators can design friendship bracelets while singing along to kid-friendly Taylor Swift favorites. As the afternoon rolls into evening, LEGO Builders Bash lets budding engineers tackle creative building challenges before testing their luck during LEGO Bingo.
When the sun begins to set, families can spread out blankets or settle into lounge chairs for Sunset Cinema on the Pacific Lawn. Running throughout the summer, outdoor movie nights showcase family favorites like Cars, Sing, The Incredibles, and more beneath the stars. Even better, both Mini Masters and Sunset Cinema are open to the local community, making Hotel Solea a summer gathering place whether you’re checking in for the weekend or simply stopping by for the evening.
Perhaps the most parent-approved offering is the Kids Dinner program, available Friday and Saturday evenings through Pacific Kids Club. While children enjoy supervised activities, parents can slip away for an uninterrupted dinner at Verise, Hotel Solea’s signature Italian restaurant.
Set among tranquil olive groves, Verise serves handcrafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine from acclaimed Chef Riccardo Bilotta. It’s the kind of elevated dining experience that often feels impossible to enjoy during a family vacation—but here, it becomes one of the highlights.
That’s the beauty of Hotel Solea. Every detail has been designed to make traveling with kids feel less stressful and more rewarding. Parents don’t have to choose between entertaining the children and enjoying a relaxing getaway—they can finally have both.
Whether you’re planning a weekend staycation, a LEGOLAND adventure, or a longer Southern California road trip, Hotel Solea offers the rare combination of thoughtful luxury, endless family activities, and unbeatable location. It’s a place where kids stay curious, parents recharge, and summer memories practically make themselves.
This summer, the hardest part won’t be finding something to do—it’ll be convincing everyone it’s time to head home.
STEP INTO SUMMER
Whether you’re heading to summer camp drop-off, teeing off for a family golf outing, spending the day on the boat, or squeezing in an evening walk after a day of activities, styles from OluKai are built for every summer adventure. San Diego summers are the ultimate “beach to dinner” style and OluKai fits that bill perfectly. So whether you’re out on 15th street in Del Mar and heading to Monarch Ocean Pub or are more family friendly with a hotel stay at the Catamaran and are enjoying the day on the bay, OluKai has the comfort and style to keep you feeling that “everyday aloha” spirit they are known for.
This summer’s big trend of #flopmaxing has everyone buzzing about upgrading, or elevating their flip-flops to something with more style…more comfort…and that’s where OluKai steps right in. Inspired by Hawaiian culture and an ocean lifestyle. Designed with premium comfort, durability, and effortless style, these versatile shoes provide the support families need to stay active from sunrise to sunset—on the course, at the marina, and everywhere in between.Today, OluKai also offers sneakers, golf shoes, slippers, and everyday footwear for men and women.
The new San Diego store is located at 7884 Girard Avenue in the heart of La Jolla Village, steps away from the coastal trails, beaches and restaurants ready to host you, sandals and all. The new La Jolla store is the company’s first San Diego location, selected because of the community’s strong connection to coastal living and ocean stewardship. San Diego came out in full force for OluKai’s opening and we hit our top benchmark with 100% of net proceeds of sales for the Grand Opening Day going to the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy, which supports the maintenance and repairs needed for our coastal trails along the Pacific.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Perched at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument is where history, breathtaking coastal views, and hands-on exploration come together for an unforgettable family adventure. One of the park’s biggest highlights is the rocky tidepools, where kids can carefully hop from rock to rock in search of sea anemones, hermit crabs, tiny fish, sea stars, and colorful shells. Be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good traction, check the daily tide schedule before you go, and remember to look without touching—these delicate ecosystems are protected so future generations can enjoy them too.
Before setting off, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a free Junior Ranger activity booklet. As families explore the monument, children complete fun, age-appropriate activities that teach them about local wildlife, conservation, and the area’s rich history. Once they’ve finished, they’ll return to a park ranger, take the Junior Ranger pledge, and earn an official Junior Ranger badge—a memorable keepsake and a great way to inspire a lifelong love of America’s national parks.
Also consider park-hopping with friends in different communities, or meeting up with others to explore a new attraction in town… spending time doing something you haven’t done before is both exciting and memorable.
