Columnist Muriel Stevens: Carlsbad built on family fun

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.

Carlsbad, Calif., has always been a favorite getaway destination for Las Vegans. Carlsbad is home to the posh La Costa Resort and Spa and the splendid Four Seasons Resort, Aviara.

Carlsbad is a wonderful escape from the summer heat of the Las Vegas Valley. In addition to luxurious resorts there are sun-splashed beaches, three beautiful lagoons and a quaint downtown village. The lagoons are tranquil and pristine, providing a haven for a wide variety of wildlife.

And it is a terrific place for a family vacation. Carlsbad is home to Legoland California, the only theme park of its kind in the United States (there are three others: Bilund, Denmark; Windsor, outside of London; and Gunzburg, Germany). Created by the Danish toy manufacturer, the 128-acre LegoLand park is full of fun and surprises. It is designed to stimulate the imagination of children ages 2 to 12 years, and to entertain.

Legoland was in the final stages of completion the last time I visited "The Village by the Sea," as Carlsbad is sometimes known, so I was not able to go inside, but even from a distance I could see how appealing it was going to be.

Six distinctive play areas feature family rides, restaurants, opportunities to build (is there any kid who doesn't like building with Legos?) and areas to explore to keep youngsters busy and happy. About 30 million Lego bricks were used to generate the more than 1,000 kaleidoscopic Lego models that embellish the park.

There are a number of places to eat, many interactive activities and a kid-size town square where youngsters can realize Walter Mitty-like fantasies. Oh, to be a kid again.

Ticket prices are: adults, $39.95; children 3 to 16 and seniors $33.95. For pets, kennels are available on a first-come, first-served basis; a $15 refundable deposit is required. With a little planning a kid can celebrate a birthday at Legoland. Call (760) 918-KIDS for information and reservations.

Park hours vary by season. For more information call (760) 918-LEGO or check out the park website at legoland.com.

Hotel Majestic celebrates: Hotel Majestic, an Edwardian jewel situated in the Pacific Heights district of San Francisco, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with super savings for guests. During three special centennial weekends, May 31 to June 1, Aug. 9 to 10 and Nov. 8 to 9, rooms at San Francisco's oldest continually operating hotel will be only $100 per night. These rates represent a savings of $75 to $275 per night. Early bookings are a must since guests reserving rooms on these centennial weekends will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

The guest who reserves the last room for each weekend will receive accommodations free and will be given a $100 "thank you" certificate to use in Perlot, the Hotel Majestic's fine dining room. Perlot will celebrate the hotel's 100th anniversary with a nostalgic three-course, $19.02 prix fixe menu. Among the featured dishes: oysters Rockefeller, oxtail soup, classic Waldorf salad and other dishes of the era.

Hotel Majestic was built in 1902 and miraculously survived the fires from the great earthquake of 1906. It remains a symbol of the best of San Francisco. For information and reservations call (800) 869-8966.