Carlsbad

Roughly thirty miles north of San Diego sits Carlsbad, known for beaches and golf. Some refer to Carlsbad as Titanium Valley, because of its many golf courses and home to the Callaway, Cobra, TaylorMade and Titleist companies.

For other fun, the city has ties to skateboarding, home to one of the first skateparks, built in 1976. After its closing, Del Mar Skate Ranch, made famous by frequent visitors Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Rodney Mullen and many others skating innovators. Carlsbad now has several maintained skateparks.

Legoland California opened in 1999, the first Lego-themed park outside of Europe. The park remains Carlsbad’s second largest employer. Carlsbad also stands as the corporate headquarters location for a number of well-known companies, including Jenny Craig, Rockstar Games, Upper Deck, Jazzercise and Hot Dog on a Stick.

MarBrisa

We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations property called MarBrisa. If you want a great place to stay near San Diego, check this place out. While we did take advantage of the offerings of the resort, including multiple pools and its bar and grill, it met our access and entertainment needs. Close to the highway, we could get in and out easily. The couple that traveled with us have family in the area, and one nephew stopped by for drinks and snacks one evening.

Street Art

Many of the beach town buildings have surfing-related murals.

Surfing Mario

Surfing Pig

I have heard, “When pigs fly,” and I have heard of “Surfing Cow” (a song by The Dead Milkmen), but never “surfing pig”. Well, until now.

Best Vacation Photo Spot

Debatable.

Honolulu Clipper

The aviation decor in the Carlsbad Ruby’s Diner includes a model of the Honolulu Clipper. Pan American Airways built the flying boat prototype for airmail service, eventually adding passengers in the late 1930s. It joined the US Navy during WWII, ending its service during Operation Magic Carpet. Forced to land 650 miles short of Oahu after engine failure, the Clipper ended up intentionally sunk by gunfire after a successful passenger rescue operation.

Old Town

The Old Town neighborhood of San Diego has great food and shopping. Looking for that something you think you can only find in Mexico? Old Town likely has a shop with what you desire.

Out of Gas (Sort Of)

On the way home from Carlsbad to Reno, we ran into a snag. Google Maps points to an EV charging station, however the station sits inside the Honda Proving Center’s campus, not open to the public. Unable to make it to the next station, in Mojave, we ended up on the side of the highway. Had to get the Rivian towed into town. The dashboard informed me that we had two miles of charge remaining when I plugged it in. Fun times!

Rivian Getting Towed

Dead Charging Station

Funny seeing the Linux booting screen on a charging station.

The good news: we made it home!