The award for most creative theme park discount/ promotion goes to the Sea Life Aquarium next to LEGOLAND California. On Friday the 15th of April it is offering up to four free admissions in exchange for a child’s binky. This promotion is in honor of the Octopus Garden exhibit that was supposed to open tomorrow, but has had its opening postponed..
However, Seal Life has promised to honor the binky/free admission offer and also give families tickets to return to see the exhibit once it is open!
One thing I really enjoy about this little aquarium is the quirky fun activities and promotions that they offer throughout the year. If your little one is having trouble saying bye-bye to their binky you might want to head over with the family!
A little known fact about California’s State Parks is that our state has several state parks that are underwater! These have been set up to preserve the ecological and cultural heritage of California’s marine areas. Once California’s Coastline was teaming with sea life and our economy benefited from it. Whether sardines in Monterey or California lobsters in San Diego, the fisherman reaped the bounty of California’s waters. A few months ago I had the opportunity to view a You Tube lecture by UC San Diego Researcher Dr. Milton Saier on “Our Oceans: a History of San Diego Sea Life”. The entire lecture is twenty minutes, but even in the first few minutes Saier gives a powerful description of the tremendous impact that over fishing has had on the San Diego Bay.
These protected park areas also include historical artifacts like shipwrecks and Native American midden sites. Divers are encourage to respectfully explore these underwater historical wonders. Look, but don’t touch!
are protected areas for fragile marine ecosystems. Visitors can still swim, surf, and dive in these areas, but fishing may be restricted. If you visit and plan to fish be sure to research the rules of that particular area. Families should take care to respect these protected marine areas by observing the animals without removing them from tidepools , staying off the dunes, respecting historical sites, and packing their trash.
Building a Lego Sand Castle, Sea Life Aquarium Carlsbad, Ca
This Saturday the is celebrating “Underwater Parks Day” to educate families about California’s underwater parks. Kids will have a chance to create their very own marine habitat to take home. Families can attend a mini Conservation Expo and interact with local marine protection organizations including I Love a Clean San Diego, San Diego Coast Keeper, and the San Diego Oceans Foundation. Be sure to catch the 11 am dive show and learn about San Diego’s Underwater Parks from a Sealife diver!
Artist Teresea Espaniola who created the amazing mural that you see above in collaboration with the students of Jefferson Elementary School will have her “garbage art” on display. Ms. Espaniola does amazing collage/paintings to raise awareness about the impact of marine trash. If you can’t make it to the aquarium be sure to visit her site and take a look.
Last night I was reading Sweet Thursday the sequel to Cannery Row by John Steinbeck. What I love about Steinbeck is that his deep understanding of America and Americans made him a something of a prophet. So many things that he predicted for our country ring true today. I leave you with this quote the stresses the need for protected areas off of our California shores and gives us something to think about in terms of other ways that we impact our environment.
The canneries themselves fought the war by getting the limit taken off fish and catching them all. It was done for patriotic reasons, but that didn’t bring the fish back. As with the oysters in Alice, “They’d eaten every one”. It was the same noble impulse that stripped the forests of the West and right now is pumping water out of California’s earth faster than it can rain back in. When the desert comes, people will be sad; just as Cannery Row was sad when all the pilchards were caught and canned and eaten. The pearl-gray canneries of corrugated iron were silent and a pacing watchman was their only life. The street that once roared with trucks was quiet and empty.
We have a lot to learn from the ecological mistakes of the past. Let’s teach our children to respect California’s Underwater Parks so these marine treasures can be shared with generations to come!
Happy Trails,
Bridget
Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Trekaroo’s . This week Trekaroo is featuring activities that honor Dr. Martin Luther King throughout the US. I am hoping to honor Dr. King’s Legacy this month with some posts on how to use travel to teach kids about the roots of racism as well as attending an event at the library. How will your family honor Dr. King this month?
I had big plans for my birthday this year. I considered a trip to the zoo or a day exploring Torrey Pines State Beach. I thought about taking a big family hike in some part of San Diego that we had never explored before. Well, the entire family was recovering from colds and very tired. We had alot of fun around the house, but weren’t able to get our act together until 4pm. Even then, I was getting some major grumbling as I pushed three kids, one husband and the dog out the door.
I “settled” for a very short walk along Agua Hedonida Lagoon in Carlsbad and was rewarded with a spectacular sunset walk. It was the perfect way to end my special day. As you can see the kids ended up having alot of fun despite their grumbling.
Here’s a final glimpse of the birthday girl (ME). My husband and I are leaving on a San Francisco getaway tommorrow. Ken is a really thoughtful guy, and I’m excited to become reacquainted with the city that I used to visit when growing up in San Rafael. Last time we spent the weekend there, my ten year old was only a few months old, and we came back to San Rafael in the middle of our getaway so I could nurse the baby to sleep .
Since I will be on the road I will be missing the Underwater Parks Day Festival at the Sea Life Aquarium. For more information about this great family event click . Receive two free child admissions to this exciting event on January 16th by clicking .
Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday. I love Debbie’s Photo Friday Post on . Will have to try some next time I’m in Seattle.
I must confess that I have had a major change of heart about the Sea Life Aquarium. When I visited a few weeks after opening, I wasn’t really sure if this aquarium was worth the trip. The Sea Life Aquarium is pretty small, and it was very crowded the day of my first visit. My three year old kept running ahead and getting lost in the crowd.
A few weeks ago I returned to the aquarium on a Tuesday. The crowds were gone. They had done some tweaking with the exhibits, and I began to see that the Sea Life Aquarium is perfect for little kids. The tanks are designed so the kids can actually come up inside and have close encounters with the fish. There are plenty of down low peek holes, so no one has to be lifted up to see the tanks.
Enjoy these pictures from our latest Sea Life Aquarium Adventure:
Jared and Friends Explore the Touch Pool
Fascinating Fish, Sea Life Aquarium, Carlsbad, Ca
Another wonderful thing about the is its dedication to marine conservation. They have many special events and celebrations including beach clean ups and the upcoming which takes place on Sunday June 7th. There will be special arts and crafts and a reading of SurfAngel by local children’s author Terry Krazewski. You can also check out the aquarium’s brand new shark exhibit. Get a discount coupon .
Lego Sand Castle Building, Sea Life Aquarium, Carlsbad, Ca
, is Monday June 8th. The Ocean Project encourages ocean lovers to “wear blue” and tell two. This means, wear blue on Monday and tell people two facts that they may not know about the ocean. If you live in California, I have one fact you can share. Many of our state beaches may be closed at the end of the summer due to budget cuts. I will be talking more about this at Family Adventure Guidebooks throughout the summer, but for now you can get more information from the website.
Finally, Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicous Baby’s . Be sure to check it out.
In honor of my friend Delicious Baby’s trip to Legoland, I decided to publish some of my favorite Legoland pictures. One thing that makes Legoland, California such a great themepark are the giant Lego creations that you find around every turn. Something about them makes my usually reticient kids want to strike a pose! Best of all, you usually don’t have to wait in line to take your picture as you do with Disneyland Characters. (Thomas the Tank Engine, Darth Vader, and Santa’s Sleigh are the exceptions to this statement).
Having a Squealing Good Time at Legoland California
Check out more cool travel photos at Delicious Baby’s, Photo Friday blog roundup . While your visiting, scroll down and read about Delicious Baby’s adventures in Carlsbad California at : Legoland, The Sealife Aquarium, and the Four Seasons Aviara . That woman travels in style!
For more great information about Legoland see The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook which is available in paperback or affordable download.
Grab your Lego bricks and get building!!! Legoland will be celebrating it’s 10th birthday on March 20th with a giant Lego cake and a red carpet premier for the new Bob the Builder lego 3-D movie. In honor of it’s big day, Legoland is sponsoring a building contest for every age group. Make a Lego tribute to Legoland’s 10th birthday and submit two pictures of your creation by March 12th. The age categories are ages 4-9, 10-15, and 16 and up. The finalists get to attend the red carpet premier with five guests. The grand prize winners get an annual resort membership for a family of four.
For more information or to submit your entry go here .
Now for some news on Legoland bargains for March. If you are a member who hasn’t had the chance to check out the new Sea Life aquarium, March has some good deals in store. Regular pass members can vist the aquarium and bring their friends for $9 Thursday-Monday and $5 Tuesday and Wednesday. Friends and family of Legoland Resort members can visit with the resort member for $5 every day! That’s a substantial discount from the usual entrance fee.
For other Legoland tips and info check out my Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook.
Wow! Almost let this one slip by me. In honor of The National Day of Service The Sea Life Aquarium is offering up to four free admissions for public safety personnel. This promotion ends Sunday January 25th.
If you are a police officer, firefighter, emergency response personnel, military police officer, federal agent, Homeland Security official or INS official download a coupon from the following website and head on over with your family.
As a San Diego resident, I want to give a special shout out to our firefighters. Last year was a tough one and they should be proud of what they accomplished here in San Diego and throughout California. Thanks for keeping our homes and families safe!
Kudos to the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland California for this amazing promotion. What a great idea,
If you are planning to visit the Legoland theme park in Carlsbad, California, this book contains all the information you need to make the most of your family adventure. The book also includes information about other area attractions, local restaurants and hotels.
Bridget Smith, mom of three, loves to blog about everyday adventures. Her mission is to change the world; one kid, one destination, one effortless trip, one overworked mom, one frazzled dad... one day at a time! Come and join her.
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