Hey there all and greetings from the Midwest.
We will be out your way for ECNL playoffs in a couple weeks, and given it’s our first year I was hoping to get some friendly logistical advice from the locals who have experience with the area and/ or event via older kids. So couple questions.
1) Our team hotel is in the Carlsbad area, and the driving guides claim it’s approximately 30 minutes to the fields, but I recall reading on here somewhere that traffic and parking are a huge mess so how long do you think we should realistically budget for this drive.
2) There was already a nice thread with some good restaurant recommendations for a crowd so I think we have that covered, but appreciate any thoughts on team activities/ lower-key things to do on off days. San Diego attractions and LegoLand are obviously in easy striking distance, some folks have thrown drives to Santa Monica or UCLA campus but those seem somewhat ambitious considering traffic. I’ve also heard a sunset fire on the beach is nice, but you have to stake out the fire pit very early and I’m not sure we will have volunteers for that duty. Any ideas are appreciated, but you won’t trick us into having them go swimming before game day .
Thanks in advance, looking forward to some sunshine and quality soccer.
San Diego Is known for really good Mexican food. There's a ton of really great little hole in the wall Mexican food restaurants but if you want a really cool experience I would recommend going to Old Town State historical Park. It's full of an old-fashioned candy shop, great music, a ton of really good Mexican restaurants, fun touristy shopping. There's also the San Diego mission right next to it. There's the Whaley House (not sure if I'm spelling it right) which is a certified 'haunted house' that you can do tours in. After you can eat you can walk around and explore. Really cool area.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
(619) 220-5422
https://g.co/kgs/PtQ8ir