San Diego in October? Best Thing Ever

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Autumn is our busy season every year, so I try to make a point to carve out some dedicated time in San Diego in October.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

We've been adventuring all over the United States lately. After that flurry of activity and physically-demanding work, a little down time is in order. I relish the idea of throwing myself into the luxury that our home town has to offer. Southern California is a premiere resort destination, so we try to stay abreast of the latest and greatest since people often ask us to weigh in on options as San Diego bloggers.

Visiting the Sheraton Carlsbad resort above San Diego, adjacent to Legoland with its own private entrance as well as room service, poolside service, a restaurant, market, spa and poolside games-4

San Diego in October is extra-special. It's Kids Free month! Kids can dine at numerous restaurants and visit top local attractions for free with their parents. On top of that, the weather is gorgeous and the county is quiet due to everyone being in school. You can have your pick of spots poolside or along the shore and soak up the sun in space and style.

Enjoying San Diego in October at Sheraton Carlsbad

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa offered to host us last week, which was a happy coincidence because some of our dearest friends are staying there for their wedding in a few months. We were excited to go scope it out for them!

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

Our room was nice and open, with lots of space for the kids to run around. I generally discourage actual running in hotel rooms…but that doesn't stop them from trying.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

We had a view looking out over this gorgeous courtyard, with easily-accessible parking nearby.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

Here is where I sat and drank tea and pondered the wonder that is San Diego in October.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

The hotel's restaurant, TWENTY/20, is a happening spot with a quintessential California vibe. We passed by here our first night at the resort, and this place was hoppin! They had cozy gas fireplaces and indoor seating plus intimate corner tables on the patio that would make for a perfect date spot.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

As for our family, we like to experience upscale restaurants during the day when our crew of toddlers won't make us stick out like a sore thumb. We cut costs while traveling by packing pastries for an early breakfast, then springing for a nice brunch followed by light grazing in the afternoon and an early dinner. Happy hour for the win! Timing your best meal early in the day minimizes meltdown potential and leaves everyone feeling energized for sightseeing. TWENTY/20's Corned Beef Hash was our favorite pick, and we actually ordered it a couple days in a row.

Now I'm craving it again.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

One of the most important aspects of any resort experience is the pool, and Sheraton Carlsbad didn't disappoint! The massive swimming area was complete with a gigantic hot tub and expansive lounge that had a ton of games such as foosball and ping pong, and even a sandy space with a cornhole board. The kids were in heaven.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Experience San Diego with #KidsFreeOctober! @SheratonCrlsbad is the place to be. #Carlsbad” quote=”Experience San Diego with #KidsFreeOctober! Sheraton is the place to be.”]

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

What sets a resort apart from a hotel is service and amenities. Hotels are a place to sleep in-between sightseeing spots. Resorts are where you go for a relaxing experience on-property. This resort fully embraces that concept, with everything that a vacationer could possibly want. Room service, poolside drinks and food, golf, complimentary trolley, fitness center, spa, a marketplace with kick boards and games and other family necessities, and even a private entrance to LEGOLAND (which has another special deal for those coming to San Diego in October!). The resort even has pet-friendly rooms to accommodate every sort of vacationing family. Nate thought I was a nerd for squealing when I saw swim diapers at a towel stand by the pool, but these are the little things that can make a HUGE difference for family travelers.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

Speaking of making a huge difference: if you come to San Diego in October, get yourself on over to the property's Ocean Pearl Spa. They have a ton of amazing treatments and enticing specials. Can you imagine side-by-side pedicures in this spot? Yes, it is just as awesome as you might think.

San Diego has a huge kids free initiative in October, when kids dine at numerous restaurants and visit attractions for free

Check out Sheraton Carlsbad on the web and on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. You can also follow TWENTY/20 Grill on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and follow Ocean Pearl Spa on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram as well. They all have the most active social media team I've ever seen at a hotel or resort, which is yet another way of showing that they really care about their customers' experiences. I can't wait to go back for our next staycation!

What's your favorite activity in San Diego in October?

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