Carlsbad Visitors Guide 2008 - (Page 8) KURT BURKHART Attractions here are many fascinating sights and attractions to discover in Carlsbad. For example, Carlsbad is home to the Army and Navy Academy and the only LEGOLAND® theme park in the United States. The Gemological Institute of America has its world headquarters here and Carlsbad is home for two of the world’s largest and most popular golf equipment manufacturers. The Army and Navy Academy (2605 Carlsbad Boulevard, 760.729.2385) Established 1936. A college-preparatory, military, residential, and day school for young men grades 7 through 12, the facility occupies a campus of 16.5 acres of beautiful beachfront property adjacent to Carlsbad Village. The campus is also home to a massive Moreton Bay fig tree, one of more than 100 historical trees identified in the Village area. T The Barrio Museum (3304 Roosevelt Street, 760.434.2898) The museum is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of early agricultural workers to the life and growth of Carlsbad. The museum is not open daily, visitors should call ahead. Barnstorming Adventures (McClellanPalomar Airport, 800.759.5667) is the oldest and largest full-time vintage air tour operator in the nation. Carlsbad Skateboard Park (2560 Orion Way) is a 15,000-square-foot boarder’s paradise featuring bowls, concrete, a street course, and a beginners’ area. Open sunrise to 10 p.m. The Flower Fields® (760.431.0352) One of the most beloved spring traditions in the area. The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch opens in March for its annual ten-week springtime extravaganza, as 50-plus acres of an ocean-view hillside are transformed into a dazzling rainbow of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. This season, there are several new attractions. Children and adults alike will delight in the Santa’s Play Area. There is a new poinsettia greenhouse brimming with poinsettias from the past, present and future. In the mood for music? A new open space area will host outdoor concerts, events and the Blue Grass Festival. There is also a new event barn, and a picture-perfect photo taking pavilion, with a spectacular fountain and sitting area set in the ideal spot to capture the breathtaking sea of vibrant ranunculus. Other favorites include the Carlsbad Mining Company, a sluicing operation that allows kids to pan for semiprecious stones. The Lego Flower Garden, where flowers are crafted from Legos. Or take a ride on an open-air wagon ride through the fields on an antique tractor, and enjoy the brilliant colors of the flowers with the sparkling Pacific Ocean in the background. The Gemological Institute of America (5345 Armada Drive, 760.603.4000; tours are by reservation only) has been known for more than 70 years as the world’s leading educator to the gem and jewelry industry. Visitors who wish to explore the irresistible world of diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry have an opportunity to learn about the Institute’s world-renowned educational programs. The most outstanding sight on the grounds is the Tower of Brilliance, a 55foot tower resplendent with a one-ton 8 2008 | Carlsbad Visitors Guide
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