About time I finish talking about my most recent excursion south. While visiting family in Carlsbad in San Diego County we squeezed in a visit to the famous LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad. It’s built like a (LEGO) brick something.

It’s a 128-acre park geared specifically toward youngsters 2 through 12. Must be why I enjoyed it so much. There are more than 50 family rides, “hands-on” attractions and shows. Quite an attraction that brings in thousands of tourists and who knows how much money every year.

As usual, I was surprised at the costs of parking, admission, food and beverages. But I’m the guy who went to Disneyland last year and thought they still had ticket books. I’m also the dude who keeps remembering when gasoline was 24-cents a gallon, and a three-bedroom tract home went for around $12,500. OK-OK, I know it’s 2007 now.

Anyway, LEGOLAND was fun, especially with our Carlsbad family which includes two grandgirls, 5 and 2. I’ll let the photos with this column give you some idea of what it’s like. Believe it or not, it’s stated that 25 million (so far) LEGO bricks have been used to create the many displays.

This trip also included a visit to the Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad. Again, we’re using photos to highlight the outing. I was surprised to learn that Carrillo, whom some know only from his role as “Pancho” on the “Cisco Kid” series, appeared in 15 major stage plays, some on Broadway. And he was in more than 90 motion pictures. He spoke several languages and helped lead efforts to preserve or establish Olvera Street and the Los Angeles Arboretum; and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in San Diego County.

In 1937 he came across Rancho de Los Kiotes in what is now southeast Carlsbad. Carrillo quickly snapped up his first 840 acres for $65,000 or $77 per acre. He immediately began construction of 18 structures necessary for his ranch operations and eventually increased his spread to 2,538 acres. In 1977 the city acquired a 10.5-acre remnant that contained and protected the most critical original buildings. A required transfer of 16.4 acres from contiguous residential developers has expanded the park site to 27 acres.

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is recognized as an extraordinary educational and passive recreational resource. I especially liked the old buildings and strutting peacocks.