Military Legos
Oceanside a Good San Diego Starting Point
One of California’s new hot spots is Oceanside, a bedroom community for San Diego and Camp Pendleton that just happens to have one of the best beaches in the state.
The city also is proud of nearby Camp Pendleton, the massive Marine Corps training center and the only thing that keeps the Southern California coastline from being one big city. Without the 20 miles of shoreline set aside for Pendleton, the city no doubt would begin in Santa Monica and end in San Diego.
The old rap on Oceanside was that it was a military town and not the place to invest millions in your new beachfront home. All of that has changed as the tiny beach bungalows have given way to lavish new homes while the city has attracted businesses and resort infrastructure so inviting that 17 percent of visitors come from Europe. Hotel and resort-goers are finding many more selections in Oceanside, which has always had a large inventory of vacation rentals.
And, while you’re sure to see young members of the military enjoying those incredible beaches and Oceanside’s many other attributes, this is not your Grandpa’s “military town.” Today’s military is made up of bright, hard-working 20- and 30-somethings who chose to join up for all sorts of good reasons. Having these people around is a big plus, not a negative.
Oceanside also is close enough to San Diego – about 38 miles – to make it a viable base of operations for visitors who want to be a little ways out of the city congestion, but close enough to get in and visit SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and other San Diego attractions.
On our most recent visit to Oceanside, we stayed at the Wyndham Ocean Pier Resort, which opened in early 2008. With arguably the best location in the city – right across from the popular Oceanside Pier – the resort both sells and rents its units, although generally it’s easier to get waterfront units as an owner. The Wyndham has gorgeous views of the ocean and all of the beach activity, from bicylists to strollers, from power-walkers to picknickers. From our sixth-floor unit, the views of the beach and nearby Oceanside neighborhoods were spectacular.
Our two-bedroom unit at the Wyndham was decorated in cheerful vacation colors like aqua and lime green and beige and included three flat-screen televisions as well as a complete kitchen. Furniture was fun, easy-going and fit in with the holiday motif that was so apparent as soon as we walked in the door. But best of all were those views, and we enjoyed spending time at the table on our lanai reading the paper, sipping coffee and savoring a commanding view of all the activities surrounding California’s longest recreational pier.
On the weekend we visited, Oceanside made good on its reputation as a legendary surf town. A competition was under way where surfers were doing some amazing maneuvers right next to the pier. From the beach, atop a platform, several judges were studying every move and awarding points. Beach-goers and sun-worshippers watched the surfers attentively. Surfing’s in the DNA around here – for example, while most cities have summer baseball or soccer camps, Oceanside also has a Surf Camp offered by Oceanside Parks and Recreation.
Just a short jog up the beach is another popular recreation area – Oceanside Harbor. This is where local boaters keep their private craft and where the public can get out on the water in any of several different ways. Fishing charters are available – we noticed a sign for a shark fishing trip priced at $70 per person. Or you can paddle a kayak around the harbor on tours offered by OEX Kayak. The colorful lighthouse at the harbor now houses Old Skull Rentals, where you can rent a surf board, body board, wet suit or anything else you need to take advantage of the Pacific Ocean. When, you’ve worked up an appetite, there are several harbor-front restaurants that are ideal for fish and chips with an ocean view.
For history buffs, it’s just a short drive to the Mission San Luis Rey, which has been undergoing millions of dollars in improvements. The “King of the Missions” is a National Historic Landmark and was founded in 1798. It’s the largest of 21 California missions. Located on 56 acres, the mission is adding walking trails and interpretive gardens to display plant life that was common during the early life at the mission. The mission offers an extensive collection of artifacts.
If you’re curious about Camp Pendleton, it’s possible to tour the base at times when the threat level is not heightened. For more information, call 760-725-5569.
New to Oceanside is the Oceanside Museum of Art, with a two-story 16,000-square-foot central pavilion that hosts art exhibitions and special events. The museum was designed by modern architect Frederick Fisher, known for his fresh and spectacular designs.
For some local color, be sure to visit the Highway 101 Caf?which is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant on Historic Highway 101. If you enjoy 50′s-style diners, the food and vintage photos on the walls are sure to take you back to yesteryear. Or, check out the Sunset Market which sets aside four city blocks every Thursday night for live music, fresh produce vendors and local artisans. This is held downtown year-round.
If you like wildlife, stop by the Rancho Buena Vista Lagoon where you’ll find the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center and Museum. This is San Diego’s only Audubon nature center and the only fresh-water lagoon in the state of California. Visitors can stroll scenic paths along the lagoon where they will see dozens of varieties of waterfowl.
If you have kids, Legoland is just south of the Oceanside city limits. This major theme parkall designed around the lego themeincludes dozens of rides and is a proven hit with its target audience of 2-to-12 year-olds. On any given summer weekend day, you’re likely to see as many as 10,000 people enjoying the 128-acre park. Local residents enjoy the park, too — in fact, 70,000 of them are buying annual passes.
Legoland has found a way to involve parents, grandparents, teenagers and people of any age. The whole idea is to provide as much interactivity as possible. People don’t just go on rides they’ll actually do things like build model racing cars or participate in pirate ship water fights. They’ll also marvel at the number of creations that can be made from the lego, the basic building block invented 50 years ago that has come a long way from the simple four-walled structures we oldsters built when we were kids. Legoland features more than 15,000 detailed lego creations throughout the park, ranging from animals to model cities to a life-size replica of a 2006 Volvo SUV.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Oceanside is a half-hour drive north of San Diego on Interstate 5 and is one of several beach communities in North San Diego County. Many San Diego vacations are based in North County using daytrips to visit San Diego
WHAT: Oceanside is a San Diego “bedroom community” that has grown up to be a tourist destination in its own right. It has several attractions including great beaches, shopping, and restaurants.
WHEN: Any time of the year. There are fewer visitors in the fall and spring shoulder seasons.
WHY: The downtown and beach areas have a character and flavor all their own, and generally it’s not quite as busy as some more well-known beach areas in San Diego. One of the best things about Oceanside is it’s close to San Diego and a great choice for a base of operations while staying in the area.
HOW: For more information on Oceanside, call the Oceanside Visitor Center at 800-350-7873 or visit www.cwcoceanside.com. For more information on the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort, call 800-347-8182 or visit www.extraholidays.com. Opening soon at the Wyndham will be a major new restaurant called 333 Pacific, operated by the Cohn Restaurant Group, well-known for quality restaurants in the San Diego area.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp which publishes websites focused on regional travel. Among the sites offered by GMC are www.californiaweekend.com, featuring California travel and www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, focusing on Northwest travel, as well as travel in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia.
lego military people pt.1
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custom lego military soldier minifig with weapons new $18.95 |
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custom lego military soldier minifig with weapons new $18.95 |
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(no.1) custom swat police helmet military gun army weapons LEGO minifigures $22.00 |
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(no.10-4) custom swat police helmet military gun army weapons LEGO minifigures $23.00 |
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Military Body Armour – Custom Bodywear for Lego Figures $4.66 |
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(no.10-2) custom swat police helmet military gun army weapons LEGO minifigures $15.00 |
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Lego Custom Minifigure – ARMY SOLDIER – Military Troop – Brickarms Weapons $25.00 |
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10 PCS. Lego Brick Arms Military army Custom minifig Weapons vest lot New $14.20 |
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3x Minifigs Soldiers Army Military Mine Sweepers (Lego Compatable)c Minifigures $4.72 |
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8 PCS. Lego Brick Arms Military army Custom minifig Weapons vest lot New $12.30 |
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Mega Bloks BTR Tyco Lego Pirate Ship Military Tanks Helicopter $29.99 |
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Custom Lego Minifig set GERMAN WW2 CALL OF DUTY ARMY MILITARY TRUCK SOLDIER WWII $38.99 |
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Custom Lego Minifig SET RARE MILITARY STAR WARS CALL OF DUTY ARMY ARTILLERY $3.99 |
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Custom Lego Minifig SET RARE MILITARY STAR WARS CALL OF DUTY ARMY ARTILLERY $3.99 |
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Custom Lego Minifig SET RARE MILITARY STAR WARS CALL OF DUTY ARMY ARTILLERY $2.99 |
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LEGO FLAME SET LOT X10 TEN FLAMES FOR CITY STAR WARS MILITARY SUPER HERO BATMAN $0.99 |
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LEGO FLAME SET LOT X10 TEN FLAMES FOR CITY STAR WARS MILITARY SUPER HERO BATMAN $0.99 |
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LeGo Green Army Helmet Military Medic NEW $2.03 |
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lego military minifigure $5.00 |
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Lego Evolution T-Shirt – Funny Gift Geek Choice of Colours $15.78 |
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Lego Evolution T-Shirt – Funny Gift Geek Choice of Colours $15.78 |
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Lego Evolution T-Shirt – Funny Gift Geek Choice of Colours $15.78 |
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Lego Evolution T-Shirt – Funny Gift Geek Choice of Colours $15.78 |
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Lego Evolution T-Shirt – Funny Gift Geek Choice of Colours $15.78 |
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custom lego military soldier minifig with weapons new $18.95 |
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6 PCS. Lego Brick Arms Military.army,Custom minifig Weapons vest New $10.44 |
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custom lego military soldier minifig with brickarms weapons new $9.45 |
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Custom INSTRUCTIONS Build LEGO® MILITARY GERMAN FLAK BUNKER WW2 PLAYSET DIORAMA $14.00 |
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Fisher-Price Costrux building toy, small LOT! Military theme. Fun, and not LEGO. $0.99 |
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Lego custom BRAVEHEART MEL Castle Military Soldier Trooper WILLIAM WALLACE HERO $32.99 |
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Lego Custom Minifigure – ARMY SOLDIER – Military Troop – Brickarms Weapons ~ RPG $14.99 |
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Decals -United States Military (USAF) stickers for lego $3.93 |
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3 PCS. Military.army,swat team Custom tactical vest for lego minifig $10.40 |
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custom lego military soldier minifig with brickarms weapons new $12.30 |
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Vintage Lego Japan Chalkware Bank Military Eagle Infantry Marching Band Drum $9.99 |
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Custom LEGO army AH-6 Little Bird Helicopter military with minifigure $43.99 |
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COAT OF ARMS – Military Themed – Marching Drums – vintage LEGO JAPAN book ends; $12.50 |
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Vtg Still BANK Feathered MILITARY BAND ~ PARADE HAT Ceramic Lego Japan $12.00 |
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VINTAGE MILITARY DRUMS BOOK ENDS LEGO JAPAN $19.99 |
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custom lego minifig military army with motorcycle alot brickarms weapons ,vest $37.94 |
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NEW Lego Minifig AGENTS TACTICAL VEST – Breast Plate Police Military Armor Gear $4.99 |
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CUSTOM LEGO MILITARY , ARMY TACTICAL VEST FOR MINIFIG NEW $3.75 |
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Lego Custom Minifigure – ARMY SOLDIER – Military Troop – Brickarms Weapons – PSR $14.99 |
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4 PCS. CUSTOM Military ,BOMB SQUAD,POLICE AND SWAT TEAM SHIELDS FOR LEGO MINIFIG $9.45 |
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7 PCS. CUSTOM Military , army ,police,swat team SHIELDS FOR LEGO MINIFIG $16.10 |
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Lego Modern Combat decals Minifigure Military US UK Call of Duty MW3 COD warfare $2.99 |
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LEGO Military Drum book ends 1950s VINTAGE MINT $15.99 |
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custom lego military soldier minifig with weapons new $18.95 |
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custom lego military army soldire with brickarms weapon new $7.55 |
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Disney Gashapon yujin Military Winnie the pooh lego set $25.99 |
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Energizer Rechargeable Batteries … |
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Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (Widescreen Edition) $19.01 TORN BETWEEN HIS LOYALTY TO HIS MENTOR, OBI-WAN KENOBI, & THE SEDUCTIVE POWERS OF THE SITH, ANAKIN SKYWALKER ULTIMATELY TURNS HIS BACK ON THE JEDI, THUS COMPLETING HIS JOURNEY TO THEDARKSIDE & HIS TRANSFORMATION INTO DARTH VADER…. |
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World War 2 Airplane & Aviation Films: The History of B-17 Bombers & B-29 Fighter Jet Planes $12.99 Historic WWII Films Collection: Aviation Films This historic film collection has all the best aviation films from the WWII era. There is copious amounts of footage of many different types of planes in many different types of wartime situations. See how a plane is built and then learn how to fly! This one-of-a-kind selection has the most valuable aviation documentation from 1942-1946. Running time… |
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Energizer NH15BP-4 Rechargeable AA Battery 4 Pack $4.99 Use them and reuse them! Save time and money by using a reusable power supply in your electronic toys and devices. Compared to regular alkaline batteries, these reusable batteries last four times longer in devices like digital cameras. And with nickel metal, they’re better for the environment…. |
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HELLO KITTY Digital AM/FM Clock Radio with Night Light $16.99 The Hello Kitty KT2055 is a Digital Clock Radio with AM/FM Radio and Night Light with Digital Display. It features battery back-up system for Time/Alarm Settings…. |
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Fun World Delta Force Costume for Child $75.00 Boys Military costume includes authentic-looking camouflage shirt and pants with cargo pockets, vest and boonie hat. Does your son love heroes? Then he shouldn’t look any farther than Delta Force whose primary tasks are putting themselves in harm’s way to save the country against terrorism and other covert mission…… |
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Michael Jackson Deluxe Red Military Jacket Child – Medium (8-10) $35.05 … |
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The n00b Warriors (Book One) $2.99 A blog started the forever war–a global war set in the not so distant future between two groups (the Rebels and the Coco’s).Dylan Austin has grown up with the war being a constant background to his life; his dad has just returned from war missing a leg; his older sister is missing and presumed dead from the war; and all through school war has been embedded into everything they teach. Teens have b… |
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Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s (Unofficial) Manual (Unofficial Manuals) $11.95 This carefully researched yet entertainingly unacademic book tells you how to join the Roman legions, the best places to serve, and how to keep your armor from getting rusty. Learn to march under the eagles of Rome, from training, campaigns, and battle to the glory of a Roman Triumph and retirement with a pension plan.Every aspect of army life is discussed, from drill to diet, with handy tips on t… |
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Lego – Naval Frigate – TDS Models This e-book is designed to offer building instructions for a subject that can be constructed using commonly available construction bricks as manufactured by the likes of Lego⢠and Megabloksâ¢In order to make the building of this model as simple as possible the construction elements have where possible been kept to standard brick types which are easily available and which construction bloc… |
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