Tired of spending Christmas in a cloudy, cold location? Book your trip now for sunny San Diego where the draw is more than just the surf and sand. Check out other reasons why a San Diego holiday is just the ticket.
Hang Ten with Santa
Nov. 30: Honestly, where else are you going to get a chance for a photo-op of you and your friends surfing with the Big Christmas Kahuna himself? The Surfin’ Santa event at Seaport Village includes a boardwalk parade, street performers, live music and the before-mentioned chance of a lifetime.
Christmas in the ‘Cultural’ Park
Dec. 6-7: Expand your worldview of Christmas this season with Balboa Park December Nights. Catch a performance of “The Nutcracker.” Listen to a choir sing carols while sipping hot cocoa. There are free museums, light displays, an array of performances and international foods. What’s not to love? It does get crowded. Here’s a couple of tips. Dress for the weather. Be prepared to walk a lot. Park away from the venue and take a rideshare.
Deck the Hulls
If you love a boat parade, you’re in luck. You’ll have three dates to catch one this holiday season. On Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, more than 80 boats get “decked” out (see what we did there for the Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The procession starts at 5 p.m. and great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado’s Ferry Landing. On Dec. 14, the Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights sails at 6 p.m. with dozens of brightly illuminated powerboats and sailboats. The parade begins at Quivira Basin. The best viewing is from Crown Point, the east side of Vacation Island or the west side of Fiesta Island.
Celebrate Old-Style
Dec. 14: Get in the holiday spirit with Old Town Las Posadas, a unique holiday experience for the whole family. The celebration, from noon to 8 p.m., includes a traditional Las Posadas procession at 5 p.m. with Mary and Joseph searching for shelter. Following the procession, there will be pinatas for kids, a campfire and s’mores in the Plaza. The Las Posadas has been part of Old Town San Diego’s Christmas celebration for 68 years.
Bright Lights, Big Attractions
San Diego has dozens of world-class attractions that go all out during the holidays with special events. Kicking it off from Nov. 23-Jan. 5 is Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration. See more than a million lights, enjoy holiday shows and visit Santa’s Christmas Village.
Talk About Toyland
Nov. 23-Dec. 31: See a 30-foot LEGO Christmas tree trimmed with LEGO ornaments and 11,000 LED lights. Where else, but during Holidays at Legoland?
Winter “Water” Wonderland
Dec. 1-31: Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography transforms each year for Seas ’N Greetings. See the Scuba Santa dive show during the month-long event.
Garden of Lights
Dec. 3-30: 10-foot Poinsettia Tower. Visits with Santa. Romantic Mistletoe Hideaway. Twinkling Light Tunnel. Real Snow Play Area. Mulled Wine Garden. Do you need more reasons to visit Botanic Wonderland: Holiday Nights in the Garden at San Diego Botanic Garden?
Christmas in the Wild
Dec. 13-Jan. 5: See the San Diego Zoo at night with Jungle Bells. Visit with animals, see the Christmas trees, watch the polar bears and enjoy special music and performances.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
A San Diego holiday should be on every epicurean’s wish list. World-class restaurants offer a vibrant culinary scene with dishes offering pure bliss in every bite. Spice up your vacation with amazing fusions, authentic cuisine, creative chefs and plenty of locally sourced produce and seafood. Wash it down with local brews, California wines or specially crafted holiday cocktails. Go ahead and indulge. ’Tis the season, right?
