Even during winter, San Diego is a sunny, seaside destination with plenty of seasonal activities.
Go ice skating beachside as Skating by the Sea returns to Hotel Del Coronado from Nov. 23 to Jan. 5. The ice rink offers stunning views of the Pacific and rental fees benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego. Reserve a rink-side lounge at Frostbite – A Place to Chill, and enjoy skating passes and plush 4-6 person seating around a roaring fire pit with full food and beverage service. Choose from your favorite holiday-themed libations or snacks as you enjoy watching the beachfront ice skating. You can also ice skate at Winter Parad-ice at The Fleet Science Center through Jan. 26.
Whale watching season runs from mid-December to April giving you an opportunity to catch a glimpse of these magnificent, gentle creatures. Each year, more than 20,000 gray whales make their way from Alaska to Baja California, then head back north again in the spring. Waters off San Diego are a perfect place to spot them. Several companies offer whale watching tours, many departing from the waterfront downtown. You may also catch a glimpse of whales from land at Scripps Park, located above La Jolla Cove; the Birch Aquarium; and Torrey Pines State Reserve.
During February, enjoy half-off entry fees at many of San Diego’s museums. In fact, February Museum Month features half-off entry fees at 45 museums. Pick up a pass at any of the 14 Macy’s location in the area, then receive discount admission to museums such as the San Diego Museum of Art, USS Midway Museum and Birch Aquarium at Scripps.
Score with tickets to a San Diego Gulls hockey game at Pechanga Arena. The Gulls are an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks. Tickets start at $22.
Dine out with an array of restaurants that offer diverse menus. There are farm-to-table joints, lavish chophouses, international cuisine, creative takes on wood-fire pizza, and, of course, you can down some fantastically fresh fish tacos.
Winter is an awesome time to hit up one of the many amusement parks and attractions like Sea World San Diego, San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway and Legoland California. They’ll be less crowded, and some have their holiday lights and special shows going through the first week of January.
It’s also less crowded at the many beaches in San Diego, which makes it a great time to book a luxury waterfront vacation home. Gaze at the ocean or take a walk on the beach from a rental in Mission Beach, La Jolla or Pacific Beach.
