The past year packed a ton of changes, and how you spend the New Year’s holiday is another one. Many of the traditional ways to celebrate – those with large crowds and parties – have been canceled. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a celebration. Why not spend the holiday in San Diego and nearby beaches, the land of surf, sun, great weather, and amazing outdoor activities.
Book a beachfront home to take advantage of the location. Liquid Blue One in Mission Beach offers impressive oceanfront views, along with two bedrooms and two baths. Relax on the beachfront patio in this modern rental that sits right on the Mission Beach boardwalk. Bayside Bliss is a new listing that’s also located right on the beach. The property sits adjacent to Mission Bay Park, which features more than 4,000 acres for a wide variety of recreation.
A favorite tradition is viewing holiday lights. Fortunately, that’s a tradition that can take place safely, in this case, from your vehicle. Holidays in Your Car, a drive-through holiday lights and music show at Del Mar Fairgrounds, occurs through Jan. 2. Tickets are sold online and in advance. If you’re staying in Mission Beach, the Belmont Park illuminated light show will be held on Dec. 26-27, and it’s free!
There’s no need to go out to eat. Order from one of the great area restaurants. For lunch, pick up a bison burger, albacore club, or Cuban torta from Draft Mission Beach. Order with Grubhub or Doordash from Waterbar in Pacific Beach, offering seafood favorites, as well as salads and sandwiches.
For your New Year’s Eve celebration, pull out all the stops by having a personal chef prepare a meal at your vacation home. Chef Joshua Alkire creates a memorable experience for you and your guests. Tosi Lifestyle offers unique chef events with good food that promotes healthy living.
Of course, at midnight, you’ll want to pop the cork on some bubbly. What better places than in your waterfront vacation home with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
Then on New Year’s Day, take part in what has become something of a tradition with a Polar Bear Plunge. Each year, thousands of folks brave the cold water as a way to welcome the New Year. It can wake you up after a late-night celebration. Splash into 2021 by creating a socially distanced Polar Bear Plunge with your family and social circle. Just take a short walk to the Pacific Ocean from any of our beachfront rentals, and jump in. Afterward, warm up with hot cocoa, coffee or tea (or a hot toddy) on your private deck or patio.
They say what you do on New Year’s Day is what you’ll do for the rest of the year, so get started on exercise right off the bat. For hiking, hit the trails at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, with linear paths along the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center has 6.5 miles of trails. Of course, taking a walk is just one-way to enjoy the outdoors in San Diego. There’s also kayaking, bicycling, sailing, and surfing, to name a few.
It sounds like a great way to start 2021!
