How to Spend the Perfect Christmas on the Beach

Enjoy a very, Merry Christmas with a San Diego stay. After all, it’s our happy place on the California coast, making it perfect for the holidays.

Enjoy a White Christmas

It may not be white in the traditional sense of snow, but you just can’t beat watching those white caps on the Pacific Ocean. A stay in a beachfront vacation rental gives you a front-row seat. Spend your holidays walking the beach, and sipping mulled wine or cider while watching a sunset over the ocean right from your comfy deck.

See Lights on the Water

You can also get a great seat for the traditional San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, which boasts more than 80 boats all decked out in holiday finery. The 49th annual rendition of the event is set Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. The parade starts from Shelter Island at 5 p.m. The best viewing spots are the north and south ends of the Embarcadero, as well as the pathway along Coronado. Other excellent viewing points are the park behind Seaport Village, Harbor Island, Shelter Island and the pier at Cesar Chavez Park. At Harbor Island, get there early as available parking spaces fill up quickly.

Drive-thru a Christmas Wonderland

Another lit event is the magical Enchanted Village drive-thru holiday experience. More than 100,000 holiday lights, interactive displays and attractions can be viewed from your vehicle in the Spring Valley area east of San Diego. Cost is $65 per vehicle and benefits Noah Homes, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The drive-thru will be held 5 to 8 p.m. nightly from Dec. 18-23.

Wrap Up in Perfect Weather

The weather outside is never frightful in San Diego. In fact, it’s beautiful all year ‘round, including December, when the highs are in the mid-60s. That’s perfect temperatures for walking the beach, bicycling local trails and taking part in a plethora of outdoor activities. Lows are in the mid-40s, ideal for donning a sweater, roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa. No shoveling snow here.

Take a Loop Around the Ice Skating Rink

Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station will be open November through January with safety precautions in place. The activity raises funds and awareness for the Thriving After Cancer program in the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s.

Cruise the Bay

Flagship Cruises, which has operated since 1915, offers a cornucopia of holiday cruises, including Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Buffet, New Year’s Eve Dinner and New Year’s Day Brunch. Reserve your spot for gourmet cooking, cocktails, entertainment and festive decorations.

Get It Delivered

With tight COVID-19 restrictions in place, it’s cool if you want to stay in for your Yuletide merriment. Our preferred partners make it convenient for you to have meals delivered right to your front door from some of the area’s most popular restaurants. Bring It to Me delivers food fresh and fast. And with your Bluewater stay, they will give you 10 percent off. Key Concierge and Instacart are two other delivery services that make your stay a breeze with pre-arrival grocery delivery and by running errands.

Gather for a Festive Feast

Since you’re having groceries delivered, go ahead and plan a holiday meal with family and friends. Villa on the Bay 7 is a beachfront estate in Mission Bay with three full-service gourmet kitchens and room for 20 guests. La Jolla Serenity, a luxurious four-bedroom vacation home features a spacious kitchen with plenty of room for preparing everyone’s favorite dishes, along with stainless steel appliances and a range top island. A breakfast nook and adjoining dining room provide room for plenty of table settings.

Shop ’til You Drop

If you’re staying in a La Jolla property, you are in one of the best upscale shopping areas in San Diego. Finish up your holiday shopping list at one of the unique shopping districts. Start at Prospect Street, then move on to Girard Avenue. This is the heart of downtown La Jolla and is located right next to the beach. The Shops on Ivanhoe also boast an eclectic mix of stores and restaurants.

Visit a Family-Friendly Attraction

With safety protocols in place, local attractions like SeaWorld and Legoland are bursting with holiday cheer, complete with festive decorations, twinkling lights and sightings of Santa. Because of the ever-changing regulations, check with the attraction before purchasing tickets.

Of course, there are a hundred other things to do in the San Diego area. From visiting the tide pools to paddling the bay to learning to surf. You can’t help but have a holly, jolly Christmas during your San Diego stay.