Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Southern California
Lisa Sammons
Author
Southern California is far from the stereotype of winter wonderland that many in the USA think of when they imagine this time of year. We don’t get a white Christmas in SoCal, and it’s a little harder (but not impossible!) to enjoy the cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and ice skating that our neighbors in Northern California are more accustomed to. Winter in Southern California is an amazing time, and there’s no end to the fun winter activities in Southern California to enjoy. You’ll find so many fun things to do in Southern California in the winter, and the holiday season here is unlike anywhere else. Here’s a definitive guide to all the best winter attractions in Southern California:
Holiday Events In Southern California
Even in our warmer climes, we still know how to celebrate the holidays in style. The winter months bring a sense of joy and frivolity to the California coast that makes even the most hardened among us feel like kids again. Christmas in the Golden State is a magical time of year, and you’ll find no shortage of winter destinations in Southern California to check out. From small towns with Santa to boats decked out with lights, here are a few of our favorite wintertime events in SoCal:
1. Julefest
Solvang is a fun Danish village that's great to visit year-round, but it becomes truly magical in the winter when Julefest rolls around. This is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration unlike any other, with lights, holiday cheer, and tons of family fun. There are so many charming shops to check out here, and you'll also find authentic Danish treats and tons of fun activities. Learn more at the Solvang, CA website.
2. Newport Christmas Boat Parade
You may think you've seen Christmas parades, but it's unlikely you've seen any like the Newport Beach Christmas Parade. This annual event features a 14-mile-long boat parade made up of all kinds of boats decked out in thousands of holiday lights. The parade takes place over multiple nights, so there are several opportunities to see it. This is considered one of the nation's best Christmas events and it belongs on every SoCal traveler's bucket list. Head to the Newport Beach Christmas Parade website for more information about this century-old tradition.
3. Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk
The Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk is one of the best family things to do in winter in Southern California. Instead of an organized parade, it's a join-when-you-want community-wide celebration of all things winter. There's artificial snowfall, music, sweets and treats, and so much more at this kid-friendly event. You'll find a beer and wine garden to entertain the adults in your group, and you might even catch a glimpse of Santa himself. Learn more from the Corona Del Mar website.
4. L.A. Zoo Lights
It doesn't get much more fun than a visit to the zoo at any time of year, and a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo is made even more special when Animals Aglow is going on. This amazing experience is great for kids and adults alike. The live animals are tucked away for the night during this event, but you'll enjoy an array of lantern sculptures like zebras, lemurs, monkeys, and more. You'll find festive foods like hot chocolate and more to keep you warm and cozy while you stroll through these beautiful lights. For more information, check out the L.A. Zoo website.
Christmas Towns In Southern California
Norman Rockwell’s snow-covered winter wonderland we are not, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of charming day trips to enjoy where you can see the area’s holiday lights and festive attractions. The winter season belongs on every traveler’s bucket list, and we’ve got some wonderful Christmas towns in SoCal that are definitely worth a day trip or weekend getaway:
5. Disneyland
Okay, so we know that Disneyland isn't technically its own town, but it certainly feels like you've left everyday life and gone to another world entirely when you're enjoying Disneyland at Christmas. This is such a magical time of year at the most magical place on Earth. With parades, twinkling lights all over Main Street, costumed characters, and more, this is a lavish experience sure to make you feel like a kid again. Learn more and plan your trip at the Disneyland website.
6. Temecula Valley
Temecula is tucked away in Southern California's very own version of Sonoma County wine country, and it's also known as a prime holiday town. You'll find everything from an outdoor ice skating rink to a European shopping village decked out with lights in this Christmas wonderland. Many of the area wineries host special winter celebrations, and you'll find family-friendly events all over the place. The Temecula Chilled website has more information about all of the city's holiday events.
7. San Diego
San Diego is home to a variety of great Christmas attractions. One of our favorite year-round Christmas stores in California is San Diego's City Lights, which is a great place to stock up on decorations. Another amazing spot you won't want to miss is Balboa Park, which is home to December Nights. This nighttime festival takes over the park's 1,200 acres and is free to attend. The park is filled with lights, concerts, dances, and so much more. There are plenty of great Christmas activities in San Diego, and if you'd like to learn more about the celebrations, check out the San Diego website.
Outdoor Activities
One of the best things about Californian life is how utterly year-round it is. Sure, those suffering through the Midwest winters may claim that they can enjoy outdoor activities no matter the season, but who wants to deal with frostbite and risk hypothermia every time you walk out your front door?! From contemplative walks through our redwoods to an afternoon spent at Disney, just about everything can be enjoyed outdoors in Southern California, even in the dead of winter.
8. Ice Skating By The Sea
Skating By The Sea is a unique experience operated from mid-November through January. Tickets must be purchased in advance online, and include skate rental and up to 90 minutes of skating. Ice skating with a view of the ocean is such an unusual idea, but it really works. This is one of few ice rinks in the country to be surrounded by palm trees, that's for sure! You can reserve tickets on the Hotel Coronado website.
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9. Capt. Dave's Whale Watching
This one's not strictly a winter activity, of course, but you might find that crowds are a little lighter in the wintertime. Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari operates out of Dana Point. You never know what sort of sea creatures you'll catch a glimpse of, but gray whales, sea lions, and dolphins are all pretty common in these waters. Captain Dave's offers both an inflatable speedy boat that gets you extra-close to the whales and a larger vessel that has underwater viewing pods. This is one of our favorite things to do in winter in Southern California - it's so much fun, and one of the best activities in Orange County.
10. Mount San Jacinto State Park
If you're looking to spend time outdoors in the winter in Southern California, you have no shortage of options. We've got some excellent state parks, and, of course, Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park are incredible places that belong on every traveler's bucket list. For simplicity's sake, we wanted to just narrow it down to one choice to put on this list, and it was a tough decision, but we went with Mount San Jacinto State Park. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the parks we've named, and each offers amazing hiking trails. Some even have hot springs, redwoods, and other fascinating wonders you won't find in many other states! During wet winters, you can expect to find several feet of snow here, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers amazing views over its 10-minute rides.
11. SkyPark at Santa's Village
If you're looking for things to do in the winter with kids in Southern California, it doesn't get much better than a visit to the magical Skypark at Santa's Village. This year-round village within an adventure park is an absolute winter wonderland full of festivities and cheer. Costumed performers abound, and you can even enjoy ice skating and breakfast at Santa's house. Check out the Skypark at Santa's Village website to purchase tickets or get more information.
12. Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is one of the best mountain slides in Southern California, and you'll find an array of other fun activities here, too, including an amazingly fun snow tubing hill. Check out the full list of activities here at the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain website.
Winter Getaways
Road trips are all the more enjoyable in the winter, and if you’re looking to escape for a few days, there are some great winter destinations in SoCal that make for a pleasant distraction from holiday stress. Here are a few of our favorite hotels and vacation rental properties:
13. The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa occupies an entire city block and is one of the most famous hotels in the state. It's been open to guests since 1876 and has become one of the best Christmas hotels around thanks to the extensive decor that is spread out across its unique architecture. All the red and green cheer is sure to put a smile on your face, and the hotel's Festival of Lights is a magical experience.
14. The Cliffs Hotel and Spa
Pismo Beach lies about an hour north of Santa Barbara. It's a charming small city, with tons of opportunities for outdoor fun and lots of wineries, which makes it feel like a mini Napa Valley. Tucked atop a coastal bluff is the amazing The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, right in the heart of the city's fun. The hotel annually celebrates "Cliffsmas," and even has special Christmas suites complete with decorated trees. You can enjoy a full 12 days of Christmas celebrations here, including dinners on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
15. La Quinta Resort & Club
La Quinta is a magnificent city, so it should come as no surprise that it's home to one of the best Christmas hotels in Southern California. The holidays are celebrated old-school here, with chestnut roasting, outdoor movies, a tree lighting, and more. This is such a magical place to be in the wintertime! Make a reservation and learn more about La Quinta Resort's holiday activities from the La Quinta Resort website.
16. Montage Laguna Beach
Forget ski resorts - give us a luxury beach resort any day! Montage Laguna features ocean views from every room, and panoramic ocean scenery from the massive pool. This is one of the most romantic things to do in Southern California in the winter, as it doesn't get much more cozy than a stay for two here. The on-site restaurant features holiday specials, and you'll find holiday family activities like gingerbread decorating and more. 'Tis the season for celebrating, and that's just what you'll enjoy at Montage Laguna.
The holidays are a bit different in SoCal than they might be in snowier regions, but that doesn’t make them any less special. We’ve got some of the best winter activities in America here, so get on out there and adventure!
If you decide to travel to snowier climes for the season, make sure to check out our Ultimate Winter Packing List to make sure you’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
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