When people think of the winter in California, they may not immediately think of the same holiday experience as in New York City or Christmas Markets in Europe. However, there are a ton of fun things to do in California for the Holidays. California winters are mild, which means more outdoor fun to be had during the holiday season. There are not many places where you can go ice skating in shorts!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best California hotels here!
Table of Contents
Things to Do in California for the Holidays Near San Diego
Christmas Tea and Ice Skating at the Beach
By Christina Roman of Explore Now or Never
One of the best things to do in California for the holidays is to head over to the beautiful island of Coronado, just over the bridge from San Diego. Stop first at the iconic Hotel Del for an afternoon Christmas tea. Make sure to reserve ahead.
With its beachy location and Victorian architecture, this hotel has been welcoming Hollywood royalty since 1888. In fact, the famous Marilyn Monroe movie, Some Like It Hot, was filmed here in 1959. The island of Coronado is one of the best places to stay in San Diego, especially if you are in search of fewer crowds and a slower pace.
Once you have marveled at the stunning Christmas tree in the lobby and other festive decorations, step into the ballroom for a bucket list tea. You will feel like royalty as you sip tea and nibble on sandwiches, scones, and other sweet and savory treats.
Then head over to nearby Windsor Lawn, beachside, for ice skating! This incredible rink makes an appearance every holiday season at the Del for this unique opportunity.
You will glide along as you watch the sunset and the ocean waves roll in just behind you. You can even reserve a private rinkside lounge with seating, a fire pit, and food and beverage services. A portion of your ticket price even benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. It is the very best of winter…San Diego style.
Another fantastic holiday activity in San Diego is to go on a Christmas Day buffet brunch or dinner cruise.
Liberty Station
By Kelli of Compass and Coastline
If you are wondering what to do in California in winter (and during the holidays), a fun and festive thing to do is visit Liberty Station for their annual Salute The Season event happening in November and December. Liberty Station is a former military training center turned entertainment hub where you’ll find tons of food, live music, holiday movies in the park, ice skating, pictures with Santa, and more.
A fun spot year-round, they really go all-out for the holidays and even have an 88-foot tall Christmas tree! Every year in late November there’s an official tree lighting and other holiday festivities that are a must-see. While you are there, swing by Liberty Public Market for unique gifts and tons of food vendors to choose from. The market is open 7 days a week and is so much fun to stroll through.
Liberty Station is also known for its art installations, and during the holidays they have a seasonal theme, feature local artists, and are sure to fill you with cheer. You can also lace up your ice skates at the nearby Rady Children’s Hospital Ice Rink where all the proceeds go to kids in need. The rink is typically open the month of December and into early January and costs $13-$15 per person.
Perhaps one of the best things about Liberty Station is how spacious and charming it is. Maybe it is the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture or the parks and walking trails, or maybe it is the waterfront location along the San Diego harbor. There are certainly many reasons to celebrate the holidays at Liberty Station.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
By Abby of Worth Every Trip
San Diego’s holiday season is in full swing on land and sea. SeaWorld transforms from mid-November through early January into the spectacular SeaWorld Christmas Celebration! Attending Sea World’s Christmas Celebration is one of the best things to do in California for the holidays.
Over one million sparkling lights cover the entire park. Glowing trees, candy canes, and sea creatures greet you around every corner. Make sure to walk (or dance) through the tunnel of over 5,000 lights activated by holiday music.
Watch dolphins swim, jump, and splash along to Christmas music at the festive version of Dolphin Days. Laugh until your heart’s content at the silly holiday fun of Sea Lions Live.
In addition to their animal presentations, SeaWorld debuts new Christmas experiences each year. You could see ice skating reindeer, acrobats dawning Santa costumes, Nativity storytelling with live animals, and more! SeaWorld pulls out all the stops.
To top it off, kids can join in the festive fun at Sesame Street Christmas Village! Sing and dance with Cookie Monster and Mrs. Claus. Talk with Santa’s elves and learn about life at the north pole. Meet Rudolph, or get your picture taken with Santa, himself!
Get your tastebuds in on the action with a wide variety of holiday food. Savor the taste of glazed ham sliders. Sip on hot chocolate with candy toppings. And indulge in a slice of peppermint cheesecake.
Whether you visit during the day or at night, this Christmas celebration is sure to be a favorite San Diego Christmas event for the whole family!
Single-Day Tickets start at $64, and Fun Cards can get you multiple days of admission for under $100. Keep your eyes peeled in the fall for one of SeaWorld’s special price offers. Whatever the cost, you will make wonderful Christmas memories at SeaWorld San Diego.
Things to Do in California for the Holidays Near Los Angeles
The Holiday Season at Disneyland
By Sally Lucas of Our 3 Kids v. The World
There is no place more beautiful than Disneyland, the happiest place on earth during the festive season. Disneyland goes all out for their decorations and Santa arrives early in December to have his photo taken with all the little kiddies. It is one of the best things to do in California for the holidays.
The Christmas Fantasy Parade is definitely worth a visit just to see that. However, there is a lot of special holiday magic you can expect at Christmas time. Believe….. In Holiday Magic fireworks display, the Disney fireworks are spectacular any time of year, but they go just that little bit further during December. The ‘It’s a small world’ Holiday will dazzle with a festive yuletide version of a classic we have all grown to love. See the transformation of the wintertime Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Best of all is Mickey and Minnie and all the characters we adore are dressed in the best festive outfits. It really is a magical time to visit.
Anaheim in California in December is a great time weather wise, the days are still warm however the nights get cool very quick. We had day time tops of 28-30 degrees in early December on our visit. We did require a warmer jumper at night though. Your Mickey ears keep your head warm though! Yes before you ask Mickey ears are mandatory attire for visiting Disneyland.
You will have to be mindful of crowds during the festive season. Friday’s and weekends will be crowded the closer you get to Christmas Day. We were very lucky as we were travelling from Australia and were able to be there early in December when all the kids were still in school. We planned our itinerary around being at Disneyland on the low crowd days. There is a Disney crowd calendar and I highly recommend you looking at this during your planning stages. Disneyland is very expensive, however it depends how many days you are visiting and if you stick to one park or purchase a park hopper pass.
Light Displays in Los Angeles
By Alanna Koritzke of Periodic Adventures
There are a number of great things to do in Los Angeles, but one of the best things to do in California for the holidays is to view one of the many light displays around the city. Some are more formal like those at the zoo and botanic gardens and others take place in residential neighborhoods.
First, check out the LA Zoo Lights, a fun nighttime walk-through experience. The zoo animals are asleep, but the holiday lights are often animal themed to match the zoo. Plus they have an awesome light tunnel that makes for some epic photos! It costs $15 for adults and $12 for children.
Another great holiday light display is at the Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, which similarly to the zoo, match the garden theme. Walk through the magical light up tulip field and beautiful projections that accompany the light displays. The Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light costs $28 per person.
Do not miss the Moonlight Forest light display at the Los Angeles Arboretum located in Arcadia. These lights are special because they are fantasy-themed so while there are realistic lights, this display has dragons, an under the sea themed light tunnel, and more! This display costs $28 per person, however, there is a student discount.
If you are looking for something more informal, check out Hastings Ranch, a neighborhood in Pasadena where the residents have over-the-top light displays on their houses and yards. This is a great, free option.
All of these light displays run from mid to late November into the beginning of January. They are truly magical and will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!
Holiday Decor on Rodeo Drive
By Kay of PCH1 Road Trip
When it comes to the best Christmas events in Los Angeles, there is no better holiday celebration than seeing the beautiful decor on Rodeo Drive. There are many holiday-related events on Rodeo Drive including a tree lighting ceremony, thousands of twinkling lights, confetti snow, and more. The decor here and throughout Beverly Hills is both stylish and stunning, making this one of the best places to take holiday photographs in Los Angeles.
The retailers on Beverly Hills put on a show that rivals New York’s 5th Avenue. You will find winter wonderlands, North Poles, and letters to Santa themes in the display windows. You can even step into the stores to buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones as well as see the decor and the holiday lights swinging from palm trees from a trolley tour with Mrs. Claus.
Kids can meet Santa Claus on Rodeo Drive and tell him their wishes. Visitors can also spot Christmas carollers, singers, and dancers singing popular holiday songs. Stilt walkers, acrobats, and other show people also put on a show at various times during the holiday season. Most of the events take place daily from Thanksgiving to the first week of January. Enjoying the holiday decor and celebrations on Rodeo Drive is fun for the entire family.
Things to Do in California for the Holidays Near San Francisco
Gingerbread Competition in San Francisco
By Tatiana of Family Road Trip Guru
San Francisco may not be your traditional white Christmas destination but there are some really cool Christmas activities in San Francisco and even more exciting Christmas events in the Bay Area. One thing not to miss is an unofficial gingerbread houses competition between the two fancy hotels in San Francisco: The Fairmont and The Westin San Francis. Both hotels have a holiday tradition of creating amazing elaborate gingerbread houses in their lobbies.
The Westin calls their creation a Sugar Castle, it is a stand-alone structure that is typically about 12 ft high and it looks like a giant cake. The Fairmont’s house actually looks like a gingerbread house made of thousands of gingerbread bricks. You can come and view these amazing confectionary creations free of charge even if you are not a paying guest at these hotels.
The gingerbread houses are usually unveiled right after Thanksgiving and they are being on display through December. In addition to the gingerbread displays both The Westin and The Fairmont organize Christmas themed high tea experiences which you need to book well in advance as they do sell out. One small advantage of the Fairmont on this front is that you can book a table inside the gingerbread house. It is relatively easy to visit both hotels in 1 day because they are located only 4 blocks from each other. That said, please, be aware that if you start with The Westin, there is a very steep climb up the hill on top of which The Fairmont is located.
Napa Wine Train
By Taryn of Chasing Trail Blog
Northern California’s Napa Valley is one of the world’s premier wine destinations. During Christmastime, however, it transforms into a family-friendly winter wonderland. Downtown Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, and St. Helena are all decked out in twinkling lights. Most wineries in the area are dressed up in festive winter decorations, and there is a distinct smell in the air, one of the cozy fires lit all across town intermingled with Cabernet grapes being harvested. It feels as if you are tucked into a remote mountain town hours from civilization, yet you’re just an hour or so north of San Francisco.
One unique and highly-anticipated holiday event each year is the Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train. The two-hour Christmas-themed train ride departs from the Napa Valley Wine Train Depot in downtown Napa and heads directly to “The North Pole” in nearby Yountville.
The entire ride is incredibly scenic and all passengers receive hot cocoa and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. There is, of course, wine available for adults as well. During the train ride, guests write letters to Santa and sing Christmas carols led by Santa’s elves. Saint Nick himself also makes an appearance. Children also receive a keepsake souvenir. In past years, it’s been an ornament, toy, or stuffed animal.
The Santa Train typically operates two rides each evening from mid-November through the weekend after Christmas. Tickets are $59.99 per person for weeknights and $79.99 per person for Friday and Saturdays. They do sell out quickly, especially for dates close to Christmas Day, so it is recommended that you reserve yours far in advance for 2024.
San Francisco Bay Area – San Jose Christmas in the Park
By Jyoti of Story at Every Corner
Cities across San Francisco Bay Area have fun Christmas traditions such as musicals in San Francisco’s Union Square, outdoor Ice Skating in Union Square, Tree light ceremony in Santana Row, Christmas Day cruises and so much more.
San Jose’s Christmas in the Park is an annual tradition that brings together residents, schools, clubs, and businesses. Every year Cesar Chavez park in the heart of San Jose downtown is decorated by organizations and individuals. San Jose residents and tourists visit the lively experience at least once to see the new and traditional booths, enjoy the food, check out the tree, meet friends and family and just hang out.
2020 has brought many changes, even Christmas in the Park is reimagined and reinvented this year. Christmas in the Park is now a drive-through experience. There will be large displays and lighting setup to enjoy from the car. Following is the information needed to plan a safe and physically distanced visit to the San Jose tradition that lives in these unusual times –
- Location: History Park at 635 Phelan Avenue at the intersection of Phelan and Senter Road in San Jose.
- Dates: The event will be spread over several weeks – Nov 27th and Jan 3rd.
- Purchase tickets online that the event web site.
- Price 1: $10 for Twilight ticket between the hours of 4pm and 5pm each night.
- Price 2: $20 for Regular between 5pm and 10pm.
Alternatively, you can book a small group jeep tour to see the holiday lights.
Other Things to Do in California for the Holidays
Skiing Lake Tahoe
By Christina of Travel 2 Next
Big blue skies, stunning snow-covered mountains, and a laid-back Californian vibe are some of the reasons why skiing in Lake Tahoe is a fantastic thing to do in California for the holidays. Whether you are a beginner or a black-diamond skier, there is a decent selection of excellent winter resorts catering to all levels. Lake Tahoe is also home to the host resort of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley, where the Olympic rings have remained on the slopes and is a California landmark worth visiting.
There is an excellent choice of ski resorts to choose from, and most have facilities for families too. Ski instructors at most of Lake Tahoe’s resorts are experts at teaching children, and daily lessons are offered for all levels of skiing ability, from beginners to expert skiers. Heavenly Mountain is the largest ski field and has lots of events and activities. Other resorts to pick are and Alpine, Homewood, Kirkwood, and Sugarbowl. When you want a break from skiing, there are plenty of other things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter such as tubing, sleigh rides, dog sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Lift tickets cost from US$49 (adult) and US$39 (child) during the week. If you are planning on skiing longer get an Epic season pass to NorthStar, Heavenly and Kirkwood. Lake Tahoe’s resorts usually open for skiing and snowboarding in mid-November (most years they plan to open around the Thanksgiving weekend) and stay open until the end of April. But it depends on the season, as some years, the last snowfall can be as late as June!
Snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park
By Megan Starr of Megan Starr
One of the best places to visit in California for the holidays is Sequoia National Park. This epic national park hits its peak season during the summer but there is something extra special about it when it is buried under snow and the forest hits an eerie silence that can make it one of the most magical places on the planet.
There are so many wonderful opportunities and activities available in Sequoia National Park that you will never get bored if you are a snow lover. A memorable experience to have in Sequoia during the holiday season is to go snowshoeing through the park. Many of the areas shut down over the winter season, but you will be able to venture anywhere you want to go with snowshoes on your feet.
The best thing about snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park (and Kings Canyon National Park) is that there are organized ranger-led snowshoe walks through the park and through Giant Forest on weekends, weather permitting.
These ranger-led snowshoe walks are free of charge and are two-hours long and one-mile in distance. They go through Giant Forest as well as through Grant Grove. You will need to book this activity ahead by contacting the visitor center or calling (559) 565-4480.
If you are wanting to go snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park independently, it is very easy to do so and you can bring your own snowshoes or simply rent them from Grant Grove and Lodgepole Visitor Center. Putting snowshoes on your feet is the perfect way to spend one day in Sequoia National Park during the holidays.
Dark Sky Festival at Death Valley National Park
By Dhara from Roadtripping California
Death Valley National Park, in Southern California, is a fabulous place to visit in the winter. Not only are daytime temperatures pleasant for hiking and exploring the park, winter is also the perfect time to experience the famous dark skies in the park.
A Gold Tier Dark Sky National Park, Death Valley National Park offers unparalleled opportunities to observe and photograph the night sky, away from urban light pollution sources. If you have not seen the Milky Way, plan a visit to Death Valley in the winter!
Winter nights tend to be clear, and the nights are long, making it a prime night sky viewing time of year. Death Valley National Park hosts night sky events in the winter to help you make the most of good viewing conditions. In collaboration with the Death Valley Natural History Association, NASA, and many other organizations, the park puts on an annual Dark Sky Festival, generally in February.
Some of the best spots for stargazing in Death Valley National Park include Harmony Borax Works, Badwater Basin, Dante’s View, Ubehebe Crater, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Plan on waiting at least 30 minutes in the dark to allow your eyes to adjust so that you can then fully appreciate the brilliance of the millions of stars in the sky. Join a ranger-led program if you can, and follow park safety guidelines to safely enjoy the dark skies!
California During the Holidays
Los Angeles also offers tons of fun things to do during the wintertime or head to Mammoth to do some skiing and snow tubing. If you want to explore more of California, make sure to check out these California road trips, or check out some of the California National Parks. No matter what, a trip to California makes for a great getaway. There are a ton of things to do in California for the Holidays.
6 thoughts on “The Best Things to Do in California for the Holidays”
These are so many awesome ideas! Would love to take a ride with the Napa Wine Train or do some Ice Skating at the beach. Great post 🙂
I’m not sure it gets much more California than I’ve skating by the beach. I’d love to try that. I love San Diego, such a great city. But Disneyland at Christmas time would be even more magical than it already is. What a great way to spend the holidays
Such a great roundup for holiday things to do in California! I’d most like to visit the gingerbread competition in San Francisco. How fun!
Great roundup! I think my choices would be Lake Tahoe, Sequoia National Park or the dark night display. For years I’ve been saying I want to get a campervan to tour the National Park, kick starting the trip from San Francisco!
California looks so magical during the Christmas season. I never knew there was so many things to do. 🙂
Wow, snowshhoeing in Sequoia is sooo dreamy! Officially adding that to my bucket list!