Winter Whereabouts | Sophie Sills
With Christmas rapidly approaching and students finishing up busy ends to the semester, nothing is more needed than some festive holiday fun. Although Southern California may not seem like the first place to find cozy winter activities, you’d be surprised at how much our area truly has to offer during this time of year! So, without further ado, here are five fun things to do in San Diego and beyond this holiday season!
1. Ice skating
Although the weather may be warm and sunny, San Diego offers a plethora of festive ice skating opportunities. A personal favorite is Hotel Del’s “Skate by the Sea”, a beautiful ice rink in Coronado which overlooks the Pacific. For the most memorable experience, consider going at sunset, but be warned of the crowds. As this rink is in high demand, it is strongly encouraged to buy tickets ahead of time. Overall, skating at the Hotel Del is a memorable experience and a perfect way to celebrate with family and friends.
2. Christmas Lights @ The Fairgrounds
For a festive display of lights, stop by the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “Del Mar Snow ‘N Glow” provides a display of over one million glowing lights, and is the perfect activity for families of all ages. In addition to the lights, the event offers other activities such as s’mores and snowman building (with real snow!).
3. Lightscape @ the San Diego Botanical Garden
On the topic of Christmas lights displays, the San Diego Botanical Gardens offers a dazzling display of sculptures, lights, and art installations. A stroll along this one mile path is another festive and low-stress way to get into the Christmas spirit with your loved ones!
4. Take a Trip to Julian
Nothing says “holiday spirit” like a warm slice of pie and a fresh layer of snow on the ground. Just over one hour from us lies the quaint town of Julian, CA. Here, visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, shops, and most of all, a light dusting of snow during the winter months. Better yet, stop by one of Julian’s many pie shops for a slice of world-famous apple pie!
5. Stop by a Holiday Parade
Although we’re already well into the holiday season, the greater San Diego area still offers many holiday parades and festivals to celebrate the festive season. One notable parade is the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade: an extravagant parade featuring massive balloon floats, marching bands, and an abundance of holiday spirit! This parade takes place on the morning of December 28th on San Diego’s beautiful waterfront.
It isn’t hard to see that although our area may lack the typical frostiness of the holiday season, it surely doesn’t lack the festive spirit. This list serves simply as a brief overview of some of the winter activities that the greater San Diego area has to offer, and I hope it will serve as a guide for anyone hoping to enjoy the warm, joyful spirit of this wonderful season. So with that all being said, I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all!