The Best Places In San Diego™!

December is the 2nd sunniest month in San Diego (tied with February if you can believe it). With plenty of sunshine and daytime temperatures often reaching into the 70s, it can be hard to get into the holiday mood. That is especially true for those of us who moved from colder climates.

Last year I helped people get into the holiday mood by offering information on which neighborhoods do the best jobs decorating their homes for the rest of us to enjoy. (I’ll post a 2009 update for neighborhoods with holiday lights in a day or two since they won’t be in full swing until next week.) Because of the good response, I decided to expand with information on community holiday celebrations in San Diego.

There are quite a few to pick from starting tonight. Just about every community from Oceanside down to Chula Vista and out to Julian has something to offer those of us needing a kick-start to fuel our holiday spirit. In the coming weeks you’ll find a couple pet parades, four boat parades, and three outdoor ice skating festivals among your options.

So, get out there and enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 2: Horton Plaza Tree Lighting – 7:30PM; Enjoy a New York City style Christmas celebration in San Diego. Instead of Rockefeller Center, we have Horton Square where you can enjoy ice skating, a tree lighting, and if you can’t make it in person, you can watch it all on NBC 7/39. Or, get a double dose by checking out the live NBC New York web cam on Rockefeller Plaza where they are preparing for their tree lighting, which will also be shown on our local NBC station tonight at 8PM.

Wednesday, December 2: Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Festival – 4PM – 7PM; Includes Fireworks and Ice Skating with views of the Pacific Ocean.

Thursday, December 3: Carnivale on Cedros – 5:30PM – 9PM; Stroll through the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach and be entertained by colorful street performers, music, food, and festivity.

Thursday, December 3: Oceanside Holiday Tree Lighting – 6PM – 7PM; Following the tree lighting in front of the Regal Cinema, take part in the weekly Thursday night Sunset Market street festival and farmers market.

Friday, December 4: Coronado Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting – 4PM – 7:30PM; Be sure to visit the Hotel Del for Ice Skating afterwards.

Friday, December 4 & Saturday December 5: December Nights at Balboa Park – Begins at 5PM on Friday and Noon on Saturday; Ends at 10PM both evenings. This is the largest holiday event in San Diego with 300,000 visitors. Most museums will be open for free from 5PM – 9PM both nights and host special events. Events take place both indoors and outdoors throughout Balboa Park. Many of the main events take place at the outdoor organ pavilion near the middle of the park. If you do not arrive before 5PM, avoid Park Boulevard. All of the parking lots will be full. Between 5PM – 6PM, you can try approaching the Zoo Parking lot on Zoo Drive coming from the Hillcrest area. Otherwise, you will need to take a shuttle from pickup points around San Diego. (I wish I heeded this advice last year.) Check the event website for more information on the entertainers, venues, schedules, maps, shuttles, and parking. (By the way, if you have not been to Balboa Park, you are missing out on a great treasure. Learn more about it on my travel website.)

Saturday, December 5: Ocean Beach Holiday Parade and Fun Kids Zone – Set-up beings at 7AM in the Ocean Beach Pier parking lot. Parade heads down Newport Avenue starting at 5:05PM.

Saturday, December 5: North Park Marching Band Competition & Toyland Parade – Band Competition starts at 9:30AM at the North Park Recreation Center followed by the Toyland Parade at 11AM.

Saturday, December 5: Encinitas Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade – Tree Lighting is at 5PM; Parade starts at 5:30PM and runs along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street.

Saturday, December 5: Chula Vista Village Starlight Parade – 6PM – Third Avenue from H to E Streets; 100,000 spectators

Sunday, December 6: La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival – Starts at 10AM; Parade at 2PM (west on Girard and south on Prospect); Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:30PM (Recreation Center); Includes Antique Aircraft Flyover.

Sunday, December 6: Carlsbad Pet Parade and Tree Lighting – Pups on Parade begins at 12:30PM. (You can have your pet’s picture taken with Santa from 9AM – 12PM.) The annual Rotary Club tree lighting & festivities take place from 2PM – Dusk. Location: Shops at the Village Faire.

Sunday, December 6: Solana Beach Holiday Tree Lighting – 5PM at Fletcher Cove Park; Cookies, music, and a visit from Santa.

Thursday, December 10: Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Music Event – 5PM – 1AM; Live music performances at a dozen venues throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, including David Patrone performing on Broadway Circle at Horton Plaza; Free.

Saturday, December 12: Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights – 6PM – 9PM; Parade starts at 7.

Saturday, December 12: Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights – Starts at 7PM followed by a Fireworks Display at 9PM; 100 boats; 60,000 spectators

Saturday, December 13: Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade – Pet Expo from 1PM – 5PM; Parade starts at 3PM; Pet Costume Contest; Location: Hilton Gaslamp at 4th & K Street.

Sunday, December 13: San Diego Parade of Lights – From Shelter Island (5:30PM) to Coronado Ferrylanding (7:30PM); Begins with Fireworks. Repeated again on the 20th. You can also take a cruise with San Diego Harbor Excursions or Hornblower.

Saturday, December 19: Christmas at the Mission – 6pm – 9pm; Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside; ‘Evening of a Thousand Lights’; Carolers in the Old Mission Church; free tastings from local restaurants.

Sunday, December 20: San Diego Parade of Lights – From Shelter Islands (5:30) to Coronado Ferrylanding (7:30); Begins with Fireworks. 1 of 2 Sundays. You can also take a cruise with SDHE or Hornblower.

Monday, December 21: Gaslamp Battle of the Bands – Marching Bands from universities competing in the Poinsettia Bowl and elite high school marching bands from the local area will entertain spectators along 5th Avenue during the evening.

Wednesday, December 30: San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade – Starts at 10AM at the County Administration Building, runs along Harbor Drive, and ends at Seaport Village. Televised Nationally.

Julian Carolers – There are quite a few events in Julian during the month of December, including a Holiday Home Tour, Living Nativity, and Community Christmas with Santa. Any weekend will be nice to go enjoy the crisp mountain air, fall foliage, and the  Julian Carolers, who will be wandering around town from 4PM – 6PM on Saturdays.

Ice Skating

Hotel Del Coronado – November 25 – January 3, 11AM – 9PM Daily: Includes Views of the Pacific Ocean

Horton Plaza – November 19 – January 10, 10AM – 10PM Daily: Helps support Rady Children’s Hospital

Viejas Outlet – November 14 – January 3, Open until 10PM Daily.

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