10 Things to Do in San Diego in December

December is one of the most anticipated times of the year worldwide. Specifically, on the coast of California this month is full of surprises, parades, Christmas markets and lighting of lights. It is ideal if you are looking for things to do in San Diego in winter, as it is celebrated during this time.

Many events are held near San Diego's best beaches, although the water tends to be cold during this season. Instead, you can take advantage of theme parks, ice rinks, events for kids and pets, as well as parties to welcome the New Year.

The city has a variety of theme parks, ideal if you are planning things to do with kids in San Diego. It's an ideal entertainment option to start a relaxing vacation in the heart of California.

Legoland's Christmas cheer

Legoland San Diego is a very interesting theme park that you must visit during your stay. During Christmas and New Year's, they host rides, family activities and holiday-inspired Lego constructions. In fact, here you can see a huge Christmas tree that is reinvented every year and is usually made with Legos.

There are only three franchises worldwide, so it tends to be very busy, especially in December. The best way to visit is to book tickets online in advance.

SeaWorld Holiday Celebrations

SeaWorld is a water and theme park where there is no shortage of fun, especially in December. Here you can spend Christmas, to experience traditions and surprises of the season. You can find tickets from 90 €, which give you access to all attractions and shows.

Some tickets are valid for a week, so they are ideal if you are planning to visit San Diego in 7 days. This way, you can tour the park at your own pace. You can ride a tall, fast roller coaster, or see a killer whale with an augmented reality system.

Even if you're planning things to do in San Diego in January, you may stumble upon some of their holiday activities. That's because the park usually extends the festivities into the first few weeks of the year.

California offers a variety of activities for all ages, ideal if you are planning things to do in San Diego with kids. The zoo is usually a recreational space with many entertainment options. You can find tickets from 66 €, which give you free access to special events in December.

Every December the San Diego Zoo presents fun shows, based on the traditions of the city. Specifically, they celebrate the Jungle Bells party, which is set in an artificial jungle. The facilities are decorated and there is music everywhere.

The local markets are a must-see, especially during December. Here you can find craft sales, art exhibits and food tastings. Here are the best markets to check out in December!

Little Italy Christmas Market

Little Italy is the epicenter of San Diego's best food tours, so Christmas events and outdoor markets are held here. Most of the year it offers a variety of restaurants, but in December they are overshadowed by the street vendors offering typical food of the region.

Northpark Market

Northpark is one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego, where Christmas Flea Market is held. It is a very popular flea market with a variety of activities and food exhibits. Mostly you will find vintage items and seasonal themed decorations.

La Posada Mexican Market

La Posada Market is a flea market in San Diego with a Mexican concept. Held on the commercial street of San Diego, it is certainly ideal if you want to explore the traditions of other cultures. In fact, Las Posadas became popular in the city thanks to the Spanish friars who discovered the territory.

It is a Mexican-influenced activity, which represents the nights spent by Mary and Joseph seeking shelter for the birth of Jesus Christ. The best way to get to know the Christmas markets is to take advantage of the best tours in San Diego, which offer guided experiences. A great option is the amphibious bus tour, which has a variety of stops.

In December there are Christmas parades everywhere in San Diego, most of them are usually Christmas themed. To get to the different points of the parades, you can take advantage of the city's tourist streetcar, which has a very complete route. They are usually decorated floats that hand out candy for the children and have Santa Claus on board.

• Coronado Christmas Parade: The Coronado Hotel is one of the most popular locations in San Diego in December, due to its variety of activities. At the beginning of the month they hold a parade down Orange Ave, with floats and lights taking over the streets.
• Ocean Beach Holiday Parade: Ocean Beach is a surf town, ideal for a stroll in December. The vacation parade has been held here for more than 40 years, with colorful lights and playgrounds. It is ideal if you are looking for activities to do in San Diego with kids.
• Mission Bay Christmas parade of lights by boat: it is a very emblematic Christmas tradition in California, definitely not to be missed. The decorated boats that spin around the bay turning on colorful lights.
• OceanSide Harbor Parade of Lights: you can spend the afternoon walking along the harbor or the beach, while taking advantage of the parade and the festive activities held on the pier.
• San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade: this is a popular event, as it is the largest balloon parade in the United States. Therefore, you will find giant balloons and themed floats strolling along the boardwalk.

Lights and outdoor activities are among the best things to do in San Diego in December. The streets of the city dress up from the beginning of December until the beginning of January, you can't miss it. To make the most of your trip, I recommend planning an itinerary depending on the number of days you will be there.

Christmas lighting in Little Bay

Little Bay is one of the most charming Christmas towns in San Diego. At the beginning of December, many people gather to share with their families. You can enjoy the lighting of the Christmas tree, as well as the Christmas light shows typical of the season.

As you walk around the area, you will find street vendors offering seasonal products. Some of San Diego's best food tours take place in this important waterfront district. Admission is completely free and is located in the Plaza de la Familia.

You can also take advantage of the lighting of lights and displays in the South Bay, an activity that has been held in San Diego since 1995. Also, the El Cajon neighborhood, located between Solomon Avenue and Pegeen Place, offers caroling during the Jingle Bell Hill show.

Christmas in the Park

San Diego's parks offer entertainment for all ages, with events revolving around the spirit of Christmas. There are guided experiences that take you to explore the city's nighttime lights, which is an ideal plan in December. Definitely not to be missed:

• Poway's Christmas in the Park: offers typical San Diego Christmas delicacies, plus brings together old traditions for the whole family.
• Christmas in Balboa Park: it is the most important park in San Diego, during December it offers impressive sculptures and illuminations. You can take advantage of local food tastings and enjoy live music.

Hanukkah is a Jewish tradition celebrated in San Diego in December for approximately 7 days. You can enjoy gastronomic delights typical of the region, as well as dancing in an outdoor courtyard. The celebration takes place at the Hotel La Valencia.

It is an ideal event if you are planning to visit San Diego in 7 days, it consists of a festival of lights that offers a night ritual, prayers and street food of the region. According to this tradition oil is a blessing, so most of the food you will be able to taste is fried. There is also a game of spinning tops known as dreidel, which is played with Hebrew letters.

This activity is usually free, and there are other events scattered throughout the city that celebrate the tradition. They are usually held at La Libertad Station, Seaport Village, Oceanside and the Coronado Hotel. It is considered the most important Jewish holiday in the United States, due to its proximity to Christmas. It began to be celebrated in San Diego, due to the influence of the Jewish community in the region.

Ice skating is one of the best things to do in San Diego in December, and a family activity not to be missed. Here are the places where you can take advantage of this plan:

• Hotel Coronado: the rink is located in the hotel facilities, right in front of the beach. You can find tickets from 30 € per person.
• Liberty Station: it is located in Point Loma and is an area with a variety of lively proposals, such as flea markets, performances of The Nutcracker, Christmas themed parties and more. The Rady Children's Ice Rink is located here and is available every day in December. The approximate cost is €11 per child and €14 for adults.

The skating season is during the winter dates, which are from December to February. If you want to take advantage of the things to do in winter in San Diego, as well as the Christmas spirit, I suggest you add this activity to your itinerary.

The Half Marathon is one of the most anticipated events in December. It is a fast and short race, which starts in Rancho Penasquitos and goes through the best beaches of San Diego. Keep in mind that for this event you have to get up early, as it leaves just in time to appreciate the sunrise.

You can find tickets starting at $145 per person. The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is a race of approximately 21 kilometers, ideal to soak up the culture of California.

Other marathons in San Diego in December

• Dirty December Half Marathon and 10K: you can run through the streets of San Diego, as well as participate in a Christmas-inspired costume contest. It has a gentle pace, as it is a 5km race through the hills of the city. The cost starts at 55 € per person.
• Holiday Bowl 5K: is a healthy fun option, ideal for the whole family. It takes place in the port of San Diego at the end of December and costs approximately €30 per person. It starts at Harbour Drive and goes all the way to Ruocco Park.
• San Diego Santa Run 5K: you can walk or run, depending on your physical condition. The idea of this marathon is to wear your best Christmas outfit. You will get to know the Mission Bay neighborhood and walk along the best beaches in San Diego. For the 5km race, you will find tickets for adults from 40 €. There are also tickets for children and pets, who can participate in the 1km marathon.
• Red Nose Run: this marathon for pets offers 3 km and 5 km options. Held at Del Mar beach in Costa Norte, entry costs from €25.

To welcome the New Year, many people escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head for quieter places. From the Catamaran Resort and Hotel Spa you can live a paradisiacal experience. It offers the best views of Mission Bay, as well as a beach party until after the chimes.

You will find tickets from 115 €, I recommend booking in advance as they tend to sell out quickly. The Official New Year's Eve Party is an unmissable all-inclusive event, where you can enjoy drinks, snacks, dance floor, DJs, among others.

One of San Diego's most special traditions are the starry nights, which can be seen in different parts of the city at the beginning of December. The most popular is held in the South Bay in Chula Vista.

It is a free activity, ideal if you are looking for things to do in San Diego with kids. It has a full itinerary, as there is a parade of lights that opens the holiday season, as well as a children's fair with amusement rides and a Santa train.

This plan is ideal for exploring San Diego's most famous farmers markets, including Holiday Market, Third Avenue Village Market and Las Jefas Market. Here you can shop for arts and crafts, sample local foods, sample craft beers and more.

• Bring warm clothes, because if you are thinking of traveling to San Diego in winter, you will find low temperatures.
• Book your accommodations in advance, as during the holiday season the tourist influx tends to be high.
• Take advantage of the best gastronomic tours in San Diego to taste the typical food of the region.
• For the best beaches in San Diego, be sure to arrive early to get parking. Unfortunately in December the water is usually cold, but there are recreational activities on the docks that you can't miss.