December is among the hottest instances to go to San Diego. Festive spirit runs excessive as we ramp as much as the vacations, and it’s actually a particular place to be on the finish of the yr.
This yr, we’re grateful that so a lot of our beloved occasions and gatherings are again and higher than ever!
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San Diego December Climate
San Diego climate in December is a mixture of chilly days and sunny heat days. Up to now this month, we’ve had a few shorts climate days alongside the coast, however they do finish within the evenings with a necessity for a coat and Ugg boots.
Our Microclimates
I discussed our sunny climate alongside the San Diego coast, however for those who’re within the inland valleys, mountains, or deserts, the temperatures that you just really feel are normally extra excessive. It does snow within the mountains often in December, however normally, snowfall occurs deeper into winter.
Most vacationers are nonetheless visiting our coastal areas as a result of that’s the place most San Diego points of interest and San Diego resorts are.
Blue Skies in Winter
I like December in San Diego as a result of now we have principally blue skies by which we will benefit from the varied vacation twinkling lights, visits with Santa Claus, and tree lightings. Technically, it’s our coldest month, and we will have just a few thunderstorms, however we don’t have a real wet season
Listed below are the San Diego climate in December stats:
- Common temperature (excessive/low): 65°F/48°F
- Rainfall: 1.5 inch
- Days of rain: 6
- Days of sunshine: 73%
- Daylight: 10 hours
- Ocean temperature (excessive/low): 61.7°F/59.2°F
I can solely keep in mind a handful of instances when it rained on Christmas in San Diego. Most of my recollections are normally of the household hanging out in shorts within the yard.
Can You Go to the Seashore in December?
A steadily requested query by individuals planning winter break holidays right here is whether or not the San Diego climate in December is heat sufficient to go to the seaside. My reply is that it relies upon. We, locals, use it for walks, runs, picnics, watching the sundown, and water sports activities like browsing.
Guests from chilly climate climates have a tendency to make use of San Diego’s seashores as we do in the summertime. They’re used to snow and parkas. They discover the thought of spending the winter holidays on the seaside extremely interesting, which implies they take in the sunshine rays and head into the ocean.
SAN DIEGO OCEAN TIPS
So, what I inform out-of-state households is that if you wish to get your Pacific Ocean repair and California sunshine, you’ll be able to.
Simply lease a wetsuit. A lot of our surf outlets and rental spots even have wetsuits for youths. Name forward to see if children’ sizes can be found. A rental might not match completely, however one thing is healthier than nothing.
Don’t let chilly water temperatures maintain you again from our greatest San Diego water sports activities. You CAN nonetheless take browsing classes in December. A lot of our greatest browsing faculties, like Surf Diva, provide superior winter break camps.
Put on a wetsuit for those who plan to go in for greater than a (chilly) minute or two.
Recommendation for Reserving Lodges in December
In the event you plan to go to throughout winter break, it’s best to e book San Diego inns as quickly as they’re accessible for reservations. Winter holidays in mid-December are one in every of San Diego’s costliest peak seasons, and room charges solely enhance all through the vacation season.
So, I counsel guests and residents planning San Diego staycations to lock in a versatile charge immediately via the resort. These charges are simple to regulate within the uncommon occasion that charges fall. More often than not, the resort will simply regulate your current reservation as an alternative of canceling and rebooking a brand new one. Straightforward.
Our inns deck the halls actually with lovely Christmas bushes, Menorahs, poinsettias, and different decor. And every normally provides its personal record of vacation programming, from alternatives to see Santa, vacation afternoon teas, tree lighting, Christmas dinners, vacation treats, and way more.
Lodge del Coronado is essentially the most festive place to remain, because of its beachfront ice skating rink, full with a rink-side lounge, vacation market, and tree lighting. Lease skates proper on the Lodge del Coronado and sit back at your non-public igloo whereas roasting s’mores over the hearth pit.
One other spot to get your vacation spirit on is on the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. This yr’s vacation festivities embrace glice (artificial ice) skating, a vacation market, a tree lighting, and different vacation actions.
Seashore valet companies must be up and working so guests can clock in seaside time and benefit from the California sunshine. Our outside swimming swimming pools are heated year-round, so pack swimsuits for the entire household on your Christmas Day celebration!
San Diego December Occasions
Our delicate San Diego climate provides the right alternative to take pleasure in San Diego occasions in December with family members that target vacation enjoyable. Parades with marching bands and drill groups, vacation markets, vacation occasions at theme parks, and a ship parade fill your complete month of December as we gear as much as rejoice Christmas.
Verify my final information to San Diego Christmas and vacation occasions for the complete record, however listed here are just a few.
Balboa Park December Nights
San Diego’s Balboa Park December Nights is a two-day, time-honored vacation custom the place the quite a few museums and cultural establishments in Balboa Park, the nation’s largest city cultural park, open their doorways freed from cost.
Friends additionally sit up for stay music, vacation gentle shows, dance performances, and meals vehicles from world wide. This yr the occasion can be occurring on December 2—third.
San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells
Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo happens this yr between December ninth – January 1st. The celebration consists of vacation lights, seasonal meals, sizzling chocolate, stay animal shows, vacation decor, and extra.
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Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego
Rejoice Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego from November 14th via January eighth! Meet Santa and Rudolph, catch Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer lights present, or benefit from the sounds of the Vacation Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
Discuss with my put up about shopping for low cost SeaWorld San Diego tickets. Reservations are required.
Holidays at LEGOLAND California
Youngsters all the time sit up for seeing the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree (30′ tall). Starting November nineteenth – January eighth, your complete resort can be decked out in vacation décor and extra through the Holidays at LEGOLAND, California.
As well as, you’ll see LEGO Christmas characters, together with LEGO Santa, and luxuriate in particular occasions together with a vacation gentle present.
CHRISTMAS PARADES IN SAN DIEGO
What’s Christmas with out a parade or two? The La Jolla Christmas parade and vacation competition is on December 4th this yr and options floats, horses, marching bands, and an vintage aircraft flyover. Keep after to take pleasure in one of the best Christmas competition La Jolla has to supply, full with crafts, meals, video games, and Santa.
The place else are you able to see an armada of boats decked out with inflatable Santas, reindeer, and snowmen? The reply is on the San Diego Bay Parade! This parade showcases boats adorned with festive lights that can carry out the vacation cheer.
It begins at Shelter Island and heads in the direction of Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry touchdown. There are many alternatives to catch the parade, particularly as it’s going to run on each December eleventh and December 18th.
SNOW N GLOW HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
Del Mar Fairground transforms right into a winter wonderland between December eighth and December twenty second this yr with their Snow N Glow vacation competition.
Take pleasure in over a million festive lights, tubing with actual snow, vacation treats, visits with Santa, and extra. Lower your expenses with a Groupon and prepare to make new vacation recollections this Christmas in San Diego.
Issues to Do in San Diego in December
If the above San Diego December occasions aren’t your cup of tea, otherwise you’re on the lookout for one thing else, there are nonetheless loads of issues to do in San Diego.
Go Tide Pooling
Maintain an eye fixed out for our twice-daily low tides that occur throughout daylight. In the event you verify the net tide charts, you’ll probably discover minus tides in December which might be good for tide pooling.
Use my record of finest tide swimming pools in San Diego to seek out out the place to go, however you could find a number of tide swimming pools in La Jolla alongside the La Jolla seal path to hit just a few fashionable spots like La Jolla Cove and Shell Seashore.
As I mentioned final month, you should definitely observe good etiquette by leaving the tide swimming pools as you discover them. Essentially the most commonly-seen creatures embrace hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, limpets, and small crabs. You may’t take away something aside from trash from tide swimming pools within the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
Go to San Diego Botanic Backyard
San Diego’s Botanic Backyard has 4 miles of trails for train, letting children blow off steam in a fairly garden-like setting with some edutainment actions woven in.
Take pleasure in Our Out of doors Procuring Areas & Malls
If it is advisable to do some Christmas purchasing, head over to Westfield UTC mall, the outlets within the Village of La Jolla, Cedros Avenue in Solana Seashore, North Park, and extra.
Excursions on the Water
San Diego climate in December is ideal for having fun with excursions on the water. You may tour the La Jolla sea caves by kayak, a harbor tour, or journey the Patriot Jet Boat with Flagship Cruises and Occasions. For a particular deal with, we love Metropolis Cruise’s vacation cruises.
Collect your loved ones and associates for a enjoyable and unforgettable brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise on the San Diego Bay over the vacations this yr.
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Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve
Hit up a few of the finest mountain climbing trails San Diego provides at Torrey Pines State Pure Reserve. For some additional cardio, try Man Fleming and Parry Grove trails.
Cabrillo Nationwide Monument
Cabrillo Nationwide Monument is the one nationwide park in San Diego and effectively value a go to. Head to the Previous Level Loma Lighthouse and Customer Middle for a historical past lesson and strolling trails with magnificent views.
The Cabrillo sea cave can also be close by with tide swimming pools to discover, and through the correct season, you’ll wish to preserve an eye fixed out for migrating whales.
Climb at Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a historic, beachfront amusement park that opened in 1925 and is a San Diego icon. With no admission charge, you’ll be able to wander the park earlier than summoning the braveness to climb on the Large Dipper curler coaster or Octotron. The park is adorned for the vacations in December for an additional festive spin.
What to Put on in San Diego in December
Your San Diego packing record for December entails extra sweaters, long-sleeved T-shirts, and a medium-weight jacket for those who plan to be out within the evenings.
Though, as I kind this, it’s sizzling exterior, and persons are strolling across the Village of La Jolla in shorts. So, don’t overlook the shorts as a result of right here in San Diego, you may want them in December and perhaps even January!
Right here’s what to place in your suitcase:
- Medium-weight jacket for the evenings
- Moveable umbrella
- Bathing go well with and hotter cover-up
- Rashguard or UV shirt for solar safety and heat
- Sun shades
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Flip flops for the seaside and pool
- Shorts for beachgoing
- T-Shirts (principally long-sleeved)
- Pants or denims
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Snug strolling footwear for sightseeing
- Informal wool/heat gown or collared shirt and good denims (for those who plan to dine in one in every of our nicer San Diego eating places )
- Sweaters and sweatshirts
- Ugg boots
- Wetsuit, when you’ve got one (in any other case, they’re simple to lease)
Folks right here usually don’t put on conventional raincoats. A part of the reason being that it very not often rains in San Diego. Don’t pack fur coats or fur equipment to maintain you heat. They often usually are not well-received.
Way of life: What Residents Are Up To
Usually, San Diegans are prepping for the vacation season. We’re consuming an excessive amount of, staying up too late, and purchasing in our outside malls. San Diego is such a implausible place to stay and go to, and we will’t wait to welcome you right here.
In the event you stay right here, please share your ideas about San Diego in December!
Climate and temperature sources: seatemperature.org, currentresults.com, NOAA