December is likely one of 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 Weather
San Diego climate in December is a mixture of chilly days and sunny heat days. So far 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 simply really feel are often extra excessive. It does snow within the mountains sometimes in December, however often, snowfall occurs deeper into winter.
Most vacationers are nonetheless visiting our coastal areas as a result of that’s the place most San Diego sights and San Diego resorts are.
Blue Skies in Winter
I like December in San Diego as a result of now we have largely 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 a couple of thunderstorms, however we don’t have a real wet season
Here are the San Diego climate in December stats:
- Average 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 bear in mind a handful of instances when it rained on Christmas in San Diego. Most of my recollections are often of the household hanging out in shorts within the yard.
Can You Go to the Beach in December?
A continuously 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.
Visitors 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.
Just hire a wetsuit. Many of our surf retailers and rental spots even have wetsuits for teenagers. Call forward to see if children’ sizes can be found. A rental could 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. Many of our greatest browsing colleges, like Surf Diva, provide superior winter break camps.
Wear a wetsuit for those who plan to go in for greater than a (chilly) minute or two.
Advice for Booking Hotels in December
If you propose to go to throughout winter break, it is best to e book San Diego inns as quickly as they’re out there 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 fee straight by means of the resort. These charges are straightforward to regulate within the uncommon occasion that charges fall. Most of the time, the resort will simply modify your current reservation as a substitute of canceling and rebooking a brand new one. Easy.
Our inns deck the halls actually with stunning Christmas bushes, Menorahs, poinsettias, and different decor. And every often presents its personal checklist of vacation programming, from alternatives to see Santa, vacation afternoon teas, tree lighting, Christmas dinners, vacation treats, and rather more.
Hotel 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. Rent skates proper on the Hotel del Coronado and sit back at your non-public igloo whereas roasting s’mores over the hearth pit.
Another 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.
Beach 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 Events
Our gentle San Diego climate presents the proper 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 the complete month of December as we gear as much as have a good time Christmas.
Check my final information to San Diego Christmas and vacation occasions for the total checklist, however listed here are a couple of.
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.
Guests additionally sit up for stay music, vacation gentle shows, dance performances, and meals vans from world wide. This yr the occasion will likely be taking place 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 displays, vacation decor, and extra.
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Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego
Celebrate Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego from November 14th by means of January eighth! Meet Santa and Rudolph, catch Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer lights present, or benefit from the sounds of the Holiday Brass band. Admission is included with common park admission.
Refer to my submit about shopping for low-cost SeaWorld San Diego tickets. Reservations are required.
Holidays at LEGOLAND California
Kids all the time sit up for seeing the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree (30′ tall). Beginning November nineteenth – January eighth, the complete resort will likely be decked out in vacation décor and extra in the course of the Holidays at LEGOLAND, California.
In addition, you’ll see LEGO Christmas characters, together with LEGO Santa, and revel in particular occasions together with a vacation gentle present.
CHRISTMAS PARADES IN SAN DIEGO
What is Christmas with no 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. Stay after to take pleasure in the perfect Christmas competition La Jolla has to supply, full with crafts, meals, video games, and Santa.
Where 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 embellished with festive lights that can convey out the vacation cheer.
It begins at Shelter Island and heads in the direction of Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry touchdown. There are loads of 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.
Enjoy over a million festive lights, tubing with actual snow, vacation treats, visits with Santa, and extra. Save cash with a Groupon and prepare to make new vacation recollections this Christmas in San Diego.
Things to Do in San Diego in December
If the above San Diego December occasions aren’t your cup of tea, otherwise you’re searching for one thing else, there are nonetheless loads of issues to do in San Diego.
Go Tide Pooling
Keep a watch out for our twice-daily low tides that occur throughout daylight. If you verify the net tide charts, you’ll probably discover minus tides in December which might be good for tide pooling.
Use my checklist of greatest 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 a couple of common spots like La Jolla Cove and Shell Beach.
As I stated final month, remember to follow good etiquette by leaving the tide swimming pools as you discover them. The most commonly-seen creatures embrace hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, limpets, and small crabs. You can’t take away something apart from trash from tide swimming pools within the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.
Visit San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego’s Botanic Garden has 4 miles of trails for train, letting children blow off steam in a reasonably garden-like setting with some edutainment actions woven in.
Enjoy Our Outdoor Shopping Areas & Malls
If you have to do some Christmas purchasing, head over to Westfield UTC mall, the retailers within the Village of La Jolla, Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, North Park, and extra.
Tours on the Water
San Diego climate in December is ideal for having fun with excursions on the water. You can tour the La Jolla sea caves by kayak, a harbor tour, or journey the Patriot Jet Boat with Flagship Cruises and Events. For a particular deal with, we love City Cruise’s vacation cruises.
Gather your loved ones and buddies 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 Natural Reserve
Hit up a number of the greatest mountaineering trails San Diego presents at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. For some further cardio, try Guy Fleming and Parry Grove trails.
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is the one nationwide park in San Diego and effectively value a go to. Head to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Visitor Center for a historical past lesson and strolling trails with magnificent views.
The Cabrillo sea cave can be close by with tide swimming pools to discover, and through the fitting season, you’ll need to hold a watch 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 payment, you’ll be able to wander the park earlier than summoning the braveness to climb on the Giant Dipper curler coaster or Octotron. The park is embellished for the vacations in December for an additional festive spin.
What to Wear in San Diego in December
Your San Diego packing checklist for December entails extra sweaters, long-sleeved T-shirts, and a medium-weight jacket for those who plan to be out within the evenings.
Although, as I kind this, it’s sizzling outdoors, 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 possibly even January!
Here’s what to place in your suitcase:
- Medium-weight jacket for the evenings
- Portable umbrella
- Bathing swimsuit and hotter cover-up
- Rashguard or UV shirt for solar safety and heat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Flip flops for the seaside and pool
- Shorts for beachgoing
- T-Shirts (largely long-sleeved)
- Pants or denims
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Comfortable strolling sneakers for sightseeing
- Casual 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, if in case you have one (in any other case, they’re straightforward to hire)
People right here usually don’t put on conventional raincoats. Part of the reason being that it very hardly ever rains in San Diego. Do not pack fur coats or fur equipment to maintain you heat. They usually aren’t well-received.
Lifestyle: What Residents Are Up To
Normally, 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 incredible place to stay and go to, and we will’t wait to welcome you right here.
If you reside right here, please share your ideas about San Diego in December!
Weather and temperature sources: seatemperature.org, currentresults.com, NOAA