Day One: Holiday's at Hotel Del Coronado
Being in San Diego for the Holidays is truly a memorable time of year with so much to see and do. This 5-day itinerary will provide you with our top 5 picks and how to get the most out of your holiday season while in the San Diego area.
We begin the day in Coronado. Coronado is a quaint island that has a unique history beginning in the early seventeenth century. The best place to take on the fascinating discovery and culture of this island is to visit the Coronado Historical Association Museum of History and Art. Located at 1100 Orange Avenue; you’ll be able to take a tour seven days a week 10am-5pm.
After discovering the island’s history you can enjoy walking downtown Coronado’s Orange Avenue District. Downtown Coronado’s Orange Avenue is a village-like, slow-paced, area with mainly local, mom-and-pop stores, just a few blocks from Coronado City Beach. The city discourages chain stores. Many of the buildings are old and quaint, adding to the village atmosphere. Each shop holds it’s own unique flair and is sure to have holiday gifts for everyone on your list. At night, store roofs light up with white rooftop lights (even when it’s not the holiday season).
Just down the street you’ll find the Hotel Del Coronado. Best described as “iconic red turrets piercing that taut horizontal lines of an azure California skyline, the Hotel del Coronado radiates with a confidence of gracious Victorian splendor that is without equal.” A timeless centerpiece of Coronado with an incredible history dating back to when it was built in 1988 that can also be explored by touring the hotel. Framing this iconic hotel is the vast Pacific Ocean and Coronado Beach. This beach is by far my favorite both for it’s cleanliness and typically has less of a crowd than most.
When your tummy starts to grumble there are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat. Most are non-chain restaurants, bistros and eateries. My personal favorite pic is The Boat House just south of the Hotel del Coronado. It offers a view that is unmatched! For something on the lighter side I would also recommend Cafe 1134. Located on Orange Avenue Cafe 1134 has a local bistro feel with a small upstairs with additional seating that offers board games, puzzles, and a view of Orange Avenue.
Once you’ve settled into your walking shoes you can jaunt on over to the Seaforth Boat Rentals and trade those tennis shoes in for a pair of sea legs. Here you’ll find everything from a simple pedal boat, kayak or paddle board to Sailboats, power boats, wave runners and fishing boats. The newest addition to their fleet is my personal favorite…the BBQ Donut! It’s a barbecue, a picnic table, and a boat all in one. So grab your friends and hit the floating donut and when the sun starts to set and it’s time for dinner you can grill some meat hamburgers and hotdogs right from your floating BBQ! (visit VONS on Orange Avenue to gear up for grocery shopping).
Once the night sets in during the Holidays in Coronado my ultimate favorite thing to do is Skating By The Sea. Make memories that will last a lifetime by celebrating the holidays in a very magical way and enjoy Skating By The Sea, a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn in front of the Hotel Del Coronado will be transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily beginning the day before Thanksgiving.
Day Two: LEGOLAND Holiday Fun
Prepare to spend the entire day in a fun-filled adventure at Legoland. Perfect for kids and the kid at heart. From November 27th to December 30th the Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights are in full swing. Legoland California is home to more than 60 rides, shows and attractions. Just inside the entrance to the Park, you can’t miss the bright red welcoming dinosaur, Bronte, standing nine feet tall and 34 feet long from its nose to the tip of it’s tail made completely from LEGO bricks!
Snow has fallen at LEGOLAND California Resort! Real snow! And that means Holiday Snow Days are back! Build a snowman with LEGO accessories. Throw snowballs at targets. Witness the nightly lighting of the World’s Largest LEGO Christmas Tree. And now that spirit continues after the sun goes down with Winter Nights! Experience the magic of the season with entertaining shows, merry music, and festive park lighting just for the holidays. Guests are invited to participate in the building of a LEGO Holiday Village. Guests’ models will be curated by a Master Model Builder who will help assemble the Holiday Village scene – a large display depicting a winter wonderland imagined and created by park guests. It’s truly a winter wonderland of fun that will become a new family tradition.
Day Three: Holiday of Lights at Del Mar Fairgrounds
Begin your day at the Del Mar Farmers Market. A 40-minute drive west of Escondido RV Resort. The Del Mar Farmers Market is a tradition in Del Mar with vendors providing fresh produce, fresh fish, hand crafted cheeses, flowers, plants and more. The Market is open year round every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm in the Del Mar City Hall Parking Lot, located at 1050 Camino del Mar. Adjacent and to the south of the Farmers Market is the Del Mar Artisan market also year round on Saturdays each month from 1pm to 4pm. See handcrafted jewelry, imported linens, flowers, fresh kettle corn and much, much more.
Spend the day meandering the shops and boutiques in the area with so much to do it will fill your day. If shopping is not your favorite the Del Mar Fairgrounds has lot of holiday activities to choose from such as the Jingle Bell Saddlebred Horse Show or KSON’s CountryFest Christmas. Join the Christmas Walk at the Village of Corona Del Mar on December 6th for live entertainment, food, prizes and games in true holiday spirit.
Day Three: Surf in San Diego for the Holiday's
That’s right folks…here in Southern California you can surf and ski in the same day! Wake up at the crack of dawn and drive to Oceanside where you’ll find the waves and ocean bliss ready to take on your surfboard. If you don’t know how to surf that’s okay too. Plenty of shops to rent and take lessons from. We recommend Surf Ride for a 1/2 day rental ($15). Wetsuits available along with Surf School. All surfboard rentals are softboards and range from 6’ to 9’ in length. Surf Ride Surf School includes top quality gear. Lessons are scheduled in 2-hour increments and can start as early as 8am or as late as 4pm. Lessons can be scheduled 7 days a week, year round. Private Lessons run about $150.00.
