San Diego in December: Weather, Events, Things to Do, & Insider Tips

December is one of the most popular times to visit San Diego. Festive spirit runs high as we ramp up to the holidays, which makes San Diego in December a special place to be.

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San Diego December Weather

San Diego weather in December is a mix of cold days and sunny warm days. It’s normal to expect a couple of shorts-weather days along the coast, but even those evenings call for a coat and Ugg boots.

Our Microclimates

I mentioned our sunny weather along the San Diego coast, but if you’re in the inland valleys, mountains, or deserts, the temperatures that you feel are usually more extreme. It does snow in the mountains occasionally in December, but usually, snowfall happens deeper into winter.

Most tourists stay in our coastal regions because that’s where most San Diego attractions and San Diego resorts are.

Blue Skies in Winter

I like December in San Diego because we have mostly blue skies in which we can enjoy the various holiday twinkling lights, visits with Santa Claus, and tree lightings. Technically, it’s our coldest month, and we can have a few thunderstorms, but we don’t have a true rainy season.

However, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a very strong El Niño for winter 2026–27. Its seasonal outlook gives much of coastal California better-than-even odds of a wetter-than-normal winter, with the effects expected to build as the season goes on. Pack an umbrella and have a backup plan for outdoor events.

I can only remember a handful of times when it rained on Christmas in San Diego. Most of my memories are usually of the family hanging out in shorts in the backyard.

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Can You Go to the Beach in December?

A common question from people planning winter break vacations here is whether San Diego weather in December is warm enough to go to the beach. My answer is that it depends. We locals use it for walks, runs, picnics, watching the sunset, and water sports like surfing.

Visitors from cold-weather climates tend to use San Diego’s beaches as we do in the summer. They’re used to snow and parkas. They love the idea of spending the winter holidays on the beach, so they soak up the sun and head into the ocean.

San Diego Ocean Tips

So, what I tell out-of-state families is that if you want to get your Pacific Ocean and California sunshine fix, you can.

Just rent a wetsuit, as the water can be cold. Many of our surf shops and rental spots even have wetsuits for kids. Call ahead to see if kids’ sizes are available. A rental may not fit perfectly, but something is better than nothing.

Don’t let cold water temperatures hold you back from our best San Diego water sports. You CAN still take surfing lessons in December. Many of our surf schools, like Surf Diva in La Jolla, offer winter break camps.

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Advice for Booking Hotels in December

Let me put on my travel advisor hat for a minute. If you plan to visit or take a staycation during winter break, you should book San Diego hotels as soon as they’re available for reservations. Winter holidays in late December are one of San Diego’s most expensive peak seasons, and room rates only increase throughout the holiday season.

I strongly advise locking in a flexible rate. These rates are easy to adjust in the rare event that rates fall. Most of the time, the hotel will adjust your existing reservation rather than canceling and rebooking. Easy.

Most resort pools here are heated year-round, including every one I book, so pack swimsuits for the whole family for your Christmas Day celebration!

Holiday Events at San Diego Hotels

Our hotels literally deck the halls with Christmas trees, menorahs, poinsettias, and other decor. Many also offer their own holiday programming, including visits with Santa, afternoon teas, tree lightings, Christmas dinners, and holiday treats.

Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado is the most festive place to stay, thanks to its beachfront ice skating rink, complete with a rink-side lounge. Rent skates right at the Hotel del Coronado and chill out at your private igloo while roasting s’mores over the fire pit.

The Del’s holiday season, themed “A Holiday Through Time,” runs November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027. New this year, the Holiday Lodge in the historic Laundry building adds pub-style dining and holiday shopping on select dates. Read my entire guide to Hotel del Coronado Christmas events.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Another spot to get your holiday spirit on is the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Its Holidays at The Grand season includes Glice (synthetic ice) skating, an annual tree lighting, photos with Santa, and holiday teas. The holiday events draw locals as well as resort guests, so the resort gets busier than many overnight guests expect.

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San Diego December Events

Our mild weather makes December a good month for San Diego events. Parades with marching bands and drill teams, holiday markets, holiday events at theme parks, and a boat parade fill the calendar as we gear up to celebrate Christmas.

See my guide to San Diego Christmas and holiday events for the full list. Here are some highlights.

Balboa Park December Nights

San Diego’s Balboa Park December Nights is a two-day holiday tradition, and in 2026 it’s on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5. During those two days, many of the museums and cultural institutions in Balboa Park, one of the nation’s largest urban cultural parks, open their doors free of charge.

Guests also look forward to live music, holiday light displays, dance performances, and food trucks with dishes from around the world.

San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells

Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo runs December 18, 2026, through January 3, 2027, except Christmas Eve, and it’s included with Zoo admission. The celebration features holiday lights, seasonal food, hot chocolate, live music and roaming entertainers, holiday decor, and more.

And remember that you can buy discount San Diego Zoo tickets through me. It’s the best price you’ll find.

Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego

Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego runs daily from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with Santa and Rudolph, Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium, and a nightly snowfall. The celebration is included with regular park admission. 

See my guide to buying cheap SeaWorld San Diego tickets.

Holidays at LEGOLAND California

Kids always look forward to seeing the 35-foot LEGO Christmas tree, built from 366,481 LEGO and DUPLO bricks. Holidays at LEGOLAND California runs on select dates in November and December, when the entire resort is decked out in holiday decor and more.

In addition, you’ll meet LEGO Christmas characters, including LEGO Santa, the LEGO Nutcracker, and Gingerbread Guy, and catch holiday shows around the park. Check LEGOLAND’s holiday event page for this year’s dates. For tickets, see my guide to discount LEGOLAND California tickets.

Christmas Parades in San Diego

What is Christmas without a parade or two? The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is on Sunday, December 6, 2026. This year’s theme is “A Village Christmas Celebrating 70 Years of Holiday Tradition,” and the parade will feature floats and marching bands.

The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. at Kline Street and Girard Avenue, and the Holiday Festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at the La Jolla Rec Center. Stay after the parade to enjoy the best Christmas festival La Jolla offers, complete with crafts, food, games, and Santa.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Where else can you see an armada of boats decked out with inflatable Santas, reindeer, and snowmen? The answer is at the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This parade showcases boats decorated with festive lights that will bring out the holiday cheer.

The parade takes place on Sundays, December 13 and 20, 2026, and the fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m. The theme for the 56th annual parade is “Liberty Lights the Bay – Cheers to 250 Years.”

The route starts at Shelter Island and heads toward Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing, so there are plenty of places to watch.

Gaslamp Pet Parade

Don’t miss the cutest event of the year! The Gaslamp Pet Parade and its “Pups in the Pub” party are coming back for 2026, though the date hasn’t been announced yet. Last year it was on Saturday, December 13.

Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular

Del Mar Fairgrounds transforms into a winter wonderland on select dates in December with its Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular. It opens December 11, 2026.

Enjoy over one million festive lights, Glice skating, holiday treats, photos with Santa, and more. You can even book your own private igloo and have drinks around a fire pit, or shop the Holiday Market and refuel at the food stalls.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Old Globe in Balboa Park is staging Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for the 29th year. It plays to sold-out audiences every winter, so get your tickets early.

The play lasts one hour and 20 minutes with no intermission, and children must be 3 or older. Performances run November 4 through December 31, 2026. See The Old Globe’s calendar for exact dates.

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Things to Do in San Diego in December

If the above San Diego December events aren’t your cup of tea, or you’re looking for something else, there are still plenty of things to do in San Diego.

Go Tide Pooling

Tide pooling is best during a minus tide, and December has several in the afternoon. In 2026, look for them December 5–10 and December 20–25, with the lowest tide of the month on Christmas Eve. The online tide charts have the exact times.

Use my list of best tide pools in San Diego to find out where to go. To see several tide pools in La Jolla, follow the La Jolla seal trail to popular spots like La Jolla Cove and Shell Beach.

The most commonly seen creatures include hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, limpets, and small crabs. Leave the tide pools as you find them. In the tide pools of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, you can’t remove anything other than trash.

Visit San Diego Botanic Garden

San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas has 4 miles of trails where kids can blow off steam, with some learning activities woven in. The Hamilton Children’s Garden gives them room to roam and explore, including a huge treehouse, while you grab a coffee and take a break.

Lightscape, the garden’s holiday light show, runs November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with light installations along a one-mile loop through the gardens. Ticket prices vary by date, so check the garden’s calendar and pricing options before you go.

Visit a Holiday Pop-Up Bar

San Diego has a lively holiday pop-up bar scene. Last season’s lineup included Miracle at Botanica Bar in North Park, Sippin’ Santa at The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach, and the immersive “A Cocktail Carol” at Polite Provisions. Check each bar’s site to see whether it’s back this year.

Go Whale Watching

San Diego is known for its whale watching tours, and according to the experts, December is one of the best months to spot gray whales. Every year, they travel from Alaska to Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves.

In the spring, they pass San Diego again on the way back north to Alaska with their calves. Sightings peak in January and February, but the season starts in December.

Take to the Ice

San Diego may be mostly sunny and warm in winter, but it’s still fun to bundle up and go ice skating at one of our outdoor rinks in December to get into the Christmas spirit.

Because the rinks are temporary for the winter season, some, like the one at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, are made of “Glice”—synthetic ice made from plastic specifically engineered for ice skating. It’s great fun, though, and not so cold if you fall!

For real ice, head to Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station or the outdoor rink at Hotel del Coronado. If you’d rather skate indoors, Westfield UTC has a full-size ice rink.

Go Holiday Shopping at Outdoor Shopping Areas & Malls

If you need to do some Christmas shopping, Westfield UTC is one of our best malls, with its beautiful outdoor design and great selection of stores. Other favorites include the shops in the Village of La Jolla, Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, North Park, and more.

If you are looking for unique gifts, the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair takes over the Broadway Pier on December 12 and 13, 2026, with handmade goods from local makers, live music, and gourmet food.

Tours on the Water

San Diego weather in December is perfect for enjoying tours on the water. You can kayak the La Jolla sea caves, or book a harbor tour or a ride on the Patriot Jet Boat with Flagship Cruises and Events. For a special treat, we love City Cruises’ holiday cruises.

Gather your family and friends for a brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise on San Diego Bay over the holidays.

Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument is the only national park in San Diego and well worth a visit. Head to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Visitor Center for a history lesson and walking trails with magnificent views.

The Cabrillo sea cave is also nearby, with tide pools to explore, and since gray whale season starts in December, keep an eye out for migrating whales.

Belmont Park

Belmont Park is a historic beachfront amusement park that opened in 1925 and is a San Diego icon. With no admission fee, you can wander the park before summoning the courage to ride the Giant Dipper roller coaster. In December, the park decorates for the holidays and hosts a Christmas pop-up bar.

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What to Wear in San Diego in December

Your San Diego packing list for December should include sweaters, long-sleeved T-shirts, and a medium-weight jacket if you plan to be out in the evenings.

Although, as I type this, it’s hot outside, and people are walking around the Village of La Jolla in shorts. So, don’t forget the shorts because here in San Diego, you might need them in December and maybe even January!

Here’s what to put in your suitcase:

• Medium-weight jacket for the evenings
• Portable umbrella
• Bathing suit and warmer cover-up
• Rashguard or UV shirt for sun protection and warmth
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Flip-flops for the beach and pool
• Shorts for beachgoing
• T-shirts (mostly long-sleeved)
• Pants or jeans
• Sweaters or sweatshirts
• Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing
• Casual wool/warm dress or collared shirt and nice jeans (if you plan to dine in one of our nicer San Diego restaurants)
• Ugg boots
• Wetsuit, if you have one (otherwise, they’re easy to rent)

People here generally do not wear traditional raincoats. Part of the reason is that December usually brings only a handful of rainy days. Do not pack fur coats or fur accessories to keep you warm. They generally are not well-received.

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Lifestyle: What Residents Are Up To

This time of year, San Diegans are prepping for the holiday season. We’re going to holiday pop-up bars, eating too much, staying up too late, and shopping in our outdoor malls. San Diego is such a fantastic place to live and visit, and we can’t wait to welcome you here.

If you live here, please share your thoughts about San Diego in December!

Weather and temperature sources: currentresults.com (temperature and precipitation figures are NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for San Diego International Airport), NOAA Tides & Currents (La Jolla ocean temperatures and tide predictions), and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.