Visiting California in December is one of the best experiences you can have in your life. This time of year, there are tons of events, places to visit, and decorations scattered everywhere. California is also great because it provides entertainment for all family members! So, if you are still thinking of a place to enjoy the end of the year holidays, we can assure you that California will delight you.
The weather in December is almost perfect. Mostly cold, but very pleasant with bright, beautiful days and cool evenings and nights. Of course, the temperature varies depending on where you are. Northern California is always colder than Southern California, especially if you decide to go to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.
If visiting the beach is on your bucket list, please head to Southern California. You can still enjoy the beach to take pictures or walk alongside the Piers, sidewalks, or sand. However, swimming may not be a good idea as the water is too cold. Still, you may run into an 80°F beach day.
There are so many fun things to do in California in December that it would be better to leave the beach for summer. Nevertheless, if you have never been to California before and want to see the ocean, San Clemente Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach offer plenty of holiday attractions to satisfy both desires.
Since you are in Southern California, please take the opportunity to explore the Riverside/San Bernadino area. There is the Festival of Lights, skiing, and snow, among the many things and places. For instance, Big Bear City is a popular destination in the winter. Located in the heart of Southern California, it is a snow area destination with various activities for visitors, lodges to stay at, and fantastic mountain views.
In Northern California, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco make excellent winter escapes.
Despite all these beautiful places, my family and I still cannot decide which area of California we like the best. Of course, everything depends on the time of year, your interest, and your budget. However, if you are coming in December to California, here are some of our preferred places to go, things do, and enjoy in both regions:
5 Things to Do in California in December:
1. Visit Lake Tahoe.
It’s hard to compete with Lake Tahoe any month of the year, especially in winter. It is amazing! The lake is well known worldwide, and it is a must destination if you want to snow, ski, or enjoy a winter break. In the Lake Tahoe area, you will find plenty of things to do for every age, including free parks to walk around with your kids, the lake area, and the charm of small shops to delight anyone.
Skiing and snow play is a must, and you can find plenty of small hills with people just having a good time with their snowboard, skis, and more. And of course, there you can find fantastic ski resorts options. And if you don’t know how to ski, try the tubes. It is guaranteed fun for the whole family!
From Northern California, you can reach Tahoe in about 4-5 hours. However, from Southern California, it takes an average of 8 hours driving. Of course, you can also go by plane, but the drive to Tahoe is worth your time and energy, even if you are coming from Southern California. Once you reach Placerville, you will notice the temperature difference (and your ears pop!).
Make sure you fully charge your phone or have additional phone chargers since you will have many opportunities to see breathtaking views and sites as you drive uphill to Tahoe. It is always a clever idea to bring a power bank to recharge your phone if you are away from an outlet.
And, of course, the Casinos! Tahoe has plenty of Casinos. They are everywhere, offering many things to do, restaurants, and shows. Although many people go to the Casinos for gambling, there is a great selection of shows for you to enjoy. So don’t miss this opportunity. Just be aware that you can’t play if you are under twenty-one.
It should be on your priority list to visit Tahoe in December, as it’s a landmark in California.
2. Visit San Francisco
San Francisco is a magnificent city. If you haven’t already, you will leave your heart in San Francisco in December! There are many places to go, incredible food selections, and many activities to enjoy. So, if you are thinking of traveling again, San Francisco is an attractive option to start your journey.
Downtown San Francisco is easy to navigate, beautifully decorated for the Holidays, and a shopping paradise. There you can find the best and most attractive brands to fulfill your Holiday shopping. In addition, well-known streets like Powel, Embarcadero, and California will offer you many things to do, small and big shopping Centers to walk around, and incredible sightseeing.
San Francisco is a city where you do not need a car to get around since you can always find somewhere to go within walking distance, biking trails, and good public transportation. A must option is to take the iconic Cable Cars. They are a trademark of San Francisco. You can choose from three cable lines, and they are all worth your time and money! But if you must choose one, try the one from Powel and Market Street to Fisherman’s Wharf. The ride and the views will delight you.
Fisherman’s Wharf will not disappoint you. Walk around, eat tasty food, enjoy street music, and more! Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods of San Francisco. After you get off the cable car, try to walk to Pier 39, and if you don’t mind walking, you can also go all the way to Embarcadero. It’s a long walk, though; however, the view of the Bay will delight you!
San Francisco has plenty of options for your December vacation, and it is impossible to highlight everything you can do and enjoy there. However, make sure you pack extra layers of clothes, a winter jacket, and plenty of socks. San Francisco can be very cold during the winter (and summer!)
From its food paradise and beautiful architecture to its vibrant communities, it’s impossible to pass on the city by the Bay!
3. Enjoy the Season at Cities Around Orange County
Orange County has many remarkably unique cities, well-cared-for sites, and many events happening during December. From Boat Holiday Parades at places like Dana Point and Newport Beach to Santa’s workshop at Mission Viejo Civic Center and the beautiful and tranquil mix of shops and views of Rancho Santa Margarita city.
At Mission Viejo city, head to Civic Center and be delighted by its cute decoration, Santa workshop, and tranquil events during this season. Then, stop by Rancho Santa Margarita City to take a picture of a beautiful Christmas tree with the Mountains just behind it.
And, of course, there is Disneyland in Anaheim. Disneyland is always a good option when visiting Southern California, especially for kids. And if you can’t make it to the park, try Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney decorates for the season, and you can still enjoy the shopping, dining, and entertainment options, even if you decide not to go inside the park. Best of all, it’s free!
These are just a few examples of lovely cities and events to enjoy the Holidays around Orange County. Many more events happen during the Holiday Season in all these cities, and most importantly, they are family-friendly activities. It is always good to check their website for detailed information and schedules.
4. Enjoy the best Shopping Centers, Outlets, and Small Shops in Orange County
California is a shopping paradise. It is hard not to find a brand, a product, or something unique in its shopping centers. And the stores thrive with options for your gift list. But most importantly is the fact that at these malls, you can enjoy a lot of activities for your December vacation.
If you are in Southern California, spend a day or more at the Irvine Spectrum Center, an outdoor shopping center located in the Irvine Spectrum district on the southeast edge of Irvine. One of Southern California’s top shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, Irvine Spectrum Center is one of the area’s most popular experiences. And if you have kids, get ready to spend the day bouncing between the merry-go-round, the beautifully decorated Giant Wheel, and taking pictures of the 75-foot tree in the central court area.
Another great option is the Outlets of San Clement. A mall with a Spanish-style village overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Outlets of San Clement are Orange County’s only coastal outlet shopping center, conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is a charming destination for shopping, with lovely decorations during the Holidays and plenty of space for parking.
And if you want to give your support to small businesses, go to areas like the City of Orange. They are well-known quaint antique shops and more.
5. Head to the New Year Rose Parade at Pasadena
When we moved from Northern California to Southern California, we had the New Year Rose Parade on our bucket list. So, on New Year’s Day, we decided to go to the city of Pasadena to watch this famous event. Unfortunately, we had little information about tickets, hotel availability, and more back then. But we were too close to miss another opportunity to experience Southern California’s famous New Year’s Rose Parade.
There are two ways to view the Parade: with a ticket or without one. But, back then, we didn’t know that we could buy tickets and see the whole Parade from the comfort of a bench. So, nevertheless, we head to Pasadena early in the morning to enjoy the day.
At first, we were discouraged from going on New Year’s Day without a ticket or hotel reservation. But since we live just a few hours from Pasadena, we knew that it would be ok to drive home after seeing (or not) the show. And we were right. We had a wonderful time, and the New Year’s Day celebration was perfect. Everything was great, and we didn’t mind standing there waiting for things to happen since there was always something to enjoy. In addition, it’s impossible not to be wowed by the Flower Parade. A well-organized event, beautiful cars decorated with flowers, and lively music make up the event. People were friendly, willing to share the space, and family-oriented.
You should go in at least one day before the Parade and make a hotel reservation way in advance. However, it shouldn’t stop you if you are a short distance from there. Most people spend the whole week there, and many bring their RVs.
It’s hard to talk about California in December. Your options are endless, and the holiday atmosphere adds an entirely new dimension to your vacation. The hardest part is to decide where to go. Both the Northern and Southern regions are stunning. It’s more of a personal choice, timeframe, and budget. The places mentioned above are just a reference to start your adventure since you can live your whole life in California and still not see all the unique experiences this state offers.
Now it is your turn; what is your favorite place to go in December in California? We would love to hear from you! And if you want to see some images and videos of California, please visit our page @brazemshop at Pinterest.
