The Finest Time of Year in America’s Finest City
Written By: Jasmin Nelson
Sleigh this holiday season with some of San Diego’s scrumptious restaurants, hip happenings and epic events. Sorry Santa, we’re putting your cookies and milk to shame with holiday cheer in a cup, sweet treats and creating cool memories cozied up with family and friends. All the while, keeping stress free and in the holiday spirit all the SoCal Winter Wonderland long. Cheers!
L’Oving L’Auberge
Dash down to L’Auberge Del Mar on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. for Movie Night in the Amphitheater. Bring your loved ones and enjoy holiday cheer with special treats, beverages and holiday movie to anticipate the big day! On Christmas Eve between 1 and 4 p.m., the Amphitheater will also host Peter Sprague for a festive holiday concert. Hear all of your holiday favorites in lively jazz for an afternoon of fun.
L’Auberge Del Mar
1540 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858.259.1515
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Bring your cheer to all Whos far and near as the Grinch movie will be playing in the East/West Courtyard of the Flower Hill Promenade Saturday, Dec. 15 from 4-8 p.m. Feel free to enjoy the cinema, cozied up with a cup of hot cocoa and goodies from the restaurants. Don’t forget to bundle up because baby it’s cold outside!
Flower Hill Promenade
2720 Via de la Valle
San Diego, CA 92014
858.481.2904
Skating Through the Season
Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays and visit Viejas Casino & Resort. The halls are decked, the seasonal water show is ready and the entertainment awaits. If that’s not enough, enjoy Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink and skate to your holiday heart’s content—see you on the ice!
Viejas Casino & Resort
5000 Willows Rd
Alpine, CA 91901
619.445.5400
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Among the Pines, Fourth Wall Cinema
View this post on Instagram
Winter magic is in the air! Experience the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends on Dec.14 and 15. Trek through a snow-blanketed forest, uncovering secret passageways and cozying up with movie showings like Elf, Home Alone and Polar Express. Among the Pines is an immersive experience where you can transport into a magical world all your own.
Fourth Wall Cinema
325 15th St
San Diego, CA 92101
Tea’s the Season to Be Jolly
The Westgate Hotel Christmas Teas
Warm up with delicious hot tea and an elegant setting in The Westgate Hotel’s Bordeaux Room. Enjoy beverages, premium teas, house-made petit fours and more while listening to the soothing music of a melodious harp. The Christmas Tea events are held from 2:30-5 p.m. each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; Dec. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23.
The Westgate Hotel
1055 2nd Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.238.1818
Toast to the Holidays
View this post on Instagram
Yule have a blast at The Toast of Gaslamp on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1-5 p.m., an epic event that has become a holiday tradition for many San Diegans for years. This fun festivity brings a seasonal self-guided walking tour with 20 sips, 20 bites and 10 shopping deals. Warm up those vocals for caroling and don’t forget to dress in your festive wear for a chance to win a Gaslamp gift card package.
San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego, CA 92101
Pet the Halls With Boughs of Holly
Sunday, Dec. 16th from 12-5pm.
Pooch owners and their cute companions are invited to jingle all the way wearing festive costumes of their choice and step out on the town during this jolly promenade. There will be nine costume contest categories to strut on the catwalk (or dog walk). Birds and even fish are welcome to participate in this holly-jolly good time! Enjoy live music and festive fun!
MLK Promenade Park (adjacent to the Hilton Gaslamp Quarter Hotel)
Hilton Gaslamp Quarter Hotel
401 K St
San Diego, CA 92101
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, perhaps it means a little bit more. Snuggle up and enjoy custom snacks and sips—think caramel popcorn and hot apple cider—at Santa’s Holiday Outpost with nightly movie showings of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf at 5 and 7 p.m. On Fridays you can enjoy craft holiday cocktails with Kennedy and Saturday, put your cookie-decorating to the test with Christmas Cookie decorating with Chef Jessie.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
1404 Vacation Rd
San Diego, CA 92109
858.240.4913
All I Want for Christmas Is Carnitas’ Snack Shack
Seasons greetings with good eats await at The Embarcadero Carnitas’ Snack Shack as they create the best atmosphere to view the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Sunday, Dec. 9 and 16 from 4-7 p.m. Wee ones can sip on hot chocolate and taste peppermint soft serve while adults can sip Christmas in a cocktail. Additional fun festivities include complimentary ornament decorating, gourmet popcorn, giant Jenga, a photo station and live music by Mike White. Winning!
Carnitas’ Snack Shack
1004 N Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
619.696.7675
We Need a Little (Italy) Christmas, Right This Very Minute
Santa Claus is coming to the Little Italy Food Hall on Sunday, Dec. 16 from noon to 2 p.m. Free festive photos for all ages in front of the Piazza Della Famiglia fountain when you show a same-day receipt from any Little Italy Food Hall vendor. Adults, don’t forget to taste the Signora Pomegranate for extra festive sipping!
Little Italy Food Hall
550 W Date St, Ste B
San Diego, CA 92101
619.269.7187
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me
Deck the halls, drink and be merry at Nason’s Beer Hall for 12 Days of Hoppiness from December 13-24. Cheers to 12 days of daily specials including a BOGO of their famous soft pretzels, $20 pitchers and more. Now that’s something we can drink to!
Nason’s Beer Hall
570 J St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.738.7060
Brunching Bells Are Ringing
Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile
Leave your ‘holiday best’ for this brunch at home! Sit back and relax in your PJs or favorite onesies and join Pendry San Diego for a festive Pancake & Pajamas brunch on Dec. 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fill up on brunch favorites, fluffy pancakes and hang with Santa this season—even the elves may get jealous.
Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile
425 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 921016
619.738.7300
Have Yourself a Merry Little Feastmas
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
View this post on Instagram
Treat yourself to a delectable Christmas Eve or Day dinner at the Lafayette Hotel’s HOPE 46. Fill your stomach instead of your stocking with gourmet dishes include filet mignon, bone-in pork chop, lobster bisque and more!
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
2223 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
619.296.2101
These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things
The Lodge Torrey Pines and Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
Spend your Christmas with The Lodge Torrey Pines and treat you and your loved ones to a delicious prix fixe four-course meal from renowned Executive Chef Jeff Jackson, available from noon-10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Spending your holiday at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa? Indulge in their holiday buffet on Christmas Day while you soak up the stunning views of Mission Bay.
The Lodge Torrey Pines
1148 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.453.4420
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
3999 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
858.488.1081
Hall Out the Holiday Meals
KITCHEN 1540, L’Auberge Del Mar
Oh, happy day! Executive Chef Nathan Lingle will be serving an inventive three-course Christmas Dinner at L’Auberge Del Mar’s signature restaurant KITCHEN 1540. The festive meal has delightful dishes for the adult palette and mini meals to appeal to the younger taste buds. Eat, drink and be merry in their kitchen, while yours stays clean!
KITCHEN 1540
1540 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
858.793.6460
All Is Merry and Bright
View this post on Instagram
Get into the festive spirit at San Diego’s artisan marketplace! Liberty Public Market’s seasonal happenings are sure to be a jolly time with DIY CHalkboard Lettering Workshop on Dec. 12, a Holiday Petting Zoo with Santa Photo Opportunities on December 15. Grab your best holiday garb and group up your pals, it’s time to be merry!
Liberty Public Market
2820 Historic Decatur Rd
San Diego, CA 92106
619.487.9346