7 Ways To Experience ‘Winter’ In San Diego

by Chad Thomas

Get in, we’re going to December Nights. 📷 by @hip_hipster_ray #balboapark #sandiego #quote #meangirls #meangirlsquote #regram #bpdn2016 #community #balboaparkafterdark #night #nightphotography #colorful #reflection #findyourpark #park #architecture #lights #bpdn16

A photo posted by balboapark (@balboapark) on Dec 2, 2016 at 4:46pm PST

Many people, particularly those who have never lived here of course, will say that San Diego doesn’t have a ‘winter’.

But it does! Winter in San Diego has always been a special time of year; our unique blend of cultures is on full display, and we take full advantage of the uniqueness of the season.

From the Big Bay Parade to neighborhood chili cook-offs, college bowl-games to easily getting parking at your favorite beach, this may just be our favorite time of year here in America’s Finest City.

There is certainly no shortage of great experiences to be had! You can even find snow!

Check out our list featuring just a taste of the unique activities going on this season.

1) Ice Skating on the Beach at the Hotel Del

Open through January 6th, if you’ve never gone ice skating while watching waves crash on the beach you’ve got to check this out.

Great for impressing a date or playing with your kids -this is an experience they will remember for a lifetime!

A photo posted by Елена Захаренко (@helenzakharenko) on Nov 26, 2016 at 6:36pm PST

2) Big Bay Parade of Lights

On December 9th & 16th our bay-front gets lit-up in this festive display of nautical pride. Viewing of this uniquely San Diego parade on water can be viewed from downtown, Coronado and the pier at Cesar Chavez Park.

This year’s theme is Tropical Island Christmas. The 80-boat parade starts its journey through the bay at 5 pm.

A photo posted by Corey Ryan (@captainseamob) on Dec 20, 2015 at 8:01pm PST

3) Oceanside Harbor Parade

On December 8th you can celebrate the holidays in true San Diego style in the North County. With boats of all kinds, wrapped in lights, flowing through the harbor; this is a unique and a bit more intimate experience than the Big Bay Parade.

Grab a beer and a burrito then head to the water front to view this beautiful spectacle, starting at 7 pm. Be sure to arrive early to get a prime viewing spot.

Long exposure I shot at Oceanside Harbor for our current issue of @theosidermag.

A photo posted by Zach Cordner (@zachcordner) on Dec 2, 2016 at 4:26pm PST

4) Garden of Lights at the San Diego Botanic Garden

After the sun goes down in December, the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland! More than 125,000 sparkling lights illuminate the flora of this fantastic 37-acre urban oasis each evening from 5 – 8:30 pm for a magical holiday experience.

Between horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, sledding on real snow, marshmallow roasting and more seasonal events, there’s something for everyone! Check the activities schedule to confirm which of the winter activities will be available when you plan to visit.

The Garden of Lights is open December 1-30 but closed Christmas Eve and Day. Prices vary by day, membership and other factors but vary between $5 and $25.

A photo posted by (Quail Botanic Garden) (@sandiegobotanicgarden) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:37pm PST

5) America’s Largest Balloon Parade

On December 31st the San Diego bay-front becomes the scene of our countries largest balloon parade (yes, even bigger than Macy’s in NYC) when the Holiday Bowl rolls into town with marching bands, floats, drill teams and, of course, gigantic balloons.

This parade kicks off at 10 am, get there early for a good spot; last year had an estimated 100,000 people in attendance. You can guarantee your seat with a $22 grandstand ticket or try your luck at scoring a free seat along the street.

Perfect Morning in San Diego ! #HolidayBowlParade 🎉😊 … time to go back to L.A 🚄

A photo posted by anthonyghnassia (@anthonyghnassia) on Dec 30, 2015 at 1:09pm PST

6) Whale Watching

From Torrey Pines to Point Loma, from mid-December to April it’s estimated that 20,000 gray whales pass by our shores.

This annual migration from Alaska to the warm waters of Baja is an almost life-changing experience -and it’s free to view from the shore! If you want a closer look, there are several whale watching boat tours available for a fee too.

Gray whales dislodge tiny creatures from the seafloor with their snouts, then filter these newly freed morsels with a comb-like strainer of plates in the upper jaw, called a baleen. Gray whales are great migrators and they travel in groups called pods, some of these giants swim over 12,000 miles round-trip from their summer home in Alaskan waters to the warmer waters off the Mexican coast. Gray whales surface to breathe and are often spotted from here on our very own coast. These whales were once the target of extensive hunting, and by early in the 20th century they were in serious danger of extinction. Fortunately, in 1994 the gray whale was removed from the United States endangered species list! #protectourcoastandocean #protectourcoastandwhales #whales #graywhales #dothewhaletail #transformationtuesday

A photo posted by The California Coast (@thecaliforniacoast) on Jul 26, 2016 at 10:48am PDT

7) Visit One Of Our Nearby Mountains!

Okay, that’s not technically ‘in’ San Diego, but we have snowy mountains that are just as close and easy to get to as the Rockies are for people living in the Front Range of Colorado…but they get all the credit!

Leave San Diego after breakfast and you can be playing in snow by lunch! Check out Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Palomar Mountain or Mount Laguna for a potential snow day within a one or two hour drive of the city.

A video posted by Official IG of Mountain High • (@mthighsnow) on Dec 4, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

These are but a few of the incredible options we have right here in our own backyard.

We hope you have a great winter and Holiday Season; enjoy this magnificent place we call home!

And for one final idea on how to experience winter this year in San Diego:

If you have the chance, help someone in our community that is less fortunate than yourselves this year – it is the season of giving after all.