Southern California holidays are full of festive cheer, from Palm Springs to the Pacific, with immersive resort programming, coastal traditions, elevated dining experiences and family-friendly celebrations lighting up the region. Whether you’re planning a holiday escape, a special meal or a memorable seasonal outing, these standout SoCal experiences have a little something for every visitor and traveler.

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11 festive Southern California holiday experiences

From poinsettia-filled resorts and waterfront light displays to elegant holiday dining and New Year’s Eve celebrations, these Southern California destniations capture the spirit of the season.

Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar (Del Mar, California)

Festivities: Adelaide celebrates the holiday season with refined coastal dining, offering elegant prix fixe menus and a festive Christmas Day brunch in an ocean-adjacent setting at L’Auberge Del Mar.

• 12/24 — Christmas Eve Dinner: Elegant prix fixe holiday dinner featuring seasonal dishes and festive desserts
• 12/25 — Christmas Day Brunch Buffet: Holiday buffet with carving station, seafood bar, made-to-order waffles, flatbreads and seasonal desserts
• 12/25 — Christmas Day Dinner: Prix fixe holiday dinner highlighting seasonal flavors

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Canvas Cafe & Lounge at Carté Hotel San Diego Downtown (Little Italy, California)

Festivities: Canvas Cafe & Lounge marks its first holiday season with cozy coastal prix fixe menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in the heart of Little Italy.

• 12/24 — Christmas Eve Lunch & Dinner: Three-course festive menu served throughout the day
• 12/25 — Christmas Day Dinner: Coastal surf-and-turf holiday prix fixe menu
• 12/31 — New Year’s Eve Dining: Special holiday features including seafood platters, seasonal entrées and festive desserts

Website: cartehotel.com

Covewood at San Diego Mission Bay Resort (Mission Bay, California)

Festivities: Waterfront dining meets holiday tradition at Covewood, where festive prix fixe menus anchor Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations overlooking Mission Bay.

• 12/24 — Christmas Eve Dinner: Holiday dinner served alongside bay views
• 12/25 — Christmas Day Dinner: Prix fixe holiday menu for adults and children
• 12/31 — New Year’s Eve Dinner: Special prix fixe menu to ring in the new year

Website: sandiegomissionbayresort.com/dining/covewood

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa (La Jolla, California)

Festivities: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa celebrates the season with cozy fireside dining and festive buffets across its signature venues. Mustangs & Burros transforms into The Frosty Saddle, a winter pop-up bar offering seasonal cocktails and an intimate Christmas Eve prix fixe dinner, while Greenfinch hosts expansive holiday buffets and a celebratory New Year’s Day champagne brunch in the Grande Room.

• 12/24 — Christmas Eve Dinner at The Frosty Saddle: Fireside prix fixe holiday dinner with seasonal courses and signature cocktails
• 12/25 — Christmas Day Buffet at Greenfinch: Seasonal buffet featuring seafood, carving stations, entrées and festive desserts
• 1/1 — New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch at Greenfinch: Champagne-forward brunch with breakfast favorites, seafood selections and celebratory bites

Website: estancialajolla.com

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (Santa Monica, California)

Festivities: The historic Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows ushers in the season beneath its iconic 153-year-old Moreton Bay Fig Tree, pairing festive décor with elevated dining, afternoon tea and community-centered holiday celebrations just steps from the beach.

• Seasonal — Festive Afternoon Tea: Fairmont Lot 35 teas paired with seasonal treats and bubbly in a glowing garden setting
• 12/24, 12/25 & 12/31 — Holiday dining at FIG Restaurant: Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Brunch and New Year’s Eve Dinner from Executive Chef Joseph Cook

Website: https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/festive-season-at-the-miramar-2005/

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (San Diego, California)

Festivities: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego transforms its iconic waterfront setting into a festive coastal escape from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Seasonal highlights include immersive themed Holiday Suites with sweeping bay views, festive dining at newly renovated Sally’s Waterfront Dining and lobby bar The Landing, champagne-forward celebrations at the elevated Clicquot in the Clouds lounge, and holiday adventures on the San Diego Bay. The season unfolds amid the hotel’s refreshed Seaport Tower guest rooms, reimagined dining spaces and updated pool deck, adding a polished new layer to the holiday experience.

• Seasonal — Holiday Suites: Three immersive themed suites, including Surfside Holiday, Pine & Pearl and Santa Suite, available November 23–January 5
• Christmas Day–New Year’s Eve — Clicquot in the Clouds: Daily champagne lounge hours with cocktails, gourmet bites and New Year’s Eve DJ celebration
• 12/24–1/4 — Christmas dining at Sally’s Waterfront Dining: Holiday entrée featuring salt and herb-crusted prime rib with jumbo garlic prawns
• 12/24–1/4 — Christmas dining at The Landing: Ribeye steak and Chilean sea bass specials with seasonal cocktails
• 12/31 — New Year’s dinner at Sally’s Waterfront Dining: Festive coastal dining to ring in the new year
• Seasonal — Holiday adventures on the bay: Private sunset sails and yacht charters including Sleigh Ride on the Bay and Harbor of Lights experiences
• 12/31 — New Year’s Eve Family Cinema: Complimentary family-friendly movie night with games and screenings in the Seaport Ballroom

Website: manchestergrandhyatt.com

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Carlsbad, California)

Festivities: Set across 400 acres in coastal Carlsbad, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa blooms into a poinsettia-filled holiday destination celebrating the city’s floral heritage, with twinkling décor, family-friendly traditions and seasonal dining woven throughout the Spanish-style resort.

• 12/17 – 12/20 — The Poinsettia Express: Festive train rides through poinsettia-adorned gardens with snowfall, hot cocoa and holiday cheer
• 12/20 — Festival of Lights Dinner: Hanukkah celebration featuring a refined seasonal menu by Executive Chef Emily Brubaker
• November–December — Traditions to Table: A signature experience where cherished family recipes are transformed into a personalized, elevated dining experience

Website: omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa/things-to-do/holiday

Seaside with Santa (Dana Point, California)

Festivities: Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Dana Point is a seaside escape with year-round marine life sightings and no shortage of holiday cheer. During the season, visitors can celebrate along the California coast with festive boat rides featuring Santa, plus the beloved Surfing Santa and Stand Up Paddle Board Contest, where participants dress as Santa, elves and other holiday characters to benefit Surfers Healing, a surf camp for children with autism. Adding to the sparkle, Dana Point Harbor shines with more than 700,000 LED lights, including the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch and a giant illuminated whale sculpture. 

• Seasonal — Boat rides with Santa: Take to the water for a family-friendly holiday adventure at sea
• Seasonal — Surfing Santa & Stand Up Paddle Board Contest: A festive coastal tradition supporting Surfers Healing
• Seasonal — Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights: Join the celebration by hopping aboard decorated boats with local outfitters for a glowing parade at sea

Website: visitdanapoint.com

The Resort at Pelican Hill (Newport Beach, California)

Festivities: Perched above the Pacific on Newport Coast, The Resort at Pelican Hill blends Italian-inspired elegance with Southern California style through a refined lineup of seasonal concerts, cozy fireside moments and family-friendly holiday traditions.

• 12/20 — Santa Storytime: Morning visits with Santa and his elf, complete with cookies, hot cocoa and festive photos
• 12/20 — Gingerbread House Decorating Class: Guided decorating with festive candies and confections
• 12/20 — Fireside Stories with Lian Dolan: An intimate evening of holiday storytelling by the bestselling author
• 12/22 — Holiday Concert with Jóhann & Emily Reed: A seasonal performance featuring piano and harp

Website: https://www.fairmont-miramar.com/festive-season-at-the-miramar-2005/

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage (Rancho Mirage)

Festivities: Rancho Mirage celebrates the season with Red Velvet–inspired décor, exclusive holiday events, lavish dining and meaningful community initiatives. Guests can enjoy festive experiences surrounded by sweeping valley views, starlit nights and warm, elegant seasonal ambiance. 

• 12/22–12/26 — Chestnut Roasting & Lawn Games: Gather on the Springs Lawn for freshly roasted chestnuts, twinkling lights and classic lawn games for all ages.
• 12/25, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Christmas Day Buffet at State Fare: Enjoy live entertainment, carving stations, fresh seafood, oysters and a sparkling bar. $165++ adults, $65++ ages 3–10.
• Seasonal Holiday Dining: Special festive menus at The Edge Steakhouse and State Fare Bar & Kitchen offered on 11/27, 12/24, 12/25 and 12/31.
• 12/20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. — Afternoon Tea at The Edge Steakhouse: A refined seasonal tea service with pastries, finger sandwiches and sweeping cliffside views. $105++ adults, $55++ ages 3–10.
• Beginning December, Wednesdays 2–5 p.m. — Cut & Culture (Dry-Aged Beef Experience): A hands-on culinary journey exploring dry-aged beef techniques, slicing, seasoning and presentation. Includes a tasting paired with a sommelier-selected wine. $500++ per adult.

Website: ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/pspps-the-ritz-carlton-rancho-mirage/overview

Vessel Restaurant + Bar at Kona Kai San Diego (Point Loma, California)

Festivities: Vessel Restaurant + Bar welcomes the new year with a coastal-inspired prix fixe dinner and celebratory champagne toast at Kona Kai San Diego.

• 12/31 — New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner: Four-course menu with seasonal seafood, steak options and dessert, plus two glasses of bubbles

Website: resortkonakai.com