‘Tis the Season at San Diego’s Local Resorts

Ice skating by the sea to life-sized gingerbread houses, these San Diego resorts make holiday dreams come true.

By Aimee Della Bitta December 3, 2021

Make this holiday season extra special and take your Yuletide-loving little ones to one of these San Diego resorts. We’ve rounded up the best local hotels that celebrate the holidays with an extra dose of spirit. Scroll down to discover the destinations in and near San Diego dedicated to hosting you for the merriest Christmas ever!

Hotel Del Coronado

hotel del, holiday celebrations in San Diego, Christmas at resorts — Hotel Del Coronado

In true Hotel Del fashion, the iconic resort goes BIG for the holidays and shimmers and shines with opulent decor and sparkling lights. The beachfront hotel offers a full lineup of activities for kids of all ages including snowy surprises and plenty of festive experiences to shower your family with cheer. Skating by the Sea is one of their most popular holiday activities and it returns this year. Take a break from skating and enjoy holiday treats and drinks on the South Paseo Lawn at the Frostbite Bar. In groups of up to six people, you can sit around a cozy fire pit with access to a full food and beverage service and a perfect view of the rink. Or catch your favorite holiday movie under the stars on Del Beach. Whether you check-in overnight or visit for the day, Hotel Del can help make your 2021 holiday season a pure delight.

November 22 through January 2.

Online: hoteldel.com

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La Quinta Resort & Club

During the holidays, this world-renowned Palm Springs resort transforms into a quaint Christmas village adorned with twinkling lights and festive scenery. No matter where you find yourself in the resort, it feels, smells and looks so much like Christmas, you'll almost forget you're in the desert. From the spectacular tree to the aroma of roasting chestnuts in the lobby, the holiday spirit is palpable.

Kiddos can meet Santa for breakfast during their stay and spend time creating fun holiday arts and crafts. In addition to the holiday festivities, there’s a children’s playground adjacent to the main pool and a daily Kids Kamp to keep their (and your) spirits merry and bright.

By day, parents enjoy a few rounds of golf, a dip in the natural springs and a heavenly spa experience. Parents seeking a romantic dinner at night under the mistletoe can rely on the resort’s nightly child-care services.

With amenities, this good, booking La Quinta Resort and Club should be on everyone's Christmas wish list.

Online: www.laquintaresort.com

Rancho Valencia Resort

Experience the magical winter season at Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa for a SoCal getaway roaming between 45 lush acres of gardens, nature trails, olive groves and casitas. On November 29, guests are invited to the hidden oasis to pamper themselves with a pre-holiday getaway and enjoy a complimentary room upgrade with breakfast, late checkout and festive holiday amenities that are sure to get the whole family in the holiday mood. If you're looking for a true holiday staycation, stay through Christmas and deck the halls of your casita with holiday cheer and delight. The hotel set your casita aglow with a festive twinkling holiday tree complete with lights and ornaments and delectable treats on Christmas Eve.

November 29 through January 2.

Online: RanchoValenciaResort.com

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn is full of Christmas cheer and welcomes guests to enjoy their winter wonderland of celebrations, holiday dining and festive decorations. This year, local families are invited to experience:

Annual Life-size Gingerbread House

Each year, the property creates a life-size gingerbread house built and baked in-house during the holidays. The outstanding life-size gingerbread house is on display in the hotel lobby after months of baking and building with over 4,000 pounds of delicious ingredients including 1 ton of powdered sugar, 750lbs. of granulated sugar, 750lbs. of cake flour, 2,160 eggs and more.

The Holiday Tradition Cocktail

Just for parents, the property’s Mixologist Jason Sorge has created a festive cocktail that pairs perfectly with a tour of the gingerbread house: the Holiday Tradition, an indulgent sipper that blends cognac, coffee, honey, gingerbread spices and benedictine, and topped with a dollop of whipped cream.

S’mores Pajama Party with PJ Salvage

Holiday PJs for the win! Rancho Bernardo Inn has partnered with luxury sleepwear brand PJ Salvage to create the ultimate holiday pajama party for families. This festive sleepover includes accommodations, one set of PJ Salvage’s holiday-themed kids’ pajamas, a s’mores kit, a kid’s drink and in room pop-up tent for kids to play or sleep in for the night. Little ones can re-order, along with their classic s’mores and tent set each day of your stay. Note: Valid for children ages 2-10. $21 per additional child.

November 18 through January 30

Online: ranchobernardoinn.com

Snowland at the Great Wolf Lodge

Water slides and wave pools aren't exactly what come to mind when you imagine a winter wonderland, but the folks at Great Wolf Lodge want to make sure your holiday is as wet 'n wild as it is merry and magical. In addition to the 100,000-square foot indoor water park (the water's warm!), holiday guests will be treated to a slew of seasonal attractions including a life-sized gingerbread house (you can actually have dinner inside of it!), snow-themed suites and a complimentary hot cocoa bar. Little wolf cubs will also be treated to nightly holiday flicks in the hotel lobby, visits from Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus and snowfall-infused family dance parties.

November 28 through January 5.

Online: greatwolf.com

—Aimee Della Bitta

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