San Diego is the perfect place to spend the upcoming weekend enjoying everything from whale watching to winter wonderlands to these top things to do.
Gray Whale Watching
If you’re lucky, you can spot a whale breaching the surface along the San Diego coastline.
More than 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000 mile round-trip journey from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. With 70 miles of coastline directly in the migration path, San Diego is an ideal destination to see this impressive parade of gentle giants.
When: Through April
> Find out more about Gray Whale Watching
An American Christmas at THE US GRANT Hotel
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzaUJzH5vg&w=584&h=359]
Step inside the Presidential Ballroom of THE US GRANT HOTEL and you are back in 1915 for a memorable Christmas feast and celebration! Your hosts are the Marshall family who love to celebrate the Season each year with an elegant party. This remarkable 3-hour evening is filled with music, dance, story, song and laughter, all woven throughout a delectable 4-course holiday meal.
Where: THE US GRANT Hotel – 326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 17-26, 2015
Time: 6:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: $152-$176
> Find out more about An American Christmas at THE US GRANT Hotel
San Diego Chargers VS. Miami Dolphins
Qualcomm Stadium – Home to the San Diego Chargers!
Catch the San Diego Chargers take on the Miami Dolphins during the last regular season home game at Qualcomm Stadium. Don’t forget to get to the stadium early to check out all the pre-game festivities. The parking lot will open 5 hours before kick-off and Qualcomm Stadium will open its gates approximately 90 minutes before kick-off. We hope to see you there!
Where: Qualcomm Stadium – 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 20, 2015
Kick Off: 1:25 PM
> Find out more about the San Diego Chargers VS. Miami Dolphins
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
More than 80 lavishly decorated boats will sail over the calm waters of the Big Bay during the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The parade starts at Shelter Island and makes it way down to the Ferry Landing on Coronado. Make sure to arrive early at one of the viewing spots that include: Harbor Island, Shelter Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village and along the pathway on Coronado.
Dates: Sundays, December 20, 2015
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Poinsettia Bowl Gaslamp March
Two bands march down 5th, only one will leave champion of the Gaslamp March
Marching bands and spirit squads from the participating universities will parade from each end of 5th Avenue performing holiday classics, and meeting up at Market Street for a heart-pounding Battle of the Bands! After the dust has settled at Market Street, bands will continue on with their parade of holiday favorites.
Where: 5th and Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
When: December 21, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
> Find out more about the Poinsettia Bowl Gaslamp March
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Photo by Andy Hayt
Holiday Wonderland is back at Petco Park for the second year and it’s bigger and better than ever. Be transported through a spectacular holiday wonderland full of fun for the entire family for 12 nights in December. There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to walk through magical lighting displays themed around some of the holiday’s most iconic scenes, ride the polar express, take a picture with Santa or gather around a 40′ tree.
Where: 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through December 23, 2015. Special Nights – December 21-23, 2015
Time: 4:30 to 9:30
Cost: $10-$15
> Find out more about Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Take a photo with a life-size Santa made of LEGOs!
Come build Holiday memories during the month of December at LEGOLAND California Resort. Play in real snow, build snowmen and throw snowballs at LEGO targets. See the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree and watch the nightly tree lighting ceremony.
Where: One LEGOLAND Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
When: December 1-31, 2015
Cost: Free with admission
> Find out more about LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Twinkling lights, festive foods, and merry performances transform the Zoo into a wild, glowing wonderland. Ride the Twinkle Lights Trolley to tour an array of animal light sculptures, enjoy jingly, jazzy carols, acrobatic trampoline elves, and more. Jungle Bells holds holiday cheer for all!
Where: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through January 3, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Meet Santa, sled on snow and more this weekend at San Diego attractions
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration includes Shamu Christmas Miracles presentation with special lighting, music, fountains and Christmas scenes; Dolphin Island Christmas; Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special; and The Pets Rule Christmas. Guests can also enjoy festive décor throughout the park including Santa’s Christmas Village and a nightly lighting of SeaWorld’s 320-ft. Skytower Christmas Tree of Lights.
Where: 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
When: Through January 3, 2016
Cost: Included with admission
> Find out more about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
The Nutcracker
When the Toy Soldiers arrive, that means The Nutcracker and the Holidays are here!
- City Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: Spreckels Theatre – 121 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through December 23, 2015
Cost: $29-$79 - San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: Casa del Prado Theater – 1800 Village Place, San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through December 20, 2015
Cost: $12-$18 - California Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Where: San Diego Civic Theater – 1100 3rd Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through December 20, 2015
Cost: $105-$250
More Top Things to Do in San Diego
- Garden of Lights – Through December 30, 2015
- DELights in the Garden Patio – Through January 1, 2016
- Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin – December 16, 2015 – January 3, 2016
- Paul Reiser at The American Comedy Company – December 16, 2015
- Michael McDonald – December 18-19, 2015
- San Diego Hot Buttered Run 10K & Kandy Kane Race – December 20, 2015
-
Wally Bunting’s Christmas Show! – December 20, 2015
> Find more Top Things to Do on the San Diego Event Calendar
