It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

San Diego’s most famous destinations are getting into the 'Holiday Spirit' with larger than life celebrations.  From real snow to 40 foot tall trees to acrobatic elves, this year, you will not want to miss out on all the happiness leading up to Christmas Day.   In fact, there will be 'kids jingle belling and everyone telling you, be of good cheer.'

Petco Park has been transformed into a 'Holiday Wonderland' (running now through December 23rd) that will incite plenty of 'oohs' and 'ahhs.'  Maybe you’ve visited the colossal stadium to root for the Padres, but chances are you’ve never seen it like this before.  For its second year in a row, from 4:30 to 9:30 pm, the park will be covered in thousands of glowing lights and in the middle of the field a 40 foot tree will hold center stage creating a spectacular display that will enchant and delight.  Tickets start at $20 for adults, $10 for kids (children under 3 are free), and check out their website for info on military discounts.  For $25 you can get a printed out photo with Santa and a commemorative Padres’ ornament.  There will be a ‘Polar Express’ train circling the field ($5 per ride), allowing you to take in all the wonder.  Concession stands will be open for those who might get a little hungry, and the merchandise stores will also be open to buy last-minute Christmas gifts for the sports fan in their life.



 

LEGOLand Holiday Snow Days & Winter Nights is truly an unbelievable sight!  LEGOLand will have a blanket of snow this year, making it look like its Scandinavian country of origin more than Southern California. There will be so much snow, visitors will be able to build snowmen (accessorized with LEGO parts, of course), throw snow balls at colorful targets, ride snow tubes down the hill, and pretend for a day that it is going to be a white Christmas.  Visitors of all ages will love the Holiday Light Show, which coordinates animated lights with favorite holiday tunes, for a festive  mix of sight and sound.  Families will love posing with the life size Santa and his reindeer or in front of the 30 foot tall Christmas Tree made entirely of brightly colored LEGOs.  In the evening, fireworks will light up the sky from December 26 to the 31st.  Mark this me on your calendar, as the snow will officially melt on January 4th. 


 

In our opinion, you can't visit the San Diego Zoo enough times, and this week's annual  'Jungle Bells' celebration is the perfect excuse to go.  The zoo will be chock full of festive activities until Christmas Day.  Pay Santa a visit at his Igloo set up and bring a camera!   The kids will love Dr. Zoolittle's telling his wacky version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Take a ride on the Holiday Train and zig zag around the park, passing by many of the new animal-shaped light sculptures scattered around the park just for Jungle Bells.  Before you leave, before you check out the elves literally flying through the air, performing stunning acrobatic feats on a trampoline.  Live music and carolers will provide the perfect holiday soundtrack as you wander through this wild Winter Wonderland.  Don’t forget to tag photos your share on social media with the hashtag #sdzjunglebells for a chance to win a behind the scenes look at Polar Bear Plunge.

 

Call us today and book a home in Mission Bay, centrally located to all the Christmas fun!  You'll be able to spend a day at each activity and still have time to unwind with a walk along the bay or on the beach boardwalk.  After a week in Mission Bay you'll have no doubts that 'it's the hap-happiest  season of all.'

'Tis the Season for Fun!

The holiday season is upon us, which means twinkling lights, spreading joy, and maybe buying a gift or two.  There won’t be a shortage of Santa sightings this month, from parades to tree lightings, the big guy in red will be all over San Diego.  As temperatures drop to the 50’s in the evening (burr!), you’ll want to bundle up in a light sweater and sip on some piping hot chocolate or wassail, while you stroll through the holiday cheer our town has planned.  

Santa is making appearance at all of the Holiday Parades happening this weekend, starting with the Toyland Parade & Festival on Saturday at 11:00 am.  This is the 52nd year for the trendy North Park and Hillcrest neighborhood’s festival, which will wind down around 3:00 pm.  Next, you can head over to Ocean Beach for the 36th annual OB Holiday Parade which begins at 5:05pm.  This parade will not only feature classic cars and the Point Loma Marching Band, but also the SD Roller Derby Dolls, who will be gliding down street in their outrageous get ups.  On Sunday, December 6th, La Jolla will be hosting their Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival, complete with photo ops with Santa and crafts for the little ones.  The parade starts at 1:30 pm and all the fun will go on until 5:00 pm.   

If brightly lit Christmas trees are your favorite part of the season, then you won’t want to miss the Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village on Saturday, December 5th.  Santa drop by at 4:00 pm saying hello to all the good girls and boys, and to help light the 25 foot tree (that’s actually made up of over 1,000 poinsettias) at 5:30 pm.  The festivities will go on until 8:00 pm, which will give you plenty of time to wander through the holiday vendors, sip on hot mulled cider, and sing along with the live music. 

Balboa Park will transform into a Winter Wonderland on Friday, December 4th, and Saturday, December 5th, for the park’s 38th year celebrating December Nights.  Along will the thousands of brilliant lights winding through the grounds, there will also be delicious food and gorgeous music from all over the world.  One of the highlights of December Nights is that many of the museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.  This is something that the whole family will want to see, and the park has designated an interactive area just for children across from the Botanical Building.  The merriment begins on Friday at 3pm and on Saturday from 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm.  

While you are in the Balboa Park neighborhood in the evening, consider a stop at Eclipse Chocolate, a charming bistro, that also has an impressive menu of hot chocolates.  Yes! there’s a whole section on the menu devoted to different combinations and infusions for their specially crafted drinking chocolate.  Considering Travel & Leisure magazine awarded them with ‘America’s Best Hot Chocolate’ title, this would also be a great stocking stuffer, as they sell packaged versions of their popular, chocolaty drink.   They also sell an assortment of chocolates, caramels and sweets, that would be make lovely hostess gifts or the perfect treat to bring to a holiday party.

December is a magical month in San Diego.  Our town is packed will so many holiday activities,   there’s no missing out on the festive spirit and constant fun.  Why not start the celebrating this weekend by booking a stay at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals?  You might even consider spending the month with us at the beach for a truly relaxing holiday season.  And, don’t worry, Santa will know where to find you.