14 Things To Do in San Diego This Winter
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When you want to escape cold winter temperatures, you should plan a trip to San Diego. Winter weather in San Diego averages highs in the upper 60s with plenty of sunshine during the day. The evenings can get cooler and overnight lows average in the high 40s and low 50s.
Best of all, you can find plenty of exciting things to do in San Diego to make your vacation memorable. Our list of things to do in San Diego during the winter is also perfect for locals looking for something new to try or to entertain your out-of-town friends and family.
1. Whale Watching
From mid-December to March, you can see gray whales from the shoreline as they migrate from Alaska to warmer waters off the coast of Mexico. In addition, several tour companies offer whale watching tours when you want to get up close to these amazing animals.
2. Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium is part of UC San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. You can see blue penguins, sea turtles, a variety of fish, and other aquatic life. The aquarium is also a great place to whale watch from the shore. Just remember to bring your binoculars.
3. Aerobatic Flying Experiences
You and your whole family can take to the skies over San Diego for a bird’s eye view of the city, Pacific Ocean, and the bay with an aerobatic flying experience at Sky Combat Ace. You don’t even need a pilot’s license to fly a plane in San Diego.
Our skilled pilots will be with you throughout the flight experience as you take your thrilling ride. We offer different flight packages where you can ride along and let us do the flying or take the controls and fly yourself.
4. Ice Skating
From November 17, 2022, through January 1, 2023, you can experience ice skating by the sea at Hotel del Coronado. You don’t need to be a resort guest to ice skate. However, resort guests can also access the Frostbite Lounge and Frosted by the Sea celebrations.
5. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The 52nd annual Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holidays. The event takes place on December 11 and December 18, 2022. The parade starts at Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m. and ends past the Coronado Ferry Landing. There are plenty of great viewing spots from the shoreline to enjoy this two-hour spectacle of lights.
6. Holidays at Legoland
Legoland is located about a half-hour north of San Diego. Their holiday event runs from November 19, 2022, through January 2, 2023. It is perfect for families with small children that want to check out holiday characters, including Santa. There is also holiday-themed music, food, and shows.
7. SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
From November 14, 2022, until January 8, 2023, you can experience holiday traditions, decorations, live music, shows, entertainment, food, and holiday shopping at SeaWorld San Diego. In addition, the theme park offers a wide range of roller coasters and rides for children, teens, and adults.
8. December Nights at Balboa Park
December Nights is a must-do wintertime San Diego activity and the largest free holiday event in San Diego. It takes place on December 2, 2022, from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. and on December 3, 2022, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. at Balboa Park. It is a family-friendly event featuring holiday lights, bands, choirs, dances, music, food, and a visit by Santa. During the day, you can enjoy free access to the museums and explore the park trails and gardens.
9. San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is also located on 100 acres in Balboa Park. The zoo is home to over 800 species and 4,000 animals. From December 10, 2022, through December 23, 2022, and December 25, 2022, until January 2, 2023, you can experience Jungle Bells.
This holiday-themed event features nightly tree lighting, holiday treats, holiday lights, live entertainment, live musical performances, and a magical 3D light experience called Aurora. Santa also makes regular appearances through December 25th.
10. Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade annual event takes place downtown on bayside streets and features floats, drill teams, balloons, and marching bands. Street-side parade viewing is free. You can also register to take part in the Holiday Bowl National Funding 5K Run/Walk, where you get to run or walk the parade route and receive a finisher medal at the end. The date and time of this year’s event are still to be determined, so check their website for further details.
11. Liberty Station
If you are a foodie looking for some of the best food in San Diego, you need to check out Liberty Station, which features many of the best restaurants in the city. In between eating, Liberty Station also offers access to shopping, art galleries, and more. During the holiday season, you can experience gorgeous holiday decorations and lights, special holiday-themed treats, and visits from Santa.
12. Winery and Wine Tasting Tour
Many people don’t know that California wine tasting tours began in San Diego. There are several nearby wineries you can book tours and tastings at, such as Bernardo Winery. You could also take an hour and a half drive north to check out Temecula, which has four different wineries.
13. Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego is the heart of the city and is considered the birthplace of California. One of the biggest Día de los Muertos celebrations you can enjoy in the city is in Old Town. The annual celebration takes place on November 2, 2022.
It is also a great place to visit to learn more about the history of San Diego while enjoying gardens, specialty shops, and authentic Mexican restaurants. You can even book the Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstones Walking Tour.
14. Sunsets
The sunsets in San Diego during the winter are truly amazing. There are plenty of great viewing areas along the beaches. You can also get a fantastic view from Balboa Park. For the ultimate experience, you can book a sunset sailboat cruise.
No matter how you plan your winter in San Diego, there is plenty to see and do, whether you want to enjoy the sights, sounds, and festivities of the holiday season or experience a once-in-a-lifetime thrilling aerobatic flying experience.
From whale watching to aerobatic flying experiences, San Diego activities will make your holiday season special.
The Afterburner
YOU GET TO FLY THE MANEUVERS
Why ride along when you can fly your own airshow routine…? Featuring both basic and advanced aerobatics, you take the controls and become your very own airshow pilot.
Sky Combat
LASER TAG IN THE SKY!
Experience the thrill of air-to-air combat as you wage a battle for aerial dominance where there can be only one victor. YOU fly the plane with a trained SCA fighter pilot.
Top Gun
FLY LIKE A TOP GUN PILOT!
If you want to experience the most amazing, butt kicking, extreme adventure of a lifetime, then look no further than our Top Gun package!
Operation Recon
WE FLY THE MANEUVERS
Appropriate for the whole family, this is a great way to be introduced to the world of basic aerobatics. Think of it as a roller coaster without the rails.
DURATION: 3 hours (Approx.)
Fly A Real Stunt Plane!
Sky Combat Ace was created by a U.S. Air Force veteran fighter pilot who wanted to make the thrill of flying fighter jets available to anyone who feels the need for speed.
Learn to fly a stunt plane under the supervision of our highly trained, FAA certified flight instructors. No experience necessary and YOU get to fly the plane!
OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY
All SCA flights are instructional in nature conducted by certified flight instructors in accordance with federal aviation regulations under 14 CFR Part 61 of the United States Code. Instruction will be provided during ground and flight portions for all flights.