These are just some of my favorite things to do this season in San Diego. Feel free to add any others in the comments.
This is something I have done for YEARS. Starting probably before I could walk, my parents would cruise along the coast,day or night to see the sites.
A cruise up San Diego's coast along the old Coast Highway 101 is a great way to take in the area's wonderful coastline. Discover some of San Diego's famous beach communities: Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Leucadia, Encinitias, Carlsbad and Oceanside. Walk the pier in Oceanside or the beach strip in Carlsbad. Cruise in the car, but make a lot of stops - it's more than worth it.
Boats On Parade at Night
Now this is something I have only done once or twice. There is something about the beach at night, add lights & its magical. Another "Don't miss in San Diego", the 33rd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. On Dec. 11 and 18, see over 100 boats, all decked out in lighted glory, cruise a 7.5 mile route on San Diego Bay. Best vantage points from the shore are along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado.
Ice Skate Outdoors or Indoors
Pure cold fun. I used to go to the indoor rink as a teen.
The downtown ice rink at Horton Square is a perfect holiday setting, between Horton Plaza and the NBC TV studios . Nov. 17 - Jan. 18, come downtown, in the evening. It's only $10/$8 (skate rental $2) and proceeds benefit Children's Hospital.
Indoors you can always ice skate at the mall off 805 in La Jolla.
Try the San Diego Ice Arena.
I have done this one almost every year in the last five or so.
Several different neighborhoods around town put on annual displays & competitions. The best seems to be Christmas Circle in Chula Vista, a tradition for over 46 years. People come from all over San Diego to see the wonderful displays. Christmas Circle is between First and Second Avenues, just south of H. Street and I Street. Click below for a link to this & many other places in San Diego to view the lights.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
This is something we recently started in our family.
There's nothing like roaming the tree lot, smelling the wonderful scents and finding that just right tree to take home. Monterey Pines are what we grow down here on the local choose and cut farms. Family Christmas Tree Farm in El Cajon & Pinery Tree Farms in Bonita and Rancho Bernardo .
Take in the Theatre.
Who knew the theatre could be so much fun? A new favorite of mine is the Old Globe Theater, who produces a fun version of
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"
The musical is directed by acclaimed director Jack O'Brien. He brings to life the classic Dr. Seuss book with incredible sets.
Reading these books over and over a a child. I now can't miss a year of this play. It runs from
Nov. 19 - Dec. 31.
The San Diego Rep's production of A Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition of Dicken's enduring classic.The production starts Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 24. It may not be up on their website yet.
Don't miss it.
The best part of winter in San Diego for me as a kid was to go see the snow.
If you want to get a taste of autumn or winter, there's no better place than to head to the mountain town of Julian. Eat some famous apple pie. Local orchards will let you pick your own apples.
Choose Palomar Mt.
Palomar Mountain in North County is another great place to go. The big attraction is huge. The Palomar Observatory is home to the Hale Telescope. It's located at the top of the mountain. The state park offers hiking, picnicking and camping. The drive is one of the most scenic around. Don't forget to try fresh Palomar Mt. water.
Don't forget to visit Bates Nut Farm
We have done this year after year, sometimes on field trips with the kids. (YIKES)
Up in Valley Center is a place called the Bates Nut Farm, and it's a cool place to get away for a day. They not only sells an wide variety of nuts and goodies from around the world. It has relaxing picnic areas for families & many regular events. Not to miss is their Pumpkin patch. They also offer hayrides, pony rides and more. Their quaint shops have an old cowboy town feel.
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Escondido Renaissance Faire & Shakespeare in the Park Festival.
Transport yourself back to Elizabethan times at this colorful North County fest.
Rub elbows with more than 1,000 actors dressed in 16th century England period costumes, from peasants to royalty, fairies to pirates, armored knights to jugglers. Partake of giant turkey legs, tasty ales, wines, old-world fare and more.
Come dressed in Elizabethan costumes and blend in with the peasants and royalty. Admission includes all entertainment and plays. Adult tickets are $14, children under 12 are $7. Parking is $3. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more info, visit www.goldcoastfestivals.com.
Star of India's 142nd Birthday Party
She's 143 years old.
Where
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Maritime Museum visitors can help celebrate the Star of India's 143rd birthday on Saturday, November 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be cake and live music, and kids can make their own festive party hats. Guests can explore the ship and get an idea of what life was like in the 19th century aboard a real sailing ship.
Admission to the Star of India's birthday party is included with the price of a ticket to the Maritime Museum.
Are you really in the mood for a birthday blast? On Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 from 1-4 p.m., you can board either the state tall ship Californian or the visiting schooner Lynx for three-hour cannon battles in the bay. A place on deck will cost $50 for adults over the age of 12 and $25 for kids 12 and under.
http://www.sdmaritime.com/contentpage.asp?ContentID=48
These are noisy events and the ships won't come back to port until the battle is won, so they are not recommended for small children or those with sensitive hearing.
The Star of India was launched in Britain on November 12, 1863, just one week before Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in the USA, which she now calls home.
This also one of my favorites
Spike and Mike's Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation
Rude and crude animated short films screen locally for the 18-and-older set.
Where
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
700 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037
More locations... Hours
The Spike and Mike Festival is back (after a 3-year hiatus) to show off more rude and crude animated shorts from its immense and intense "Sick & Twisted" film collection at Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, Oct. 20-Nov. 25.
This year's fest -- not to be confused with the less graphically intense Spike and Mike Festival of Animation -- will premiere two Weird Al Yankovic videos by the creators of "Robot Chicken" and Bill Plympton as well as 21 brand new short films. If you want to get up close and personal with Spike and Weird Al, they'll be at the fest opening weekend for Q&A and to sign autographs.
Featured flicks for 2006
•"Chirpy" by John Goras
•"The Zit" by Mike Blum
•"Tittybop" by Adam Ansorage
•"2 in the AM PM" by JG Quintel
•"Happy Tree Friends" by Mondo Media
•"Crab Revolution" by Arthur De Pins
•"How to Cope With Death" by Tandem Films
• Two new "Dr. Tran" by Lone Sausage Productions
•"Pirate Baby's Cabana Battle Street Fight 2006" by Paul Robertson and many others.
The festival screens Oct. 20, 21, 28 and Nov. 3, 11, 18, 25. Opening weekend showtimes: Friday at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.; Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Following weekends: Fri at 8:30 p.m. and Sat at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Opening weekend: $15; Following weeks: $10 following weeks.
http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profiles/events/260887
I like to visit Bates Nut Farm that I listed in the article for all the farmer's market stands on the way also. You can't miss them on the back roads leading there.