Call us crazy, but we love hitting the road during the holiday season to help get into that holiday spirit. Christmas is such a magical time of year, so why not plan a trip this Christmas to a Southern California hotel that goes “all-out” with decorations and special events for the holidays!?
Sound delightful? Well high-five, because you landed in the right place!
This article will help you discover 5 amazing kid-friendly hotels in Southern California that really go the extra mile during the Christmas season, including things like
- cookie decorating
- story time with Santa
- incredible gingerbread displays
- Christmas crafts
- sledding on “real” snow
- and much more!
Hot tip: Christmas time in Southern California is quite warm by the standards of most of the country, where you can expect temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees all month long. We also only average 1-2 days of rain all month, so you can expect a high likelihood of sunshine and weather that requires only a light jacket or sweatshirt (if any)! No, you will not find a white winter wonderland, but you will likely experience comfortable weather for most outdoor activities.
Christmas at Montage Beverly Hills
Christmas at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
Christmas at Westgate Hotel, San Diego
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Luxury Christmas hotels in Southern California
Pendry San Diego
5-star hotel | 550 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
Christmas Delights!
Here’s why you will love it
Pendry San Diego, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is perfect for those families looking for a cool city kind of Christmas getaway. Located, in heart of the urban and historical Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego, the Pendry is nestled among high-rise buildings just steps away from city attractions. However, during the holidays you may not want to venture far from the hotel, because the Pendry pulls out all the stops including a Neiman Marcus Holiday Dream Suite. When you book this beautifully decorated festive suite, you will be greeted with fresh cookies from Neiman Marcus and have all your shopping and gift wrapping needs met by a shopping conceirge.
If your family is like mine, then the first thing you will love is Nason’s Beer Hall. It is a family-friendly on-site gastro-pub that pays homage to the Nason & Co. Farmer’s Market that once held the space in the 1900s. During the Christmas season, Nason’s goes all out for the holidays with over the top decor and Christmas lights. Even sweeter for the kids is the Pancakes and Pajama Brunch with Santa where kids will receive a complimentary pair of holiday pajamas from P.J Salvage while they enjoy breakfast and take photos with Santa!
Montage Beverly Hills
5-star hotel | 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Christmas Delights!
Here’s why you will love it
Celebrate Christmas in style with a stay in the glamorous Beverly Hills 90210 at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel, also a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. You feel like a celebrity as you gaze at the Hollywood Hills while being just steps away from the famous Rodeo Drive. As if that wasn’t magical enough, try visiting during the holidays when the Montage Beverly Hills shines like a star!
During the holiday season, kids are given the royal treatment with ornament decorating and letters to Santa by the roaring fireplace. For the little bakers in the family, your kids will love the Petite Bakers classes where kids can bake some delicious holiday treats like Christmas cookies and yule log cakes. The holiday season is not complete without story-time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, before snapping some photos with the famous couple to capture the memory. Adults will love the festively theme cocktails, hot cider and fabulous holiday meals! Why not enjoy a Christmas rooftop lunch while enjoying some California sun shine.
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
5-star hotel | One Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
Christmas Delights!
Here’s why you will love it
Surf’s up for this beachy Orange County Christmas escape at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Yes, you can still hit the beach during the holiday season with your family (if you don’t mind a little cold) and what better way to kick off this sunny season with a little Surfing Santa competition! At the end of November, The Ritz-Carlton hosts a surfing and stand-up paddle boarding competition for men, women and children dressed like Santa or other Christmas characters. It is fun to compete and fun to watch. However, the holiday fun doesn’t stop there!
Decorated to the nines, you won’t want to miss the tree lighting ceremony complete with live entertainment and a visit from Santa himself. Throughout the season you will enjoy festive holiday meals, cockatils and even Holiday Tea with an ocean view! Your kids will love cozy holiday story time, gingerbread house and cookie decorating and gazing upon the Gingerbread Extravaganza in the lobby which features a giant 24-foot gingerbread scene in the festive lobby! Every year features a different theme, so you will want to keep coming back year after year.
The Westgate Hotel, San Diego
4-star hotel | 1055 2nd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Christmas Delights!
Here’s why you will love it
Located on the edge of Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego, you and your family will feel like you stepped into the Palace of Versailles. Built in 1970 as a re-creation of the famed palace, the Westgate Hotel drips in European elegance. During the holidays, the hotel drips Christmas cheer with their festive decor and family fun activities.
Around the holidays it is all about the indulgences. Enjoy festive and fun themed afternoon teas, like the Westgate Christmas Teas and Teddy Bears Teas. Both feature fun holiday beverages, but the Teddy Bear Teas include special one-on-one time with Santa and a keepsake teddy bear. In addition to the holiday tea services, there is a fun Breakfast with Santa where the family can enjoy a delicious holiday buffet with some very special company from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The restaurants are also serving up a delicious Christmas buffet and Christmas dinner.
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
4-star hotel | 5480 Grand Pacific Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Christmas Delights!
Here’s why you will love it
Set in the quaint beach community of Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, is the lovely Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa where all year long you can enjoy pristine beaches and nearby attractions. They even have a private entrance into LEGOLAND! During the holidays this laid back breezy coastal resort comes alive with Christmas festivities at the Family Friendly Holiday Nights.
For three Thursdays in December the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa holds exciting holiday themed events for the whole family to enjoy. There are fun rides like the Holly Trolley, train rides ferries wheel and even sledding on “real” snow. You and your kids can take fun photos in a giant snow globe and with Santa Claus. There are Christmas crafts, fair games and even live entertainment. It is a truly magical evening for celebrating this magical season.
That’s a Wrap!
You know what they say – Tis’ the season to be merry! And what could be merrier than spending time with your family in one of these fabulous SoCal hotels during the holidays? I hope this list has you just bursting with Christmas cheer and inspires you to make some incredible memories with your kids.
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