Whether you are a California local looking for a weekend getaway or planning a vacation to the Golden State, here are a list of things to do or see that should be on your bucket list this winter. Winter begins on Friday, December 21, 2018 and ends on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
With California weather being as perfect as it is, we couldn’t help but keep some of the items that were also listed in our summer fun guide and fall fun guide.
1. See Disney on Ice Dare to Dream
2. Go tubing at Mountain High in Wrightwood
3. Visit Skypark at Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead
4. Make a winter treat from Pinterest
5. Tour the floats of the Tournament of Roses Parade
6. Go out with some friends and sing karaoke
7. Support small businesses and visit your local craft fair
8. Be in a holiday boat parade
9. Rent a cabin in Big Bear
10. Do some last minute holiday shopping and host your own home boutique
11. Plan a spa day at Burke Williams
12. See Mary Poppins Returns at your local theater
13. Spend a day at a local car show
14. Take a road trip to Julian and have a slice of Mom’s Pie
15. Take the Catalina Express to Catalina Island
Things to do in Los Angeles
16. Go window shopping along Rodeo Drive
17. See Disney’s Little Mermaid at The El Capitan Theatre
18. Look for your favorite celebrities’ names along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
19. Play a round of miniature golf at Golf n Stuff
20. People watch at Venice Beach
21. Celebrate the ScotsFestival at the Queen Mary in Long Beach
22. Attend the LA Auto Show
23. Watch the Monster Trucks at Monster Jam at Angel Stadium
24. Celebrate holidays at the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain
25. See a live performance of Wicked at the Hollywood Pantages Theater
26. Meet the Grinch at Universal Studios
27. Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Grand Park
28. Visit The Huntington Library
29. Be part of a live studio audience
Things to do in Orange County
30. Spend a day at Disneyland
31. Spend a day at California Adventure
32. Visit Heisler Park in Laguna Beach
33. Dress warm and go outdoor ice skating at the Irvine Spectrum
34. Take the ferry at Balboa Island
35. Take a train to San Diego from San Juan Capistrano.
36. Spend an afternoon by the fireplace at the Grand California Hotel
37. Ride a bike along the beach from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach
38. Watch snow fall at Knott’s Merry Farm
39. Have a bonfire at the beach
40. Celebrate Snowland at the Great Wolf Lodge
41. Watch the tree lighting at WinterFest OC
42. Visit the Laguna Playhouse and see Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose
43. Cruise Newport Beach by Starlight
44. Have dinner at Medieval Times
45. Go Whale Watching at the Dana Point Festival of Whales
46. Attend the Monster Energy Supercross at Angel Stadium
47. Meet the PEANUTS characters at Knotts PEANUTS Celebration
48. Attend the Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration
49. Come see the Daschund Races in Huntington Beach
Things to do in Central California
50. Take an evening tour of Hearst Castle
51. Spend the day in Solvang
52. Visit different lighthouses along the coast
53. Take a tour of the Winchester Mystery House
54. Stop by Mission Santa Barbara
55. Go for a hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley
56. Rent an ATV and camp on the sand at Pismo Beach
57. Visit Santa Barbara Mission
58. Have lunch at Schooner’s Wharf in Cayucos
59. Wine Tasting in Carmel
60. Enjoy live Music in Beringer’s backyard in Napa Valley
61. Visit Sand Dollar Beach in Big Sur
62. Go glamping at the Costanoa Resort on the San Mateo Coast
63. Visit a local farmer’s market
64. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium
65. Visit the California State Railroad Museum
66. Visit the Aqua Adventure Water Park in Fremont
67. Enjoy Sunday Brunch at Bella Vista, a restaurant inside the Biltmore hotel in Montecito
68. Step up to the keys and play a spontaneous tune on a vibrantly designed piano along Santa Barbara’s famed State Street
69. Stroll the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Things to do in San Diego
70. Take a road trip to Julian and have a piece of Mom’s pie
71. Watch the sunset overlooking the Pacific Ocean
72. Attend the SoCal Etsy Guild Market
73. Go ice skating outside at Hotel Del Coronado
74. Watch a San Diego Gulls hockey game at the Valley View Casino Center
75. Bring your passport and drive to Puerto Nuevo for lobster village
76. Spend the day at Legoland
77. Visit the Balboa Park Museum
78. Experience San Diego Restaurant Week
79. Hop on the Holly Jolly Holiday Tour
80. Visit Old Town San Diego
81. See a concert at Harrahs in Funner
82. Visit Sea World’s Christmas Celebration
83. Go wine tasting in Temecula
84. Explore Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido
85. Visit San Diego Zoo
86. Visit Swami’s State Beach in Encinitas
88. Celebrate Lunar New Year at Sea World
89. Get there early and feed the lorakeets at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Things to do in San Francisco
90. Whale Watching Tour departing from Fisherman’s Wharf
91. Take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
92. See the live performance of Disney’s “Aladdin” at the Orpheum Theater
93. Ride the cable car from Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square
94. Walk down Lombard Street
Things to do in Northern California
95. Explore Yosemite National Park
96. Visit Ukiah’s Redwoods
97. Visit Sequoia National Park
98. Visit the Victorian Village of Ferndale
99. Enjoy the winter activities at Mammoth Lakes
100. Learn to ski in Tahoe
What are your plans this winter? Did we forget any of your favorite things to do in California?
Last Updated: December 25, 2018
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