The Best Things To Do In San Diego This Winter

San Diego is not known for having a winter, necessarily. There are days in January where it hits 80 degrees and for the most part the sun shines year round, unless an atmospheric river is hitting. But it is a myth that the weather here doesn’t change. In winter months it drops into the 50s in the city, the mountains to the east often see snow, the desert becomes tolerable, and the ocean becomes unswimmable without a wetsuit. Whales migrate, hockey comes to town, and coffee shops serve peppermint mocha lattes. Christmastime in San Diego sees the whole city light up with lights, events and decorations. And actually, winter is when it can be the most enjoyable to do outdoor activities, like hiking and running. Winter is the rainy season in San Diego, so there are whole weeks where you might need to find cozy indoor activities in this very outdoor city.

Below is our list of some of the best things to do with your time in winter in San Diego, whether you are visiting or live here. You can also see our guide on things to do in San Diego in general.

A San Diego Winter

San Diego Gulls Hockey Game

The San Diego Gulls are an AHL hockey team who play their games at the Pechanga Arena in Point Loma. (AHL is essentially the minor leagues and the Gulls players are like the farm team for the Anaheim Ducks). The games are accessible and the hockey is high level and I bet you didn’t even know San Diego had a hockey team did you. Wear an ugly sweater and get ready to be part of a raucous crowd.

Whale Watching Tour in San Diego

Grey whale migration season in San Diego starts in December and runs through April, but it typically peaks in January. Grey whales migrate down the coast from Alaska into the cozy waters inside the Baja Peninsula to give birth to calfs during the winter. It is the longest migration of any animal on earth so the least you can do is migrate your way to the coast to watch it. If you get lucky you might see orcas too – and you didn’t even have to go to SeaWorld.

Anza Borrego Sculpture Garden

The massive steel Anza Borrego Sculptures are possibly the most recognizable image of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, even though they are not technically located in the park itself. Just north of the town of Borrego Springs, scattered across the desert floor in a sparse sculpture garden, the Anza Borrego sculptures are an oasis of art and human ingenuity in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. Walk around the site to find a dragon coursing through the desert sand, a giant scorpion fighting a giant cricket, dinosaurs fighting each other, or camels simply living their sculptural lives.

Mount Laguna Recreation Area

Mount Laguna Recreation Area is a rebuttal to those who say San Diego is just a beach town. Less than hour away, this alpine sanctuary is nestled within the Cleveland National Forest just west of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Mount Laguna has lush forests, mountain peaks, and meadows where you can hike, car camp, mountain bike, backpack, and easily access the Pacific Crest Trail.

SoNo Fest and Chili Cook-Off

SoNo Fest is a chili cook off street fair in early December that raises money for the local elementary school – McKinley. Expect bounce houses, live music, beer, and of course, chili. One note – the chili sells out quick, so grab your cup and get there early if you want to actually eat.

Museum Month in San Diego

Every February is Museum Month in San Diego – which means dozens of museums, cultural centers, and other activities in the city are available at 50% off when you get the pass. The Museum Month Pass can be downloaded digitally or picked up at any library around the city. And in 2026, Tijuana museums will be participating as well, offering half off admission for most of their museums. In all, this covers close to 80 museums throughout the city.

Hotel Del Christmas

Built in 1888, the Hotel Del has been host to many former Presidents, royalty, and Hollywood celebrities, with a history of filmmaking at the hotel itself including pictures like “Some like it hot” with Marylin Monroe. Attracting guests with it’s luxurious amenities and beautiful natural splendor, the Hotel Del has also become a staple for celebrating Christmas in style, which is exactly why we’re bringing you here.

Monster Jam San Diego

A raucous good time for kids and adults

Lions Tigers and Bears San Diego Animal Sanctuary

Lions Tigers and Bears is a massive outdoor animal sanctuary home to rescued big cats and bears from all over the world. Located out in Alpine, this place is not only an amazing visit (they have so many tigers…), it is a testament to how to do animal rescue and welfare the right way. You can tell from their guided tour that this place cares about the animals and puts in the effort. You will never look at traveling circuses the same.

Palomar Mountain State Park

Palomar Mountain is covered almost entirely in coniferous forest. If you remember anything from your high school ecology class – that means it is covered in Christmas trees. Palomar Mountain State Park can feel almost like the Sierras in places with towering pines and fir trees and this makes it a unique getaway in SoCal.

The California Wolf Center In Julian

Just over one hour from San Diego in the laguna mountains is the California Wolf Center. There goal is to help educate the public on the different wolf species and their role in the ecosystems. They currently care for over 20 wolves, including North Western gray wolves, and Mexican gray wolves.

Balboa Park Golf Course

The Balboa Park Municipal Course is a public course on the eastern side of Balboa Park and is probably the best golf course in the San Diego for the money. Maybe second to Torrey Pines. Balboa is well maintained, picturesque, and very welcoming. Sam Snead holds the course record with a 60, but see if you can break 100. The greens here are always smooth and fast. And so are the beers.

Blair Valley And The Pictographs Trail

A huge sweeping valley surrounded by mountain peaks, Blair Valley is truly one of the most scenic areas in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Located in the southwestern part of the park, just off the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, Blair Valley is a popular primitive/dispersed camping area with miles of available spots to camp, all with a beautiful views of the valley floor and surrounding mountains. On the eastern side of the ridge sits Little Blair Valley, another great spot for setting up camp. Come after a rain and the whole valley may be exploding in color with a wildflower bloom.

Father Junipero Serra Trail

The Father Junipero Serra Trail is one of the best walks you can do in San Diego County. The trail is actually a paved road that cuts through Mission Trails Regional Park and it follows along the path of the San Diego River as it winds down from the eastern mountains toward the ocean. On the west side of the trail sits South Fortuna and on the east side Kwaay Paay Peak. The steep mountains on either side make you feel like you are miles and miles from any urban areas, even though the park sits right in the middle of San Diego.

The Grand Idyllwild Lodge

The Grand Idyllwild lodge is a boutique, craftsman-style mountain lodge in Idyllwild, CA. Just over two hours from San Diego, it is great for romantic getaways, special events like weddings, or for posting up alone and maniacally writing your great American novel. There are 9 rooms available with unique names and styling, each one well worth staying in. Things are a bit quieter during the Spring and Fall shoulder seasons if you’re looking for more solitude.

Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area

Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area is a five thousand acre region of public land located east of Chula Vista, home to trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The landscape is mostly peaceful grass and chaparral strewn hills and low peaks, with some areas of oak forest and boulder formations. The Hollenbeck Canyon Trail is a nice 4.5 mile out and back that highlights the beauty of this region. Keep an eye out for red-tail hawks, barn owls, and golden eagles; coyotes, gray foxes, and bobcats; mule deer, rabbits, and definitely rattle snakes.

Cozy Restaurants and Bars For Winter

La Bonne Table

La Bonne Table feels like it wandered over from an historic street in Paris and settled in San Diego. Located right in the heart of Hillcrest, this husband and wife owned French bistro creates an intimate feel with wood floors, cozy furniture, and warm lighting. It is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner when its winter time and its snowing outside (we can dream). This place serves classic French food in a classic ambiance. Nothing gimmicky. Nothing flashy. Just a solid quaint restaurant in the heart of a busy city.

Subterranean Coffee Boutique North Park

Subterranean Coffee is a cozy cafe in North Park that feels like a throwback to old college coffee shops with their eclectic seating (think sofas, comfy chairs, tables of varying heights and sizes, no two pieces of furniture the same), hipster baristas playing solid hipster music (probably on vinyl), a wide assortment of food, and of course, good coffee.

Swan Bar In North Park

Swan Bar in North Park is a true hidden gem. It is a moody cocktail bar with some of the friendliest bartenders around. It has a tiny menu, but serves low key one of the best burgers in San Diego. In fact, Swan Bar is low key in every aspect – it even sits hidden behind a wood paneled wall with only a small neon sign outside to guide the way in.

Cori Pastificio Trattoria In North Park

Few Italian restaurants hold a candle to Cori in North Park, which is why they deserve your appetite. Chef Accursio pours his heart into each dish, including homemade focaccia bread with crispy capers and olives, pappardelle with wild boar sugo, or ditalini pasta infused with squid ink. It’s classic, contemporary, and all delicious. Fine wine and cocktails, excellent service, and beautiful furniture with vibrant colors make it an excellent place for date night or to impress your partner’s parents.

Mothership

Mothership is one of the best tiki bars in San Diego because you don’t even know it is a tiki bar. You might even call it a sneaky bar. Sniki bar. Anyway. Mothership, located in South Park, is a space-themed bar and restaurant that truly goes all out with the experience.

Fort Oak

Fort Oak is an upscale, wood-fired restaurant in Mission Hills. It is great for date nights, or for trying food a bit more bold in flavor and style, often on the spicier side (warn your mother). Seating is open and airy which is ideal for San Diego’s climate, but bring a light jacket in case there’s a breeze. The U-bar is the best option when you want to people watch or banter with the locals. Reservations are highly recommended any time of year.

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