Today I want to bring you my guide to the best Christmas towns in California. From festive coastal gems to snowcapped mountain villages, there’s no shortage of winter travel destinations for holiday escapes in the Golden State. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in the seasonal spirit or escape to a more magical world, there are plenty of great towns to visit at Christmas in California. From sunny locales to snowy ones, you have lots of options. Read on for my top picks. I’ve included a map, too.
Christmas Towns in California
I’ve spent over half my life in California, which means I’ve seen a lot of Christmas towns here. From family holiday celebrations in the Bay Area to festive trips to Lake Tahoe and the Central Coast, I’ve celebrated the Yuletide season in a variety of places up and down the state.
In the process, I’ve discovered a lot of the best places to go for Christmas in California. In fact, I’ve been amazed by how many fun towns there are to visit during the holidays. Whether you have one day or night, a long weekend, or a whole week (or two!), there are plenty of destinations to fall in love with.
Before you travel, it’s worth keeping in mind that some places can be crowded over Christmas, and some can be closed completely on and around December 25th. It’s a good idea to plan ahead, do your research, and book things like hotels, flights, restaurants, and rental cars well in advance.
As with Thanksgiving in California, some hotels offer special package rates over Christmas. You can check for deals when you make reservations.
1. Solvang
First on my list of the best Christmas towns in California is Solvang. Located in Santa Barbara County, this unique place is a little slice of Denmark on the West Coast.
With whimsical architecture, windmills, fun shops, and a range of places to eat and drink, Solvang is fun any time of year. But the town really shines when Christmas comes.
Solvang’s annual Julefest celebration is a month-long extravaganza that features lights, events, trolley tours, a tree lighting ceremony, a parade, music, a maker’s market, a Santa’s Village, candlelight tours, carols, holiday shopping, food, drinks, and more. It makes this one of the best towns to visit in California at Christmas.
If you want to stay a night, you can book a place to stay here. My top pick is the Vinland Hotel and Lounge in Solvang. When I stayed, I loved the contemporary decor and location in walking distance of the heart of town. You can book a room here.
2. South Lake Tahoe
Next on my list of the best Christmas towns in California is South Lake Tahoe. This mountain destination is popular year-round, but December snow can make it the ideal place to hit the slopes and enjoy winter activities during the holiday season.
Heavenly is one of the top resorts to ski and snowboard in the Sierra Nevada, and it’s a great place to go over the Christmas season if there’s good snow.
Even if you’re not interested in getting on the pistes, there are plenty of things to do in this part of Lake Tahoe over Christmas. Heavenly Village comes alive for a full month with a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks, live music, rail jams, train rides, performances, and more.
Some of the restaurants, hotels, and resorts around the lake offer special Christmas feasts on December 25th as well. They’re great ways to get into the seasonal spirit.
If you want to spend a night or more in town, you can book a place to stay here. My top pick is Crystal Pines Lodge, a house in the Country Club Estates area of South Lake Tahoe. When I stayed, I loved the ideal location near the lake, Heavenly Village, and the famous Emerald Bay. You can book your stay here.
3. Mammoth Lakes
While we’re on the subject of mountains, Mammoth Lakes is another of the most magical California Christmas towns. Mammoth is known for outdoor activities in the winter months. You can go skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, and other seasonal activities here during the holiday season.
There’s a lot to do in Mammoth if you’re not into sports, too. From evening fireworks and a torchlight parade on the Night of Lights to Santa in The Village, decorations throughout the area, and a great apres ski scene, there’s plenty to get excited about.
There are also restaurants offering Christmas dinners in Mammoth and bars serving holiday cocktails and other festive fare. They make it a great time to visit this part of the Golden State.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a hotel in Mammoth Lakes here. I’ve stayed at The Village Lodge at Mammoth, and I loved that it was located right in the heart of the excitement. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
4. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is another of the best Christmas towns in California. I’ve always loved visiting this desert oasis in winter. Not only is the weather milder than during the hot summers, but there’s also a lot going on here.
Palm Springs has excellent restaurants, renowned golf courses, mid-century modern architecture tours, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, and other things to enjoy throughout the year. But in winter there are added bonuses.
Seasonal events like the drive-through Magic of Lights holiday experience, the Indian Wells Winterfest with its roller skating, Ice Bar, movies, and entertainment, and the annual Indio International Tamale Festival can keep you busy all season.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Palm Springs here. My top pick is The Saguaro. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, this hip Coachella Valley boutique hotel is a vibrant spot to call home-away-from-home in the desert. You can book a room here.
5. Big Bear Lake
Another of the best California Christmas towns is Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. This place goes all-out for the holiday season with twinkling lights in The Village, a Santa’s Hut, and other seasonal highlights.
Christmas kicks off the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Village in Big Bear Lake. Throughout the rest of the season, the Village is festooned with special decorations for all to enjoy.
The holiday season also features photo opportunities with Santa, Christmas night skiing at Snow Summit, and more. If you’re in town on Christmas day, there are several restaurants offering hearty feasts for the whole family.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Big Bear here. My top pick is N + P. The cabins and lodges here feature cool contemporary mountain design and rustic-chic ambiance. You can book one here.
6. Healdsburg
Next on my list of the best Christmas towns in California is Healdsburg. There’s a lot going on in this part of Sonoma County in the run-up to December 25th, from a big tree in the plaza to lights and more. It’s a fun part of wine country to visit during the holidays.
Downtown Healdsburg turns into a winter wonderland in the weeks leading up to Christmas. There’s everything from the annual Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting to twinkling lights and the festive holiday night market to get people into the seasonal spirit.
You can take photos with Santa, go on carriage rides, see live musical performances, and more. There’s also great Christmas shopping in Healdsburg, and the local wineries are decked out for the holidays.
If this sounds good to you, you can book a place to stay in Healdsburg here. There are lots of options, from beautiful hotels to vacation rentals and more. My favorite is the Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg. This sweet B&B near the plaza has pretty guest rooms, great atmosphere, and reasonable rates for the area. You can book a room here.
7. Monterey
Monterey is another of the top Christmas towns in California. From sandy beaches to waterfront shops, restaurants, and the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, this place has a lot going for it at any time of year.
There’s plenty to enjoy in Monterey during the holiday season, too. The annual Ice Skating by the Bay ice rink in Custom House Plaza is a fun place to get your skates on. Christmas on the Wharf offers festive decorations and a variety of free live weekend entertainment throughout the season, too.
As if that’s not enough, Christmas in the Adobes features around 15 historic adobes to visit on foot in the early evenings to the sound of music and entertainment. They make Monterey the perfect place to visit during the holidays.
If this trip sounds good to you, you can book a place to stay in Monterey here. There are plenty of options in and around the city, from beautiful hotels to coastal apartments and beyond. My favorite is the Spindrift Inn. This boutique waterfront hotel is right in the heart of Cannery Row. You can book a room here.
8. Nevada City
Nevada City is another Christmas town in California you’ll love. This place goes all-out for the holidays, and it’s worth a special trip to see its transformation into a magical winter wonderland.
This part of the Golden State is known for its annual Victorian Christmas extravaganza. It features hilly streets with real gas lamps, festive carolers dressed in Victorian costumes, live entertainment, seasonal treats and refreshments, and Father Christmas.
Victorian Christmas in Nevada City takes place two Wednesday evenings and three Sunday afternoons in December. Visitors can enjoy free roasted chestnuts, shop at artisan vendor stalls, see the model Dickens Village, admire the big Christmas tree, and take in the lights and decorations.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Nevada City here. There are plenty of options, including hotels, cabins, inns, houses, and more. My top pick is Broad Street Inn. A family-owned guesthouse set in an 1870 Victorian, it’s right in Nevada City’s historic district and in walking distance of the action. You can book a room here.
9. Avila Beach
On the Central Coast, Avila Beach is next on my list of California Christmas towns. This coastal gem near Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo is known for its sunny weather, beaches, and shopping. There’s great food and lots of wine tasting here, too.
This town has a lot going on over Christmas as well. Visiting Avila Valley Barn is one of the best things to do in Avila Beach over the holidays. The complex features everything from farm animals to shops and food.
There’s delicious seasonal produce and great local gifts, and the outdoor area has the perfect place to pick out a Christmas tree or get a photo with Santa.
Elsewhere in town, there’s a Santa’s Doggie Parade on the Avila Promenade and great Christmas shopping in the local boutiques. If you stay through New Year’s Eve, the Avila Beach Polar Bear Plunge is a unique way to kick off January with a dip in the Pacific Ocean.
If this sounds good to you, you can book a place to stay in Avila Beach here. There are lots of options, from hotels to vacation rentals and more. My top pick is the Avila La Fonda Hotel. This intimate boutique hotel is right near the beach, and I loved the festive Christmas tree and friendly staff when I stayed. You can book a room here.
10. Newport Beach
Newport Beach is another fun town to visit at Christmas in California. This sunny beach city in Orange County is the ideal getaway for good weather when other parts of the country are freezing and covered in snow.
There’s a lot going on in Newport Beach during the run-up to Christmas, including the annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. This famous event is one of the largest decorated boat parades in the country. Hundreds of festive vessels compete for awards as spectators look on and enjoy the seasonal fun.
Add to that the Christmas light displays on the houses along the waterfront (you can take a boat cruise to see them) and the Ring of Lights decorating competition, and there’s a lot to get excited about over the holidays in Newport Beach.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Newport Beach here. There are plenty of options to choose from, including hotels, beachfront apartments, and more. My top pick is The Resort at Pelican Hill. With a Tuscan vibe, this place overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features beautiful villas and bungalows. You can book a room here.
11. Long Beach
In Los Angeles County, Long Beach is another of my top picks for Christmas towns in California. This place gets into the holiday spirit in both traditional and non-traditional ways.
Special seasonal gondola rides in Long Beach take passengers through the waterways to see the night sky lit up with lights, Christmas trees, and other festive decorations. They’re unique ways to celebrate the season and see the houses along the canals on Naples Island.
Then there’s the rest of Long Beach. Terrace Theater Plaza fills with a huge Christmas tree and larger-than-life installations, the waterfront areas sport floating wooden trees, historic Bembridge House gets decked out with decorations, Winter in Willmore sees snow come to Long Beach, and the Daisy Lane Parade and Naples Boat Parade are festive favorites.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Long Beach here. There are plenty of options available to you, from hotels to vacation rentals and more.
California Christmas Towns Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the Christmas towns in California on my list. You can see it here. If you click on the pins, you can find more information and my relevant blog posts about each one I’ve written about.
Best Christmas Towns in California
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best Christmas towns in California, and that it’s inspired you to get out and explore the Golden State over the holiday season. There are so many great places to visit, and the festive period is a fun one to vacation here. Happy travels!
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