Your Destination Guide to San Diego

Although San Diego may not seam like the ideal place to celebrate the holiday season with its lack of snow and constant sunshine, but spending the holidays in San Diego has its advantages. In fact, December is one of the sunniest months of the year. Of course we don't get to engage in building snowmen and shoveling snow, however, San Diegans still are able to partake in all of the festivities and traditions that happen around the winter holidays.

The Old Globe's 14th Annual Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: November 19 - December 31, 2011: The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vásquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run in the Old Globe Theatre November 19th – December 31st, 2011.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration: November 19, 2011 - January 1, 2012: With special holiday-themed animal shows, real snow, reindeer, festive décor and more, SeaWorld is the place to be this Christmas season. New for 2011 is SnowWorld, a winter wonderland of snowmen, snowballs and family fun!

Holiday Snow Days at LEGOLAND CA: November 19, 2011 - January 2, 2012: The Holiday Snow Days celebration begins with the first-ever snow fall in Fun Town – a rare sight in southern California – and continues with the lighting of the world’s largest LEGO® Christmas tree, and concludes with Kids’ New Year’s Eve.

Nightly LEGO Christmas Tree Lighting at LEGOLAND CA: December 1 - 24, 2011: The giant LEGO tree has become the centerpiece of the holiday season at LEGOLAND California. It stands more than 30-feet-tall and is made of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks.

Jingle Bell Rock at Welk Resort Theatre: November - December 31, 2011: An annual tradition and holiday favorite across America, The Alley Cats new 2011 Christmas Show offers a night of comedy, featuring the music of winter time classics in acappella style.

Lamb's Players Festival of Christmas: December 1 - 30, 2011: Lamb's Players Festival of Christmas runs from December 1st - 30th, 2011. Each December their Festival of Christmas travels to a different location and a different era, and showcases the actors and depth of musical talent in and around the company.

Holiday Hayride at the Del Mar Fairgrounds: December 2 - 16, 2011: See more than 400 twinkling, lively displays located around the Del Mar Racetrack. Holiday music and fire pits for roasting marshmallows will entertain you before you board the ride and after you return.

Balboa Park December Nights: December 2 & 3, 2011: Kick off the holiday celebration by embracing the ambiance of beautiful Balboa Park for the largest free community festival in San Diego. Balboa Park December Nights is a two-day present to the community that echoes the holiday spirit.

San Diego Ballet's The Nutcracker: December 3 - 18, 2011: San Diego Ballet's The Nutcracker by Peter Tchaikovsky will run for two weekends in December: December 3rd & 4th at Birch North Park Theater, and December 17th & 18th, 2011 at Mandeville Auditorium, La Jolla. Leaping Cossacks!

Garden of Lights Holiday Event at the San Diego Botanic Garden: December 8 – 23 & 26 – 30, 2011: After the sun goes down, the San Diego Botanic Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 100,000 sparkling lights illuminating the Garden for a magical holiday experience

San Diego City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker: December 9 - 21, 2011: The San Diego City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at Spreckels Theatre in Downtown San Diego. Shows will take place from Friday, December 9th through Wednesday, December 21st, 2011.

61st Anniversary of Las Posadas: December 10 & 11, 2011: This centuries-old tradition is being celebrated in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park for the 61st consecutive year on Sunday, December 11th, 2011.

San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells: December 10, 2011 - January 1, 2012: During the holiday season, the San Diego Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland, with snow, twinkling lights, and songs of the holiday season.

40th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: December 11 & 18, 2011: There is nothing more beautiful than a boat, except a boat at night. Come enjoy the 40th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, featuring decorated boats against the backdrop of downtown San Diego.

Lamb's Players Theatre Presents An American Christmas at the Hotel del Coronado: December 11 - 24, 2011: Lamb's Players Theatre Presents An American Christmas at the Hotel del Coronado from December 11th - 24th, 2011.

The Metrome Pre-Holiday Bazaar: December 11, 2011: Come shop for last minute gifts sold by unique vendors, enter the raffle to win fabulous prizes and enjoy cookies and cocoa while you sign Holiday cards for our valued staff. Check back for more details on vendors, prizes and more!

4th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade: December 11, 2011: Once a year San Diego pets and owners are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes for a special promenade throughout the Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate the holiday season - The 4th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade, taking place on Sunday, December 11th, 2011.

A Christmas Carol at the Whaley House: December 13 & 14, 2011: Join SOHO and the Whaley House Museum staff for a performance of Charles Dickens' timeless holiday ghost story, A Christmas Carol, set in the historic and haunted Whaley House.

An Irish Christmas at Balboa Theatre: December 16, 2011: Welcome to a great celebration of a Christmas evening in Ireland with glorious music, traditional dance, lively storytelling, laughter and plenty of Irish soul.

San Diego Pub Crawler's 1st Annual Holiday Costume Crawl: December 16 & 23, 2011: Join San Diego Pub Crawler's 1st Annual Holiday Pub/Costume Crawl as they guide you through a variety of bars, clubs, and lounges in downtown San Diego's historical Gaslamp District.

San Diego Symphony's Holiday Pops, A Winter Pops Concert: December 16 - 18, 2011: The San Diego Symphony presents Holiday Pops, A Winter Pops Concert, taking place on December 16th, 17th & 18th, 2011.

11th Hawaiian Christmas Concert with the Legendary Makaha Sons: December 17, 2011: Tula Productions presents their 12th Hawaiian Christmas Concert with the legendary Makaha Sons on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 at Birch North Park Theatre.

10th Annual Unsilent Night San Diego: December 23, 2011: Unsilent Night is an original composition by Phil Kline, written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December. It takes the form of a street promenade in which the audience becomes the performer.

Dr. Beach, aka Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman, has announced Coronado Beach is the #2 Best Beach in America! Read More >

Don't miss this awesome Groupon. For $12, you get admission for two (a $25 value). OR: For $29, you get a one-year family membership (a $60 value). This membership includes: free admission for up to two adults and children under 18, five complimentary guest passes, complimentary admission to exhibition-preview receptions, one complimentary admission to a Tower After Hours event, plus half off admission to all other Tower After Hours events, and omplimentary members-only museum open house. Read More >

This past March, 2011, LEGOLAND® California introduced an all-new, dedicated STAR WARS Miniland area for the very first time! Guests can enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action STAR WARS movies, as well as a scene from the animated series STAR WARS. Read More >

The 4th Annual San Diego Brazilian Festival, taking place on Sunday, September 18th, 2011, is the largest Brazilian event on the West Coast! Over 50,000 people were estimated at the last year's event. Read More >

Saturday @ The Lawn, taking place this Saturday, September 10th, 2011 at House of Pacific Relations, is a free musical and dance entertainment to the public in Balboa Park. Several International Cottages which actively support this initiative will also be open and available for visiting. For more information, and to see the calendar for today's performances, visit: www.balboapark.org/calendar/event/2011-09-10/saturdaythe-lawn Read More >

San Diego brides-to-be, "Don't Miss the Opportunity to Meet with one of Oprah's Angels", Fran Hansen, renowned wedding expert, author, event planner and owner of the newly launched Brides Miracle Network, and Fabulous Affordable Bridal Affairs. This nationwide event features NEW designer and couture wedding gowns at incredible savings of up to 85% off original prices. Best of all, brides-to-be pledging a donation of any amount to their favorite charity, in honor of their upcoming wedding, will receive up to an additional $100 off the already lowest marked price! The Fabulous Affordable Bridal Affair San Diego will take place on August 19th - 21st, 2011 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. For more information, visit: fabulousaffordablebridal.com

Fashion Bash San Diego will take place at the Culy Warehouse on Thursday, August 4th & Friday, August 5th, 2011. You'll find summer apparel and accessories at prices up to 80% off retail during the two-day Fashion Bash. Featured labels will include: BB Dakota; Tarte; lingerie by Karla Gisselle; and swimwear from ViX. Guests who crave a relaxing end-of-day treat can slip away to revel in luxurious complimentary treatments from a selection of San Diego's top salons. This event is 21+. Read More >

San Diego's Summer Restaurant week has been announced! Restaurant week will take place from September 18th - 23rd, 2011. Choose from over 180 of the city's best restaurants and enjoy a fixed price, three-course dinner for $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant. Read More >

Every Sunday afternoon from July 10th through Labor Day Weekend - September 4th, 2011, Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove is filled with the sounds of live music. These family-friendly FREE summer concerts are fun for everybody of all ages, offering a wide range of musical styles for everyone's enjoyment in an ideal setting overlooking La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Concerts By the Sea take place from 2-4pm. For more information, and to see the 2011 calendar, visit: www.ljconcertsbythesea.org Read More >