San Diego is a popular winter getaway, offering a temperate climate, world-class attractions, 70 miles of sparkling beaches and a variety of holiday activities, both traditional and unexpected, for visitors to enjoy. Highlights include Balboa Park's December Nights, Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" live on stage at the Tony Award®-winning Old Globe theater, outdoor ice skating under sunny skies and a number of festive holiday events.

The following are just some of the many offerings that are sure to make a winter visit to San Diego merry, memorable and bright.

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FESTIVALS, PARADES AND LIGHT DISPLAYS

• The Goodguys 2nd Annual Fall Del Mar Nationals hot rod and custom car festival takes place on November 23-25, 2012 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The event features over 1,500 hot rods, customs, classics, street rods and vintage vehicles.  It also includes vendor exhibits, a swap meet, model car show, special Woodie display, family activities and a “Nitro Thunderfest” featuring vintage top-fuel dragsters.
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• On Nov. 24, kids and adults can "hang-ten" with Santa during the Surfing Santa at Seaport Village event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. along San Diego Bay. Dressed in board shorts, Santa arrives to this bay front shopping complex by watercraft; following his arrival, a lively parade takes place on the Seaport Village boardwalk, along with festive entertainment, live holiday tunes, stilt walkers, an eco-friendly tree lighting ceremony and more. Guests can also take photos with Santa and enjoy holiday crafts.
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• Cultural delights abound during the annual Balboa Park December Nights, held Dec. 7 – 8. This popular holiday event is the largest free community festival in San Diego and includes carolers, live entertainment, dance performances, children's rides, free admission to the Park's museums and cultural institutions (from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and delicious foods from around the world.
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• During the 41st Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights on Dec. 9 and 16, more than 100 private boat owners decorate their boats with holiday lights and sail along the waters of San Diego Bay. Great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Marina Park and Coronado's Ferry Landing.
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• Chula Vista's 51st Annual Starlight Parade in San Diego's South Bay lights up the night sky at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 with carolers, holiday cheer, floats, drill teams, marching bands, classic cars, a children's event and visit from Santa.
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• The Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights on Dec. 8 on Mission Bay includes over 100 brightly illuminated powerboats and sailboats. The parade ends with a fantastic firework show at 9 p.m. over the water.
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• The annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade takes place on Dec. 9 in downtown's Gaslamp Quarter, where dressed-up pets and their owners march down the historic neighborhood's decorated streets. Awards are presented for the best-dressed pups, and the event ends with a free public Pet Expo from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. offering complimentary goodie bags filled with pet keepsakes and samples, toys and special discounts to some of the Gaslamp Quarter's pet-friendly restaurants and shops.
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• During Jan. 21-27, the annual Farmers Insurance Open PGA golf tournament is played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 U.S. Open.
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SPARKLING ATTRACTIONS

• SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas Celebration returns Nov. 17, 2012 – Jan. 5, 2013. Festivities include Shamu's Christmas presentation with live choirs and musical soloists, and a holiday-themed sea lion and otter comedy show. Guests can also enjoy festive décor throughout the park, The Polar Express 4-D Experience and a nightly lighting of SeaWorld's 320-ft. Skytower Christmas Tree of Lights. Also returning in 2012 is SnowWorld, a winter wonderland of snowmen, snowballs and a snowball target area.
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• The San Diego Zoo will be aglow with bright lights Dec. 15 – 23 and Dec. 25, 2012, to Jan. 6, 2013 during Jungle Bells. This annual holiday event features large light displays that represent many of the animals at the Zoo including elephants spraying water, monkeys playing in the trees and a condor taking flight. Special holiday entertainment is also featured at shops and eateries around the park.
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CURTAIN CALLS

• The San Diego Symphony presents a holiday music tradition, Holiday Pops, as part of their City Lights concert series. This year, the Holiday Pops brings an Irish flair to the season with performances that include traditional Irish favorites and Grammy Award-winning Irish fiddler Ilene Ivers, along with holiday hits for the whole family. Holiday Pops occurs Dec. 21-23 at Copley Symphony Hall in downtown.
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• America's favorite holiday fable jumps right off the pages of the classic Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, for the 15th joyous year. Guests can catch this whimsical production at the Tony Award®-winning Old Globe theatre in Balboa Park during Nov. 17 – Dec. 29.
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• The timeless holiday classic, The Nutcracker, will be presented by The California Ballet during Dec. 15 – 16 and Dec. 19 - 23 at the Civic Theatre in downtown San Diego.
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OUTDOOR ICE-SKATING

• The landmark Hotel del Coronado located in the seaside community of Coronado, offers a unique Southern California experience with Skating by the Sea, an outdoor ice-skating rink adjacent to Coronado Beach and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. During November – January, the resort's famous Windsor Lawn is transformed into a seaside skating rink offering three-hour skating sessions daily.
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• Guests can glide gracefully across the ice surrounded by the bustle of downtown San Diego at Fantasy on Ice, located at Horton Plaza. Daily ice-skating sessions are offered 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. during Nov. 15, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013.
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• Viejas Outlet Center in San Diego's East County is proud to be the home of Southern California's largest outdoor ice-skating rink, open November 16, 2012 through January 6, 2013.
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CULINARY CELEBRATIONS

• Home to more than three dozen microbreweries, San Diego celebrates its love for beer during San Diego Beer Week, Nov. 2 – 11. Hundreds of beer-centric events take place throughout the county during this 10-day festival highlighting San Diego's award-winning craft beer, breweries and pubs.
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• During Nov. 14 – 18, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, the region's largest wine and culinary event, features 200 wine and spirit purveyors and 70 of San Diego's top chefs. Held at venues throughout downtown San Diego, the festival includes gourmet food, celebrity chefs, wine tasting, an elegant Reserve & New Release Tasting event and more.
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• San Diego's culinary community joins forces during Jan. 13 – 18, 2013 for San Diego Restaurant Week. Approximately 180 of the region's top restaurants offer prix-fixe, three-course lunch and dinner menus, at just $20, $30 or $40 per person; visitors can sample the signature cuisine and sophisticated style that make San Diego's dining scene one of the region's top attractions.
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SPORTING GOOD TIME

• The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl presents NCAA college football post-season action on Dec. 20 at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley. The game matches a team from the Mountain West Conference against an at-large opponent.
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• Football fans can catch another exciting post-season college football game at the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the Big Bay Balloon Parade along downtown San Diego's waterfront. The parade is the country's largest balloon parade featuring floats, giant inflatable balloon characters and national marching bands. Later in the evening, two top college teams from the PAC 10 and Big 12 square off at SDCCU Stadium in Mission Valley.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

• The annual Big Night San Diego New Year's Eve gala is an extravagant 21-and-over celebration to ring in the New Year. Held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in downtown San Diego, the all-inclusive party features 12 themed rooms, six dance floors, live bands, DJs and more.
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Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.

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