Dream Destinations ~ A Luxe Travel Blogger & Advisor

There’s something undeniably special about California during the holidays. While we may not have the snow-covered landscapes of New England, we’ve got our own brand of Christmas magic, and it’s scattered across some of the most charming towns you’ve ever seen. Some even with snow, like gorgeous Big Bear, CA, one of my favorite Cali destinations.

1. Big Bear Lake: A Magical Christmas Mountain Getaway
2. Solvang: Where Denmark Meets Christmas
3. Nevada City: Step Back into Victorian Times
4. Cambria Christmas Market: Instagram Dreams Come True
5. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: Victorian London in the Bay Area
6. 123 Farm in Beaumont: A Hidden Gem 90 Minutes from LA
7. Holidays at Filoli: The Bay Area’s Best-Kept Secret
8. Newport Beach: Where Boats Wear Their Holiday Best
9. Carmel-by-the-Sea: Fairytale Meets Festive
10. Grass Valley: Cornish Traditions Meet California Gold Country
11. Skypark at Santa’s Village: Another Fun SoCal Snow Escape
12. Making the Most of Your California Christmas Adventure
13. The Bottom Line

This year, I’m trading the usual holiday hustle for something more meaningful: a road trip to California’s most festive destinations. Let’s be honest—airport crowds, flight delays, and skyrocketing ticket prices can drain the joy right out of the season. That’s what makes a California Holiday road trip so appealing. You’re in control of your schedule, you can pack as many gifts as your trunk can hold (no baggage fees!) and there’s something genuinely magical about watching the landscape change as you drive from city to coast to mountains. From Danish villages twinkling with lights to Victorian-era towns straight out of a Dickens novel, to stunningly beautiful snowy mountain retreats and coastal celebrations. These spots are where the Golden State really shines during the winter season.

Big Bear Lake: A Magical Mountain Christmas Getaway,

Key Dates:

If you want a full mountain Christmas experience with virtually guaranteed snow, Big Bear Lake delivers in spectacular fashion. Throughout December, The Village transforms into a twinkling alpine paradise with cozy fire pits, romantic carriage rides, and festive wooden creature carvings lining the streets.

Big Bear’s holiday season is in full swing with events running through the New Year. Santa and Mrs. Claus make their regular appearances in The Village every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 22nd from 10 AM to 4 PM at Santa’s Hut—completely free for families. Kids Ski/Snowboard Free Week runs December 6-12, giving children 12 and under complimentary lift tickets.

Theater lovers can catch “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” December 4-11 and “A Ghost Story of Christmas” (a one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol) December 19-22 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center.

Throughout the season, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo transforms into a sparkling wonderland with over two million lights for their Wild Lights display, running Wednesday through Sunday until January 4, 2026, with special “Santa Claws” visits on December 14 and 21.

The Festival of Lights competition has homes and businesses glowing all month, with voting open December 4-31 and $8,000 in prizes.

Ring in 2026 with Snow Summit’s legendary 60th Annual New Year’s Eve Party featuring the spectacular Torchlight Parade at 6 PM, where 200+ skiers and snowboarders descend the slopes with flaming torches, followed by live music, dining, and fireworks until 10 PM.

Beyond the festivities, Big Bear offers world-class skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding, making it the perfect destination for a multi-day winter getaway just two hours from LA.

Solvang: Where Denmark Meets Christmas

Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, December 5th, 2025 begins 5:00 PM

If you’ve never experienced Solvang’s Julefest, you’re missing out on one of California’s most enchanting holiday traditions. This picturesque town, known as “The Danish Capital of America,” doesn’t just decorate for Christmas—it transforms completely.

Throughout the celebration, Solvang offers candlelight tours (select dates November 30–December 28), festive scavenger hunts, and themed markets. The town was recently named the second-best Christmas destination in the entire United States, so book your accommodations early. Key events include the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6 at 5:30 PM and the Julefest Parade on December 7 at 11 AM. The Wednesday Makers Markets (December 4, 11, 18 from 3-7 PM) are perfect for holiday shopping under the stars.

Pro tip: Come hungry. The Danish pastries and holiday treats here are absolutely worth the calories.

Nevada City: Step Back into Victorian Times

Dates: Sundays December 8, 15, 22 (1:30-6 PM) and Wednesdays December 11, 18 (5-9 PM), 2024

Picture this: lamp-lit streets, Victorian carolers in full costume, and the aroma of free roasted chestnuts wafting through the air. That’s Nevada City during the holidays.

This Gold Rush-era gem northeast of Sacramento hosts Victorian Christmas celebrations on select days throughout December. You’ll spot delightful characters like the Walking Christmas Tree, the Toy Soldier, and Father Christmas himself (Sundays only) wandering the streets. It’s like stepping into a living Christmas card, but with better shopping—artisan makers and boutiques line the historic downtown. A free shuttle runs from the Nevada County Government Center (950 Maidu Avenue), which is highly recommended since parking is limited.

Cambria Christmas Market: Instagram Dreams Come True

Dates: November 29–December 31, 2024 (closed December 1-2, 8-9, 24-25; those dates open to hotel guests only) Hours: Gates open at 5 PM, close at 8:30 PM (final closing at 9 PM sharp)

With over 3 million Christmas lights illuminating this sleepy seaside town, Cambria’s Christmas Market earned its spot as the third most Instagrammable Christmas market in America. But it’s not just about the ‘gram—though your feed will definitely thank you.

The German booth offers traditional decor and collectibles, the Biergarten hosts live music and carolers, and there’s even a magical train ride for all ages. Plus, Santa photos are a given (Santa available 6-8:30 PM nightly). It’s the perfect blend of European Christmas market vibes with that laid-back California coastal charm. Tickets range from $27-$45 depending on the date and sell out quickly, so book in advance!

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: Victorian London in the Bay Area

Dates: November 23–December 22, 2024 (Saturdays, Sundays, plus Friday after Thanksgiving) Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM

For 40 years, this extraordinary fair has been transporting visitors straight into Victorian London—no passport required. Located at the Cow Palace in Daly City (just south of San Francisco), this isn’t your average Christmas market. We’re talking about over 100 intricately decorated shops and hundreds of costumed performers bringing Charles Dickens’ world to life.

Meet Father Christmas, encounter the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and if you’re 21+, indulge in port and chocolate tastings or join the mysterious pub crawl. Victorian costumes are encouraged but not required—though honestly, why wouldn’t you? Tickets range from $18-$45 and must be purchased online in advance.

123 Farm in Beaumont: A Hidden Gem 90 Minutes from LA

Here’s one you might not have heard of: 123 Farm in Beaumont offers an unexpected holiday experience just 90 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles. Ancient olive trees (we’re talking 1,000 years old) and sprawling lavender fields get dressed up in thousands of twinkling lights.

Kids will love the life-size gingerbread house and the cleverly named “Gnome Depot,” while Santa makes regular appearances. It’s the kind of place that makes for perfect family photos without the usual tourist crowds.

Holidays at Filoli: The Bay Area’s Best-Kept Secret

If you’re near San Francisco, this 16-acre historic estate in Woodside deserves a spot on your holiday bucket list. Filoli’s holiday light display is criminally underrated—you can wander the sprawling gardens with mulled wine or whiskey cider in hand, making it a decidedly adult-friendly experience.

Book a private fire pit for extra coziness, take a guided tour of the stunning estate, or sip sparkling wine in the ballroom. Then mark your calendar for New Year’s Day and join the “Hair of the Dog” hike—because nothing says recovery like a stroll through beautiful gardens with strategically placed refreshment stations.

Newport Beach: Where Boats Wear Their Holiday Best

Dates: December 18-22, 2024 (Wednesday-Sunday) Parade Time: Starts approximately 6:30 PM nightly

Newport Beach proves that California knows how to do coastal Christmas right. The annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is back for its 116th year (yes, you read that right), now featuring drone shows alongside the illuminated boats. Opening night (December 18) kicks off with a fireworks display at approximately 6:15 PM off the Newport Pier.

Beyond the parade, you’ll find the “Nights of 1000 Lights” at Sherman Library & Gardens and the Ring of Lights on Balboa Island. Marina Park (1600 W Balboa Blvd) offers the best free public viewing spot for the boat parade, with 10.5 acres of space and 177 parking spaces. The parade route and all the decorated homes can be viewed nightly from November 30-December 31.

Carmel-by-the-Sea: Fairytale Meets Festive

Carmel is already absurdly picturesque with its Victorian cottages and artistic charm. Add thousands of Christmas lights, especially in Carmel Plaza, and it becomes almost impossibly charming.

The weekly Thursday farmers market takes on a festive flair during the holidays, and there’s an outdoor celebration on December 5th. Culture lovers can catch productions of The Nutcracker and The Christmas Ballet at the Sunset Center. It’s sophisticated, beautiful, and exactly what you’d expect from one of California’s most beloved coastal towns.

Grass Valley: Cornish Traditions Meet California Gold Country

Dates: Friday evenings in December leading up to Christmas, 2024

The 57th annual happens every Friday night leading up to Christmas in this Sierra Nevada foothills town. It’s old-fashioned in the best possible way—handcrafted gifts, roasted chestnuts, spiced cider by the fire pit, and Victorian carolers filling the air with holiday music.

Bonus: If you’re planning a Lake Tahoe trip via I-80, Grass Valley makes for a perfect festive pit stop. Pro tip: There’s even a free shuttle connecting downtown Grass Valley to Nevada City on Wednesdays during Nevada City’s Victorian Christmas if you want to experience both towns!

Skypark at Santa’s Village: Another Fun SoCal Snow Escape

Saving the best (and closest to LA) for last. Lake Arrowhead’s Santa’s Village has been creating Christmas magic for over 60 years, and they’ve perfected the formula. Might have snow.

This isn’t just a few decorations and a Santa photo op. We’re talking outdoor ice skating, Santa’s workshop and post office, a joyful train ride leading to an illuminated winter hiking trail, and seasonal shops packed with holiday treats. The nearly two-month-long celebration is incredibly popular, so buy tickets online in advance—same-day tickets aren’t guaranteed.

Making the Most of Your California Christmas Adventure

The Bottom Line

California’s Christmas towns offer something for everyone, whether you’re seeking romantic getaways, family adventures, or just a break from the everyday. These aren’t just decorated streets—they’re full-blown experiences that capture the magic of the season in uniquely California ways.

So gas up the car, queue up your favorite holiday playlist, and discover why California does Christmas its own special way. The twinkling lights are waiting, and honestly, your Instagram isn’t going to fill itself.

Which town are you visiting first? Let me know in the comments below—I’m always looking for tips on the best hot chocolate spots and hidden photo opportunities!