Why Holiday Getaways are Worth the Trip

Many families travel long distances during the holidays to visit family or friends. Sometimes it's special to spend time together as a family on a holiday getaway—or even better, get the entire extended family to join in the festivities! 

Holiday getaways are worth the trip because your family will experience a level of magnificence that is nearly impossible to recreate at home, no matter how awesome your holiday decor may be. Holiday hotels have full-time staff dedicated to curating a magical holiday experience for their guests. You can expect over-the-top decorations and lights, family-friendly events, and culinary delights that are nearly impossible to recreate at home. Even better, many of these festive hotels and Christmas towns near LA are just a short drive (or even train ride) away!

Insider Tips for Visiting Christmas Hotels & Towns with Kids

• Even though it's Southern California, it can get cold! Make sure to dress warm for those chilly nights.
• Check hotel and city event calendars for exact dates and times of parades, tree lightings, and other fun holiday events.
• Many of these experiences are in high demand, so book hotels early!
• Combine day trips with an overnight stay in a festive hotel for extra magic.

Festive Hotels

Los Angeles

Holidays at the Langham Huntington — Pasadena

The Langham Huntington is one of the most prestigious and historic hotels in the Los Angeles area, so it’s no surprise it’s also one of the most festive when it comes to the holiday season. In addition to the massive Christmas tree outside the hotel’s main building, highlights include:

• Teddy Bear Tea at the lobby lounge on December 3rd, 9th, 10th, and the 16th-24th that includes traditional tea and treats, plus a puppet show.
• Guests receive a Paddington Bear dressed in Langham’s iconic pink coat.
• Christmas brunch and dinners at the restaurants.
• Winter-themed spa treatments for the parents.
• Holiday room packages.

The Beverly Hills Hotel — Beverly Hills

Located high atop the Hollywood Hills, the Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the city's most recognizable resorts. And in true Beverly Hills fashion, the hotel spares no expense when getting festive for the holidays, kicking off the day after Thanksgiving. Some of the highlights of the holiday season at the Beverly Hills Hotel include:

• Festive decor with wreaths and menorahs.
• 12 Days of Soufflé from December 12th to 23rd at the Polo Lounge.
• A cookie-decorating class with the staff on December 21st.
• Holiday carol singers who perform on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Festive afternoon tea starting on November 28th.
• Prix-fixe meals on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

Inland Empire

Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa — Riverside

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has been at this holiday magic thing for quite a while—over three decades in fact! This year’s Festival of Lights marks the 33rd year of the celebration, which runs from November 22nd to January 6th. Some of the highlights include:

• The switch-on ceremony for the Festival of Lights is at 5pm on November 22nd. 
• Festive rides for children and families.
• A Fantasy Carousel, Balloon Ferris Wheel, Santa Cub Swing, Christmas Inflatable Bounce House, and a Christmas-Themed Children’s Game.
• The hotel offers several special accommodation packages that bundle special experiences like in-suite caroling and storytime led by Santa's elves.
• An ice skating rink.
• For the adults, a 12-Cocktail of Christmas menu is offered at all dining locations.

The Holidays at La Quinta Resort — Palm Springs

Who doesn’t love the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life? Film fans will love the way that La Quinta Resort transforms itself into a desert-set version of Bedford Falls each holiday season from November 22nd to December. This resort is where Frank Capra wrote the quintessential Christmas film back in the 1940s. Other highlights include:

• Chestnut roasting, dessert demos, and cooking demonstrations every Saturday.
• Tree lighting on November 30th.
• Breakfast with Santa on November 30th and December 14th.
• Holiday movies on the lawn every Saturday.

Orange County

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort Hotels — Anaheim

It’s no secret that Disneyland is one of the most magical places in the world around the holiday season. Each of the Disneyland Resort Hotels (Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place) goes all out to celebrate the holidays, each fitting its unique theme. Highlights include: 

• Each hotel is decorated with a themed Christmas tree that brings the Disney magic.
• There are chances to meet Santa at each of the hotels.
• The characters are outfitted in seasonal attire, bringing more holiday magic.

Holidays at the Balboa Bay Resort — Newport Beach

Located right on the water, the Balboa Bay Resort is the quintessential Orange County resort. When the holiday rolls around, the resort decks the halls but maintains its coastal cool. Favorite activities at the resort include:

• Traditional Thanksgiving dinner on November 27th with turkey, prime rib, salmon, chilled seafood, and more.
• Tree-lighting celebration on November 30th.
• A wreath-crafting activity with wine and other beverages for adults.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day champagne brunches with prime rib, maple-glazed ham, chilled seafood, and more.
• Staying at the hotel gives you a front-row seat to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade from December 17th to 21st.

San Diego County

Holidays at the Fairmount Grand Del Mar — Del Mar

One of San Diego County's most luxurious hotels, the Fairmount Grand Del Mar pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. In addition to whimsical decor and seasonal spirit, there are plenty of activities and events for kids and adults alike, including:

• A 25-foot Christmas tree with a tree-lighting event on December 1st at 6:30pm.
• An eco-friendly "Glice" skating rink.
• Cabanas and fire pits with s'mores and festive cocktails.
• Meet Santa on the weekends with a special storytime led by the big guy himself on Christmas Eve at 6pm.
• Tea time, followed by two performances of The Nutcracker by the Scripps Performing Arts Academy. 
• Brunch with Santa, Saturdays and Sundays in December
• Tea in the lobby lounge every Saturday and Sunday from November 29th to December 28th.
• Special Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve dinners at the hotel's restaurants.

Holiday Celebrations at the Lodge at Torrey Pines — La Jolla

Located in one of the most picturesque parts of San Diego County, the Lodge at Torrey Pines hosts quite an event for the holidays. The Holiday Celebrations take place from November 27th through December 26th. Highlights of the Holiday Celebrations include:

• Taste of the Seasons, which offers a hot chocolate station alongside tastings of more adult holiday cocktails like German mulled wine and boozy eggnog.
• Complimentary holiday cookies with every stay.
• Letter writing to Santa Claus.
• Holiday carolers with two Christmastime staples: hot mulled cider and fruitcake.
• Gingerbread house decorating.
• A sing-along with Santa himself.

Holidays at The Del — Coronado Island

While all of the hotels on the list take an over-the-top festive approach to the holidays, The Del may have the most unique theme. Inspired by L. Frank Baum and his connection to the Hotel Del Coronado, the festivities are dubbed "A Holiday in Oz." In addition to stunning decor, you can look forward to activities and events such as:

• Skating by the Sea, from November 21st to January 4th.
• The rink-side Frostbite Lounge, where you can enjoy drinks and snacks around a fire pit.
• "Wonder of Oz" Lightshow Spectacular that includes a Norfolk Pine that made history in 1904 as the first electronically-lit outdoor Christmas tree. It runs from November 21st to January 4th.
• Beach igloos with roasted s'mores from November 21st to January 4th.
• A holiday festival on January 3rd that features a performance by Coronado schoolchildren, Skydiving Santa, Skating by the Sea, and a fireworks display.
• Photos with Santa and gingerbread house decorating.
• Holiday movies on the beach.
• Holiday tea.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners.

Christmas Towns Near LA Worth the Drive

The above lists Southern California hotels and resorts that best capture the holiday spirit, but there are also entire towns that are the perfect holiday getaway! Some of them are a short drive from Los Angeles, but even the more distant Christmas towns mentioned below are worth driving a few hours to reach. 

Solvang

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, just a few hours north on the 101, Solvang is cute and quaint all year long. But when it comes time for the holidays, this family-friendly Danish village really steps it up. From November 28th until January 8th, the town hosts its annual Julefest, where visitors can "Experience the Julehygge!"

The town's already-cute, very walkable downtown is lit up during the festival, with a tree-lighting ceremony on December 5th. The ceremony includes a performance by The Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble, ballerinas who encircle the tree, and caroling. The ceremony ends with a park-wide light show.

The next day, on December 6th, is the Julefest Parade! It features floats and other entrants traveling around the streets of Solvang, with over 400 participants! After the parade, you can meet Santa.

For three weekends in December (3rd, 10th, 17th), the town hosts a Maker's Market. This market features wares from local crafters and artisans, with gifts, treats, and more. On Saturdays during the festival, carolers roam the village streets and serenade revelers with holiday favorites.

And the fun doesn't end on Christmas! On New Year's Eve, the Julefest hosts a countdown to the new year. The party includes live music, a beer and wine garden, and delicious local treats.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach is one of Southern California's most iconic beach towns, but it's also one of its best holiday towns! As mentioned above, it has some of the best holiday resorts in the area, with hotels that really go all-out with the festivities.

For those who aren't planning to stay in a hotel over the holidays, there's plenty to do in Newport Beach with your family. One of the most famous holiday traditions is the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Cruise, where the harbor is lit up with colorful lights. Newport Dunes is home to a holiday ice rink where kids and parents can hit the ice in sunny SoCal. And Balboa Island, with its quaint shops and walkable streets, is just a short ferry ride away from the Balboa Fun Zone.

Big Bear Lake

Unlike most of the towns in this article, Big Bear Lake actually does have weather that matches the holiday spirit. This mountain town should see plenty of snow and cold temperatures when you arrive during the holiday season, and it has a festive spirit that matches the environs. 

There are, of course, all of the wintery activities you'd expect in a mountain town, like skiing, sledding, and tubing. At the Village at Big Bear Lake, you'll find the businesses have decked the halls in extraordinary fashion, lending to the festive atmosphere. In fact, there's even a Big Bear Lake Festival of Lights Holiday Competition to give locals added motivation to light up the town. Kids can visit Santa in the Big Bear Village every Saturday through December 22nd. 

Skypark at Santa’s Village

Any parents who grew up in Southern California in the '90s will remember radio and TV commercials for Santa's Village just outside Lake Arrowhead. Unfortunately, that park closed around the turn of the millennium, falling into disrepair. The good news is that about 10 years ago, it was reborn as Skypark at Santa's Village. Now, it's one of the best Christmastime getaways in Southern California, and certainly worth the drive. 

Skypark retains the charm of the original Santa's Village while upping the ante in a way that makes it even better than its predecessor. New attractions include a kid-size rock climbing wall, an ice-skating rink, a Polar Express train, and a Strider balance bike trail. There are elves all around the park, and of course, the big guy is there for Santa visits.

Other attractions at the Skypark include gem mining, arts and crafts, and Arrow's Adventure, an old-fashioned pedal car ride. Don't miss the gingerbread house-inspired bakery and K's Kandyshop and Confectionery, where kids can feast on sweet treats. For the adults, there's an old-fashioned pub and a coffee shop—plus there are two restaurants that will please everyone in the family.

Palm Springs

Ironically, one of the best places to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season is in the desert. Palm Springs is a town that contains multitudes; when it comes to Christmas, there are few better places within a short drive of Los Angeles. 

The Festival of Lights Parade is held on December 6th this year. The festive parade runs down Palm Canyon Drive, the main drag of Palm Springs, and features lights, floats, marching bands, Macy's Parade-style floats, and a visit from Old Saint Nick himself. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens holds an annual WildLights display beginning on November 25th through December 30th. 

Magic of Lights isn't exactly in Palm Springs (it's in nearby Coachella, about a 30-minute drive), but it's a must-see for visitors to the valley. This drive-thru light display stretches over a mile, showcasing dazzling Christmas lights and some of the most beloved holiday characters.