As much as I love staying home for the holidays, I love traveling even more. California may not come first to mind when you think of snowy wonderlands, but there are some underrated cities that really embrace the holiday magic.
We’re going to cover all of California, all the way from the city lights of San Francisco to the sandy shores of San Diego. The hotel you stay in is so important to making your holiday celebration feel complete and we’re going to go over the best California Christmas hotels, so you’ll have the coziest holiday season with your loved ones.
Central and Central Coast California
For the sake of this article, we’ve combined Central and Central Coast California. This region offers a unique blend of mountain towns and coastal beauty. From the charming small towns outside of Santa Barbara to the breathtaking and majestic views in Yosemite National Park, these Christmas destinations promise unforgettable experiences.
1. Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite
Tenaya Lodge is our favorite place to stay at when visiting Yosemite during the winter months. The lodge is beautiful year-round with hiking trails, a spa, pools, and rock climbing, but there is something so magical about the holiday season.
During the winter, Tenaya Lodge comes alive with festive activities like ice skating and a gingerbread house workshop. End the day with a delicious dinner at Jackelope Bar, which serves the best steak, pork chops, and pumpkin cocktail.
2. Corque Hotel, Solvang
If there’s a town that truly LOVES Christmas, it’s Solvang. Solvang Christmas is festive, warm, and everything you’d want for a jolly good time. Starting in December, the town has a month-long Danish style celebration, kicking it off with a tree lighting ceremony. The rest of the month is filled with fun festivities like the Julefest Parade, Maker’s Market featuring local artisans, music, bright lights, and photos with Santa.
Corque Hotel is an adorable boutique hotel located in the heart of Solvang that perfectly captures the Christmas spirit. With a Christmas tree in the lobby and cute festive decorations throughout the hotel, this is a perfect family-friendly hotel conveniently located for shopping and dining.
3. The Genevieve, Santa Ynez
A cozy inn located in the wine country of Santa Barbara, The Genevieve is the perfect stay for a lowkey and intimate Christmas getaway. Enjoy a leisurely morning with a complimentary breakfast, then check out their luxurious day spa and dry sauna. I love their huge firepit in the garden, which is the perfect place to snuggle up under a blanket and roast some marshmallows.
The Genevieve has great offers if you book early, so check for any special holiday packages before Christmas rolls around.
4. Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito
Escape to the oceanfront stretch of The American Riviera for a beachy Christmas celebration. In terms of up-scale beachfront hotels, it doesn’t get more luxurious than the Rosewood Miramar Beach.
During the holiday season, the entire property is decked out with lights and garlands hanging from the balconies and glittering in the trees and shrubs lining the walkways. The real showstopper is the black and white tiled lobby with the spiraling staircase that becomes decorated with tiny lights that frame the huge Christmas tree.
Rosewood Miramar Beach is one of the best hotels with special Christmas packages. During the holidays, the hotel offers different packages for their spa and facial treatments, as well as special Christmas menus that would make for an unforgettable meal with your loved ones.
With a tree lighting ceremony, snow flurries on the lawn, and live performances, you’ll be dancing the night away at one of the best California holiday resorts. Who says you can’t have ocean views and Christmas trees? Thes best of both worlds!
Northern California
5. Pelican Inn, Muir Beach
Escape to a romantic Christmas getaway at Pelican Inn. This Tudor retreat is only 25 minutes away from San Francisco and is the perfect escape from the city. The interior of the Pelican, as well as the surrounding landscape, is reminiscent of the English countryside with its rustic decor. The Inn only has 7 rooms, each with a unique layout, features, and design.
Spending Christmas here is so cozy and intimate, especially with how few guests are allowed to stay at the inn. There’s a Christmas tree and fireplace in the common area for guests to mingle and sing carols together. The Pelican Inn Pub is open to anyone and serves a hearty menu of classic
English dishes, while the Christmas Eve menu is more extensive and offers items like chestnut soup, salmon wellington, and trifle. (And you can’t skip out on their English beer on tap). Only a couple minutes away from Muir Beach, Pelican Inn is a charming homebase to return to after a day of exploring the outdoors.
6. Whimsy Homes Cabin, Arnold
Welcome to a luxurious cabin experience in the forests of Arnold, one of our favorite Northern California Christmas towns! We love our Whimsy Homes Cabin because it truly feels like a home away from home, but way more fun. With funky and bright wallpaper and furnishings, five-star amenities, and new appliances, you simply won’t want to leave.
Our Whimsy Home, aka the Tree Castle, is nestled between private lakes and snowy slopes of the Stanislaus National Forest where you can spend your days exploring the mountainside and playing in the snow. We even put up a pink tree in celebration of Christmas!
We’re biased of course, but this might be the best location for a snowy getaway on this list.
7. Fairmont San Francisco
The Bay view at Fairmont San Francisco will never cease to amaze us. Whether you’re a returning visitor of SF, or a first-timer, you can’t go wrong with staying at this lux hotel. During the holiday season, the Fairmont offers Santa Suites where you can pick rooms that are sophistically decorated with Christmas cheer (perhaps for a romantic couples’ trip) or a whimsical wonderland room (perfect for families with children).
The Fairmont SF is also a great stay for the holidays since they really go all out with bright Christmas lights and decorations. There’s even a giant gingerbread house made of REAL gingerbread and See’s Candy where you can book a private dining experience for up to 8 guests. Fairmont’s famed afternoon tea is elevated to holiday high tea with steaming pots of loose-leaf tea, sandwiches, and pastries.
Drink New Year’s Eve away at the Cirque Holiday Bar and Lobby Champagne Bar with no worries of waking up early since guests can enjoy a late check out at 4pm on New Year’s Day.
8. The Inn at Newport Ranch, Fort Bragg
Whenever we want a refresh and digital detox, we visit The Inn at Newport Ranch. With cozy, luxurious rooms, a big fireplace, and incredibly accommodating staff, you’ll feel so comfortable and at home. The Inn also sets up a giant Christmas tree for the holidays, so you’ll feel the festive spirits.
Be sure to visit nearby Skunk Train, an hour train ride that takes you through the Redwoods. The best part is the on-train bar where you can buy snacks and wine for the ride!
Southern California
9. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside
Mission Inn is a historical landmark in Riverside, known for its stunning architecture and hosting many past presidents and celebrities.
Beginning in November, the hotel hosts the famous annual Festival of Lights, one of the biggest holiday lights collections in the nation. The hotel completely transforms with dazzling lights, music, food vendors, and even Santa Claus. Mission Inn ice skating also makes a return during this beloved festival.
10. Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
Hotel del Coronado is an absolute staple for a classic SoCal beachy Christmas. Plus, it’s located in beautiful San Diego, one of the best places to spend Christmas in Southern California. The property is beautiful year-round, but they really pull full stops when it comes to the holidays. Coronado comes alive at night with bright lights strewn around the hotel and trees, creating a dreamy old Hollywood setting.
There is an ice skating rink on-site to bring some winter activities to a beach town. You can enjoy a meal around a fire by the rink or sit at the ocean-side lounge at Frostbite Lounge for holiday-themed bites.
You can even sit inside a Beachside Igloo while roasting marshmallows for a toasty sweet treat. If you’re looking for more sophisticated holiday dining, book a Christmas Eve buffet dinner or Christmas Day brunch in the Crown Room.
Celebrate holiday cheer with a dynamic light show on Founders Lawn with holiday jazz music and snow flurries! The show is free to the public, equipped with a bar and plush seating so you can enjoy the holiday atmosphere with your loved ones.
11. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim
It’s no secret that Disney is known for its magical atmosphere and the Grand Californian Hotel is no exception – it’s truly one of the best hotels for Christmas in California. It’s also conveniently located next to Disney California Adventure Park, which also transforms into a winter wonderland.
The Grand Californian spares no expense to transform their lobby – decked out with garlands, lights, giant gingerbread houses, and a floor-to-ceiling tall Christmas tree. With a roaring fireplace, this is the perfect cozy Christmas stay, no matter what age you are!
12. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Spend Christmas on a seaside bluff with a panoramic view of the Pacific at the famed Ritz-Carlton. Modern and chic, the Ritz is a stand-out when it comes to gorgeous beachfront hotels that will make you feel pampered and relaxed. Beautiful year-round, the Ritz becomes even dreamier during the holiday season as the days become shorter and the twinkling lights of the hotel shine through the night.
The hotel kicks off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony in November on Dana Lawn, overlooking the ocean. Spend your days walking the shores of Salt Creek Beach or surfing in the ocean before heading in to soak at the spa. Don’t worry about traveling for dinner because the hotel has on-site restaurants, as well as a rooftop lounge that is the perfect setting for sipping on a cocktail while taking in the breathtaking view of the California coast.
These are some of the best places to spend Christmas in California, whether you’re looking to stay in the city or go somewhere a bit more quiet. California is a beautiful place to celebrate from a snowy Christmas Eve in wine country, or a balmy Christmas Day on the beaches of Southern California. No matter which Christmas hotel you choose to book, there is holiday cheer to find for everyone.
