The winter months can feel like they are going to last forever in the colder zones of the world, and as you wake up to another gray and gloomy day, fight to stay upright on patches of ice that have crept up on your porch steps, and discover that fingers and toes can stay numb and frozen for days at a time, a Mission Beach vacation may be your saving grace. Offering warmth, sunshine, and all the comforts and luxuries travelers have learned to expect from our Penny Realty seasonal sanctuaries, the only downside to a winter in San Diego getaway is that it will be over far too soon. Today, we are offering this guide to all the things that will make your escape to Mission Beach fun as well as warm and wonderful.
Day 1: Where the Donuts Are
Not every breakfast has to be a healthy one, especially on vacation, and during your winter journey in Mission Beach, some of your favorite breakfasts will be the sweet treats with a hole in the middle. A good donut can transform the worst of days into the best of days, and even in health conscious California, there is no shortage of donut shops to be found. Even the iconic donut shop from Hollywood, Randy’s Donuts, has made its way to our doorstep, selling their little bundles of dough from a nondescript shop in a strip mall. The donut star of San Diego, however, may just be the Devil’s Dozen, located in Little Italy at 2001 Kettner Boulevard and offering donuts so sweet and fresh, they practically melt in your mouth.
Day 2: Thar, She Blows!
You aren’t the only winter traveler enjoying the warmth and hospitality of the San Diego area; gray whales can often be spotted enjoying a balmy winter day from the deck of the boats offered by Adventure Whale Watching San Diego Tours. December through April are prime whale watching months, and because they are so prevalent in our waters, you can be assured that you will spot them breaching and may even be able to capture a photograph, ensuring you will be most envied by all your friends and family back home.
Day 3: Boats, Lights, and Star Filled Nights
For Christmas travelers, it will be important to your children that you continue to follow your holiday traditions, and the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights will enable you to mark off two items from your bucket list: watching a parade and seeing the Christmas lights. For over 50 years, the first two Sundays in December are set aside for this exciting boat parade, featuring 80 boats all done up for the season and thousands of people waiting to enjoy the parade. Worried about seeing Santa? Santa’s Factory at the San Diego Zoo offers the photo opportunity your kids have been dreaming about all year.
Day 4: Museum Adventures for Less
February in the San Diego area is Museum Month, offering 28 days of reduced admission prices at over 60 local museums. Offering a great way to stay entertained on the rare rainy days, visitors can explore the history of music at the Museum of Making Music, run mild at the New Children’s Museum, and enjoy a relatively new museum to the landscape with a visit to the Comic Con Museum in Balboa Park, all offering reduced admission fees in February.
Day 5: A Day in the Park
Outdoor activities are popular in this area in the winter months, and Mission Bay Park is one of the most popular spots in town no matter what the season. The nation’s largest aquatic park, guests can ride bikes or walk along the trails that cut through the park, boats can be launched from a variety of docks, and playgrounds will keep your tiniest travelers happily occupied. Picnics, volleyball games, kite flying, everything you might do at the parks in your own town can be done at Mission Bay Park, making your winter journey a memorable one.
Day 6: Catch Your Limit
Fishing is another winter activity that just hits differently in Mission Beach, with Mariner’s Basin being one of the best spots in the area for catching your limit. Corvina, spotted bay bass, and halibut may be what bites your line, and corvina is one of the healthiest fish you can eat and will taste delicious when grilled on the barbecues often found on the back patios of our seasonal sanctuaries. A fishing license will be needed if you fish anywhere except off the pier and can be purchased online at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Day 7: Picnics by the Fireplace
Temperatures at night can get a bit chilly in the winter months, but our winter escapes are prepared for all types of weather. Some of our most luxurious properties offer a fireplace that will keep you warm and add romance to your stay, others may provide firepits in large backyards, and all will offer heaters that will be appreciated by chilled travelers. Reserve your favorite escape today!