It’s officially December, which means it’s now socially acceptable to partake in any or all holiday festivities! San Diego has plenty of family-friendly things to do during the holiday season. Take your kids, your friends, or your significant others to these great holiday events throughout the month of December.
December Nights at Balboa Park
This coming weekend (Friday, December 6 and Saturday the 7th), head over to Balboa Park for their annual December Nights celebration. They’ll have live music, dancers, light displays, and a bunch of different food vendors. This is a classic San Diego tradition, so be sure to arrive early to find parking!
Ice Skating: Coronado and Liberty Station
People wait all year to skate by the sea at the Coronado ice rink. This beachfront rink is perfect for a date night or family night. You can even reserve a fire pit, complete with seating and food/beverage service.
Liberty Station is another hot spot for ice skating this time of year. This is a cheaper option in the heart of Liberty Station. There are plenty of surrounding restaurants to dine at once your skate session is over.
Both rinks are open daily, with the exception of Christmas Day. Check their websites for exact hours!
Christmas Tree Lighting, Little Italy
Little Italy’s 21st annual tree lighting ceremony is Saturday December 7th from 4-8pm. Join in on the fun and watch as they light a new tree, listen to some live holiday music, and enjoy some yummy treats. Santa will be making an appearance from 4pm to 6pm and the entire street will be covered in Christmas lights!
Winter Nights at Westfield UTC
For the first two Saturdays in December, Westfield UTC holds their Winter Nights. Each weekend will have live music, fun family crafts, and decorations to die for. Some stores will be providing tasty treats, too! Keep an eye out for the toy soldiers, winter fairies, and Santa walking around.
Holiday Pet Parade
On December 15th, the Gaslamp district will be holding its 12th annual Holiday Pet Parade. If you have an adorable pet that likes dressing up for the holidays, look no further! The pet parade is the place for you and your furry (or scaly) companions. Early registration is $15, day-of is $20, and the event is free for spectators!
Poway Christmas in the Park
If you don’t want to make the trek to Downtown, the city of Poway has a wonderful holiday festival. Christmas in the Park will be complete with caroling, live music, hay rides, and delicious holiday snacks. The annual tree lighting will begin just after 5pm, so don’t be late!
Polite Provisions
Every year, popular North Park bar Polite Provisions decks out in holiday decor. From shiny garlands to beautiful wreaths, you’ll feel like you just walked into a classic Christmas movie. Stop by after a day of ice skating and grab one of their perfect holiday cocktails!
Pacific Beach Santa Run
If you found this article helpful, follow us on social media. We post daily tips to help you manage your own rental property:
Steve Welty
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter
Join the 5k+ homeowners receiving Local Law Updates and Landlord Tips. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday at 6am PST.
Share this:
Get in touch with us:
We make owning rental property easy.
Choose Your Next Step
Good Life Blogs
We believe that education is empowering.
Property Management Fees: What Are You Actually Paying For?
If you are researching property management fees, you have probably already seen the numbers. Management fees typically range from 6% to 10% of monthly rent, with 8% being the industry midpoint for single-family homes and condos in Southern California. But what do those numbers actually mean in practice? What work is behind each fee, and how do you know if you are getting real value or just paying for a name on a contract? In this article, we break down each fee in a typical property management agreement, explain what the work behind it actually looks like, and cover a part of the process most landlords overlook entirely: insurance.
What Is Property Management? What It Actually Takes to Manage a Rental
What is property management? It is the professional oversight of every aspect of a rental property, from tenant placement and rent collection to maintenance, legal compliance, and financial reporting. Behind it is roughly 30 hours of work every time a tenant turns over, 2 to 3 hours of ongoing management each month, and a constantly shifting landscape of California rental laws that can cost landlords thousands if they get it wrong. This guide breaks down what a property manager actually does, the skills required, the most common mistakes first-time landlords make, and how to know if hiring a property manager is the right move.
How Much Can I Rent My House For in Riverside County? 2026 Data From Our Portfolio
If “rent my house” is the thought running through your head right now, the first thing you need is an accurate number. Most online tools report Riverside County averages in the $2,200 to $2,300 range, but those figures blend apartment data with single-family homes and consistently understate what a house will actually lease for. In this guide, we share the actual rent data from our Riverside County portfolio so you can make a confident decision about whether renting out your home is the right move.