(This article may or may not contain affiliate links. What does that mean?)
The winter months are here, but you don’t need cold weather and a snowy ski trip to celebrate the season. Trade in your fuzzy hats and heavy sweaters for sunscreen and flip-flops. Leave behind the pressure of holiday prep and party obligations and focus on celebrating Christmas with your family stress-free.
Consider these dreamy locations for sun, sand, and water views and give your kids the greatest gift of all – the best Christmas vacation of a lifetime.
NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT! OR BOOKMARK FOR LATER!
Laguna Beach, CA: One of the Best Places Close to Home
Pack light because small town Laguna Beach sits between Los Angeles and San Diego, making it the perfect staycation destination for a long Christmas weekend. This popular spot gets your toes in the sand while being light on the wallet for LA locals and still offering families choices for holiday season fun.
- Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy Small business shopping and tons of photo ops make this festival a must go. Don’t miss Santa Claus and his carolers, art classes, or falling “snow”. Every weekend through December 18th.
- The Laguna Playhouse This year’s seasonal play is “The Wonderful Winter of Oz” with performances until December 29th.
Where to Stay In Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach Splurge on this 5 star family property with a special Christmas Day menu, Gingerbread Holiday Display, and kids painting. Bonus: foot spa and a hot tub for the grownups!
Relax on the California coast at Laguna Beach! @Derek
O’ahu, HI: Great Place for Iconic Scenery
No small towns here – O’ahu is cosmopolitan, lush, and the Hawaiian islands’ most affordable spot. O’ahu is a picturesque paradise that will exceed the whole family’s Christmas holiday expectations.
Spend Christmas time in bustling Honolulu for world class Christmas shopping and see the city’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony and parade. Head back to Lanikai, a beautiful beach for chilled out tropical breezes and a traditional hula dance. Give the kids a chance to surf, snorkel, and swim with dolphins for an exotic and unforgettable family vacation. If you really want some winter under your feet, visit one O’ahu’s Ice Palaces for ice skating fun.
Where to Stay In Oahu
Outrigger Waikiki Beach This moderately priced luxury resort has tons of festive activities during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Greet Santa Claus as he arrives by canoe and learn to make Christmas ornaments, cookies, cards, and even play Christmas holiday tunes on the Ukulele.
Getting To Oahu From LA
Unsurprisingly, Hawaiian Airlines offers the least expensive and most flexible nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Board in the morning and be at a luau by dinner.
Start your research for flights with exclusive discounts from Scott’s Cheap Flights. Try out their free 7-day membership to save BIG money on flights. I’m not kidding. They have the best deals out there and we’ve tried them all, or so it seems. There’s no need to buy a membership (you’ll still have access to great deals with their free one).
Another excellent discount site for flights (and cars, hotels) is Expedia!
Oahu – where the city meets the shore and the jungle! @Zetong
Key West, FL: Quirky Winter Wonderland
If drinks with paper umbrellas and building sandcastles on the seashore sums up your best Christmas vacation, then you can’t beat the southernmost point of the US in December. Key West may not offer a white Christmas but it is a relaxing white sand beach known for its warm weather, idyllic palm trees, and world renowned key lime pie. For family Christmas vacation fun, don’t miss:
- The Lighted Boat Parade If it floats, you’ll find it in this festive event where boats of all sizes drift past the shore boasting impressive Christmas light displays and playing calypso versions of Christmas songs.
- Trolley Tour Roll past twinkling mansions on this decked-out ride through Key West’s best decorated holiday homes competition. Can your kids spot the winner?
Where to Stay In Key West
There are plenty of lodging options but Key West has great ways to experience living like a local. Rent out one of these pastel-toned spacious vacation homes!
Getting To Key West, FL from LA
After your flight lands in Miami, pick up your rental car, and follow US Route 1 all the way to the end. The 3.5 hour drive takes you past some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and there are many lesser known, but no less gorgeous, keys to pop into for a pit stop along the way.
Start your research with great flight and car deals from Expedia!
Keep it low key in Key West for Christmas! @Domenick
San Juan, Puerto Rico, US: Perfect Place for Festivals and Culture
The “Island of Enchantment” is your best bet for a USA getaway with international intrigue that rivals Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and San Jose in Costa Rica. San Juan, the vibrant capital city, is rich in history and tradition and surrounded by tropical national parks and a captivating coastline.
Christmas holidays on the island are sure to awe the entire family with its Spanish, Indian, and African influences found in the food, activities, and arts. If you’re seeking sun and to awaken your senses, San Juan, Puerto Rico is your spot.
DON’T MISS! A Christmas Family Bucket List To Remember
The Christmas season lasts 45 days and families go all out. Listen for parrandas, where groups gather in chorus to surprise neighbors and friends with joyful singing after dark. Indulge in traditional holiday foods like pastales and coquito. Take a stroll through Old San Juan to pick up presents from local vendors and hit up the two central plazas – Plaza de Armas and Plaza de Colon – for their many Christmas trees and Christmas lights displays.
Where to Stay In San Juan, Puerto Rico
Book a stay at the Decanter Hotel for an affordable spot in the center of the action. You’ll be steps away from colonial Calle San Sebastian and the street festival that marks the Christmas season. Just 10 minutes from the hotel by taxi is San Juan’s best metropolitan beach, El Escambron, where kids can snorkel coral reefs. Visit close by Casablanca for their rooftop hot tubs.
Getting To San Juan, Puerto Rico From LA
You can leave your passport at home when visiting this US territory. Fly into the San Juan airport but plan for a stopover in Houston or Miami.
Start your research with great flight and car deals from Expedia!
If you’re looking for colorful cliffside and a castle, visit San Juan! @Zetong
US Virgin Islands, St. Croix: Hidden Paradise
Wildlife, adventure, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s likely this island will be hard to leave behind and instead become a new family tradition. Activities include visiting sea turtle sanctuaries, ATV off-roading, bioluminescence boat rides, hermit crab racing, and scuba diving certification.
The Caribbean’s biggest Christmas celebration takes place during the month of December. The Crucian Christmas Festival starts with many activities that honor the island’s African heritage like musical competitions and pageants performed for Carnival royalty and ends with the Children’s Parade in early January featuring costumed dancing.
Where to Stay In St. Croix
Snag a family cottage at The Buccaneer. The property has three private beaches across 340 lush acres. This relaxed family resort offers a kids camp with games, family horseback riding, treasure hunts, and poolside babysitting.
Getting To St. Croix From LA
Almost all flights land in St. Thomas and connect to St Croix, but American offers direct flights via Miami. Start your research with great flight and car deals from Expedia!
Paradise in the Caribbean at St. Croix! @Zetong
Whether you’re traveling 50 miles or 3500 this season, all of these festive beach locations around the United States are a great way to please the whole family and get them into the holiday spirit. Surely one of your best Christmas vacations, your family trip will be packed with fun and unforgettable moments that everyone will be asking to repeat year after year.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING OR PINNING IT!
