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Families don’t need cold weather and a snowy ski trip to celebrate the winter 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.
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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.
Oahu – where the city meets the shore and the jungle! @Zetong
Big Island (Kona), HI: Tropical Paradise with Holiday Magic
For families seeking the ultimate Hawaiian Christmas escape with world-class amenities, the Big Island’s Kona coast delivers pure magic. This tropical wonderland combines authentic island culture with luxury accommodations that have earned global recognition.
- Gingerbread House Building at Puna Chocolate Co. Join the festive fun in both Hilo and Kona stores for cookie decorating and gingerbread house creation with seasonal cocktails. Prizes await the nicest and naughtiest creations! All supplies provided.
- Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade Catch this delightful procession on the second Saturday of December along Ali’i Drive, featuring decorated floats, local bands, dancers, and adorable pets in Santa hats. Arrive early for parking and prime viewing spots!
Where to Stay on the Big Island
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is just 10 minutes from the airport, offering a seamless arrival into paradise. This world-renowned resort, approaching its 30th anniversary, offers the ultimate in luxury family accommodations with award-winning spa services, newly opened ULU and NOIO restaurants, and exclusive experiences like whale watching season beginning in December and the celebratory Paniolo Ohana Dinner under the stars with Chef Tyler Florence. Ring in Christmas morning with a spectacular oceanfront feast at the beautiful Beach Tree restaurant, featuring all your favorite traditional holiday dishes.
Don’t miss the Jingle Bell Run on December 23rd – a complimentary 5-kilometer family-friendly adventure around the resort where festive holiday wear is highly encouraged!
There is also an annual festive Pickleball Tournament on December 27th, complete with Whispering Angel cocktails, delicious lite bites, live DJ entertainment, complimentary swag for all participants, and amazing prizes for champions. Between the resort’s Polynesian Luau & Cultural Shows, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, and Camp Manitou’s Winter Adventure Series featuring snorkeling and island explorations, every family member will find their perfect holiday memory.
Not a single snowflake in sight. Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Getting To The Big Island From LA
As of August 2025, Kona International Airport (KOA) offers nonstop service from 22 airports across two countries, with top flights including Honolulu, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver. United, Delta, American, and Alaska all have non-stop flights that take about five and a half hours.
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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.
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. Families should also consider these Caribbean Islands for a Christmas vacation.
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.
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.
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.
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