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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Quick answer: The best Christmas beach vacations for families leaving from Los Angeles are Laguna Beach (an hour’s drive), Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii (nonstop flights of about 5½–6 hours), and Key West, San Juan and St. Croix (one connection). U.S. citizens don’t need a passport for any of the six. Hawaii is the easiest long-haul trip from LA, and Puerto Rico’s Christmas season runs well into January.
| Destination | Getting there from LA | Passport? | 2026 holiday highlight | Family hotel pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Beach, CA | About 1 hour by car | No | Sawdust Winter Fantasy, Nov. 20–Dec. 20 (Fri–Sun) | Montage Laguna Beach |
| Oahu, HI | Nonstop, about 6 hours | No | Honolulu City Lights opens Dec. 5 | Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort |
| Big Island (Kona), HI | Nonstop, about 5½ hours | No | Kailua Village Christmas Parade, Dec. 12 | Four Seasons Resort Hualalai |
| Key West, FL | Fly to Miami, then about 3½ hours by car | No | 35th Lighted Boat Parade, Dec. 12 | Old Town vacation rental |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | One connection (no LAX nonstop) | No (U.S. territory) | Parrandas, Old San Juan plaza displays | Decanter Hotel |
| St. Croix, USVI | One or two connections, usually via Miami | No (U.S. territory) | Crucian Christmas Festival, Dec. 5, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027 | The Buccaneer |
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.
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The Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy runs five three-day weekends, November 20 to December 20, 2026, Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Browse local artists’ booths for one-of-a-kind gifts, catch live entertainment and art demos, and grab a holiday treat.
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At Laguna Playhouse, the Lythgoe Family’s holiday panto Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish runs December 5–27, 2026. Expect pop hits, comedy and plenty of audience participation. On December 12, a Family Holiday Party takes place before the 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. shows.
Where to Stay In Laguna Beach
Splurge on Montage Laguna Beach, a 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 often the most budget-friendly Hawaiian island, with the most flights and hotel choices.
O’ahu is a picturesque paradise that will exceed the whole family’s Christmas holiday expectations.
Honolulu City Lights marks its 42nd year on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The city tree at Honolulu Hale lights up around 6 p.m., and the Electric Light Parade rolls down King Street right after. The displays stay up all month, and it’s all free.
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
The moderately priced Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is a luxury hotel with plenty of festive activities in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Santa has paddled into Waikiki by outrigger canoe at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort every December for more than 20 years.
Getting To Oahu From LA
Several airlines fly nonstop from LAX to Honolulu in about six hours, including Hawaiian Airlines, now part of Alaska Airlines. Since April 2026, Hawaiian flights are sold through Alaska’s combined booking system and carry Alaska’s “AS” flight code, but they’re still flown by Hawaiian planes and crews. Christmas-week fares climb fast, so set a Google Flights alert as soon as you know your dates.
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.
- Catch the delightful Kailua Village Christmas Parade procession on the second Saturday of December at 5:30 p.m. 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 about 10 minutes from Kona’s airport and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2026. Book a table at ULU or NOIO, and keep an eye out for humpback whales, which start arriving in December. The resort plans a full holiday calendar each December. Past years have included a Christmas morning feast at Beach Tree, a Jingle Bell Run, a holiday pickleball tournament and celebrity-chef dinners. The resort’s Festive Concierge can share this year’s schedule and help plan your stay.
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, with 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
Delta flies nonstop from LAX to Kona daily, year-round, and other airlines add nonstop flights in winter. The flight takes about 5½ hours.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We literally save hundreds using it.
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:
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Schooner Wharf Bar’s 35th annual Lighted Boat Parade fills Key West Harbor on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Festivities along the Harbor Walk start at 6 p.m., and the decorated boats parade at 8 p.m., all set to calypso Christmas carols.
- 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 pasteles 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
There are no nonstop flights from LAX to San Juan, so plan on one connection, often in Houston or Miami. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so U.S. citizens don’t need a passport. A REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or passport works for adults.
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 island’s biggest celebration of the year takes place during the month of December. The Crucian Christmas Festival runs December 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027, in Frederiksted. Stroll the Festival Village for local food and live music, and stay for the parades that close out the festival in early January.
Where to Stay In St. Croix
Snag a family cottage at The Buccaneer. Family-owned since 1947, The Buccaneer sits on 340 acres with three beaches: Mermaid, Grotto and Whistle. Kids get a complimentary daytime children’s program, and parents get an 18-hole golf course with ocean views.
Getting To St. Croix From LA
There are no nonstop flights to St. Croix from the West Coast. Most LA families connect in Miami, where American flies to St. Croix daily. San Juan and St. Thomas are other connection options.
Paradise in the Caribbean at St. Croix! @Zetong
How to Find Christmas Beach Vacation Deals
Christmas week is the priciest time of year for a beach vacation, but families who stay flexible can still find deals. These are the moves that save the most.
- Go in early December. Rates usually drop in the first two weeks of December, before school break starts. You’ll still catch Honolulu City Lights (opens Dec. 5), the Kailua Village Christmas Parade and Key West’s Lighted Boat Parade (both Dec. 12), and the start of the Crucian Christmas Festival (Dec. 5).
- Fly on the holiday itself. Flights on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are often cheaper than the days around them.
- Set fare alerts now. Track your route on Google Flights and book when the price dips. Christmas-week fares to Hawaii and the Caribbean usually climb as the date gets closer.
- Ask about package perks. Free-night offers, kids-eat-free deals and resort credits can be worth more than a lower nightly rate.
- Use your points. Hawaiian Airlines flights now earn and redeem Alaska’s Atmos Rewards points, and hotel points can cover the priciest holiday nights.
- Stay close to home. Laguna Beach skips airfare entirely, and midweek nights are often cheaper than weekends.
For current resort and travel deals we’ve found for families, see our Family Travel Deals section.
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.
Christmas Beach Vacation FAQ
What’s the closest Christmas beach getaway to Los Angeles?
Laguna Beach is about an hour’s drive from LA. In 2026, the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy runs Fridays through Sundays from November 20 to December 20, and Laguna Playhouse’s family holiday panto runs December 5–27.
Do you need a passport for Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands at Christmas?
No. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. territories, so U.S. citizens can travel with a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
Are there nonstop flights from LA to San Juan or St. Croix?
No. Both need at least one connection from LAX. San Juan connections often go through Houston or Miami, and most St. Croix itineraries connect in Miami.
Which Hawaiian island is best for Christmas with kids?
Oahu has the most holiday events, including Honolulu City Lights, which opens December 5, 2026, and Santa arriving by outrigger canoe in Waikiki. The Big Island is quieter and better for a resort stay, with the Kailua Village Christmas Parade on December 12, 2026, and whale season starting in December.
When is the Key West Lighted Boat Parade in 2026?
The 35th annual Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026. Harbor Walk festivities start at 6 p.m., and the boats parade at 8 p.m.
When is the Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix?
The 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival runs December 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027, in Frederiksted, St. Croix.
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Colleen is the diplomatic matriarch of a nomadic family who aims to expose her kids to the humanity hidden in places most don't go. In addition to LA Family Travel, she's a contributor to Fodor's, Family Traveler, and Insider Parenting and Health. She is working on her first novel The Beginners Guide to Going Home.