Things to Do in Carlsbad in December
Carlsbad, in North County San Diego, is a laid-back beach town that puts on its holiday best. December stays mild, the Village glows with lights, palm trees get wrapped like candy canes, and the sunsets do most of the decorating.
Where to stay
The easy answer is the resort the event is in. Park Hyatt Aviara offers a Stocking Full of Christmas Getaway with a room and tickets, so the evening ends with a walk, not a drive.
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa
7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Where Stocking Full of Christmas takes place, and the resort offers an overnight Getaway package with tickets.
Book a roomMore on the resort, the ballroom, and dining on the property: Park Hyatt Aviara.
What to do in Carlsbad before your time slot
Journeys run from about 3:00 to 8:00 PM, which leaves a whole day. A few places within fifteen minutes of the resort.
LEGOLAND California Resort
One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Four miles from the resort. The park runs its own holiday season in December.
Website
The Flower Fields
5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad’s fifty-acre bloom is a spring attraction; check the site for December hours.
Website
The Forum Carlsbad
1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92013
Open-air shopping and dining, ten minutes from Park Hyatt Aviara.
Website
K1 Speed Go Kart Track
6212 Corte del Abeto, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Indoor karting, a few minutes from the resort.
Website
Escapology Escape Rooms
2525 El Camino Real, #208, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Themed escape rooms for groups and families.
Website
Village Faire
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Shops and restaurants in the heart of Carlsbad Village, which lights up for the holidays.
WebsiteWhere to eat in Carlsbad
Food is not included with admission apart from a cookie from Mrs. Claus, and outside food is not permitted inside. Eat before or after, at the resort or in town.
Blue Ocean Robata & Sushi
2958 Madison Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Sushi and robata in the Village.
Website
The Daily News Cafe
3001 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Breakfast and lunch by the beach.
Website
El Puerto
890 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Mexican, inside the Windmill Food Hall near the resort.
Website
Giaola Italian Kitchen
2668 Gateway Road, #180, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Italian in Bressi Ranch, a short drive from Aviara.
WebsiteThe resort has its own restaurants steps from the ballroom. Dining at Park Hyatt Aviara
Carlsbad at Christmas
The Village strings lights across Carlsbad Village Drive, the beach stays walkable in a sweater, and Stocking Full of Christmas runs thirteen nights at Park Hyatt Aviara: December 10 to 13, 16 to 23, and 26.
It is a thirty-minute coastal drive from most of San Diego and an easy evening from Orange County, which is why so many guests make it a weekend.
Listings courtesy of our partners
Then the ballroom
Stocking Full of Christmas at Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad. From $50 on value nights. Forty-five guests per journey.