When blustery winter descends on most of the country, with frosty mornings and bundled up afternoons, Southern California offers a sunnier script. With nearly nonstop sunshine and fewer crowds than summer, an off-season winter vacay offers better value and a slower pace. Choose your own adventure and plan a sunshiny SoCal escape.
Thank you to the following hotels for hosting my stay so I could write this detailed review.
The Palm Springs Getaway
While February and March are peak snowbird season in the desert, it’s easy to take a relaxing sun-soaked break under swaying palm trees in slower November, December and January – with average daytime temps in the 70s and 80s, exciting daily events happening all over town and a large selection of charming boutique hotels with heated pools.
Unwind at a stylish desert destination, like newly refreshed Skylark Hotel, a modern hip rendition of a classic 1950s California hotel with 28 uniquely designed midcentury styled rooms surrounding a pool. Check-in at the adorable Airstream surrounded by fun wall murals and complimentary bikes, perfect for a spin around the nearby midcentury modern neighborhoods to admire the homes with color pop doors and desert rock cacti yards. To dig deeper into the stories of the surrounding historic neighborhoods with stops in front of the old school homes of Liberace, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and more, book an e-bike Celebrity Bike Tour with Big Wheel Tours.
Lounge in a cabana poolside, in view of the swaying palm trees and towering mountainscape, and imagine life in another era. Take a dip in the heated pool, soak in the jacuzzi under the stars, or watch the sunset burst across the sky as the long-drawn-out desert hues shapeshift around the San Jacinto Mountains.
Dining at the hotel’s retro glam bar and restaurant, Lost Property, is a highlight of any stay. Grab an outdoor table set against Palm Springs quintessential breeze blocks and indulge in tender perfectly prepared steak frites or fried chicken with mashed potatoes, paired with stellar dirty martinis and Mezcal cocktails. Down the road, catch a post-dinner show at the newly restored Plaza Theatre (est 1936) for the best music, film, comedy and stage appearances. In the morning, grab complimentary hot breakfast like eggs, bacon, potatoes, coffee poolside. Ample free parking is appreciated.
The hotel’s Uptown Design District location is perfect to meander out and walk to vintage boutiques and eateries, grab a coffee at Ernest, or enjoy festive cocktails at Bootlegger Tiki. Nearby, brave the 2.5-mile ride up 8,000 feet on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mt. Jacinto State Park. The largest rotating tram in the world presents a new perspective, offering visitors a taste of winter with sledding and snowy walks. Atop the mountain, warm up to breathtaking views above the desert floor, with a hot toddy or hot chocolate at Peaks restaurant.
Voted Best New Hotel in 2025 by USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards, Skylark’s nostalgic design with modern conveniences and affordable rates make for a memorable getaway. Check for winter escape deals like discounts on stays of 3 nights or more. Also, Visit Greater Palm Springs is a great resource for your time in the desert.
The San Diego Retreat
A core appeal of sunny Southern California – for locals and visitors alike – is the ability to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Whether it’s hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, tennis, pickleball or golf, the San Diego seaside, with consistent winter temperatures in the high-60s and 70s, offers a perfect backdrop for adventure in any season.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is an ideal launch pad for an active winter getaway on the ocean, with abundant on-site amenities and close access to offsite adventures. Most people don’t realize that you can stay at this exclusive private membership club, which is normally in extremely high demand over the summer season. Book a room at the fifth-generation family-owned 21-acre beachside resort, and take advantage of the club’s exclusive amenities. There really is no reason to leave the 90-room resort, situated on its own private beach in La Jolla Shores. The 128-room sister property, La Jolla Shores Hotel, sits next door and offers additional opportunities for food and fun. Embrace the retro glamour of Old California, as this unique property offers a rare combination of seclusion and convenience.
Active travelers can enjoy plenty of resort options – from an oversized heated swimming pool, 13 championship tennis courts, 5 pickle ball courts and a nine-hole Par-3 golf course. Perfect your serve or book a lesson with the club’s pros or keep up with workout goals at the Fitness Center, in a yoga class, or with a bike rental. Walk the mile-long beach at low tide or take a quick drive to one of several amazing hiking trails nearby. Answer the call of the ocean and order up a stand-up-paddleboard, kayak, or surfboard from the beach activities shack.
Set in a quiet residential neighborhood among quaint beach bungalows and luxurious bluff-side estates, the resort is the ultimate winter stay for families and couples who want a quieter experience without the crowds. The first phase of a $60-million-dollar resort-wide renovation was recently completed at the Beach Club and guest rooms are being modernized in phases. The traditional rooms have rustic beach-y décor with kitchenettes but nevertheless are perfect for beach lovers to walk right out the door for a morning walk, a dazzling sunset, or surf sessions in between.
Beach Concierge service is the ultimate convenience – as chairs, umbrellas, and towels can be set up steps from your room, along with beach barbecues, tables for up to ten and firepits right on the sand. Where in California can you have a beachfront bonfire set up by staff complete with chairs and s’mores as the sun dips below the horizon?
Tis the season at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club in December, where the whole property feels merry and bright, with holiday spirit drizzled everywhere you turn. Decked in giant poinsettias, festive Christmas trees inside and out, a glorious holiday nighttime winter light walk with glowing candy canes and lit palm trees lakeside, the sunny California winter holidays feel especially joyful here.
Several beachside dining options are available, including the new on-site Club Market for easy grab-and-go items like wine and sandwiches to bring to your beachside jaunt. The newly transformed Club Dining next to the beach is just as incredible for sunset, especially for a casual evening of wood fired pizza and beer. Cheers to your good fortune at the festive oceanside Walnut Lounge, beautifully decorated to make spirits bright and a little tipsy with specialty Yuletide cocktails like Don’t Forget the Milk and Cookies made with vodka, Bailey’s, gingerbread syrup, oat milk, and rimmed with gingerbread cookie pieces.
Do not miss an opportunity to experience fine dining at the oceanside Marine Room, open to the public and located on the sand, with a vibe reminiscent of Hawaii and a touch of New England. Beautifully designed with high vaulted ceilings, the Marine Room is known for its King Tide Dinners & Brunches, where high tides dramatically crash against the panoramic widows. Absorb the festive winter spirit with a special meal, paired with a dreamy sunset. Try the colorful local BlueFin Tuna Tataki dish to begin, and celebrate the evening with an order of Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail or marbelized tender Australian Wagyu Ribeye.
While feeling like its own private world, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is just minutes from boutiques and cafes of La Jolla Village, Torrey Pines’ dramatic hiking trails, and world-famous Birch Aquarium. There really is nothing quite like a stay here in San Diego.
The Malibu Dream
Move over crowds and pass on the paparazzi, winter might be the best time to experience Malibu, offering weather in the 60s and 70s, long afternoon low tides, and vibrant beachside sunsets. The natural beauty of the coastline takes center stage.
Malibu Beach Inn provides the perfect tranquil oceanfront understated luxury stay. It’s the only LA hotel with beach chair food & beverage service on the sand, with rooms that literally hang over the ocean on Carbon Beach. All rooms have private balconies with ocean views, a perfect spot to take your in-room breakfast, watching the waves roll by. In view of the Malibu Pier and mesmerizing skyline, your meal might be accompanied with feasting dolphins, soaring pelicans, and migrating whales. Crackling fireplaces enhance each room’s ambiance, along with the hotel’s warm wood design with soft textures, famous art collection, and coastal elegance.
For those seeking wellness opportunities while away, all guests of Malibu Beach Inn are afforded membership-level access to CURE Wellness Center’s fitness and spa facilities, including red light therapy sauna, cold plunge and state-of-the-art gym.
Winter is the perfect time for reflective beach walks, morning yoga with ocean backdrops, and lingering lunches on the terrace at Carbon Beach Club. At night, the restaurant offers a magical experience under the stars atop the sea. And the area is teeming with energy – from the festivities on Malibu Pier, iconic Surfrider Beach just steps away, and live music across the street at Aviator Nation’s Dreamland.
It’s easy to feel worlds away from LA and city life, as a stay here feels like a true restorative escape. Rejuvenate your heart and soul at this special boutique property – ideal for couples seeking romance, creatives pursuing inspiration, and anyone looking for a peaceful reset.
