Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea
The aquarium that sets the standard, plus wild otters, a rocky headland and serious seafood.
Home › SF Bay Area › Best in December
Best in December
7 destinations from the Dublin, CA area. Destinations where December is the window to go - weather, crowds and seasonal openings all lining up.
| Destination | Kids | Drive | Days | Cost (2 nights, family of four) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea | 4.5 | 1h 59m | 2–3 days | $1,500–3,000 |
| Lake Tahoe (North & South) | 3.8 | 4h 28m | 3–5 days | $1,500–3,500 |
| Nevada City / Grass Valley | 3.7 | 2h 59m | 1–2 days | $1,000–2,000 |
| Santa Barbara | 3.7 | 6h 07m | 2–4 days | $1,800–3,800 |
| Solvang | 3.5 | 5h 27m | 1–2 days | $1,500–3,000 |
| Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway | 3.3 | 8h 26m | 2–4 days | $1,800–3,800 |
| Cambria | 3.2 | 4h 16m | 1–2 days | $1,200–2,500 |
Lake Tahoe (North & South)
An alpine lake with shallow turquoise coves in summer and snow play in winter.
Nevada City / Grass Valley
Victorian streets, a hard-rock mine you can go down, and swimming holes on the Yuba.
Santa Barbara
A zoo on a hill above the sea, a hands-on science museum, and warm south-facing beaches.
Solvang
A Danish-built village of windmills and bakeries, with an ostrich farm outside town.
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway
Desert warmth in midwinter, a cable car up to alpine air, and a zoo where you feed giraffes.
Cambria
Pine-backed coast next to an elephant seal colony you can watch, free, from a boardwalk.
Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.