Southern California may not be known for its winter wonderlands, but there are some places to find snow and some wintery surroundings in the region. You can experience plenty of options where you can escape from the beach and the sun to find a perfect winter wonderland this season in one of these beautiful places in Southern California.
- Big Bear – Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain (800 Wild Rose Lane in Big Bear Lake.)
Bobby Avinger/Google Maps If you’re looking for things to do in winter in Southern California, Big Bear is the place to go. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain typically opens up by the end of December after it starts to snow. The tubing park will be filled up with fresh powdery snow so plan ahead for this epic tubing park to open for the season and experience a winter wonderland on the slopes.
Visit the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain website for more information. 800 Wildrose Ln, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
- Lake Arrowhead
flickr/john colby When winter arrives in Lake Arrowhead it’s always a magical time of year to discover a dusting of snow at this lakeside resort town. Bundle up and take a long walk around the lake for a festive but chilly winter afternoon. It’s also home to the best ski resorts in Southern California.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Lake Arrowhead. Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA
- Mount San Jacinto State Park – Palm Springs
flickr/enrico carcasci It’s always a fun surprise to find snow in Palm Springs. As the heart of winter arrives in SoCal, be on the lookout for a winter wonderland to blanket Mount San Jacinto State Park with fresh, white snow.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Mount San Jacinto State Park. Mt San Jacinto State Park, 25905 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA
- Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA)
geoff dude/Flickr If snow isn’t what you’re looking for and you just want to experience a winter-like wonderland, head to Hotel del Coronado and take a few spins around the outdoor ice skating rink for a wintery afternoon. You’ll get views of the sea and the sand as well. It’s one of the best winter attractions in Southern California.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about ice skating at Hotel del Coronado. 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
- Running Springs – Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park (San Bernardino National Forest).
Lesgo Brandon/Google Maps If you can’t wait for the end of December for a wintery snow, check out the epic Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park in the San Bernardino National Forest. It is considered the “largest and oldest snow tubing park in Southern California.” This snow tubing park is one of the best winter day trips in Southern California.
Visit the Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park website for more information. Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park, 34600 CA-18, Green Valley Lake, CA 92341, USA
- Skyforest – Skypark at Santa’s Village (28950 California 18, Skyforest, California)
facebook/skypark at santa’s village Even when it’s not snowing outside, Skypark at Santa’s Village will make you feel like you’ve landed inside a storybook wonderland with all of your favorite winter activities. When the snow does arrive later in the season, get ready for one of the most magical winter attractions in Southern California!
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Skypark at Santa’s Village. 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385, USA
- Wrightwood
flickr/russ allison loar You don’t have to travel far to experience one of the best winter day trips in Southern California. Whether you are heading to the Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood or choose to stick close to the center of town, Wrightwood is always a perfect destination to find blankets of fresh snow during the months of December and January.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Wrightwood.
All seven of these spots will make you feel like you’ve stepped inside a magical snow globe!
Bobby Avinger/Google Maps
If you’re looking for things to do in winter in Southern California, Big Bear is the place to go. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain typically opens up by the end of December after it starts to snow. The tubing park will be filled up with fresh powdery snow so plan ahead for this epic tubing park to open for the season and experience a winter wonderland on the slopes.
Visit the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain website for more information.
800 Wildrose Ln, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
flickr/john colby
When winter arrives in Lake Arrowhead it’s always a magical time of year to discover a dusting of snow at this lakeside resort town. Bundle up and take a long walk around the lake for a festive but chilly winter afternoon. It’s also home to the best ski resorts in Southern California.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Lake Arrowhead.
Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA
flickr/enrico carcasci
It’s always a fun surprise to find snow in Palm Springs. As the heart of winter arrives in SoCal, be on the lookout for a winter wonderland to blanket Mount San Jacinto State Park with fresh, white snow.
Visit the webpage to learn more about Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Mt San Jacinto State Park, 25905 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA
geoff dude/Flickr
If snow isn’t what you’re looking for and you just want to experience a winter-like wonderland, head to Hotel del Coronado and take a few spins around the outdoor ice skating rink for a wintery afternoon. You’ll get views of the sea and the sand as well. It’s one of the best winter attractions in Southern California.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about ice skating at Hotel del Coronado.
1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Lesgo Brandon/Google Maps
If you can’t wait for the end of December for a wintery snow, check out the epic Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park in the San Bernardino National Forest. It is considered the “largest and oldest snow tubing park in Southern California.” This snow tubing park is one of the best winter day trips in Southern California.
Visit the Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park website for more information.
Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park, 34600 CA-18, Green Valley Lake, CA 92341, USA
facebook/skypark at santa’s village
Even when it’s not snowing outside, Skypark at Santa’s Village will make you feel like you’ve landed inside a storybook wonderland with all of your favorite winter activities. When the snow does arrive later in the season, get ready for one of the most magical winter attractions in Southern California!
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Skypark at Santa’s Village.
28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385, USA
flickr/russ allison loar
You don’t have to travel far to experience one of the best winter day trips in Southern California. Whether you are heading to the Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood or choose to stick close to the center of town, Wrightwood is always a perfect destination to find blankets of fresh snow during the months of December and January.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about Wrightwood.
How’s that for a handful of places to find a winter wonderland in California? Have you been to any of them? What were your favorite parts? Can you suggest other things to do in Southern California in the winter? We’d love to read your comments below!
For another place to enjoy winter in Southern California, take a look at this cozy cabin restaurant that will make you feel like it’s winter all year long.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Day Trips In Southern California December 15, 2021 Melissa M. Where can I do some winter hiking in Southern California? Those who live in SoCal know how lucky you are to have all the trails that can be hiked year-round. But if you’re looking for a trail that turns into a winter wonderland, head to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and hike the Middle Peak Loop Trail. Found in the town of Julian, this trail is perfectly picturesque, especially after new-fallen snow. In Palm Springs, a hike along the Tahquitz Canyon Loop Trail is ideal in winter due to much cooler desert temperatures. What are the best ski resorts in Southern California? We may think of beaches and palm trees at the mere mention of Southern California, but many of us know that the region is much more than that. With its mountains, there are several incredible ski resorts you can play at all winter long. There’s Bear Mountain, Mountain High, and Mammoth Mountain, among others, for some awesome skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Where can I go snow tubing in Southern California? Mountain High Resort is home to the biggest snow tubing park in SoCal and has six lanes, allowing for plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. At Big Bear Snow Play, you can find the longest snow tubing run in this part of the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Day Trips In Southern California
December 15, 2021
Melissa M.
Where can I do some winter hiking in Southern California? Those who live in SoCal know how lucky you are to have all the trails that can be hiked year-round. But if you’re looking for a trail that turns into a winter wonderland, head to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and hike the Middle Peak Loop Trail. Found in the town of Julian, this trail is perfectly picturesque, especially after new-fallen snow. In Palm Springs, a hike along the Tahquitz Canyon Loop Trail is ideal in winter due to much cooler desert temperatures. What are the best ski resorts in Southern California? We may think of beaches and palm trees at the mere mention of Southern California, but many of us know that the region is much more than that. With its mountains, there are several incredible ski resorts you can play at all winter long. There’s Bear Mountain, Mountain High, and Mammoth Mountain, among others, for some awesome skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Where can I go snow tubing in Southern California? Mountain High Resort is home to the biggest snow tubing park in SoCal and has six lanes, allowing for plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. At Big Bear Snow Play, you can find the longest snow tubing run in this part of the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Those who live in SoCal know how lucky you are to have all the trails that can be hiked year-round. But if you’re looking for a trail that turns into a winter wonderland, head to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and hike the Middle Peak Loop Trail. Found in the town of Julian, this trail is perfectly picturesque, especially after new-fallen snow. In Palm Springs, a hike along the Tahquitz Canyon Loop Trail is ideal in winter due to much cooler desert temperatures.
What are the best ski resorts in Southern California?
We may think of beaches and palm trees at the mere mention of Southern California, but many of us know that the region is much more than that. With its mountains, there are several incredible ski resorts you can play at all winter long. There’s Bear Mountain, Mountain High, and Mammoth Mountain, among others, for some awesome skiing and snowboarding during the winter months.
Where can I go snow tubing in Southern California?
Mountain High Resort is home to the biggest snow tubing park in SoCal and has six lanes, allowing for plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. At Big Bear Snow Play, you can find the longest snow tubing run in this part of the state.
