REAL Snow in San Diego (Dec. 2023)
updated 11/29/23
Believe it or not, you CAN find snow in San Diego; it's obviously man-made, but hey we'll take it! Bundle up a little bit, and by that I mean put on some socks with your Birks, and head out for a Snow Day!
The following are places that have REAL SNOW! I'll be updating this list as I find out more so keep checking back and let me know if you come across any others.
Some places have Bubble "Snow"; which is really a cluster of bubbles that stick together that magically looks like a snowfall. It's very beautiful and really a fun site to see, but if you're new to this Bubble Snow now you know. I'm putting the Bubble "Snow" at the bottom because that's not what we're really after. ;)
Contents:
2023: Dec. 1-3 from 5-8pm
2023: Dec. 1-3 from 4-9, cost
THE HEADQUARTERS (Seaport Village)
2023: Dec. 2 from 12-3
OCEAN AIR RECREATION CENTER (Carmel Valley)
2023: Dec. 2 from 8:30-11:30am
HILLTOP RECREATION CENTER (Rancho Penasquitos)
2023: Dec. 2 from 11-3
CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ARTS (Escondido)
2023: Dec. 2-3 from 1-5
2023: Dec. 2-3 from 11-3
KIMBALL PARK HOLIDAY (National City)
2023: Dec. 9 from 2-9
MONTGOMERY-WALLER PARK (Chula Vista)
2023: Dec. 10 from 10-3
AZALEA PARKS & REC (City Heights)
2023: Dec. 13 from 2-5
OCEAN BEACH PARKS & REC (Ocean Beach)
2023: Dec. 15 from 11:30-1:30
MOUNTAIN VIEW/BECKWOURTH LIBRARY (North of National City)
2023: Dec. 19 from 4:30-7:30
DONATIONS
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❄️ SKYLINE CHURCH (La Mesa)
2023: Dec. 1, 2 & 3 from 5-8pm
FREE for all ages, but reservations required
Join us each night from 5-8 pm for a joyful celebration with snow, sledding, festive treats, stunning Christmas Tree lighting, and so much more! Enjoy your very own beachside WINTER wonderland!
📍 Skyline Church: 11330 Campo Rd., La Mesa, CA 91941; 619-660-5000; website
❄️ SNOW-SIDE (Oceanside)
2023: Fri. 12/2 from 5-9
2023: Sat/Sun 12/1-2 from 4-9
$20/kids; $25/adults
Join us as we celebrate the holiday season at SnowSide Winter Festival; a holiday event in North County! SnowSide will take place at the beautiful Emerald Isle Golf Course in Oceanside. There will be REAL SNOW, sledding down a 40 foot sled run, Santa Claus from 6-8pm, Christmas trees, live entertainment, jumpies, silent disco, food, drinks and much more! Tickets here
📍 Emerald Isle Golf Course: 660 S El Camino Real, Oceanside; 760-721-4700
❄️ THE HEADQUARTERS (at Seaport Village)
2023: Sat 12/2 from 12-3
FREE!
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon playing in real snow, visiting with Santa, games with an interactive DJ, kids crafts + more!
📍 The Headquarters: 789 West Harbor Dr., Downtown/Embarcadero; 619-235-4013
❄️ OCEAN AIR RECREATION CENTER (Carmel Valley)
2023: Sat 12/2 from 8:30-11:30am
FREE entry with food/toy donation
Snow Day in the Park! This special event will include snow sledding, family friendly music with CJ the DJ, outdoor games & activities, Santa photos, train rides.
Please help us in supporting Toys for Tos and San Diego Food Bank by donating items to pack Santa's sleight and deliver to families in need. Bring an unwrapped toy and/or non-perishable food item. (Items will be accepted Nov. 2 - Dec. 2.)
📍 Ocean Air Recreation Center: 4770 Fairport Way, San Diego, CA 92130; 858-552-1687; website
❄️ HILLTOP RECREATION CENTER (Rancho Penasquitos)
2023: Sat 12/2 from 11-3
FREE entry with contribution of a toy! Event info
Join us for a snow hill, arts & crafts, snacks, bounce houses, rock climbing, live music, a petting zoo and more.
📍 Hilltop Recreation Center: 9711 Oviedo Way, San Diego, CA 92129; 858-538-8198; website
❄️ CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS (Escondido)
2023: Sat 12/2 & Sun 12/3 from 1-5
FREE!
Play in REAL SNOW, enjoy holiday-themed drinks and treats at Santa’s Corner Café, holiday crafting, face painting, Santa visits, food, drink & shopping.
This year, we’ve extended the festivities for an entire weekend, ensuring there’s plenty of time to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit.
NEARBY: If you want to grab some dinner nearby, across the street is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Chin's Gourmet. Get some take out and head to the Grape Day Park playground that's just across the big grassy field from the CCAAE. ;)
📍 California Center for the Arts: 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; 760-839-4138; artcenter.org @theccaae
❄️ FLOWER HILL PROMENADE (Del Mar)
2023: Sat 12/2 & Sun 12/3 from 11-3
FREE!
Celebrate the season with us! You're invited to a holiday party for family and friends. Join us for photos with Santa, realsnow, crafts, snacks, and carolers!
📍 Flower Hill Promenade: 2720 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014; 858-481-2904
❄️ KIMBALL PARK (National City)
2023: Sat 12/9 from 2-9
FREE!
Holiday party, tree lighting ceremony (6pm!), Santa 🎅🏻, arts & crafts, live DJ + dance floor, community performances, car show.
📍 Kimball Park: 12th St & D Ave., National City; 619-336-4290; communityservices@nationalcityca.gov
❄️ MONTGOMERY-WALLER PARK (Chula Vista)
2023: Sun 12/10 from 10-3
Free
Winter Wonderland Snow Day. No other info given.
📍 Montgomery-Waller Park: 3020 Coronado Ave., San Diego, CA 92154; 619-424-0466
❄️ AZALEA PARKS & REC (City Heights)
2023: Wed 12/13 from 2-5pm
Free
Our biggest snow day ever. Come play in the snow, decorate gingerbread cookies and take photos with Santa.
📍 Azalea Parks & Rec: 2596 Violet St., San Diego, CA 92105; 619-235-1162
❄️ OCEAN BEACH PARKS & REC (Ocean Beach)
2023: Fri 12/15 from 11:30-1:30pm
Free
Join us outside the OB Rec Center for arts, crafts, snacks & snow!
📍 OB Rec Center: 4726 Santa Monica Ave., San Diego/OB, CA 92107; 619-531-1527
❄️ MOUNTAIN VIEW/BECKWOURTH LIBRARY (North of National City)
2023: Tue 12/19 from 4:30-7:30pm
FREE! Event info
This year the our courtyard will be turned into a winter wonderland with snow machines blasting! Santa is coming to visit and for photos, we will have a magic show, free book giveaway and arts and crafts. The friends of the library will be selling treats and we will end the whole event with a showing of "The Polar Express".
SCHEDULE:
4:30pm- Winter Wonderland Opens
4:30pm-Friends of the Library Food Sale
4:30pm-Holiday Ornament Decorating
4:30pm-Free Book Giveaway
4:45pm-Holiday Magic Show
5pm-Pictures with Santa
5:45pm-"The Polar Express" Movie Screening
📍 Mountain View/Beckwourth Library: 721 San Pasqual St., San Diego, CA 92113; 619-527-3404
❄️ HAVE FUN! ❄️
[originally published 11/27/18]