Plan Your Festive Coastal Escape
Celebrate the festive season along the Palos Verdes coast, where cherished holiday traditions, seasonal experiences, and moments together unfold against the Pacific.
Day 1
- MORNING — A COASTAL BEGINNING
Ease into your stay with breakfast at Catalina Kitchen, followed by a walk along our scenic coastal trails. Discover secluded coves, tide pools teeming with marine life, and uninterrupted Pacific views stretching toward Catalina Island.
- AFTERNOON — THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE
Discover the pleasures of our oceanfront retreat at your own pace, from a restorative treatment at our 50,000-square-foot Spa to a round at The Links, our nine-hole golf course overlooking the Pacific. Younger guests can enjoy seasonal activities at Kids Club, including Letters to Santa and Ornament Decorating, while parents settle into a poolside cabana or enjoy a little time of their own.
- EVENING — A COASTAL HOLIDAY TRADITION
As the sun sets, start the evening at the Gingerbread Hut, our coastal-inspired holiday pop-up bar made with house-made gingerbread. Inside, festive cocktails with tropical notes, house-made cocoa, and seasonal sweets bring a warmer, sunlit holiday spirit. Continue the evening with dinner at one of our restaurants.
Day 2
- MORNING — A LITTLE HOLIDAY MAGIC
Trade winter layers for fresh ocean air. Start with a Terralatte and a warm pastry from Sea Beans, then walk the bluffs above the Pacific, or take a guided kayak tour through kelp forests and sea caves, where dolphins, harbor seals, and Garibaldi often appear. On December 19, Breakfast with Santa: The Polar Express brings the North Pole to the Palos Verdes Ballroom. Families board with a golden ticket, then enjoy hot chocolate, a buffet breakfast, holiday crafts, and photos with Santa.
- AFTERNOON — TRADITIONS TO TREASURE
Celebrate the season with family-friendly experiences designed to bring generations together. On December 12, Winter Wonderland brings festive entertainment, special character appearances, and an unexpected flurry of snow to the Southern California coast. Continue the family festivities with our Gingerbread House Workshops on December 12, 19, and 23, creating sweet holiday traditions to share across generations.
- EVENING — GATHER AROUND THE TABLE
Dining is an occasion in itself along the coast, whether savoring refined cuisine at Mar’sel, our signature fine-dining restaurant, or enjoying a more relaxed oceanfront experience at Nelson’s. For a special culinary celebration, join us on December 11 for Feast of the Seven Fishes, honoring the cherished Italian-American holiday tradition. Chefs from across our restaurants come together to present a multi-course seafood dinner, with carefully selected wines complementing each course.
Day 3
- MORNING — BEYOND THE RESORT
Venture beyond our grounds to explore the natural beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where coastal preserves, native landscapes, and opportunities for seasonal whale watching reveal another side of Southern California. On December 20, our naturalist-led Winter Solstice Hike offers a guided journey toward historic Point Vicente Lighthouse, with expansive views along the way.
- AFTERNOON — TIME WELL SPENT
Experience something unexpected with falconry, where you'll encounter magnificent birds of prey, or test your aim with a guided archery session overlooking our coastal landscape. For a change of pace, discover our oceanfront pools or enjoy a relaxed afternoon beneath the California sun.
- EVENING — THE ART OF THE COCKTAIL
Go beyond the traditional holiday toast with Stirred Above the Pacific, an intimate mixology series featuring guided cocktail making, light bites, and a special take-home gift. On December 6, A Study in Sweet & Citrus at Bashi explores lychee's delicate floral notes and yuzu's bright complexity.
Day 4
- MORNING — A SLOWER START
Welcome the morning with a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Pacific, followed by a visit to our Spa's oceanfront pool or a quiet moment among our coastal gardens. With Southern California's mild winter climate, December offers the rare pleasure of enjoying the outdoors long after summer has passed.
- EVENING — A FESTIVE FINALE
Extend your stay through New Year’s Eve and welcome 2027 in style. Families can settle in for the storybook-inspired Once Upon a Time Family Feast, where the evening unfolds like a favorite tale. For grown-ups, the adults-only Masquerade Party is an elegant night of masks, music, and midnight by the Pacific.
- EVENING — A FESTIVE FINALE
Extend your stay through New Year’s Eve and welcome 2027 in style. Families can settle in for the storybook-inspired Once Upon a Time Family Feast, where the evening unfolds like a favorite tale. For grown-ups, the adults-only Masquerade Party is an elegant night of masks, music, and midnight by the Pacific.