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3 San Diego Things We’re Loving This December

This month, meet local makers, shop for unique jewels, and say hi to Santa
A local San Diego business vendor's stand featuring a retro camper, Christmas decorations, flowers, and other holiday goods at the Maker's Arcade Holiday Market
Courtesy of Let's Frolic Together

A Big Way to Shop Small

Close that Amazon tab. There’s a way to do all your holiday shopping in one spot while supporting local businesses. Touching down at Broadway Pier in downtown Dec. 2–3, the family-friendly Makers Arcade Holiday Fair will host nearly 150 artisans slinging cozy sweatshirts and blankets, candles and candies, toys for kids and critters, and more. Your ticket ($6 in advance, $7 at the door) also gets you access to food trucks, photo ops, games, and cocktail bars. Sure beats stuffing all those cardboard boxes in your recycling bin.

Woman wearing jewelry from San Diego brand, Marrow Fine and Crevette Design Studio while eating a pepper
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard

Pure Gold

Designers Victoria Schulte and Charlotte Zappulla worked together at edgy-cool SD jewelry brand Marrow Fine before striking out on their own with Crevette Design Studio. The pair launched their first collection, Flow, earlier this year, forging gold rings and earrings in playful, ripply shapes. They do charms, too, including a limited-edition, pegasus-stamped coin (available through the end of this month) and a teeny crustacean—an ode to their moniker, which is a French pet name literally meaning “shrimp.”

Exterior view of the courtyard at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego during the holidays featuring their outdoor ice skating rink and Christmas lights
Courtesy of the Hotel Del Coronado

Here Comes Santa Clause

Sorry, Santa Clause Lane—the big man is landing on Orange Avenue this year. St. Nick poses for photos on select days this month in The Hotel del Coronado’s central courtyard, surrounded by sparkly Christmas trees and Victorian architecture that feels way more North Pole than a busy mall. After your little one has shared their wishlist with Father Christmas, hit the hotel’s seaside, outdoor skating rink. Open through Jan. 7, it’s a slice of Santa’s icy abode set smack-dab in the middle of Coronado’s beachfront beauty.

By Amelia Rodriguez

Amelia Rodriguez is San Diego Magazine’s Associate Editor. The winner of the San Diego Press Club's 2023 Rising Star Award and 2024 Best of Show Award, she’s also covered music, food, arts and culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her three-year Duolingo streak.

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