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3 Winter Escapes

From idyllic desert destinations and exotic Baja excursions to the tropical paradise of Hawaii's magical shores, make the most of this holiday season with our “hot list” getaway guide!

 

Unforgettable Outings for Your Desert “To-Do” List

3 Winter Escapes

3 Winter Escapes

Happenings at La Quinta Resort & Club

Experience the magic of the holiday season at this desert jewel. Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings at Morgan’s, experience the 65-foot tree-lighting ceremony with Santa, or spend Christmas in “Bedford Falls” with carolers, roasted chestnuts, and outdoor screenings of It’s a Wonderful Life, a nod to director Frank Capra, who was a frequent La Quinta Resort guest.

Hot Ways to Beat Cool Coast Clouds

Wild Lights

Marvel at over a million twinkling lights as the Living Desert’s favorite holiday tradition returns with new features for 2017! Discover the herd of life-size animal lanterns and explore the newly added pathways decorated in holiday lights. All of the event’s favorite activities return, including the tunnel of lights, visits with Santa, live entertainment, arts and crafts, carousel rides, and more!

November 24–December 24

Up, Up, and Away

Climb 8,000 feet from the desert to the San Jacinto Mountains in less than 15 minutes on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. View the mountain spires and ponderosa pine trees in the unspoiled wilderness during your ascent. Disembark and explore the area around Mountain Station, which includes a cocktail lounge, restaurant, and observation deck. Hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski on the trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area.

Sublime Climb

Enjoy a Sport Climbing Class in Joshua Tree National Park. Learn about safety and fundamentals, rope management, finding and assessing routes, climbing movement for sport, and communication and climbing vocabulary.

The city of Palm Desert offers myriad ways to warm up your winter days:

  • Lounge poolside at the brand-new Hotel Paseo, just steps away from high-end shopping and dining on El Paseo.
  • Go for a morning hike and then hit the private VIP suite at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
  • Plan your visit for the first weekend of any month and enjoy music, food, and art in a city-wide celebration of fun!

Your Guide to Baja Excursions

Rediscover Rosarito Beach

Just a short drive from San Diego yet a world away, this scenic stretch of coastline is a place where the old and new California meet, where you can spend your days in a secluded spa or in a downtown that can be as lively as Mardi Gras.

All the Pretty Horses

Experience ocean-view horseback riding in the hills of Baja with experienced horse trainers. Enjoy unique “Wine and Rides,” including several stops to sample tapas with local wines followed by a real Mexican cowboy BBQ. The company is a nonprofit—each ride saves a life, with proceeds and donations going to rescue efforts and the care of their growing herd.

619-483-9252

Stay and Play

Escape, indulge, and take in the majesty of beautiful Land’s End. With its upscale accomodations, gourmet cuisine, and incomparable location on the best swimmable beach in Cabo San Lucas, Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa is a privileged enclave of five-star luxury and sophistication. Activities include water sports, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the kids’ club. Take a short stroll to the yacht and fishing marina, where you can embark on deep-sea fishing, diving, and sailing adventures.

3 Winter Escapes

3 Winter Escapes

Paradise Found

Conveniently situated in the tourist corridor of Los Cabos on the beachfront, overlooking the Sea of Cortes, Casa del Mar Golf Resort & Spa is your hacienda oasis in Los Cabos. This intimate, 50-room ocean-view luxury boutique hotel lets you restore and replenish at a world-class spa featuring exclusive Signature and Prehispanic treatments in a tranquil setting.

Explore the Baja Wine Country

Wine Tours Baja offers wine-tasting tours and transportation solutions for travelers looking to explore one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Mexico: Valle de Guadalupe! Be introduced to the best wineries and restaurants nestled in the heart of Mexico’s wine country.

All Aboard

Jump aboard Mexico’s Copper Canyon train tour and experience the breathtaking scenery of the Copper Canyon. This four-hour tour must be booked in advance, so be sure to plan ahead!

 

Hawaii: Your Winter Wonderland

Hawaii basically has two seasons—summer (“kau wela”) and winter (“Ho`oilo”)—but with temperatures rarely dipping below 75 degrees, who can tell the difference? Pack a bathing suit and umbrella for afternoon showers and get ready for the time of your life! Visiting during the holidays? Be sure to see the annual downtown Honolulu City Lights, and if you decide to ring in the New Year there, expect ample opportunities to do so in style, with celebrations happening beachfront and at hotels throughout the islands.

3 Winter Escapes

3 Winter Escapes

Have a Whale of a Time

Humpback whales are annual visitors to Hawaii’s warm waters during the winter months, making it the ideal time to spot one of the amazing mammals. Hawaii is also the only US state where the whales not only mate, but also calve and nurse their offspring. Plan your trip sometime between November and May, but for the most whale sightings, visit during the peak months of January, February, and March. Where to experience the best sightings? Try Halona Blowhole on Oahu’s east side; the Sanctuary Education Center in Kihei, Maui; Kapaa Beach Park on Hawaii Island; or Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai.

3 Winter Escapes

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