Festive fun…in the sun!
When people think of winter they often picture snowy streets, cozy firesides and layers of wool and cashmere. When you live in Los Angeles, winter looks a little different. While the East Coast and other parts of the U.S. might be covered in snow, with temperatures dropping well below freezing, LA winters have relatively warm weather, thus denying residents a true snowy winter experience. Despite this, LA certainly knows how to bring the holiday cheer from festive lights to outdoor ice skating and seasonal drinks. Even without snow, Southern California winter seasons have plenty of festive magic — without the chill.
One of the best ways to embrace winter is by enjoying a comforting drink. In LA, you may not need scarves and mittens to keep you warm but you can certainly rely on coffee shops seasonal drinks to keep your stomach cozy. Seasonal drinks from popular spots like Starbucks, La La Land and Dunkin' Donuts allow you to enjoy a good day with drinks ranging from pumpkin spice lattes to peppermint mochas.
While you won’t find snow falling on the palm trees in LA, the Third Street Promenade offers the same festive mood with the display of dazzling lights. The streets and trees are decorated in colorful decorations making it a good spot to go holiday shopping and enjoy the spirit of winter.
In places like New York, ice skating in Central Park is a classic winter activity. Here, you are able to enjoy the same experience with a twist. Ice at Santa Monica located just off the promenade at the corner of Arizona Avenue and 5th Street offers an unique opportunity to skate under the clear California sky.
Most importantly, the holidays are encapsulated by the feeling of spending time with family and friends. Snow or no snow, you don't have to look farther than your household to get that true wintry, comfortable feeling of togetherness. Steve Yoon (’26) shares what brings his family together for the holiday festivities.
“Instead of making Christmas related foods, we make our own cultural foods together," Yoon said. "Even though we live in the states, we usually make staples in Korea, like kimbap, bibimbap, kimchi stew and anything that we grew up eating to remember our culture and our home."