We are spending Christmas week in LA this year, visiting our mid-20's son. We have never been there during the holidays and, even though he's been there for 6 years, he is always back east with family, so none of us knows what its like in SoCal that time of year. Are there any iconic things we should consider doing? He lives in a tiny studio in the Miracle Mile area so our Christmas Day tradition needs to change, suggestions? We aren't particularly religious but would attend a service if unique and special. We're even considering spending Christmas weekend somewhere special, Catalina maybe? Looks like we may also try an air B&B-type rental rather than a hotel. (FYI - we've visited him several times but typically stay down in the Venice beach or Hermosa Beach areas. He attended Otis College and so was more central to the beaches.) Thanks in advance! I haven't used these forums in a while but you all are always terrific with help!

The weather should be nice, probably on the cooler side but should be sunny.

https://www.catalinaexpress.com/

I'm a big fan of Catalina. It's a world apart from Los Angeles. Avalon is a quiet little town with no cars and plenty to do. Play golf, take an inland tour, ride the glass-bottom boat or rent a golf cart for a few hours and explore on you own.

Why not go to the Posadas on Olvera Street? https://www.olveraevents.com/las-posadas-olvera-street . You could go to the ancient Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, the (1814) parish church a block away, or attend the Pastorela after the procession - https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/l...time-tradition

I also am a big fan of going to the movies at Christmastime in LA. While most of the Academy Awards nominees are distributed to Academy members on DVDs or electronically these days (so they can view and vote) there are still places where you can see major movies in theaters; any movies that the studios think might be contenders are released in December so they can get under the wire for that year's competition. Pick some iconic LA movie houses - the Chinese, Egyptian, Million Dollar, Fox Westwood (Village)... and binge away.

The surf is also usually big around Christmas, so walk the pier at Manhattan Beach or up at Malibu. And of course Martha's 22nd St. in Hermosa is still one of the best breakfasts in the country; walk off the carbs along the Strand while you decide which back to rob so you can buy one of those houses.

...that's which bank to rob...

Also forgot the Nuart movie on Santa Monica Blvd.

Go visit The Grove with the tree lighting ceremony nightly, it is one of the tallest trees in LA. The Farmers' Market is adjacent.
Have also read there is an ice skating rink in Pershing Square but have not been.
New Years' Day is a much bigger deal in LA with the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl, etc. than Christmas, although the movies are a great idea, used to go every year since that is when the studios often will release a few of the films they feel might be Oscar contenders.
Check and make sure that short term rentals are legal before booking and sending money, as many communities have banned them like Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, etc. They are legal in Venice and Marina del Rey.

Thanks everyone! I'm very sorry for the recent second post. I haven't used forums in a few years and I used to get email notices when someone replied to my post. I checked and don't see that option in my settings, and didn't think anyone had replied! We will definitely be seeing a movie or two as our son is really into that and our family has a long history of family movies at the holiday. I have been to Olvera Street once for lunch and like that suggestion. We've booked an airbnb for the week; son wanted to stay in HIS city and show us around. I'm now checking responses to my second thread.