I am trying to plan a trip somewhere sunny for December 25th through January 1 or 2nd. We are in Seattle and will be tired of rain and gloom by then. I am debating between San Diego and Hawaii. Both are about a wash in terms of costs. We have a friend who just moved to Oahu and we may be able to crash with her, if she buys a house by then. San Diego has lots of attractions for my 4 year old: LegoLand, SeaWorld, etc. Please help me decide. Any downside to being there during the holiday season?

If you want beach weather, go ton Hawaii. We were there same time frame a few years back, not beach weather at all.

For the same price range, Hawaii hands down! If you can't stay with your friend, go to a southern Hawaiian island for best weather. We were there one January and Kauai was cold and rainy, but our second week was on the Big Island where the weather was much better.

Our 4-year-olds were not so impressed with the big theme parks till they were older. Otherwise, it can be sensory overload with nowhere to nap. Not a pretty picture!

Hawaii for sure! Chances are San Diego will be cloudy and cool.

Hawaii is over rated in the winter. Go in the summer when you can go and not freeze to death.

"freeze to death"?

No freezing to death in Hawaii in the winter! Except for Kauai, which is very lush and green, the rest of the islands are not as wet. Certainly, not as wet as Seattle in the winter. And even when it rains, it's warm.

You can swim in the ocean most any time of year. Our zoo is very kid friendly, as is Sea LIfe Park and our little aquarium.

Come to Hawaii!

LOL. I just reread my post -- I meant to say we were in San Diego at the same time [12/24 through 1/2] and it was not beach weather. We had a good time, but no strolls on beach and certainly no ocean swimming.

I vote for Hawaii. Absolutely no contest about it. Especially if prices are similar. San Diego is nowhere near as beautiful. Not in the same league. I think San Diego would be a fun place to live but for a vacation, Hawaii is incredible.

No question whatsoever - Hawaii.

There is nothing else like it.

I live in San Diego but have traveled to Hawaii numerous times. If you want really warm weather in December, especially warm ocean water, I would go to Hawaii.

Le Burta? Did you see the winky emoticon at the end of my post?

If the prices for that week in Hawaii dont scare you, take it. Otherwise, San Dego offers a nice alternative

It could be wet in San Diego at that time of year. For guaranteed good weather go to Hawaii.

FrankS~ They said it was the same price.

suze,
I put the 'if' as I expect the OP to eventually discover otherwise

hawaii if you want warmer water and relatively sunny weather. hawaii is generally more rainy in the winter but we've been having an extreme drought for the last few months and it could continue well into the winter.

as for it being cold, you won't feel cold at all if you come to hawaii from seattle in december. "cold" temperatures here might be in the mid to high 60's but even thats rare. if you come here in december you can expect it to be in the mid 70's to high 80s in the day and cooler at night.

san diego has its upsides as well. overall hawaii will get you that sunny weather you desire.

@FrankS, you are right, the airfare to Hawaii is a bit high for the time frame. I am still on the fence. I wasn't really hoping for beach weather in San Diego, just wanted a ray of sunshine to counteract Seattle's doom and gloom. Hawaii still sounds more appealing, I can smell the plumeria right now.

Not just airfare, have you chk'd car rental? They can charge quite a bit that week. San Diego can & will be sunny, and winter days can often be crystal blue as the 'June Gloom' marine layer impact lessens.

don't get me wrong, I think San Diego is a perfectly nice city. But it's NOT Hawaii, which to me is a dream vacation in paradise. You can spend a lot of money there, or you can travel cheap. Especially if you choose Waikiki area on Oahu there are loads of budget hotels, and you wouldn't necessarily need a car for the entire time (or at all) as there is good public transportation on that island.

another vote for Hawaii. I love San Diego and have visited there several times but given a choice, Hawaii would win all the time.