San Diego is a beautiful place to spend a winter getaway. The weather is warm, and the holiday spirit can be seen everywhere you look. From Balboa Park to Seaport Village, something is always going on during the holiday season. If you plan on spending the holidays in a San Diego vacation rental, take advantage of everything the area has to offer – see a parade of lights, go ice skating, see a play or ballet and of course, go shopping! Here is list of a few special holiday events that you can catch during the winter months.

Balboa Park December Nights, December 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. and December 6 from noon to 10 p.m.

This popular holiday event, the largest free community festival in San Diego, includes carolers, live entertainment, dance performances, children’s rides, a re-creation of a traditional Native American, free admission to more than 80 of the Park’s museums and cultural organizations and delicious foods from around the world. This year, December Nights is proud to present Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” live on stage at the Tony Award®-winning Old Globe theater. www.balboapark.org/decembernights

Wild Animal Park 20th Anniversary of the Festival of Lights, 4 to 9 p.m., December 13–23 and 26–30, 2008; and January 2 and 3, 2009.

This year marks the final year of the annual Festival of Lights celebration. For the occasion, new holiday and animal-themed light features have been specially created for the Wild Animal Park, including Snow Hill (open daily, 4–8:30 p.m.), new craft activities, a Light Magic Show in Discovery Station, and a Black Light Puppet Show in Benbough Amphitheater. www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar

Seaport Village Surfing Santa, 879 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA, December 14 at 12 p.m.

Take pictures with surfing Santa! He’ll arrive by watercraft in front of the Pier Café. Sporting his board shorts and flip flops, Surfing Santa will pose for free photos with guests on his life-size surfboard and wave until 4 p.m. Stay for holiday shopping, musical entertainment, face painting, fanciful balloon sculptures and the marvelous Seaport Village Historic Carousel. www.seaportvillage.com/entertainment

37th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, December 13 and 21

More than 100 private boat owners decorate their boats with holiday lights and sail along the waters of San Diego Bay.  Great views are available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Marina Park and Coronado’s Ferry Landing. www.sdparadeoflights.org

Ice Skating at Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, November 22 to January 1

Ice skate with the Pacific Ocean just yards away, or watch the Lambs’ Players perform an “An American Christmas” in the ballroom Dec. 9th-30th, except the 25th (6:30-9:30pm).Performed by 30 artists from the award-winning Lamb’s Players Theatre, the show includes a delicious 5-course meal in the Grand Ballroom. Tickets run between $110-$145 per person, depending on the date.

Holiday of Lights at Del Mar, Del Mar Fairgrounds, November 27 – January 4, 2009

The largest animated drive-through light show on the U.S. West Coast, it includes more than 400 brilliant holiday light displays. www.sdfair.com/holidayoflights

La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival, December 7 in downtown La Jolla

The event includes marching bands, floats, equestrian units, vintage automobiles and Santa Claus himself. www.ljparade.com

To view Penny Realty’s holiday San Diego Vacation rentals visit www.missionbeach.com today!