One fun fact everyone should know is that my family never spends Christmas at home. We usually pack up and go elsewhere – popular destinations have included Las Vegas, NV; Palm Springs, CA or Oxnard, CA. This past Christmas, we opted for something more beachside and checked into a Marriott located in Oceanside, CA.
We’ve only ever been to Oceanside during summers, where the pier is packed and the beach is swarming with swimmers and surfers alike. It’s a different atmosphere during the holidays though. It was quiet, freezing at night and filled with tourists who wanted that warm California sun during the daytime. For Christmas Day, we struggled with finding things to do because the main road consists of local shops, all of which were closed during the day.
Oceanside Library
My cousin, Angie, badly wanted to stop by the city’s public library; unfortunately, they were closed. We ended up taking family photos in front of the building which had the coolest pool/fountain.
Elena’s French Crêpes Cafe
This was, by far, the only restaurant/cafe that decided to open its door on Christmas Day. We were hungry and we knew nothing else was open, so we paraded into the little cafe and ordered some crêpes. The crêpes were really good – most of us got the Nutella/banana combination, and I mean, who could go wrong with Nutella?!
Wheel Fun Rentals
After having some crêpes, we headed back to our hotel. My cousins, brothers and I discovered that on the pier was a tiny bike rental shop. We decided to head over and rented a double surrey for an hour. It was really fun, especially when this family of five decided to race with us on a busy street. We lost, sadly.
We stopped by different areas of the beach to take some photos/videos. I’ve been to Oceanside several times but it was on this trip that I found out that there was in fact a staircase that led straight to the ocean. How cool is that? I had only seen something like that in La Jolla, but that was really cool to know!
I also made a quick video of how my entire December went! Click play or watch it here – it’s available in HD so don’t hesitate to change settings to that! The racing story I mentioned is in the video too!
Also, if you liked this entry, don’t forget to pin it for later!
You guys made it lit on Christmas! I love how you’re 100% with Marriott! (I was jealous of their Newport Beach hotel because Hilton didn’t have one lolol). I don’t think we had a winter this year because it is pretty warm for the season!
You guys hit up all of the gorgeous places! I never knew Oceanside is this pretty!!!
Elena is just one L away from Eena.. Ok, that was a lame joke but glad their crepes were on point! You guys are so cute with the family bike! Did you reach the pedals??? When I rode on one, I couldn’t even reach!!!
You need to do a 52/365 video challenge!! Your stuff is lit. You make California look 1902471048912087x more gorgeous than it is. I love how Chris was so into the karaoke! Your December was poppin!
exquisitely.me
What an awesome place! It is incredible nice you and your family spend your Christmas traveling, you would have such good and different memories for every year.
PS. I am a fan of this pigeon ahhahahahah
Kisses,
E.
http://www.withcapitale.com
https://www.instagram.com/withcapitale/
Simply beautiful! Love your beautiful photos babe!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy Thursday
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
XO
Aw that’s so neat! I wish my family had a tradition like this. I think it would be fun to do something different each year. That crepe place looks soooo good!!
-Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com
Looks amazing!! I wish I was someplace warm over the holidays!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
That’s a pretty cool tradition! I love it 🙂
Loving your photos, as well. Looks gorgeous. The only time I’ve spent Christmas away from home was in the Philippines and I absolutely loved it!
Those crepes look delicious – I am *hungry* now, haha. Haha, love the beginning of that video XD
Would definitely love to visit Oceanside one day!
What a fantastic idea to spend the holidays on vacation. There is something magical about the beach, the ocean and the waves. Even though it was cold, having fewer people there could have been a good thing. It’s just a shame that many of the places/shops were closed. 🙁
Awesome photos! 😀
I love the idea of going away to different places at Christmas – my family tend to stick at home but I love the idea of travelling more! Gorgeous photos as always and I’m loving the look of those crepes!!
Heather xoxo
https://www.hefafa.me.uk
I love this!! Sounds like such a fun Christmas and I enjoyed reading/seeing your pictures! Happy Friday!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
That’s such a fun tradition to have, packing up and spending each Christmas with family in different locations! Your Christmas 2017 looks as though it was a LOT of fun. Ooh, the nutella crêpe you enjoyed at Elena’s French Crêpe Café looks delicious!
aglassofice.com
x
What a fabulous way to spend the holiday, Oceanside looks lovely!
xo Annie
New England Romance
I love your little family tradition, it’s so lovely that you commit to going elsewhere and exploring. My family is the complete opposite, they’d rather stay at home for Christmas (but also most of the time!) I love how your family are such little explorers! It’s so refreshing haha!!
LOVED the video omg, thanks so much for capturing such a beautiful place. <3
Even though I love Christmas in CO, I think Christmas in LV is a must do for us at least once! You know how much we love Vegas haha. I think it’s such a fun family tradition to travel during the holidays! You get to see how each city decorates and celebrates differently. You guys look like you had a blast! And Nutella is good on EVERYTHING!
Also, that pigeon photo bomb is epic!
Susie | http://milehighdreamers.com
aaah everything looks so awesome! i’m so jealous you get to travel a lot haha
my family and i can no longer travel since we’re not economically situated for that so everything about this post makes me miss the old times so much. i suddenly feel both nostalgic and sentimental :))
What a lovely tradition to travel during Christmas! In the UK, the majority of people stay home but I really like how you and your family do it! Next year will be our very first Christmas in another country and you’ve made me really excited for it!
Musings & More
Spending Christmas at such a dream place seems exceptional and an unforgettable experience, Eena! Your pictures and the view left me speechless!
Love the video, your family looks fun to be with. I miss the Californian vibe, the relaxed lifestyle, the palm trees and the massive beach. Nice one Eena!
http://www.busyandfab.com
What a stunning place! Those crepes look amazing, I could eat some right now! x
Kate Louise Blogs
Those crepes look so good! When I lived in San Diego we lived in PB and my favorite place to go was La Jolla, but Oceanside was a close second and I always looked forward to when my uncle would take me to visit his family up there and we’d always go surfing. I don’t know if I’ve ever been to that library, but it looks amazing so I’ll have to add it to the list for the next time I go to SoCal to visit my mom.
Not sure how I would feel being at the beach around Christmas, just because I’ve only been to the beach in the Summer so it seems so foreign to me. This is such a gorgeous place though!
Eena your pictures turned out so nice! Your family has a pretty cool tradition of traveling on Christmas! Although it sounds expensive, hahah, from what I remember flights during the holidays are pricy! Double surreys (is that the family bike?) look like so much fun! I’ve never been in one!
http://www.simplylovebirds.com
Even though so much was closed, this looks like the most beautiful holiday period! I love the idea of packing up every Christmas – seems so much more fun for the entire family.
Abby – http://www.seafoaming.com
Amazing photos! This place looks like a heaven!