It’s no secret that the holidays are a magical time for both children and adults alike. What is [semi!] secret are these holiday activities we found throughout San Diego. We polled fans and found their top out-of-the-ordinary events to create one magical bucket list for the end of this year.

photo: cyrusbulsara via flickr

Garden of Lights at Quail Botanical Gardens
Quail Botanical Gardens, in Encinitas, is an inspiring place to connect with plants and nature throughout the year. Throw in the holiday spirit, over 125,000 sparkling lights, food, live blues and jazz music, and a variety of kid’s activities for an evening the whole family will truly enjoy. Your evening will be packed with fun including horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, visits with Santa, puppet shows and more.

Dates: December 5-23 and 26-30, 5 – 9 p.m.
Cost: Adult members: $10; adult non-members: $15. Seniors, active military and students: $10. Kids ages 3-12: $5. Kids 2 and under: free (additional fees for some activities)

230 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas, Ca
760-436-3036
Online: sdbgarden.org/lights.htm

Photo: Leah Singer

Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
Get ready to be transported to a winter wonderland complete with snow and reindeer. The Holiday Wonderland is back at Petco Park and kids will love sledding down a hill of snow, walking through magical lighting displays, riding the Polar Express, petting reindeer, bouncing in a snow globe, taking a photo with Santa around a 40-foot tree, and lots more. It’s Petco Park like you’ve never seen it!

Dates: Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-23, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $20/adult, $10/kiddo; free/kids under 3

Petco Park
100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
Online: sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/ticketing/holiday.jsp

photo: Ginger Anderson

Holiday Festivities at Torrey Pines Lodge
Get dressed up for some fancy festivities at Torrey Pines Lodge. Take family portraits, sing along with holiday carolers, roast s’mores, decorate cookies, plus storytime and photos with Santa fill their December calendar. Space is limited, so be sure to call and ask about reserving space. Good to Know: If you live in North County inland, the Rancho Bernardo Winery offers similar festivities December 17-20.

Dates: December (dates and times vary)
Cost: Free

11480 North Torrey Pines Rd.
La Jolla, Ca
858-453-4420
Online: lodgetorreypines.com

photo: portofsandiego via flickr

Parade of Lights in San Diego Harbor
For two consecutive Sundays in December the San Diego boating community comes together to bring a lavish extravaganza of brightly-lit boats and holiday decorations at sea. Bundle up with blankets and hot cocoa, bring chairs and stake out a spot along the bay to get a great view of this annual event. The parade route runs from Shelter Island past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and ends at the Ferry Landing in Coronado. Full route can be viewed here.

Dates: December 13 and 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Downtown San Diego
619-224-2240
Online: sdparadeoflights.org

photo: The Old Globe Theater

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Old Globe
Almost all children know the story of the Grinch and have seen the movie, but bring him to life on stage at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. For the 18th year, the stage is transformed into snow-covered Whoville and children and adults perform in this holiday favorite. Special note: there will be a sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Hours: November 15 – December 27
Cost: Prices vary based on date & time ($50-$100/ticket)

1363 Old Globe Way
San Diego, Ca
619-234-5623
Online: theoldglobe.org

photo: Helen Woodward Animal Center

Frosty Farm at Helen Woodward Animal Center
For all the animal-lovers out there, this is a not-to-miss holiday event on the farm. In addition to face painting, faux snow, cookie decorating, crafts, hot chocolate and a visit with Santa, kids will experience live animal encounters! Get up close and personal with alpacas, chinchillas, doves, sheep, chickens and a miniature horse “reindeer” named Blitzen. Don’t forget to register on their website to guarantee time with Santa.

Dates: First three weekends in December from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $12/adults: $23/kiddo

6461 El Apajo Rd.
Rancho Santa Fe, Ca
858-756-4117 ext. 318
Online: animalcenter.org/education/frostyfarm.aspx

What’s on your holiday bucket list this year?

— Ginger Anderson

It’s raining chocolate at the San Diego Botanical Garden’s Chocolate Festival. This delightful celebration has bite-sized samples that are perfect for your pint-sized sweeties. A cool chocolate waterfall, lots of kids crafts (keep those little hands busy), a rope-climbing tree fort, splash around stream, and a beautiful botanical garden all make for a day of family fun.

Photo Credit: San Diego Botanical Garden Facebook page

The Tasty Details
This one-day festival takes place Saturday, May 9 — just in time for a Mother’s Day treat! The Festival is free with admission to the Botanical Garden, which will run you $14 for an adult and $8 for kids ages 3-12 (under 3 is free). You definitely want to bring extra cash for the chocolate treats. While the admission gets you into the Festival, the chocolate is extra. The chocolate fun runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Chocolate treats range from a chocolate fountain, s’mores, chocolate-dipped strawberries and other delights, truffles, cupcakes and lots more. There are so many treats you’ll want to pace yourself as you make your way through the Festival.

Insider’s Tip: Get $2 off admission by visiting the Botanic Garden’s website.

Photo Credit: San Diego Botanical Garden Facebook page

Gardens for Tiny Tots and Bigger Kids
Toddlers needing to blow off some steam after their chocolate indulgence? All aboard to the Seeds of Wonder Children’s Garden for the smaller set. Choo-choo on over to the miniature train tracks, play with the prehistoric dinosaurs or pretend to be parents in the tiny tots house (filled with fun kitchen utensils). Little ones will get the sillies out and have some fun.

Nestled at the bottom of a beautiful walking footpath your pint-sized explorers encounter the rope ladder entry to Toni’s jungle tree house. Adventure awaits as your swashbuckling sweeties discover a new world — climbing a rope bridge, stepping through elephant trees, and playing in the mountain stream. Fun for kiddos (and relaxing for you) this nature’s playground is a perfect place to explore.

Photo Credit: San Diego Botanical Garden Facebook page

Eats (Besides Chocolate) and Tips
Need a place to nosh when hunger strikes? You can enjoy gyros and falafels at the festival, hot dogs and Rita’s shaved-ice for the little tykes. Want to save some cash? Pack a picnic and eat it in the gardens.

Don’t forget to bring your camera to the garden as there are lots of photo ops around you. Also think about bringing a backpack or small stroller (for easy maneuvering). Hats, sunblock, and water all make for smooth sailing, and fun in the sun.

Photo Credit: San Diego Botanical Garden Facebook page

San Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-436-3036
Online: sdbgarden.org/chocolate

Have you indulged at the Chocolate Festival? Tell us your favorite part!

— Monique Walsh

Any fairy worth her wings will tell you that there’s no better place to celebrate a birthday than at a fantastical outdoor garden. Lucky for San Diego families, Hamilton Children’s Garden is designed to enchant your little ones. Home to many memorable birthday fêtes, this San Diego garden boasts over ten fun areas (from gardens to a tree house) for little revelers to explore and learn. Click through the slideshow for our inside look to a party of whimsical fun.

Toni’s Tree House

Toni's Tree House offeres hours of fun for kids of all ages. Kids love playing tag and climbing in a a real-life tree house. We can't think of a better place to play hide and seek!

San Diego Botanic Gardens
230 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas, Ca 92024
(760) 436-3036
Online: sdbgarden.org/birthday

Have you thrown a party at this magical location? Share your story with us!

copy and photos by Aimee Della Bitta

My parents recently adopted a dog, which has given me a new perspective on how animals bring happiness to humans. My parents were happy people before they met Cody, but rarely have I seen a sentient being bring so much sheer joy into a family.

I’m not surprised that research shows that greater health and happiness can come from caring for a pet. One study tracked “hypertensive stockbrokers” who adopted a cat or dog; caring for their new animals lowered their blood pressure more than prescribed medicine! And you may have heard about the study that found that dog-owners tend to get more exercise than folks without a dog. Exercise is, of course, a sure way to boost health and happiness.

All that said, I never recommend getting a puppy to families with young children. We parents are usually so tapped-out that the last thing we need to worry about is another mammal. But our families can still benefit from a little animal love by taking on lower-stress pets (research points to the benefits of a fish tank for some people; I’m also a big advocate of pet rats for kids) or by helping out with other people’s animals. My kids beg constantly for more animals, but our diabetic dog is enough for me to care for right now. So, to fulfill their pet cravings, they spend 2 hours after school once a week caring for a friend’s chickens, duck, and quail.

This week, find a cat to pet, a dog to walk, or a fish to feed. If you feel noticeably calmer after the experience, consider adopting!

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a coach and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  A sociologist at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, her goal is to help parents bring more joy into their own lives and the lives of their children.

Want more great tips?
Happy Mom Tip #1: Disconnect
Happy Mom Tip #2: Stop Rushing Around
Happy Mom Tip #3: Express Gratitude
Happy Mom Tip #4: Organize
Happy Mom Tip #5: Forgive Someone
Happy Mom Tip #6: Get Excited About Someone Else’s Good News
Happy Mom Tip #7: Celebrate a Mistake
Happy Mom Tip #8: Talk To Strangers
Happy Mom Tip #9: Share Your Good News
Happy Mom Tip #10: Flex Your Generosity Muscle
Happy Mom Tip #11: Be Kind
Happy Mom Tip #12: Take a Break 
Happy Mom Tip #13: Dance Around
Happy Mom Tip #14: Make Yourself Guffaw
Happy Mom Tip #15: Take a Stroll
Happy Mom Tip #16: Go Out and Play With Some Friends
Happy Mom Tip #17: Give Out Some Hugs
Happy Mom Tip #18: Find Some Inspiration
Happy Mom Tip #19: Get Out into Nature
Happy Mom Tip #20: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”
Happy Mom Tip #21: Get Enough Sleep
Happy Mom Tip #22: Let Yourself Feel What You Feel
Happy Mom Tip #23: Expose Yourself to Someone Else’s Pain
Happy Mom Tip #24: Turn Off the Boob Tube
Happy Mom Tip #25: Don’t Buy That Thing That You Really Want
Happy Mom Tip #26: Take a Blatant Nap
Happy Mom Tip #27: Play a Game That Makes You Happy
Happy Mom Tip #28: Spend Some Time Alone
Happy Mom Tip #29: Take a Power Nap
Happy Mom Tip #30: Learn Something New
Happy Mom Tip #31: Have an Easy Morning
Happy Mom Tip #32: One Kind Thing.
Happy Mom Tip #33: Exhale. Twice.
Happy Mom Tip #34: Stop Stalling 
Happy Mom Tip #35: Make Your Task List More Fun
Happy Mom Tip #36: Ignore Your Kids
Happy Mom Tip #37: Take 20
Happy Mom Tip #38: Call a Friend
Happy Mom Tip #39: Lower Your Expectations
Happy Mom Tip #40: Commit to Kindness
Happy Mom Tip #41: Automate a Hassle
Happy  Mom Tip #42: Say No to Someone Besides Yourself