It’s December, and the holiday season is upon us again! COVID19 knocked out a lot of summer travel plans, and it may have you feeling a bit cooped up. If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little and see a side of the holidays that is not in Turlock, consider some of these winter road destinations!
San Diego has much to offer. The Balboa Park December Nights has Christmas lights, food and drink, and free admission to all the museums! The Old Globe Theater is putting on How The Grinch Stole Christmas this year. Sadly, the Holiday Pet Parade in the Gaslamp Quarter has been postponed this year due to COVID19.
If your plans include a trip in or around L.A., you might consider taking a trip to the Santa Monica Pier as well. Dressed out in holiday lights, it’s a beautiful, relaxing sight.
For those with kids wanting a White Christmas, consider Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Mountain! Both have great skiing options for you to consider. But if you’ and the kids would prefer to avoid snow altogether, consider Monterey! It’s coastal weather will put you in a holiday mood without snowing you under, and there’s loads to do and see, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium (it happens to be one of the top aquariums in the world), The Monterey Zoo, and the whale-watching tours at the bay!
If a long trip is on the cards, there are festive holiday charms in New Mexico to consider. There’s the Albuquerque River of Lights at the Albuquerque Biological Park. The River of Lights is a fun mix of botanical gardens and Christmas themed events, including a Santa visit. It’s open November 30, 2019, through December 30, 2019 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). And Albuquerque has a lovely Winter Spanish Market!
Then there’s the Luminarias in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, if you’re interested in driving that far. On Christmas Eve, the main plazas of both these cities are decked out gorgeously in Christmas lights. In Santa Fe, cider is served, carols are sung, and groups walk to the nearby Cross of the Martyrs. The annual Christmas Eve trek up gallery-filled Canyon Road in Santa Fe is lined with both luminarias and bonfires. Galleries are open and often serve snacks and drinks.
If you do decide to head out for some holiday destinations this year, we recommend that you consider a check-in at Nona’s to make sure your vehicle is up to the challenges ahead of you. Schedule an appointment with us. Nona’s Auto Center is at 1565 W. Tuolumne Road, Turlock, CA 95382. Make your appointment today! Here at Nona’s Auto Center, we love cars, and we’ll treat your car just as if it were our own.