Travel: This year, try a holiday staycation in Southern California

It’s the time of year when small talk with neighbors and store clerks often includes the innocuous question, “Going anywhere for the holidays?”

The response often depends on one’s level of openness and honesty, but a “yes,” whether shared or not, probably involves a road trip. Automobiles are the mode of transportation nearly 90% of us will take for any year-end travel of over 50 miles, according to AAA, but where we’re going as a country is literally all over the map.

While many Americans will head to far and/or exotic places, Southern Californians with no desire to experience jet-lag this yuletide have the luxury of vacationing in their own backyard. One reason there’s no place like home for the holidays, besides enviable weather, is the region’s geographic diversity that enables most residents to enjoy ocean breezes and desert winds within a single tank of gas.

As sure as Ralphie dreams of getting a Red Ryder Carbine-action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas, SoCal is the model staycation destination during the holidays. We could go on and on stating why, but looking at the calendar, there’s no time to waste if you haven’t planned your staycation yet. So, without further ado, let’s check out some properties in this privileged place worthy of checking in over the holidays.

SANTA MONICA

Starting at the shore, staying at the stylish, serene and seaside Sandbourne Santa Monica, a short stroll from the city’s historic pier, is reminiscent of the Mounds and Almond Joy jingle from the 1970s. “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t,” it went, and that perfectly describes a staycation set at one of the Southland’s newest beachfront resorts.

If you want to feel like a nut or to go nuts, it’s right outside. The area between downtown Santa Monica and Palisades Park makes for premium people watching. Along this colorful stretch of the city’s 3 1/2 miles of coastline is the iconic Santa Monica Pier, where characters of all walks of life add to the literal carnival atmosphere of Pacific Park.

After loading up on Almond Joy at the beach, the Mounds-esque Sandbourne, formerly Le Merigot Santa Monica, makes for the perfect nut-free retreat. Opened in May, the 175-room luxury hotel — rebranded, but still part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio — now features a softer and chicer décor that reflects the natural tones of the neighboring sand and sea. This pleasing motif is threaded from the lobby and multi-tiered poolside patio to the newly renovated rooms and signature restaurant that features coastal California cuisine. Families are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner at Marelle with pre-set menu and seasonal drinks for $95, $45 for children. Nightly room rates over the holidays start in the $400s, bookable at sandbournesantamonica.com. For more on Santa Monica’s offerings, visit santamonica.com.

BEVERLY HILLS

Moving on up, some five-star R&R at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is one of the nicest presents locals can give themselves this holiday season. Perennially ranked among the top hotels in the state since opening in 2017, this precious gem at the bejeweled junction of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards may not be the first choice for a family staycation, but couples looking to splurge should look no further.

Rates over Christmas week were starting just north of $1,200 a night at press time, and they go way north for guests desiring the suite life. Everyone who indulges gets a spacious room, floor-to-ceiling windows, the finest in linens and toiletries, and a voice-activated Alexa device that combines high-tech with high society. All guests have use of a house car, which is likely a Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes S580 or something in between depending on the room category. The rooftop pool is heated, of course, and comes with a cabana on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also atop the Waldorf Astoria’s 12th floor is the highest and largest rooftop restaurant in Beverly Hills. You know life is good when washing down yummy French fries and caviar, chicken shawarma or red Thai coconut curry with a Rooftop Ginger Margarita or Raspberry Lychee Bellini — all while taking in panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Three-course menus await diners with reservations on Thanksgiving ($227 per person), Christmas Eve ($324) and Christmas Day ($227).

On the resort’s lobby level is The Bar at Espelette, which features an artfully crafted cocktail program that playfully invokes the spirit of the Mediterranean. The European coast is celebrated in the cuisine as well under Executive Chef Peleg Miron, who earned his chops (lamb and otherwise) at the Four Seasons Resort Maui and St. Regis Hotel Istanbul before coming to the Waldorf Astoria (waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com). Espelette is taking reservations for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day feasts, each priced at $252. In addition, the Waldorf Astoria’s executive pastry chef is leading a gingerbread house contest for young artisans on Dec. 7 ($32). The best will be displayed in the lobby throughout December.

ORANGE COUNTY

Two Orange County resorts are sporting recently completed renovations for the holidays. The long-delayed, multi-million-dollar facelift to the slightly renamed Knott’s Hotel (formerly the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel) is done, and Walter and Cordelia would be proud of this Buena Park beauty. Also deserved of high-fives is the 516-room Hyatt Regency Irvine, which put the finishing touches on a $55-million renovation in July. The hotel within Jamboree Center looks better than new, which is saying a lot for a property that has changed hands and brands multiple times since opening as a Hilton in the ‘70s.

Back on the farm, Knott’s Hotel (knottshotel.com) features 322 redesigned guest rooms, a new signature restaurant and a lobby oozing country chic. Thirty Acres Kitchen and Bar doesn’t serve Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken, possibly a mistake, but guests with a yen for hen can follow their nose in the aromatic direction of the 90-year-old restaurant that spawned California’s original theme park.

Knott’s Berry Farm, rethemed as Knott’s Merry Farm at this time of year, has play-and-stay packages for the holidays. Chicken dinner isn’t part of the bundle, but for $329 you get room accommodations, single-day park admission for two and hotel parking.

While the new-look Knott’s resort features a renovated pool area, it doesn’t hold a boysenberry-scented candle to the good, clean fun 20 miles south. Guests at the 14-story Hyatt Regency Irvine (www.hyattregencyirvine.com) are treated to a zero-entry pool, two waterslides, whirlpool spa and splash area surrounded by lush landscaping, private cabanas (two with firepits), stylish pool chairs and a vibe that feels more like “Newport Beach Chic” than “Irvine Business Park.” Toss in some “Las Vegas Cool” thanks to a 24-by-17-foot LED screen that adds live sporting events, dive-in movies and other video content to outdoor entertainment that’s included in the room rate; nightly stays start at $179.

Warehouse 72 is the Hyatt Regency’s excellent signature restaurant that’s open for breakfast on weekends and daily for lunch and dinner, the latter smacking lips with sumptuous yuzu-glazed Chilean seabass, Australian lamb chops and the to-die-for Frozen S’mores dessert that calls for tableside torching of marshmallows.

PALM SPRINGS

Escaping to the desert, Palm Springs promises to make the season bright for a splendid staycation 180 degrees from the North Pole. Every Thursday night from Thanksgiving through Boxing Day, a stretch of Palm Canyon Drive is blocked off from vehicular traffic for an outdoor gift market that features one-of-a-kind artworks, artisanal foods, live music, and, if the rumors are true, a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Check out visitpalmsprings.com for more desert dishings.

As for a place to stay, the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs (rowanpalmsprings.com) is among the city’s more family-oriented resorts with its children’s activities and rooftop pool that supplies floaties. (Standard rooms run about $550 a night over the holidays). At the adults-only La Serena Villas a few blocks away, serenity is the key word at La Serena (laserenavillas.com).

This Spanish hacienda-style property has 18 villas, each with a private patio and daily breakfast basket quietly left at your door. Nightly rates over Christmas week ranged from $517 to $860 at last check. The resort’s spa area has a treatment room, hot tub and cabanas with more covered loungers scattered around the main pool. Azucar, the property’s sole restaurant, features a promising new menu from Chef Lexy Smith, a fixture within the LA-Coachella foodie scene. The bar’s latest craft cocktail, the Jalisco Bramble, features two types of bourbon, blackberry syrup, mint and ginger beer, and is best imbibed upstairs in the Sugar High Rooftop Lounge. Views of the neighboring San Jacinto Mountains are as potent as the potables.

OCEANSIDE

Giving San Diego County some holiday cheer, Oceanside’s Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa (hyatt.com) is an enjoyable and economical alternative to staycationing farther down the California coast. This 226-room beachfront resort caters to all ages, from its family-friendly pool deck with sweet ocean views to Sunny’s Spa and Beauty Lounge for pampering grown-ups. The Hyatt property has a terrific restaurant and bar as well. Nightly room rates start at around $350.

Near or far, wherever the holidays may take you, safe travels!