By Alicia Doyle
Sunday Signal Writer
For those yearning to trade their familiar routines for a dash of holiday adventure, the perfect escape may be just a short drive away. Whether you dream of wandering twinkling waterfronts, strolling cobbled Danish streets or sipping cocoa under a canopy of mountain pines, a host of festive destinations sits within easy reach — offering a change of scenery and a fresh dose of holiday spirit for those ready to make new memories beyond city limits.
Balboa Island
Balboa Island is a classic holiday escape less than a two-hour drive from Santa Clarita, offering just the right mix of festivity and coastal calm during the winter season. Located in Newport Beach, this compact island is adorned with twinkling lights and famous for its Christmas Boat Parade each December.
The community, which sits in Newport Harbor, consists of three artificial islands — the main Balboa Island, Little Balboa Island, and Collins Isle — connected by short bridges and a quaint ferry that shuttles visitors between the island and the Balboa Peninsula.
Strolling the bayfront boardwalk, visitors enjoy charming scenes of waterfront cottages, bobbing boats, and bright seasonal décor. Marine Avenue, the main artery, is ideal for exploring at a leisurely pace, with its mix of beachy boutiques, galleries, specialty stores, and old-school candy shops. For a true taste of Balboa, signature sweets like the Balboa Bar — a vanilla ice cream bar dipped in chocolate and toppings — or a chocolate-dipped frozen banana are must-tries, easily picked up from local favorites like Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop or Sugar ’n Spice.
After sampling treats or grabbing a casual meal at one of the well-loved diners, a ride on the ferry to the neighboring Balboa Peninsula reveals more to explore: the nostalgic Balboa Fun Zone, a small Ferris wheel, snack stands with harbor views, and the oceanfront Balboa Pier.
As dusk settles and holiday lights shimmer over the harbor, Balboa Island proves to be an inviting, picture-perfect getaway for Santa Clarita residents searching for a festive and peaceful escape by the sea.
For more information, visit balboaisland.com.
Solvang
A holiday escape to Solvang feels like stepping into a European snow globe, even if the Central Coast sun is shining. About two hours from Santa Clarita, this Danish-inspired village transforms into a festive playground each winter, complete with glittering lights, bustling holiday markets, and the rich aroma of fresh-baked pastries that drifts down every block.
The heart of Solvang is its walkable downtown, a charming tangle of streets lined with slant-roofed, half-timbered buildings dressed in red and white, each adorned with flower boxes and crowned by the sight of four iconic windmills. Visitors find themselves meandering Copenhagen Drive, pausing for photos at the whimsical Little Mermaid Fountain or the oversize red clog, both irresistible photo stops among the shops.
Solvang’s storied past comes alive at the Old Mission Santa Inés, a peaceful retreat where sweeping views give way to quiet courtyards and thoughtful exhibits — an anchor of history to balance the village’s playful spirit. Nearby, the Elverhøj Museum offers a window into Solvang’s Danish roots and artistic traditions, while the Hans Christian Andersen Museum invites you to rediscover classic fairy tales in a cozy, book-lined nook.
But Solvang’s greatest temptations are edible. For many, the real holiday adventure is a bakery crawl — a sugary circuit past Olsen’s, Birkholm’s, Mortensen’s, Danish Mill, and Æbleskiver Café, where trays of kringle, pillowy æbleskiver, and tender butter cookies beg to be sampled. Grab a sidewalk table with a hot coffee and plate of æbleskiver, dusted generously with powdered sugar and jam. Traditional Danish meals and local craft beer await just steps away at Copenhagen Sausage Garden and other bustling eateries along the main drag.
Of course, no visit is complete without sampling its local wines. Solvang’s central tasting rooms — more than a dozen within easy strolling distance — promise pours of regional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Even short visits promise memorable experiences, whether you’re sipping local wine, munching on warm pastry, or watching a holiday show at the Solvang Festival Theater beneath the stars. For Santa Clarita residents longing for a holiday getaway that’s both close to home and delightfully out of the ordinary, Solvang offers up its own brand of Scandinavian magic, no snow required.
For more information, visit solvangusa.com.
Merry Gothmas at Ventura County Fairgrounds
Merry Gothmas offers a perfectly twisted holiday escape for those willing to trade tinsel and twinkle lights for something a little darker and delightfully offbeat. The two-day event runs December 13 and 14 from noon to 7 p.m. in Santa Cruz Hall at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, turning the seaside venue into a winter wonderland where Halloween haunts crash headlong into holiday cheer.
Billed as a family-friendly celebration of the dark and the delightful, Merry Gothmas invites guests to stroll the Unhappy Holidays marketplace, a sprawling bazaar of more than 100 vendors. Shoppers can browse creepy Christmas décor, sinister stocking stuffers, taxidermy, oddities, antiques and spine-chillingly unique gifts that feel tailor-made for anyone who prefers bats to reindeer and black lace to ugly sweaters.
The atmosphere leans theatrical, with built-in photo ops that go far beyond the standard Santa snapshot. Visitors can strike a pose with sets themed around Lock, Shock, Barrel, and Sandy Claws, and keep an eye out for roaming creepy special guests haunting Santa Cruz Hall — organizers hint you never quite know who, or what, you’ll bump into as you explore.
Inclusivity is baked into the event’s ethos, making it a particularly welcoming getaway for anyone who has ever felt a bit “other” during the season of enforced cheer. Every shade of goth is invited — trad, emo, romantic, vampire, elder, pastel, cyber and nu goth — along with guests who are straight, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent or simply unapologetically unique. The message is simple: whoever you are, whatever you are, you belong here.
Between shopping and people-watching, attendees can refuel with eerie eats, festive drinks, and devilishly sweet holiday treats from onsite vendors. Tickets are budget-friendly at $10 presale and $20 at the door, and families will appreciate that children 10 and younger get in free with a paying adult — no separate ticket required — making Merry Gothmas an accessible, off‑the‑beaten‑path holiday outing just a short coastal drive from Santa Clarita.
Merry Gothmas will take place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. For more information, visit www.merrygothmas.com.
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead, nestled high in the San Bernardino Mountains just a two-hour drive from Santa Clarita, transforms into a cozy alpine escape when the holidays arrive. The first thing many visitors notice is the scent of pine, carried on crisp mountain air as they approach the heart of the Village.
Beyond the holiday spectacle of the Village, Lake Arrowhead offers calm shores for lakeside walks, mom-and-pop cafes brimming with comfort food, and a selection of boutique shops for last-minute gifts.
Wildhaven Ranch
For those craving a blend of nature and purpose, Wildhaven Ranch sits quietly at the edge of the forest, welcoming visitors by advance reservation. This wildlife sanctuary and educational center, managed by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, provides a rare chance to watch rescued eagles and witness bear training up close during special Bear Watch and Eagle Walk events on Saturdays in November and December. These experiences do more than entertain — they invite guests to pause, observe, and reflect on the magic of mountain wildlife, all while supporting the sanctuary’s mission to preserve the natural heritage of the region.
As dusk falls, the lake’s surface mirrors the twinkle of holiday lights, and the bustle of nearby activities reminds visitors why Lake Arrowhead has become a classic holiday retreat for those seeking joy, renewal, and a breath of bracing mountain air, all within easy reach of Santa Clarita.
Reservations are required to visit Wildhaven Ranch; for more information, visit wildhavenranch.org. For more information about Lake Arrowhead, visit lakearrowhead.com.
