Many Cal High students go on trips during winter break. Some go to Lake Tahoe to ski, while others fly to New York to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. Some even head south to experience Disneyland during the holidays.
But not all students have the opportunity to travel out of the area over the holiday break.
For those students staying local, here are some different ways to spend winter break while staying local.
1. Ice skating with family and friends
Ice skating with friends is a popular winter activity. A local rank for ice skating is the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at the City Center that is open through the winter holidays until Jan. 5.
A larger ice rink is in San Francisco’s Union Square, where there are many more decorations and different varieties of ice rinks to skate across. Stepping onto the crisp ice and gliding through it with the joys and laughter with friends beside is a great way to enjoy the feeling of winter.
“[Ice skating is] fun especially going with my friends. I enjoy the time I get to spend with them as well,” freshman Kyra Kabanova said. “It’s also a more enjoyable way to exercise.”
Seeing the twinkling lights above the ice rink and festive decorations adds more joy to the holidays and holiday cheer, which makes ice rinks like the ones at Union Square and the City Center rink a good place to visit over break.
2. Having a holiday movie marathon
Gathering with friends for a holiday marathon over winter break is a great way to embrace the festive spirit and create lasting moments with one another.
One way to make the movie marathon special is to make holiday inspired drinks and snacks to add on to the holiday feeling, and strengthen bonds with friends through enjoying a lineup of beloved holiday films.
Holiday original movies such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or “Home Alone” will bring comfort and joy at home.
3. Winter baking
Experimenting with different recipes can add some nice variety to the holiday break. The dishes are sure to bring comfort and joy to winter days.
The article, “91 Holiday Recipes Passed Down for Generations,” by Lisa Kaminski in “Taste of Home’s Editorial Process,” provides several different recipes of delicious desserts and foods that are simple enough to bake at home.
With the cold weather outside, there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh cookies out of the oven or freshly baked pies and much more. Trying out new winter recipes can be a delightful way to embrace the season and make cherishing memories with loved ones.
4. Hiking
There’s something truly special about going on a hike and being immersed in the beauty of nature.
Some nice local areas to go hiking are Gerbode Valley Loop or Montara Mountain North Peak Loop.
“I enjoy the scenery and I like the form of exercise I get to do,” freshman Coraline Chan said.
The breathtaking views of a hike can be a very unforgettable experience. Hiking is great physical exercise and beautiful imagery.
It’s also about the mental and emotional benefits. It’s a chance to disconnect from the hustle of daily life with relaxation. Hiking can create a new perspective of nature in a positive way. The experience is sure to leave a feeling of freshness in the winter.
5. Winter festival
Visiting a holiday festival, such as the Let’s Glow Festival in San Francisco, is one of the most magical experiences of the holiday season.
The moment someone steps into the festival, they get blinded by a dazzling display of holiday figures and lights, music, and scents that instantly put them in a festive mood.
The air is filled with the aroma of hot chocolate. The very festive spirit can give a sense of community which can make it genuinely special and captures an essence of the amazing holiday season.
6. Day trip to the city
A day trip to San Francisco around Christmas with friends or family is always an adventure filled with excitement and discovery. As people walk around the city, the anticipation builds.
“I enjoy exploring SF with my friends and family,” freshman Audrey Lao said. “The city has great scenery and lots of fun shopping, and I have made so many great memories as well.”
The city has vibrant energy that can give people opportunities to bond.
The shared experiences and the joy of discovery makes going to the city an unforgettable adventure that will be memorable.
7. Cozy game night
A cozy game night with friends or family is the perfect way to unwind inner competitiveness and enjoy each other’s company. The night kicks off with some friendly banter and laughter as the family decides which game to play.
A game night is more than just playing fun games. It’s about creating and sharing laughter and joy among each other. It’s a reminder of the importance of slowing down, connecting with loved ones, and finding joy in the little things. A game night is a great way to create these joyful memories.
8. Making a New Year’s resolution vision board
As the end of the year rolls around, gathering with friends to make a colorful board of New Year’s resolutions is a wonderful way to begin a new year with positive and creative intentions.
Making a resolution board with resolutions for the new year is a great start to a new year.
9. Potluck with friends
Host an evening dinner potluck with friends. Sharing each other’s delicious foods and eating together can bring friendships closer.
By the end of the night, everyone is full, not just from the food but from the joy of being surrounded by friends. The potluck dinner over winter break stands as a reminder of what the season is truly about. Through making a vision board, you and your friends can come together and create closer bonds on a winter holiday.
10. Reset day
When the long awaited winter break arrives, life becomes more relaxing as finals have ended. To enjoy this feeling more and more, have an all day spa and reset day with friends.
The spa and reset day over winter break was not just a day of pampering but a day to celebrate closeness and the simple happiness of coming together.
Overall, winter break offers great opportunities to explore a variety of activities that can make the holiday season memorable and enjoyable without having to go miles and miles away from home.