In December, I like to photograph the various public Christmas trees in San Diego. I haven’t got around to capturing all of them yet, but here’s a short list of the ones that I think are most beautiful.

1. Liberty Station

The Christmas tree at Liberty Station in Point Loma is by far my favorite tree. The tree is an 88’ tall Norfolk Pine and is located in the North Promenade. Besides being incredibly beautiful, I love that the tree is live and isn’t cut down and brought in from elsewhere.

Liberty Station is open to the public with ample parking. It’s a great place to stroll around in the evening.

A long exposure to capture star trails with the tree.

2. Pacific Beach / Crystal Pier

Every year the community of Pacific Beach places a tree at the end of Crystal Pier. It is by no means the tallest tree but it is situated on the end of a beautiful pier and the lighting ceremony attracts a big crowd.

The pier is actually a hotel with cottages that you can rent. The pier is open to the public but closes shortly after sunset.

3. Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel Del Coronado has multiple Christmas trees that they put up and decorate every year. There is at least one inside the hotel lobby, another by the skating rink, and probably several other small ones scattered about. In my opinion, these are fine trees but nothing special. However one thing you should not miss is the grove of Norfolk Island pine trees located on the front lawn by Orange ave. These are huge trees which are taller than most of the buildings in Coronado. The hotel covers them in hanging lights that are synchronized to music (they are part of a light show that runs every 30 minutes at night).

My favorite place to view the trees is from across Glorietta Bay.

The grove from viewed from across Orange ave.

4. Scripps Pier

Scripps Pier is not open to the public, but you can view the tree from the beach and other walkways along the coast. The tree is made from lighted cables, which I appreciate as it means that a live tree didn’t need to be chopped down and brought in.

The crescent moon sets above the Scripps Pier Christmas tree.

5. Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park

The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park always puts out a grinch themed tree to coincide with their production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

6. Marriott Marquis

The Marriott Marquis hotel located in downtown by Seaport Village puts up a Christmas tree every year. Like the one at Scripps Pier, it is made from lighted cables. The best place to view this tree is from across the bay at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

To Do

I still have a few Christmas trees to photograph. On my list are the trees in Ocean Beach, Little Italy, and the Seaworld Tower.