Worth The Trip

Polar bear plungers will take to ocean and river waters for a New Year’s Day swim, but you can enjoy a San Diego Zoo webcam from afar.

The ocean-adjacent Santa Barbara landmark will celebrate its milestone year with first Wednesday specials and other festive happenings.

The Solvang event, “one of the largest fire safety demonstrations along the California Central Coast,” will take place in early January 2022.

Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach and the Polar Bear Swim & Plunge on Catalina Island are both welcoming 2022 in a damp and delightful way.

California State Parks has a list of wonderful ways to enjoy the New Year’s Day tradition.

The splashy searches kick off, up and down the coast, as Christmas concludes. Did you just see that spout in the distance?

The beasties, two Borrego Springs-based sculptures found in the Galleta Meadows collection, sported Santa hats and colorful stockings.

The Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, one of the Golden State’s most scenic places to glide, has opened for the season.

Ooh/aah over Ventura Harbor’s famous Parade of Lights, or take in the glow around the harbor.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has encountered the “deep-dwelling” barreleye fish just nine times, most recently in early December.

The season arrives at the picturesque burg as whimsically attired revelers take to the waves.

The glamping getaway is a sweet Santa Barbara spot to see the amazing camelids, as well as the property’s super-cute goats, too.