For the best places to visit in December, one must think creatively. Certainly, you’d be free and well-advised to visit a snow-filled escape for some time on the slopes and sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. But also there are places in the world where the chill of winter is an unknown charm—think tropical islands and stretches of sand along the Equator that have never, ever seen a flake of snow. For that matter, in December, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes summer and Christmas in shorts and flip-flops are the standard. No matter where you go in the last month of the year (you’re certainly the proactive traveler if you’re already planning six months ahead!), you’ll find warmth or coziness, especially with our recommendations. Here are the 13 best places to travel in December, from seaside adventures with sharks to après-ski-and-spa vibes after a day of crushing powder.

(For more ideas, find our full list of the best places to go in 2025 here.)

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

It may seem like a mouthful, but Redwood National and State Parks come as a package. There are so many spectacular reasons to visit this exceptional collection of parks—the three state parks of Prairie Creek, Del Norte, and Jedediah Smith resulted from early 20th-century protection efforts, and Redwood National Park, which encircles the state parks, was created in 1968 to further preserve the trees’ natural Coast Range habitat—none the least, the plentiful lodging options surrounded by the gorgeous landscapes.

Home to the tallest trees in the world, coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) can grow to nearly 270 feet tall and live for up to 2,000 years. This is their habitat, along the coast in Northern California, where foggy summer days keep them hydrated during the dry season. Walking among these natural giants is an awe-inspiring experience that cannot be replicated almost anywhere else in the world.

Aside from camping among the trees, there are plenty of great places to stay near Redwood National Park to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a historic Victorian inn, a romantic bed-and-breakfast, an ocean-view home, or even a forest treehouse, we’ve found the best spots in the area. There’s so much variety that you’re bound to find something right for you. Read on to find the dreamiest places to stay near Redwood National Park.