In much of the U.S., December is a time for hibernation. For cozying up by the fireplace. For flying south. 

December in San Diego is quite the opposite. Our mild winter temps make inland hikes a breeze. Our arid landscape drinks up the winter rains. Our wildlife remains active year-round.

Sure, our seasons are mild and the days are short. But there is still so much happening—still so much to do. Amidst the holiday hullabaloo, don't forget to get out there and enjoy this amazing place we all call home. 

To learn more about the changes our region undergoes for winter, check out the video below.

Star of Wonder, Star of Night
We're looking for sea stars, with all our might.

'Tis the season for the great Solstice Sea Star Search, a three-day scavenger hunt for sea stars along the California coastline.

It's simple: See a star. Snap a photo. Submit it to iNaturalist.  

Sea stars were badly hit by disease a few years back, and the consequences have been far-reaching. The more sea stars we document each year, the better we can understand their recovery—we could even detect another outbreak. 

To participate, please submit any sea star photos you take from Dec. 20-23 to iNaturalist. You can also join the Coronado Public Library's sea star search event on Dec. 21. 

Can’t make it out to the tide pools for the Solstice Sea Star Search? No problem, help us ID observations online instead! (AKA: experience the beauty of sea stars up close *without* getting your feet wet.)

Learn more

What is the Christmas Bird Count?
Oh, just the longest running community science project...ever.

For 123 years (!), people across the Western Hemisphere have donned hats and scarves, gathered in cities and parks, and counted as many birds as they could in one day.

What began as a Christmas Day tradition has grown into an international conservation science project that has yielded some amazing results.

Organized by the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count spans three weeks, but each “circle” of bird counters meets for just one day, making this census an easy addition to your holiday plans.

San Diego's first bird counting circle is this Saturday, but there are seven more until the end of December. Learn more about the event here, and sign up in advance by emailing the San Diego circle leaders listed here.

More upcoming bird events

Click Here To View The San Diego Natural History Museum News - December 15, 2022