The 10 Best Warm Weather Winter Destinations in the US

December brings full-throttle holiday decorations to the Strip, and the desert cold after sunset only sharpens the neon spectacle. So it’s no wonder that Las Vegas claims the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. The headline attraction is Stadium Swim at the Circa Hotel, where six pools stay heated between 94 and 104 degrees from November through February. Watch NFL games on the massive 143-foot screen while floating in the world’s largest “hot tub party.”

Don't miss: The Strat's observation deck at sunset. It’s 800 feet up with the entire valley glowing beneath you, and none of the incessant sound of slot machines..

Beach towns maintain their unhurried rhythm even as temperatures dip just enough to make evenings pleasant which makes San Diego the rare city that delivers on both weather and experience. For a surreal experience of ice skating framed by palm trees and a view of the ocean head to the Hotel del Coronado's beachfront ice rink. Open from November through early January, it's Southern California's version of a winter wonderland, which is to say: actually wonderful, with none of the frostbite.

Don't miss: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park just before dusk—dramatic Pacific views that cost nothing but your attention.

Austin jumps to #3 this year as Texas winters prove their worth. The Barton Creek Greenbelt's 13 miles of trails hit peak conditions because you’ll neither melt nor freeze. After, when you're done pretending to be outdoorsy, the city's many restaurants with heated patios stand ready to congratulate you. The live music scene thrives when outdoor venues become actually tolerable, and the city's weirdness flourishes in cooler weather.

Don't miss: Breakfast tacos or migas on the patio at Veracruz All Natural on a Saturday morning. It just might be Austin's perfect moment.

Modern Texas sophistication means world-class museums, ambitious restaurants, and pockets of genuine walkability like the Design District. Winter makes the city's four major off-road bike paths actually rideable without the sun trying to murder you, while heated rooftop bars take full advantage of the pleasant evenings.

Don't miss: This is the best time of year to visit the Nasher Sculpture Center's garden and enjoy contemporary art under the less than painful sun.

Phoenix makes a significant leap to #5, and anyone who's survived a Phoenix summer knows why. Winter is the only civilized time to explore the Sonoran Desert or attempt Camelback Mountain without requiring an IV afterward. The desert reveals its beauty when you can actually stand being in it. That is, warm enough for shorts and cool enough to be outside without regretting every life decision that led you there.

Don't miss: Piestewa Peak at sunrise means saguaros catching first light while the city spreads out below.

The most underrated food city in America becomes tolerable temperature-wise, making winter prime time to explore its culinary depth without immediately sweating through your clothes. The annual Hops n' Hot Sauce Festival on January 18, 2025 features local craft beer, food trucks, and a hot pepper eating contest with cash prizes. If you're the kind of person who makes regrettable decisions for money, this is your chance.

Don't miss: Vietnamese restaurants along Bellaire Boulevard in Chinatown because pho when it's 63 degrees hits differently.

New to the top 10 with the warmest average temps on the list. The Gulf Coast stays genuinely swimmable in December, and St. Petersburg's arts scene (including the Salvador Dalí Museum) provides culture when you tire of sand. Old Florida meets new money with surprising grace. Think less spring break chaos, more snowbird sophistication.

Don't miss: Fort De Soto Park's beaches and its five interconnected islands where crowds thin out, the Gulf stays warm and the drinks stay cold.

Winter offers the best whale-watching season (December through May) and actual restaurant availability without summer tourist chaos. Don't worry, whale-watching boats have heated cabins, because even San Francisco's "warm" weather requires layering strategies. The city's microclimates mean sunshine in the Mission while fog blankets the Outer Sunset, often within the same hour. Pack layers, expect fog, embrace the unpredictability.

Don't miss: Lands End trail on a clear morning for Golden Gate views without the crowds. This is coastal California at its most dramatic.

The River Walk becomes genuinely magical November through January when 100,000 lights transform the tree-lined path. It’s the kind of holiday display that makes you forget you're basically walking through a commercialized canal system. Historic charm coexists easily with serious food culture, though you'll need to venture beyond the tourist corridor to find it.

Don't miss: Pearl District farmers market on weekends. Texas takes its food seriously, and this showcases why.

Winter brings tolerable hiking temperatures (Runyon Canyon without feeling like you're training for desert survival) and beaches without the summer mob. The sprawl makes more sense when you pick one neighborhood and commit rather than trying to conquer the whole city. We like Venice and Santa Monica but to each their own.

Don't miss: A full day in Silver Lake for reservoir walks, Echo Park's lotus blooms (yes, in winter), and coffee shops full of screenwriters pretending to work.

This article was updated in December 2025 with current WalletHub rankings, verified event dates, and updated attraction information.