Nintendo is opening a new chapter for its youngest fans — and their parents — with the U.S. debut of the My Mario product line, arriving February 19 at Nintendo’s flagship stores in New York and San Francisco. Designed as a child’s first introduction to the Mushroom Kingdom, My Mario blends play, imagination, and shared experiences, inviting families to explore the world of Mario together in age-appropriate, thoughtfully designed ways.

Winter on Catalina feels especially suited to that kind of trip. The crowds thin, the air is crisp, and the island’s Mediterranean character feels even more pronounced.

There are beach towns that feel like summer no matter what month you visit, and then there is Imperial Beach — a stretch of Southern California coastline where the holidays arrive with the scent of saltwater, quieter streets, golden light, and families wandering along the pier in cozy sweaters instead of parkas. It’s a destination that blends coastal ease with small-town character, making it an unexpectedly perfect choice for a holiday family getaway. This year, our family traded crowded...