ALTADENA -
Christmas Tree Lane (actually Santa Rosa Avenue, between
Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive) in Altadena is one of the
oldest Christmas lighting spectacles in Southern California. It
became a tradition in 1920 when a local named Nash decided to
brighten up the holiday with some lights on the quickly growing
Deodars that the Woodbury Family, founders of Altadena, planted
in 1885. Nearly 135 Deodar Cedar trees are decorated by the
Christmas Tree Lane Association in what's known as “Mile of
Christmas Trees” (containing 10,000 lights.) The oldest
large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world is a
designated California Historical Landmark No. 990 and listed in
the National Register of Historic Places.
CARLSBAD -
Holiday Block Party at Legoland Carlsbad. The 9th annual
Holiday Block Party includes twinkling lights, jolly music and a
30-foot Lego Christmas tree, plus nightly fireworks at closing
time. There's also a life-sized Santa and reindeer built
entirely from LEGO, and special holiday-themed entertainment.
Location: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA.
CARMICHAEL
- Holiday House
Display - More than just lights, many say this event
rivals the Bellagio water show in Las Vegas. Over 2 million
computer-controlled actions or "states" per song create one of
the best light and music shows you'll find. Visitors are invited
to bring canned good donations. Time: Sunday - Thursday 6pm-9pm;
Friday-Saturday 6pm-10pm. Location: 6425 Meadowhill Court,
Carmichael, CA 95608. Directions: Go North on Fair Oaks Blvd
from Arden Way. Turn Right on Landis Ave, Turn Right on Deodar
Street, Turn Left onto Meadowhill Court. Cost: Free! Through
Dec. 31, 2007. lightupxmas.com
CORONADO -
Skating by The
Sea. Three-hour skating sessions will be offered daily from
2 to 5 pm and 6 to 9 pm. Matinee skating sessions will be held
from 11 am to 1 pm.
3-hour session: $20/adults; $15/ages 10 years and
under; 2-hour matinee
session $15/adult; $10/ages 10 years and
under. Skate rental is
$5 per person. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA.
Call: 800 Hotel Del or (619) 435-6611
HUNTINGTON BEACH -
Sunset Gondola Boat Tour and Tickets. Visit the
lighted homes of Huntington Harbour in your personal gondola
ride. Skip the lines, avoid the bus ride to the boat dock, and
hop aboard the beautiful authentic gondolas of your hosts Tyson
or Tim and see the Huntington Harbour decorated homes for this
special annual home decorating contest seen from the canals of
Huntington Beach. Hourly tours or book several hours, if you
like. Hours: Nightly with last booking at 11 p.m.
OAKLAND - Nutcracker
Ballet. Oakland Ballet performances at 11 a.m. 35th
Anniversary dance performance. Michael Morgan conducting
members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Doors open 60 minutes
before show time. Ticket range: $15 - $50. Location: Paramount
Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA paramounttheatre.com.
OXNARD - Christmas
Tree Lane, “F” and “G” Streets houses in the Henry T. Oxnard
Historical District are brightly decorated for the holidays.
Visitors are welcome to take a leisurely drive or stroll down
Christmas Tree Lane. Hours run from 6 to 10 p.m. Call
1-800-269-6273. Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO -
Embarcadero Ice Skating. Daily through January 15, 2008.
Location: Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94111. Ages: 3
and up. embarcaderocenter.com
SAN FRANCISCO -
Nutcracker with San Francisco Ballet. Location: War Memorial
Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA. Cost: varies,
up to $120 (approx.) sfballet.org
SAN JOSE -
Downtown Ice
skating rink is open through 1/13/08 in the stately-palm court
and features over 8,000 square feet of ice in an arena and
circular outer rink. Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. weeknights; Noon to
Midnight on weekends; Special holiday hours, subject to
change...call to confirm. Cost: $12-$14. Skate all you want
first-come, first-serve. No in and out privileges. Admission includes ice time and rental
skates with skate sizes ranging from toddler 8 to men's 13. Location: Circle of Palms, 170 S. Market St.,
San Jose, California. Call: (408) 279-1775 ext. 45. sjdowntown.com
SANTA ANA
- The Science of
Gingerbread display of award-winning gingerbread houses.
Gingerbread offers so many tactile and visual learning
opportunities, while having fun. The annual gingerbread contest
and house display is going on now through Jan. 6, 2008.
Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana,
CA. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily,
except Christmas Day. Cost: $12.95/adult; $9.95 child; Free under 2 years. discoverycube.org or call
714-542-CUBE.
SQUAW VALLEY -
Torchlight Parade. Annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade is
a favorite holiday tradition. The Squaw Valley Ski School
descends Squaw Valley's lower mountain in a brilliant parade of
lights, finishing just outside the Plaza Bar. The Parade begins
at approx. 6pm. More Details: 530-583-6985 squaw.com
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
- The Bracebridge Dinner. Yosemite National Park’s Bracebridge
Dinner is an American tradition in the magnificent Yosemite
Valley. This spectacular Christmas pageant takes place in The
Ahwahnee’s grand Dining Room, which is transformed into the
majestic Hall of American author Washington Irving’s legendary
“Squire Bracebridge”. Each December since 1927, the world-famous
Hotel takes on the air of 18th century England. The Dining Room
of The Ahwahnee, its tables aglow with candlelight, includes a
profusion of gourmet food and the ringing sound of voices.
Cathedral windows look out onto the beauty of Yosemite Valley. Time: 6 pm. Cost: $375 dinner reservation. For reservations, Yosemite National Park,
California. Call: 559-253-5604 or visit YosemitePark.com.
