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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
CERRITOS - Broadway on
Ice starring Dorothy Hamill and Davis Gaines. Cost: $20 - 51.
Location: Cerritos Performing Arts Center, 12799 Center Court,
Cerritos, CA. Time: 8 p.m. nightly (except Dec. 31st 2 p.m.
performance.) Cost: $34.50 - 66. cerritoscenter.com. Call: (800)
300-4345.
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
GARDEN GROVE -
The Glory of
Christmas Musical. A blend of Christmas carols, pageantry,
live animals, flying angels, and special effects unfold in the
nativity story. Location: Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St.,
Garden Grove, CA. Time: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Cost: $20-55. Call:
714-54-GLORY (714-544-5679) or 877-544-5679. crystalcathedral.org
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.
SAN DIEGO -
Ride the America's Cup Sailboat Ride - Visitors
can climb aboard the America’s Cup Class racing yacht! Take the
helm of Stars & Stripes, USA-11, feel the power of 3500 square
feet of Kevlar sails on one of the fastest mono-hull sailboats
in the world. No sailing experience is necessary. Location:
Shelter Island, San Diego, CA. Time: 12:00PM, noon.
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.
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