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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
DEL MAR - Holiday of
Lights - is the largest West Coast drive through lights
display. Cost: $13/car of 5 people; Location: 2260 Jimmy Durante
Blvd., Del Mar, CA. 24-hour recorded information line: (858)
793-5555. sdfair.com
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.
HUNTINGTON BEACH -
Cocktail Party For A Cause - charity project accepts
donations at night of the event with any of the seven
organizations represented. There will be cocktails, hors
d’ouevres, dancing, and live entertainment. The first 200 people
to arrive will receive 1 complimentary cocktail coupon and a
raffle ticket. Time: 6:30pm - 12:00am, at the Hyatt Regency in
Huntington Beach, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach,
CA. Call: (561) 881-1641.
imaginethepossibility@hotmail.com
LOS ANGELES - Los
Angeles Department of Water and Power Griffith Park Holiday
Light Festival. This magnificent 12th annual display of lights
along a one-mile segment of Crystal Springs Drive has become a
holiday tradition that attracts more than a half million
visitors each year. A traditional route of driving,
walking and shuttles will run through December 30. Walkers can
enjoy the walking path. Both options are accessible from the Los
Angeles Zoo parking lot. TO DRIVE: Exit the Golden State Fwy.
(5) at Los Feliz. Go west on Los Feliz and turn right onto
Crystal Springs Drive and proceed to the entrance of the Light
Festival. To view the Light Festival by foot on the walking
path, park at the L.A. Zoo. TO WALK: Park on the south side of
the L.A. Zoo parking lot and proceed down the walking path along
Crystal Springs Drive. Pedestrian visitors should dress warmly.
TO SHUTTLE: Shuttle Location: Zoo Parking Lot. A shuttle
bus will depart continuously from: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. General
Information line (323) 913-4688, ext. 9
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.
STOCKTON - Ice on the
Delta Seasonal Ice Skating. Skate along the banks of the San
Joaquin Delta for a seasonal holiday sport that the family can
enjoy through Jan. 14, 2008. Cost: $5 hour, including skates.
Location: Dean De Carli Waterfront Square, 221 N. Center St.,
Cost: Stockton, CA. Call: (209) 937-8309. stocktongov.com
UNIVERSAL CITY -
Universal Studios Hollywood USC Pep Rally. Universal CityWalk
hosts hundreds of USC Trojans with pounding drums and blaring
horns for a huge pep rally featuring the school’s Marching Band
and Cheerleaders in celebration of the upcoming Tournament of
Roses Football Game held January 1, 2008. Event will wander
through entire CityWalk. USC Trojans will battle the Fighting
Illini from the University of Illinois at the 94th Rose Bowl
Game, part of the 119th Tournament of Roses event on January 1,
2008 . This is the fourth time in the past five years that the
USC Trojans have played the Rose Bowl Location: Congregate
at the iconic Universal Studios Hollywood Globe fountain. Time:
6 p.m. For more information about activities at Universal
CityWalk, log on to www.CityWalkHollywood.com or call
818-622-1111 . |
