December 2008 Events California

Monday, December 8, 2008

Mission La Purisima retains a charm with its rural atmosphere that reminds guests how it must have been to live and work there over 100 years past. It is but one of the charming celebrations during the festive winter months to get out and experience as part of California's culture.

BRENTWOOD - Holiday on Ice. Outdoor seasonal ice rink offers outdoor fun. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Time: 2:30 -10:30 p.m. Cost: $10; $5/skate rental. brentwoodholidayonice.com

BUENA PARK- Knotts Christmas Crafts Village. Holiday decor, gifts, strolling carolers and visits from Santa are included in this unique once-a-year shopping extravaganza.  Hours: Open daily except Christmas. Cost (Monday through Friday): $10 adult; $5 senior; $5 age 3-11. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. knotts.com

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Display. Largest animated show on the West Coast features over 400 displays. Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fri & Sat open till 11 p.m. Cost: $14/ car (up to 5 people). Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Gondola Cruise of Lights Ride. Tour the waterways of this upscale on-water residential community that decorates their homes to the theme, Centennial Concerto, in time for Huntington Beach's 100th Birthday Celebration beginning in 2009. Location: Peter's Landing, Pacific Coast Highway at Anderson St., Huntington Beach, CA. Tickets

LANCASTER - Wynonna: A Classic Christmas.  Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $70 - 77. Location: Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA. Call: (661) 723-5950. lpac.org

LOMPOC - Founding Day Celebration of La Purisima Mission.  The park and Prelado de los Tesoros celebrate the founding of La Purisima Mission by providing an evening of candlelight and music. 400 luminarias lead guests to the church for a musical performance by a local group. After the performance, guests are invited to La Sala to enjoy fellowship and refreshments. Because of limited seating, free tickets for this event become available November 1st. Please contact the park office before November 1st to find out how to acquire tickets. The office phone number is (805) 733-3713.  Location: Highway 246 near Lompoc. lapurisimamission.org

LONG BEACH  - Harbor Lights Christmas Cruise. See the decorated homes and boats of Naples Island on a one-hour cruise aboard the 140 passenger Party Boat, The Star. Offering a cash bar with beer, wine, cocktails and snacks for kids, there's also some sweets, cocoa and foods to munch on for adults.  Christmas Cruise departs from Alamitos Bay Landing, 140 Marina Dr., Long Beach, CA 90803. Call for times: (562) 799-7000. Tickets: $10 -15. reggaeboat.com

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice. Holiday ice rink is an annual event with free concerts and paid ice skating at temporary rink constructed at Pershing Square near the Civic Center. Rink is open daily through Jan. 19, 2009. Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cost: $6/ adult, $3 child 4 to 12, free age 3 & under. Location: Pershing Square 532 South Olive Drive Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 847-4968. laparks.org

LOS ANGELES - Holiday Light Festival. 13th Annual Los Angeles Department of Water and Power holiday lights event in Griffith Park is a display of lights spanning a mile of Crystal Springs Drive. The driving route, walking and shuttles all run December 8 through December 30. Shuttle buses will be available weekends and December 19-30. Walkers on these days will enjoy the walking path. Both options are accessible from the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot. Time: 5 to 10 p.m.  Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 367-1255. dwplightfestival.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW - Holiday Tree Lighting. Celebrate the holidays with friends and family at the Mountain View Tree Lighting Celebration. This community event includes free live holiday music, refreshments, lights and the arrival of Santa Claus! Children can have their picture with Santa. Bring a can of food to help build the giving tree, which benefits the Mountain View Community Services Agency. Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA. Call: (650) 903-6331. mountainview.gov

OXNARD -  Christmas Tree Lane. Take a magical drive through Henry T. Oxnard Historical District, which includes homes decked out and all aglow for visitors to enjoy. Time: 6 to 10 p.m. Location: "F" and "G" Streets Between Fifth and Palm, Oxnard, CA.

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink. Public Skating.  Time: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost to skate: $12 - 14. Location: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA. Parking at 181 N. Harbor Drive Call: (310) 318-6300. seasideice.com

SAN DIEGO - Skating by the Sea. Hotel del Coronado resort offers outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific! Time: 2 to 5 p.m. & 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $20/adult; $15/child age 10 & under; matinee session: $15/adult; $10/child; Skate Rental: $5. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado Island, CA. hoteldel.com

SAN DIEGO - Fantasy on Ice. Holiday public ice skating rink at Horton Plaza. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Location: 225 Broadway, San Diego, CA. sdice.com

SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice. Outdoor ice skating rink for the holidays. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: $15/ adult. $13/ youth 12 and under. Admission includes rental skates and ice time. Runs through Jan. 11, 2009. Location:  120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA. Call:  (408) 279-1775. sjdowntown.com

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

WALNUT CREEK - Holidays at Shadelands Faire and Teas.  Walnut Creek Historical Society annual decorated, historic home, will be filled with high-quality crafts and specialty holiday items for sale. Hand-made gifts and quilts, clothing, jewelry, porcelain, and gourmet foods are only a few of the items available. Admission to the house and vendors is free, and free parking is available.  A high tea three-course luncheon will be served in the parlor and dining room daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for $28 per person. Time: a.m. to 4 p.m. Call: (925) 935-7871. Location: 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA.

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