Who says we don't get four seasons at BeachCalifornia.com? While Southern California beaches remain sunny and warm all year long, it gets a little boring, honestly. The popular winter getaway for us city folks who don't even own a coat is Mammoth Lakes. Once you visit, you'll be forever changed.

When Southern Californians notice a chill in the air as the weather drops to 65 degrees during the day, girls dig out their colorful Uggs and matching faux fur sweaters to stay warm. November through February heralds the winter season at California beaches, where urban dwellers turn on their furnaces because itt's too-o-o-o-o cold. That's not winter! Look up at the mountains all covered in white, and think about a  mountain getaway  or winter vacation at Mammoth Mountain resort.

California's winter playground comes alive with tantalizing white peaks and blanketed snow-scapes that millions of Californians totally miss by not venturing to their local mountains. One place that you can almost count on receiving at least a sprinkling of snow by December is Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, approx. 4.5 hours from Los Angeles. While the snow usually begins in October with just a few inches dusting, come December the average amount of snowfall reaches over 50 inches, providing a white Christmas, great skiing, sledding and plenty of snowball fights for your family to enjoy. If you love skiing or snowboarding, this is the place to take the family.

And the beauty of it is that you don't have to hop on a flight and spend thousands dollars traveling to the ends of the earth only to discover that a destination was over-rated. Let's face it--California's paradise is hard to beat, no matter how far you roam. And during the holidays the saying goes, "There's no place like home." Home is right outside your door and a jump-skip in the car for Californians and Nevadans who discover charm in cozy mountain cabins nestled along the hillsides and mountains of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Equipped with plenty of wood for crackling fires and comforters to keep you warm on cold, winter nights, Mammoth Mountain lodgings can be downright romantic, or just plain fun for the family who's done Disneyland over and over again.  Delighting in a real winter that's unpretentious and even delicious, you won't believe what these crazy mountain folks thought up!

From mid-December to early January, Parallax Snowcat Dinners, a popular dining experience, starts guests with a fireside glass of champagne before hopping aboard a tricked out snowcat vehicle where the fun really begins.

Evenings are something to look behold at Mammoth. The village is aglow with twinkling lights that cast pink shadows on the snow, inviting visitors into the warm restaurants, pubs and fireside attractions. Twinkling lights are pure magic in the mountains and you throughout the holiday season Mammoth celebrates with lightings. Among the events you and your loved ones can enjoy during the 2007/2008 winter and spring season are:  10/5/07 Hope Lights the Way Luminary Event (call 760.924.4063); 10/26/07 Halloween Carnival & Haunted House (760.934.2712); 10/26-30 Haunted Village at the Village (760.924.1575); 11/24 Festival of Trees (760.924.4015); 11/23-24  Village at Mammoth Tree Lighting Ceremony (760.924.1575); 12/7 Town of Mammoth Lakes Holiday Tree Lighting  (760.934.2712); 12/8  Holiday Crafts in the Mall and Visits with Santa  (760.934.2712); 12/21-24 - Christmas Art Festival (760.934.7460).

With names like Grizzly Square and Grumpy's, kids on a budget might suggest their parents forgo the Snowcat dinner  and dine on familiar faire Mammoth Lakes Village with Carls, Jr., McDonalds, KFC and Subway.  Bistros, bars and brewing companies serve pizza, steaks, fish, Austrian, Italian and Sierra-style dining. Just because you're in the mountains and it feels so foreign, you don't have to sacrifice the conveniences that you've grown comfortable with back at the beach.