| There are plenty of reasons to head to the beach this | | | | places you can best view the boat parade include the |
| December. Luckily, the weather in Southern California | | | | Balboa Island beaches or boardwalks, the waterfront |
| is pretty nice in the winter compared to most parts of | | | | restaurants, or on a boat charter.There is also a Ring |
| the country. The following Christmas and holiday | | | | of Lights contest in which waterfront homes and |
| events should help get you in the spirit of the season, | | | | businesses pull out all the stops to compete for prizes |
| Southern California style.San DiegoOn the first | | | | for the best decorations.For more information on the |
| weekend in December, Balboa Park in San Diego | | | | Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade, call |
| celebrates the holidays with an annual event called | | | | 949-729-4400.Huntington BeachIn Huntington Beach, |
| December Nights.You can sample foods from around | | | | you can enjoy the annual Cruise of Lights Boat Tour |
| the world at the International Cottage Christmas | | | | from December 14 to December 23, 2005.For |
| Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages. In | | | | between $8 and $14, you can take the Huntington |
| the Spanish Village, you can watch artisans work on | | | | Harbor Philharmonic Committee's narrated boat tour |
| their craft and find one of a kind Christmas | | | | throughout the festively lit Huntington Harbor. While |
| gifts.Several museums in the park will be open with no | | | | cruising along, you can view the myriad of colored |
| admission fee from 5-9 p.m. both nights. At the | | | | lights and decorations, which bedeck the waterfront |
| Spreckels Organ Pavilion Stage, you can enjoy holiday | | | | homes, docks and boats.The tours will leave at 6, 7 |
| music, dance and theater performances.A carnival will | | | | and 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 5:30, 6:30, |
| entertain the kids on the Palisades Midway. In addition, | | | | 7:30 and 8:30 on Saturday and Sunday evenings.Call |
| there will be a holiday marketplace and the Cabrillo | | | | 714-840-7542 for more information.OxnardUp in |
| Bridge Food Tasting.December Nights goes from 5-10 | | | | Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor will be holding |
| p.m. on Friday December 2 and noon to 10 p.m. on | | | | its annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 10, |
| Saturday December 3, 2005. For more information, call | | | | 2005. The colorfully lit parade of boats starts around 7 |
| the Balboa Park Visitors Center at | | | | p.m. You can view the parade form the harbor view |
| 619-239-0512.Laguna BeachThe Sawdust Festival in | | | | restaurants, along Peninsula Park or at Hobie Beach.If |
| Laguna Beach presents an annual winter's version | | | | you come during the day, you can also enjoy the |
| called Winter Fantasy. This year, the arts and crafts | | | | festival at the Channel Islands Harbor. Next to the |
| festival will be held over four weekends from | | | | Marine Emporium Landing at Harbor view Park there |
| November 19 to December 11, 2005 on Saturdays and | | | | will be 25 tons of snow for kids to play in. Also there |
| Sundays only.The fine artists and artisans come from | | | | will be kid's rides and games, horse drawn carriage |
| far and wide. Not only is it a unique place to do your | | | | rides, an arts & crafts boutique, carolers and water |
| Christmas shopping, but the kids will have fun too. | | | | taxi boat rides.Word has it that Santa Claus and his |
| There will be children's art activities, a snow play area | | | | reindeer will fly across the sky in full view. For more |
| and Santa.Live music and festive decorations will add | | | | information about the event, call the Channel Islands |
| to the holiday experience. Food and drink will also be | | | | Harbor Visitors Center at 805-985-4852.Santa |
| available.Admission fees are $5 for adults and $2 for | | | | BarbaraOn Sunday December 11, from 3 to 7:30, the |
| kids age six to twelve. The Sawdust's Winter Fantasy | | | | Santa Barbara waterfront will be celebrating the |
| will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival grounds | | | | holidays with their own annual Santa Barbara Parade |
| are located on Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. | | | | of Lights.About 30 decorated boats will be on parade |
| For more information, call 949 494-3030.Newport | | | | around the harbor. It should be starting around 5:30. |
| BeachThe annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat | | | | You can view it from Stearns' Wharf or at the |
| Parade happens this year from December 14 to 18, | | | | breakwater in the harbor.There will be a Santa's Village |
| 2005. Boating enthusiasts go all out decorating their | | | | with 12 tons of snow for children to frolic in. Carolers |
| watercraft, from rowboats to magnificent yachts.The | | | | will grace the crowd with musical cheer. The festival |
| more than 200 boat-long parade starts at Collins Island | | | | will culminate in a fireworks display. For more |
| at 6:30 and sails around the bay on a 14 mile route, | | | | information, call 805-897-1962.These festive events will |
| returning to the starting point around 8:30 or 9 p.m. | | | | help light up the holidays. Who needs snow when |
| Carolers and projected music accompany many of | | | | you've got the Southern California beaches?Laura |
| the boats as they cruise along.This has been going on | | | | Eggers Underhill is a beach lover with a website. Visit |
| for 95 years and draws quite a crowd. Some of the | | | | to plan your next beach vacation. |