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