‘Tis the season…for festivals, parties, lights and parades. I didn’t have a particular destination this weekend but wanted to share a few local south bay holiday events! There are readers from all over the world celebrating various holidays during this season, but here in Southern California especially along the coast where I live, we tend to celebrate the holidays in a very unique way.

This weekend consisted of three little holiday events. The first is less than a mile from where I live and perhaps not that unique from other parts of the country, but it is quiet a show. I live in the Walteria Area of Torrance but a mile away is the Sleep Hollow area known for it’s extravagant and elaborate homes decorated with lights. This has been a tradition since I was a child. My dad would drive us around the neighborhood while I was in awe of the lights. Thirty eight years I’m still in awe of the lights. Some of the homes are decorated conservatively while other go all out. A clip of the decorated home can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwxR1TttLoc

Saturday night took me to our neighboring city of Redondo Beach and the Redondo Beach Pier (a previous trip of the week!) Redondo Beach Christmas Boat Parade in King Harbor is an annual tradition filled with holiday cheer, sparkling lights and festivities.

An annual tradition for over 15 years, the holiday boat parade held each year in mid-December usually runs 90 minutes at dusk (around 5:30 p.m.) Best viewing areas for this event are the restaurants and breakwall areas in the Redondo Beach harbor. Yacht and boat owners can sign up to participate (fee charged) at khyc.com. The event is sponsored by the King Harbor Yacht Club.

 One of the top events of the entire year in the beautiful seaside community of Manhattan Beach, CA, is the annual Christmas fireworks show. Sunday night, this event topped off my three nights of local holiday festivals.

Held in mid-December, it brings in thousands of people from the area. Those people fill the city's blocked-off main street, Manhattan Beach Blvd., the Strand, beach and waterfront homes to watch a spectacular fireworks show – one of the best in the nation, topping many Fourth of July shows, in fact – over the pier with palm trees silhouetted by the show.

People treat it as an evening picnic under the stars. They come with blankets, beach chairs and coolers, picking a spot on the sloped street. Many arrive by foot, taking casual strolls through the neighborhood to arrive just past dusk. And in this neighborhood, which sits right on the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles County, that stroll is along the Strand, a walk/run/bike/rollerblade sidewalk of sorts that runs along ocean between the houses and the sand.

Several bars and restaurants downtown are booming with business. The event caters to all. It starts at dusk with Christmas music at the pier, creating the festive atmosphere. With Christmas just around the corner, and many people headed back to visit families in snowy, cold climates, the Manhattan Beach Fireworks provide an ideal combination of the holiday and beach spirits.

So there is a little sample of Christmas in the Southern California Beach Cities. I hope that the holiday season is a joy filled one for you and your family. Happy Holidays.