Barbara Singer

Everyone in Los Angeles is making plans for the holiday. Friends and acquaintances are looking forward to going home. I’m celebrating Christmas in my hometown, Los Angeles. There are many wonderful holiday happenings and reasons to celebrate right here.

You know it is the holiday season in Los Angeles when you gaze up in awe at the brilliant 100 foot Christmas tree at The Grove, L.A.’s trendy shopping and dining spot. During the holidays thousands of shoppers and visitors flock here to see the spectacular illumination of 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments on this towering tree. Visiting The Grove is a highlight of the holidays to enjoy concerts, performers and decorations. It’s a reason to return many days and nights for festive delights.

It’s been a city perennial tradition, The Hollywood Christmas Parade. For decades since 1928 crowds have lined Hollywood Boulevard anticipating Christmas floats, marching bands and celebrities kicking off the holidays with plenty of glitz. Beverly Hills certainly knows how to entertain with holiday spirit, as the streets in the Golden Triangle shopping district are festively decorated and sparkle with spectacular lights. Annually it begins with fireworks and Christmas carolers. Jolly holiday trolleys traverse the area for visitor pleasure, while strollers can park free for 2 hours for shopping or dining.

Nearby, Christmas Day dining is a holiday culinary experience at the superb Garden Restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 100 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-273-2222.  Dining in style is a reason to spend Christmas Day here. Last year we celebrated Christmas Day savoring their elaborate buffet with traditional dishes, timeless holiday favorites and
hot entrees including turkey, ham and other hot entrees. There are carving and omelet stations and every kind of salad and dessert that you can desire and image. Holiday dining takes place throughout day with three rooms of sumptuous buffets in this casually elegant setting.  Holiday decorations at the Four Seasons Hotel are always creative and impressive.

Visitors to Los Angeles choose the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills as their holiday favorite. Memories of Christmas Day at this beautiful hotel and the Garden Restaurant remain with all of us, who visit to celebrate the holidays.

Seaside celebrations along the Southern California coast are especially colorful and exciting, the spectacular Marina Del Rey Boat Holiday Parade is always popular. It highlights festively decorated boats and explodes with holiday fireworks. This year's Grand Marshall 2009 is Zac Sunderland, the first sailor under 18 to sail around the world. Outdoor ice skating rinks have popped up around town; check out Santa Monica ice skating near the Third Street Promenade and Pershing Square downtown Los Angeles. There’s plenty of ice for skating and fun, even if the sun is shining.

A Mexican Christmas tradition is the beautiful Las Posadas on Olvera Street, the first Los Angeles street in the El Pueblo historic area near Los Angeles City Hall; it runs for 9 days beginning December 16.

Find out more about holiday events in Los Angeles by contacting the Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau at (800) 228-2454 or discoverlosangeles.com

2010

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