Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Picture million dollar yachts, kayaks, electric boats and other watercrafts gliding through the Newport Harbor - and you have the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The parade features dazzling holiday lights that light up the bay, amazing the nearly one million visitors that crowd Newport Beach and Newport Harbor.

From December 18 - 22, there are more than 200 vessels participating in this holiday celebration. Several of these vessels will be decorated for the season, playing music and displaying Christmas decorations and costumed carolers. In the past, some yacht owners have spent as much as 50,000 dollars in decorations for their yacht.

Over the course of 14 miles, the yachts and watercraft will amaze the spectators. For more than 90 years, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade has dazzled spectators and locals. All along the beach, the parade provides views for restaurants, locals, private home owners, and even those on public beaches.

Along with the private boats, many charter companies offer the chance for parade goers to participate in the parade and view the "Ring of Lights", a group of spectacular homes all around the harbor. The "Ring of Lights" is a popular addition to the parade, with prizes given for those who have the best decorations on their homes.

Crystal Cove State Park

The Crystal Cove State Park, located in Newport Beach, provides you with 3.5 miles of beach and over 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland, which is perfect for horseback riding and hiking. Offshore, the waters are designed to be an underwater park.

Popular for mountain bikers inland, and scuba diving underwater, Crystal Cove beach is a great attraction for swimmers and surfers. There are also sandy coves and nifty tidepools to explore. Offering you sand, rocky reefs, ridges, canyons, and a lot to do with your time, Crystal Cove ensures that you never find yourself looking for something to do.

The park also features a couple miles of Pacific coastline, wooded canyons, open bluffs, and plenty of water. Giving Newport Beach more room for opportunity, the park continues to be great for swimming, surfing, or enjoying the sun.

During the winter months, Crystal Cove State Park Rangers offer nature hikes. This makes winter fun, for anyone who visits the park. Offering you plenty to do and see year round, Crystal Cove State Park adds more reason to visit or return to Newport Beach.

Chimayo Grill In Newport Beach

If you happen to miss the big Wine Festival in May, you shouldn't worry as the area has a lot of fine restaurants to keep you coming back for more. One of the local favorites here, and a favorite for many visitors is the Chimayo Grill.

The Chimayo Grill is located on Fashion Island, in the chic shopping oasis. After a long day of shopping, nothing beats going to the grill for lunch or dinner. Starting with the legendary tequila infusion is great, as it consists of fresh fruit marinated in tequila. Although they taste light and fruity, they are full of tequila and pack quite a punch!

The grill is decorated in a Sante Fe style, being casual, but yet unique. You simply can't go wrong here, as all of the food they serve is great. With so much to choose from here, you may find that it takes quite a few trips to sample everything they have to offer.

Being on Fashion Island in Newport Beach, the Chimayo Grill is in a perfect setting. You can take the kids here as well, as the grill has a nice setting. For a night out as a family or a night out to have fun - the Chimayo Grill adds a bit of spice to Fashion Island - as well as Newport Beach.

Balboa Beach In Newport Beach

Being one of the pristine beaches in Newport Beach, Balboa Beach is found on the Balboa peninsula. The beach faces the Pacific Ocean, and is actually just a few blocks from the well known Balboa Fun Zone and the yacht harbor.

In the summer, the beach is very popular for swimming lessons. Balboa Beach is also well known for a 920 foot pier that was voted to be the best throughout Orange County. The beach is also well known for it's no entrance fee. Although there is a parking fee, the free admission more than makes up for it.

Along Balboa Beach you'll find a bike path and even places for bonfires. Surfing is also welcomed here, although it's banned from 11 AM to 6 PM in the summer months. Bodyboarding is also great here, along with swimming. During the summer, there is a lifeguard on duty during the hours of daylight.

With plenty of sand and warm sun here, Balboa Beach is one of the superb beaches in the Newport Beach area. If you visit Newport Beach in the summer, make sure you drop by Balboa Beach and see just how good life can be.

Newport Beach Activities

A vacation in Newport Beach or just a family getaway can hold many activities. For yourself, your family, or your friends, Newport Beach holds many things to keep you occupied during the day.

For the adventurous, the Beach has surfing. Surfing at Newport Beach is very rigorous and exciting, with the high waves and insane temperature. Along with surfing, you can also go fishing. The harbors around Newport have basically everything you can possibly think of with water - making it a water lover's true paradise.

For more relaxed activity, you can enjoy a game of golf along the harbor. There are many golf courses in Newport Beach, from beginners to professionals. If anyone in your family enjoys a game of golf, you'll find Newport Beach to be one of the most exciting places in the world to play.

Other day activities include paddleboats, sailboats, kayaks, bicycles, and even rollerblades. There is always something going on here as well, making it a perfect getaway spot even for those who happen to live in sunny California.

For a vacation or just a spot to relax, Newport Beach is the one spot to go. Take the entire family and enjoy everything the Harbor has to offer you - they'll thank you for it later!

Ocean Beach San Diego

Located in the Ocean Beach Community, Ocean Beach is actually just south of the entrance to the Mission Bay channel. Located at 1950 Abbott Street, the beach is a very popular location in the summer. During the winter months, couples like to walk the beach and just bask in the presence.

The Ocean Beach is wide in structure, about a mile long. Along the north end of the beach, you'll find a volleyball court. During the summer, the court is always teeming with people playing volleyball while the sand around it is teeming with people watching.

At the south end of the beach you'll find the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. The Pier is open to the public with plenty of walking and fishing available. Located on the pier is a bait and tackle shop along with a restaurant. Although you don't need a fishing license to fish off the dock, catch regulations are enforced.

If you walk to the south end of the beach you'll find many restaurants, surfing shops, and many other commercial shops and establishments. Although you can travel to the north end of Ocean Beach, it's mostly bordered by residents of the ocean area.

The unique part of Ocean Beach is the Dog Beach, located at the north end. This sandy area is where dogs can run and play without a leash - anytime - day or night. Although dog owners are responsible for their dogs and the clean up of them, Dog Beach is actually pretty nifty for anyone who owns dogs.

For your protection along the beach, lifeguards are out each and every day, year round. They are generally on duty from 9 AM until dark although you can check with them for their specific hours of operation. They are there for your protection and very willing to answer any question that you may have.

Keep in mind while on the beach, California beaches do experience powerful rip currents. It's because of these currents that beaches in California experience over 1,000 rescues by lifeguards every year. To be on the safe side while in San Diego at Ocean Beach, it's always a good idea to swim near a lifeguard.

For those who like surfing, surfing is permitted at Ocean Beach in designated areas. Scuba isn't recommended however, because of the lack of undersea life, heavy rip currents, and the surf.

For swimming or enjoying the California lifestyle, Ocean Beach is a great place to go. It is a very popular place in the summer, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. If you long for a taste of the California lifestyle, make sure you visit Ocean Beach in San Diego.

San Diego For Kids

Although San Diego has many things for grown ups to enjoy, it hasa lot of activities for kids to enjoy as well. Custom made for families, San Diego has plenty of public parks, nice weather year round, several museums, and many things for children of all ages to amuse themselves with.

For kids who love animals, there's the well known San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Animal Park. The zoo is located in Balboa Park, while the park is located a bit north of the city. If you have the time, you should take a full day for your kids to enjoy the park and the zoo. If the traditional zoo makes your kids uncomfortable, the park is a great alternative.

Kids of all ages also enjoy the world famous Sea World, which is home to Shamu the killer whale and several other marine animals and exhibits. Sea World has been a great attraction for kids for many years, showing them the marine life like never before.

When it comes to the winter months, whale watching is a very popular activity. You can watch them from the coastline or take a cruise. Watching the gray whale is very amusing to kids, openening their minds to new possibilities.

Balboa Park is a great place to visit as well, as it has a lot more than the San Diego Zoo. There are places for kids to explore, with the children's museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the Natural History Museum.

Another popular park for kids is Legoland California, which is located north of San Diego. There are a lot of things to see in this park, with a majority of the park being built from the popular Lego blocks. Overall, this is one of the best and most quiet options for younger children.

Hitting the beach is great as well, as San Diego has many different beaches for kids of all ages. On the beaches, kids can build sandcastles, rent boogie boards, or just enjoy the swimming that San Diego so proudly displays.

Older kids will enjoy the true recreation mode for San Diego - roller skating and rollerblading. Along Mission Bay there are great spots, along with playgrounds and parks. You can fly kites here as well, which is a great break from the ordinary.

Amusement Parks are a great attraction in San Diego, with Belmont Park being very popular. There are many rides here, amusing kids for hours on end. The Giant Dipper and the Plunge are among the best, for younger or older kids.

If San Diego is on your family vacation list, rest assured that there will be plenty for your kids to do on your stay. They will feel right at home with the many things to do - while you your mate are occupied with plenty of things for you to do as well.

Pacific Beach San Diego

Alive with the sea and plenty of activities for all that visit, Pacific Beach is a great place. With plenty of activities to offer visitors, Pacific Beach in San Diego has seen well over 26 million visitors! With numbers like these, you know you really can't go wrong by visiting.

Aside from the wonders of the beach, the boutique shopping distric of Pacific Beach features hundreds and hundreds of choices to find treasure in the sand. With local names such as the L.A. Rack and Starbucks, this is truly a shoppers paradise. There are also new and retail clothing stores, salons, and many other stores to be found here in this shopping paradise.

When it comes to the nightlife and exquisite dining, Pacific Beach has it all covered. The restaurant experience here is as diverse as the undersea life. You can find everything here from fusion Thai to gourmet pasta, seafood to hamburgers and virtually everything in between.

When the sun starts to set and the tide changes, the Pacific Beach seems to come to life. There are dozens of nighttime high spots with dancing, live music, and some of the best beach bars in California. With most being found within walking distance of the hotels, Pacific Beach does it's part to simplify your experience.

Arguably the best feature to Pacific Beach is the golden sands that California is so very well known for. The beach and the Ocean Front Boardwalk are both modest in their approach to offer bike and board rental stores, beach- front dining with great views, and plenty of green parks for you to experience.

Being out on the sand, you can experience the thrill of horseshoes, the hot girls, dolphins playing in the water, and endless surf competitions in the summer. The summer is definately a little bit hotter when you are sitting in the ocean at Pacific Beach with your toes in the sand.

With Mission Bay Park and the Historic Crystal Pier nearby, you'll always find something to do here. Mission Bay is a public park, offering the world famous Sea World, with plenty of amusement park rides, undersea wildlife to see, and plenty of fine dining.

On the other hand, the Historic Crystal Pier offers a taste of Southern California reinvented. A walk along the pier can bring back a taste of days gone by, coupled with the lifestyle that only California can bring.

With a taste of the ocean and everthing in between, Pacific Beach makes for a great and unforgettable summer. Offering plenty of shops, fine dining, and California sand, this is one area of San Diego that should be visited - time and time again!

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar along the Pacific Ocean. Through Mission Beach, the main artery is Mission Boulevard. This Boulevard is a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as Sea World and Belmont Park. Both amusement parks are well known, and very popular. Within the two you'll find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing, skateboarding, and many other activities. There is also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol still is. Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach, although lifeguards and security personal normally don't make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach in San Diego is a great place to go. The beach is very warm and offers a sandy environment. If you like the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is one place you should check out.

Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty of activities. There are great views here as well, with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch, and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails, bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the park boundaries. Fishing is permitted here as well, with hook and line - although only one fish may be taken. When walking the trails and exploring, make sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Because of this very reason, the park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although you should always be careful. Even though they are great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the time. You can walk the trails, have fun, or just enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.

Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty of activities. There are great views here as well, with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch, and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails, bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the park boundaries. Fishing is permitted here as well, with hook and line - although only one fish may be taken. When walking the trails and exploring, make sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Because of this very reason, the park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although you should always be careful. Even though they are great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the time. You can walk the trails, have fun, or just enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.

Frost Fire Mountain Ski Vacations

For the ultimate family ski vacation, you must visit Frost Fire Mountain in North Dakota. Located near Walhalla, the resort features three lifts, including two chair lifts and one surface lift, 25 acres, and ten trails for beginners, intermediates and experts. The top elevation is 1346 feet, with a vertical drop of 345 feet.

Although this is not a large ski resort, it is a great deal of fun, and perfect for family ski vacations. This is the perfect place to bring kids to learn how to ski. Both ski and snowboard lessons are available at reasonable rates. There is a rental shop and ski maintenance area on the grounds, and many motel accommodations in the area to choose from. There is a separate terrain park for snowboarders as well.

There are many restaurants to choose from, and you can also visit the areas antique shops when you aren’t busy enjoying the slopes. There are many historical sites to see in the area as well, as Walhalla is the second oldest town in the state of North Dakota.

Durango Mountain Resort Ski Vacations

Featuring more than 2500 acres of ski area and 75 trails, Durango Mountain Ski Resort has much to offer skiers of all levels. The resort claims that there are approximately two people per acre on their slopes during operation hours. The crowds are small, and lift lines do not exist.

Located in Colorado, the top elevation is 10822 feet with a 2030 vertical drop. There are eleven lifts, including nine chair lifts and two surface lifts. You can find lodging at the resort, or in the town of Durango, which is nearby. If you stay at the resort, make sure that you actually visit the town while you are there. While the town is small, there is much to see and do.

Rentals are available for both ski and snowboarding equipment, and private and group lessons are also available at the Durango Mountain Resort. There are plenty of activities and events both at the resort and in Durango to keep everyone in your family happy. When it comes to family ski vacations, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations

If you are in or near Washington State, you should definitely check out Crystal Mountain. With an elevation of 7004 feet and a vertical drop of 3102 feet, Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier, which has a top elevation of 14,408 feet. Between the months of November and April, several feet of fresh powder falls on Crystal Mountain, due to the cold Cascade storms common to the area.

This is rough terrain, and there is little offered to beginners as far as the ease of the trails go. But lessons are available, as well as rentals for ski’s and other equipment. At Crystal Mountain, there are more than 2300 acres and fifty trails, making this the largest ski area in the state of Washington. There are ten lifts available: 2 high speed six passenger lifts, 2 high speed quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, and 1 children’s surface lift.

The season runs from the middle of November to the middle of April, when the most snow fall is experienced. There are several places to choose for lodging, meals, and nightly entertainment, but the biggest attraction is the skiing, of course.

The Crystal Mountain Express Buss service runs on weekends from the middle of December to the middle of March. You will be picked up from your lodge and dropped off at the base plaza – where you can begin a full day of fun on the slopes. After a day of skiing, you should definitely head over to East Peak Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub, sauna, showers, and even the game room. Massages are also available, with a reservation.

If your kids aren’t quite ready for the black diamond trails – but you are – you can register them in the Kid’s Club. The Kid’s Club is open from 8am to 4pm each day for children aged four to eleven years old. The kid’s aged 4 – 11 will be supervised while they ski on a ‘kid appropriate’ slope, and snowboarding is also available for children aged 7 – 11 years old. Your child will have fun, while being supervised and taught. The cost of the care includes a four hour lesson, a lift ticket, lunch, and supervision. Rental equipment is available for the kids for an additional fee.

Everyone has fun at Crystal Mountain. It is a great place for a family vacation, but again, the slopes are more for intermediate skiers and expert skiers – although beginners will have fun as well. Just use good sense, and avoid trails that you don’t feel like your ready for.

Big Sky Ski Vacations

With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer skiers, it is amazing that so few know about its existence! Known for its wide open slopes and short lift lines, Big Sky Ski Resort has one of the largest lift served vertical drops in the United States. Over 5300 acres of ski slopes and trails await skiers, with over 33 feet of snowfall each season.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220 trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also two cable car lines available. While there are beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest rated Ski Resorts in

Aspen Ski Vacations

Aspen Mountain has long been known as the playpen of the rich and famous – and it is. But it is also a great place to take a family ski vacation. Christmas in Aspen is especially wonderful! Aspen Mountain rises above the town of Aspen, with a top elevation of 11215 feet and a vertical drop of 3269 feet. There are 76 trails suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts, accessible by eight lifts, including seven chair lifts and one cable car line.

While Aspen has much to offer skiers, as well as those who enjoy the night life in a ski town, you should expect lots of crowds and lift lines on the slopes. Again, this is the playpen of the rich and famous, and many people choose this ski vacation spot simply for that reason – as well as for the great runs and nightlife.

There are numerous places to stay in and around Aspen, with more than 100 restaurants to choose from as well. Ski instructions and equipment rental are abundant in the area, and snowboarders are welcome.