San Diego's Coronado Island Bridge

It's the Holiday season in San Diego. Football at Qualcomm Stadium, SeaWorld San Diego's Christmas celebration and the Holiday of Lights at Del Mar Fairgrounds set the stage for a festive Southern California holiday season. The San Diego Symphony joins dancers from the California Ballet to perform The Nutcracker this season. The wonderful holiday tradition of The Nutcracker is hosted at San Diego Civic Theatre December 17th through the 23rd. For a special treat, join the cast for post-performance Sugar Plum Party in the Theatre's Grand Salon after matinee performances. The Civic Theatre is in downtown San Diego with convenient parking next door at the Evan V Jones Concourse Parkade.

Sports fans get ready for the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl in San Diego December 28th. Fun events fill the day starting with the Bumble Bee 5K Run and Walk, which finishes at the Start of the Big Bay Balloon Parade. The Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade is America's largest balloon parade featuring marching bands, drill teams and spectacular floats, along with the procession of gigantic balloons. The Big Bay Balloon Parade starts at 10 am on Harbor Drive neat the Sand Diego County Administration Building.

The fun continues after the Balloon Parade with the Amtrak Big Bay Festival at Broadway Pier. Featuring free family fun, the Big Bay Family Festival is filled with amusements and entertainment. By now, tailgating festivities have begun at Qualcomm Stadium at the Holiday Bowl EndZoner’s Party, culminating with the Start of the much-anticipated Holiday Bowl. Enjoy your holiday break in San Diego.

Across San Diego Bay is the paradise of Coronado Island. Linked to Southern California’s mainland by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge soaring above the bay, Coronado is spectacular even from your arrival. Coronado is an ideal spot to watch the annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, featuring a 1 to 2 hour procession of decorated boats twinkling and sparkling across the water. The 2012 San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is December 11th and 18th.

For a unique experience this season check out Skating by the Sea – The Hotel del Coronado offers ice-skating through New Year’s Day. There's not many places you can ice-skate in sunny Southern California with a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

La Jolla north of San Diego, is one of Southern California’s most beautiful communities. Set on a stretch of majestic coastline, La Jolla is a wonderful destination for lunch or a complete vacation. Among the amazing golf courses, don’t miss a round at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course in La Jolla. Bounded to the west by dramatic cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, give yourself a handicap for the distraction of the breathtaking views.

Plan a few hours to browse the downtown Village of La Jolla. Stop for a treat at The Cravory in the La Jolla Farmers Market and stroll through the shops and galleries. For a special treat book a reservation for dinner at A R Valentien in Sorrento Valley. A getaway to La Jolla by the Sea is not soon forgotten. And for your winter break with the family, head to Carlsbad for a brisk day at LEGOLAND, or a winter's walk along the shore at Carlsbad State Beach.

Los Angeles International Airport

Visit sunny Los Angeles this season. Holidays in the City of Angles are spectacular. Concerts fill venues from Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to Sunset Strip’s House of Blues. The Kodak Theare hosts the latest Cirque du Soleil preformance and the Olvera Street neighborhood celebrates the Hispanic tradition of Las Posadas at El Pueblo Historic Monument. Take the kids to the Staples Center to see Disney on Ice, or take in a Lakers game. Don’t miss Grand Marshal Marie Osmond leading the 80th anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade down Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard. Los Angeles has fun for everyone this season.

Downtown Santa Monica celebrates the season with ICE at Santa Monica. Through mid-January, come down to the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue to enjoy outdoor ice skating. Get a taste of winter just off Santa Monica Beach at ICE at Santa Monica. Take a lesson, if this is a first, or attend a LA Kings Hockey Clinic and learn technique from the pros - enjoy some cool this season in Santa Monica.

Frisbee fans get ready for Lei-Out 2012 as Santa Monica hosts the US's ultimate Frisbee festival. Lei-Out is a mixed Beach Ultimate tournament held on Santa Monica Beach north of Santa Monica Pier January 14th and 15th. Join a team or come watch Frisbee like you’ve never seen before.

Head south to Marina Del Rey for a getaway in the heart of LA's beach culture. Nestled between Los Angeles International Airport and Playa del Rey to the south, Santa Monica to the north and popular Venice Beach to the west, Marina del Rey is an ideal location near the Pacific Ocean. The BEST WESTERN PLUS The Inn at Marina del Rey is newly renovated and ready for your visit. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast buffet before you head outside for a stroll on Venice Beach boardwalk. The heated pool at Marina del Rey's Best Western hotel also comes in handy this time of year.

Long Beach gets in the Holiday spirit with the 29th Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade. Join the festivities the evening of December 3rd for the 2011 Parade featuring the theme “It’s a Green Christmas”. Enjoy marching bands, floats and a visit from Santa Claus as he closes the parade. Stake out your spot along East Second Street and kick-off the season with the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade.

Football fans, the season’s not over until after January 21st. The Long Beach Home Depot Center hosts the Astroturf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on January 21st, 2012. This all-star football event features a match up between the top 100 draft-eligible College Junior and Senior football players. Catch the best College players and future NFL stars in one game. The Home Depot Center is the place to be in January.

Pasadena, just north of Los Angeles, hosts one of Football's biggest traditions, the Rose Bowl Football Game and Rose Parade. The 123rd Rose Parade kicks off a full day of tradition and football on January 2nd. Honda is the 2012 parade sponsor featuring the theme “Just Imagine…”. For a tour of the float decorating, plan a visit to the Rose Palace or Rosemont Pavilion as early as December 29th. You can also see the floats up close after the parade.

The much-anticipated 98th Rose Bowl Game begins at 1pm on January 2nd. Enjoy the excitement with two of college football’s top teams in the match up called “The Granddaddy of Them All”. Tailgate fans don’t miss the fun of Alumni Tailgate Parties on the Golf Course north of the Rose Bowl Stadium or Public Tailgating in Lot H south of the stadium. The party begins at 8am – plan for a full day of fun.

Mojave National Preserve

California’s Desert Region stretches along the Arizona and southern Nevada state line. From Death Valley National Park, in the north of the region, through the cities of Barstow, Needles and Blythe, down to Palm Springs and Calexico, on the Mexico border - the region is large, diverse and ideal for a fall visit. As desert days cool, destinations like Death Valley National Park, the Mojave National Preserve and the Algodones Dunes are in prime season for outdoor activities. Too much still? Relax by a pool in Palm Springs, play a round of golf in the Coachella Valley or hunt for bargains at the Cabezon Outlets.

There is plenty to keep one busy in the Desert Region of California - take advantage of fall weather to do it comfortably. Visit Death Valley National Park in October or later and enjoy millions of acres of wilderness and backcountry. Hike, mountain bike or drive to explore this famous National Park. Barstow is the ideal base for a trip to the park, located south at the intersection of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40.

Palm Springs and Palm Desert are well known for their fabulous fall and winter weather. Don’t forget a swimsuit and sweater and you’re set for Palm Springs. New in 2011, the Palm Canyon Theater presents Broadway in Drag, an official event of Palm Springs Pride. Join the LGBT community of Palm Springs for 2011 Pride, November 5th and 6th. The Pride festival features Broadway in Drag, the evening of November 4th, two days of festival fun and entertainment and the Pride parade on Sunday. Always fun and affirming, Palm Springs Pride is a don’t miss event in November.

The Palm Springs Certified Farmer’s Market, sponsored by the Palm Springs Cultural Center is back outdoors for fall. You can find the market at three locations in California’s Desert Region – Saturdays in Palm Springs, Sundays in Old Town La Quinta and Wednesdays in Palm Desert. The Farmer’s Market is the place for the region's freshest produce and products. Along with the market, enjoy entertainment and unique locally made products.

Thursday nights head to downtown Palm Springs for the Palm Springs Village Fest. Mixed among the shops, clubs and restaurants of Palm Canyon Drive, artisans, entertainers and craftsmen fill the streets with food, flowers and fun. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a fall evening out on the town in Palm Springs.

The City of Twentynine Palms is a gateway to California Desert RegionParks and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center north of Joshua Tree National Park. Along with its convenient location, Twentynine Palms offers fall visitors entertaining events and activities. Join Twentynine Palms residents for the annual Pioneer Days celebration, the third weekend in October – a great family fun festival with Parade, carnival and amusements, and plenty of food and fun.

November in Twentynine Palms brings the Weed Show - arguably one of the most unique events in the region. Come see native vegetation arranged to meet the 2011 theme of Minerva’s Muse, honoring Joshua Tree National Park. The show is November 5th and 6th, an ideal time for a visit to California’s Desert Region.

San Simion Pier

Enjoy fall magic on the Central California Coast. Join family and friends at traditional autumn events like the Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville; take advantage of terrific fall temperatures for the Santa Cruz Triathlon or Morro Bay Harbor Festival; and enjoy world-class culture at the Monterey Jazz Festival and Carmel’s Big Sur Food and Wine Festival. Up and down California’s central coast fall is celebrated with festivals and fun events. The Monterey Bay Region, closest to San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, offers activities from the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium to surfing the beaches of Santa Cruz. And that’s just the start of a California coastal adventure.

Home of the famous Hearst Castle near San Simeon, the San Luis Obispo region keeps visitors entertained with miles of pristine beaches, nature trails and waterways. Classic laidback California communities like Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Cambria are ideal places to relax or enjoy an adventure. Travel south to the Santa Barbara area where visitors enjoy the beaches of Carpinteria and Santa Maria and culture events at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Called the Channel Islands Region, the south end of California’s Central Coast is home to the beach scene of Oxnard and Ventura, along with agricultural communities like Fillmore in the Heritage Valley. Stretching over 350 miles along California’s coastline, there is a getaway for everyone on the Central Coast of California.

In advance of the upcoming 2012 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the SBIFF awards the 2011 Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film to Actor Michael Douglas. Receiving his father’s award makes this year's October tribute to Michael Douglas especially meaningful. Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara, 95-miles north of Los Angeles, draws a range of industry executives and stars to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The 2012 festival is January 26th through February 5th.

Santa Maria, 75 miles north of Santa Barbara, celebrates fall at the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival. The 2011 festival is the 27th anniversary event, which is October 2nd. Join the festivities on the Santa Maria Civic Center-McClelland Street Corridor by the Library. Enjoy family fun, exhibits of local arts and crafts, live entertainment and kid's amusements. Food and drink will be on hand to keep you fueled for a full day of activity.

Don’t miss the holiday festivities in and around Santa Maria. The Christmas Parade of Lights along Santa Maria’s South Broadway to Santa Maria Town Center, kicks off the 2011 holiday season on December 3rd. On December 10th, the Santa Maria Valley celebrates the 50th anniversary of Old Town Orcutt’s Christmas Parade – another great family event for the holidays.

Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, CA

Visit Oakland - the city across the bay. The holiday season in Oakland is magical. Festive events from the Oakland Ballet performing The Nutcracker and Holiday Concerts at the Oakland City Center to a visit by the San Francisco Boys Chorus fill Oakland’s calendar. The Paramount Theatre of the Arts on Oakland’s Broadway Street has a full schedule of entertainment for Bay area residents and visitors. Get into the holiday spirit December 11th with Oakland’s East Bay Symphony performing Let Us Break Bread Together, enjoy Mary Mary’s holiday-themed gospel show December 17th and don’t miss a performance of The Nutcracker December 22nd through the 24th at the Oakland Civic Center.

The fun doesn’t stop after New Year's Eve. Oakland's Paramount kicks off 2012 performances with Disney Live! – Phineas and Ferb January 6th and Michael Morgan conducts the East Bay Symphony in Carmina Burana on January 27th. Oracle Arena in Oakland hosts the Harlem Globetrotters on January 14th and Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour is January 17th and 18th. There are events for all in Oakland.

Oakland sports fans crowd O.co Coliseum for Oakland Raiders home games. Don’t miss the Raiders' last two home games, December 18th against the Detroit Lions and New Year's Day against the San Diego Chargers. Golden State Warrior fans are on hold in high anticipation of games at Oakland Coliseum’s Oracle Arena.

Fly into San Francisco International Airport and fun awaits right outside baggage claim. Candlestick Park in South San Francisco is home to the San Francisco 49ers. Now wrapping up the season, the 49ers host the St Louis Rams on December 4th and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 19th; these are the last two 2011 home games at Candlestick Park.

Pacifica is located 15 minutes from SFO, just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. A quintessential California beach community set on the Pacific coast off California Highway 1. Pacifica’s Sharp Park is home to the Pacifica Municipal Pier, well known as a prime fishing spot. Winter is an ideal time for Dungeness crabbing and the pier is great fishing for salmon, white Croaker and Striped Bass.

San Mateo County, south of San Francisco and San Francisco County includes the cities of South San Francisco, Pacifica, Redwood City and Half Moon Bay among others. A gateway to California’s Silicon Valley, be sure to enjoy the sites as you travel down Interstate 280 or Highway 1.

Redwood City is midway down the San Francisco Peninsula on the Bay side, with Half Moon Bay to the west, on the Pacific coast. Redwood City is home to the only deep-water port in South San Francisco Bay, making the city an important commercial and economic link in the Bay area communities.

Half Moon Bay is ideal for a getaway to California’s Pacific coast - a wonderful place to relax, browse charming downtown shops and galleries, and feast on fresh local produce and seafood. Cozy in this time of year in Half Moon Bay and enjoy the stunning views of the Pacific while you get that needed R&R.

Napa Valley Vineyard

Make your way to San Jose, at the south of San Francisco Bay. With the city of San Jose at its core, San Jose and the surrounding area is known as Silicon Valley. With a density of technology companies, including Cisco Systems, IBM and EBay, business travelers are a constant in San Jose. Less than 40 miles from San Francisco International Airport and near Mineta San Jose International Airport, travel in and out of Silicon Valley is easy. However, San Jose is not all about business, with fall comes a full schedule of events at HP Pavilion, Spartan Stadium and California Theatre – enjoy a getaway this season.

The artfully restored California Theatre on South First Street in San Jose is a cultural mecca for the region. Home of Symphony Silicon Valley and Opera San Jose. November brings a double-bill of Opera, pairing Pagliacci and La Viox Humaine. Symphony San Jose fills the remainder of the fall schedule along with San Jose Dance Company.

The San Jose Flea Market has been an institution in the city for over 50 years. A shopper’s paradise and much more, the flea market features live music and entertainment and a selection of food to please everyone. Visit on the weekends, when up to 2,000 vendors greet visitors with products from tools to clothes, and airbrush art to metalwork – get lost in the isles and alleyways of the San Jose Flea Market.

The Central California coast makes a great break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Santa Cruz is located 30 miles south of San Jose, with Monterey and Carmel by the Sea further south along the coast. Visit locations like Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel for hiking, birding and wildlife viewing in delightful fall weather.

It is the season for the city of Half Moon Bay, 40 miles east of San Jose – the World Pumpkin Capital is ready to celebrate. October 10th, Half Moon Bay hosts the 38th Annual World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. The city is an official site of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC), making winners at Half Moon Bay eligible for world records. With a current world record weight over 1,810 pounds, winning the mega-prize for a new world record is no easy task.

Half Moon Bay’s Pumpkin Weigh-off winners are displayed the following week at the 2011 Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. Historic Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay fills with fun October 15th and 16th. Arrive early Saturday morning for a Pancake Breakfast at Mac Dutra Park, before the festival opens with the Costume Contest at the HMB Library Parking Lot followed by the Great Pumpkin Parade. Enjoy music and family entertainment stages, a pie-eating contest and pick your favorite pumpkin to take home. The Art and Pumpkin Festival is an ideal fall outing and celebration of the California fall harvest.

Disneyland - Anaheim, CA

Orange County, home of Anaheim and Disneyland may be the merriest place to be this season. Pick a performance of The Nutcracker from Laguna Ballet at Saddleback College, Coast City Ballet at Huntington Beach Historic Theater or Maple Youth Ballet’s performance at Irvine’s Northwood High School Performing Arts Theatre. See Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on stage at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts, or enjoy California State University, Fullerton’s Deck the Hall performance featuring student choirs and musicians. Or take a trip to Disneyland - visit Sleeping Beauty’s Castle shimmering with winter crystals, watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade along Disney’s Main Street USA and don’t miss the Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Orange County has events, attractions and fun for everyone. Charming community events like the City of Westminster’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Civic Center’s sunken gardens and Breakfast With Santa, to grand events like the 2011 Newport Christmas Boat Parade – it’s time to enjoy the season.

The Newport Beach Boat Parade has been an Orange County tradition for more than 100 years. Newport Harbor comes alive with sparkling lights and decorations during the holiday season. The official 2011 Boat Parade is December 14th through the 18th featuring five nights of festive boat cruises leaving from Newport Landing. With boats and harbor side estates fully decorated, enjoy a spectacular night out on the water this holiday.

The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana is hosting Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. Through April 15th, take advantage of holiday vacation for a visit to see authentic Star Wars memorabilia, build your own speeder or robot and delve into the technology of droids and landspeeders. Located on North Main Street in Santa Ana, add some Star Wars adventure to your holiday with a visit to Santa Ana's Discovery Science Center.

Through Christmas, Irvine Park in Orange hosts its annual Christmas Train. Bring friends and family to Irvine Park for the 16th annual Christmas train, featuring a short trip to the North Pole and a visit with Santa. Running weekends through December 23rd, enjoy a ride through the Tunnel of Lights and snacks at the Elf House Snack Bar on this holiday adventure.

Start the New Year off on the right foot – literally at the Southern California Half Marathon & 5K. Hosted in the Woodbridge area of Irvine, this is the ideal warm-up race for runners training for the LA or OC Marathons. Join the race or cheer on runners Saturday, January 7th at 8 am. Both the start and finish are on Barranca Parkway at lake Street in Irvine.

Napa Valley Vineyard

It’s the season to visit San Francisco Bay area cities - with fall in the air, it's time for a getaway to Marin County and Wine Country. World-class wineries and vineyards await travelers to Napa and Sonoma County, while Calistoga adds natural hot springs and mud baths to lure visitors out of the city. Cloverdale, north in the Alexander Valley, is a quick drive from Lake Sonoma and also offers its own Cloverdale River Park for outdoor enthusiasts. Novato in the North Bay, less than a half hour from the Golden Gate Bridge makes a great golf desitnation with Stone Tree Golf Club and Indian Valley Golf Club just outside the city.

Northern California’s diversity comes together in Santa Rosa, a commercial and cultural hub of Sonoma County. Santa Rosa is Hometown of Charles Schultz and the Charles M Shultz Museum. Celebrate on Sunday November 20th, free day at the Museum in honor of Schultz's birthday. The exhibit The flipSide of Schultz's Art: More than Peanuts, features original art by Shultz outside the Peanuts comic strip genre - catch the show from October 5th through January 29, 2012.

The Children's Museum of Sonoma County celebrates Halloween with FUNTAZMAGORIA. Dress up the kids in costume and head to the Museum on West Steele Lane in Santa Rosa. The fun begins with a costume parade followed by a pumpkin plop and fall decorating projects. Relax and stay for the night – Santa Rosa hotels include two Best Western locations along with Best Western hotels nearby in Rohnert Park and Petaluma.

The town of Napa and Napa County draw travelers from around the world. The Wineries of Napa Valley, in downtown Napa, is the place to start. Fridays through fall, wine and cheese tastings are hosted by local winemakers, educating visitors on wine and food parings. Located on Napa Town Center, come learn from experts the art of paring wine with appropriate foods.

Yountville, less than 10-miles north of Nappa, is home to Lincoln Theater. See the best of Napa's cultural side at the theater this season. The Napa Valley Symphony performs Baroque for the Holidays on December 11th, with the Nutcracker performed by the Napa Regional Dance Company December 17th and 18th. Catch the Napa Valley Youth Symphony in concert November 13th. Check the Lincoln Theater schedule for concerts by well known performers like Clint Black and Wynonna among others visiting Napa this season.

Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, located on First Street along the Napa River is a popular must-see destination. The Market is a gathering spot for local growers, artisans and producers – enjoy the freshest Napa produce and products on a visit to Oxbow Public Market. Enjoy fall and winter in California's wine country.

Yosemite National Park

Fall brings harvest time to California’s Central Valley. Called the Greatest Garden in the World, the Central California Valley is one of America's most important agricultural regions. Cities in the Fresno area also provide a gateway to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. The Central Valley of California is traversed by Interstate 5 which makes the best route to pass through the region - but why hurry? Fall in the Central Valley brings festivals, events and sports - check out October’s The Big Fresno Fair and ZooBoo at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Stretching from Sacramento south past Bakersfield, there is plenty of fall fun waiting in California's Central Valley.

Exeter, centrally located on Highway 65 in the San Joaquin Valley, claims to produce the sweetest oranges in the world. In any case, Exeter produces abundant citrus as well as fruits, nuts and grapes. Less than 45 minutes west of Sequoia National Park, outdoor recreation abounds in and around Exeter. A hub of small town Americana, Exeter celebrates the autumn bounty with October’s Fall Festival, generates community spirit with Exeter’s Chili Cook-Off in November and joins in the holiday spirit with the Exeter home town Christmas Parade early December. Join the Exeter community for wonderful events all year round.

Celebrate Veteran’s Day with free admission to a National Park near Fresno and Exeter. US National Parks offer fee-free visits over the Veteran’s Day holiday weekend November 11th through the 13th. A great opportunity to visit Kings Canyon National Park or Sequoia National Park before the snow flies. Enjoy the last of fall season recreation and celebrate Veteran’s day in Central California’s beautiful outdoors.

Sports fans don’t miss a Western States Hockey League game with the Fresno Monsters in their 2011 – 2012 season. The monsters take the ice at Selland Arena, in downtown Fresno off Highway 41. Home games run November 11th through the 27th, various dates in December, and January 6th through 15th, 2012.

Runners, test your training at the Two Cities Marathon and Half Marathon hosted by California’s Central Valley cities of Fresno and Clovis. Events include a 50K Ultra Marathon, Half-Marathon Relay and Half-Marathon Walk – a challenge for just about everyone. The marathon course takes participants through Fresno, to historic Old Town Clovis and back to the finish at Fresno’s Woodward Park Amphitheater. Enjoy festivities like the Fitness Expo and Beer Garden, live music and breakfast and massages for the runners. The 2011 Two Cities Marathon is November 6th – a great fall challenge for athletes.

The city of Turlock reopened the landmark Carnegie Arts Center in September after extensive restoration and rebuilding. Be sure to see the inaugural exhibit Ansel Adams’ California, featuring over 125 of the artists’ work and artifacts from his life. Running through January 8th, 2012, the show offers the unique and wondrous perspective of Central California through the lens of Adams. This is a must see exhibit for visitors to California’s Central Valley.

Sacramento Bridge Welcomes Visitors

From Yuba City in the heart of the Sacramento Valley south through Sacramento and surrounding communities of Davis and Roseville fall is in the air. Charming communities in the Sierra Nevada’s are beckoning leaf peepers from South Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes and south to Bishop and Lone Pine. Winter’s snows are piling up on the Sierra’s slopes teasing winter sports enthusiasts. Winter resorts at Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe are ready for holiday crowds and a New Year of great snow. Sacramento and Roseville are warming up for the holiday season hosting performances, events and entertainment for the Capital City region.

Roseville, 20-miles northeast of Sacramento past McClellan Air Force Base, kicks off the holidays with the downtown Holiday Celebration Saturday, November 20th. Join the Roseville community for the 49th Annual Sylvia Besana Holiday Parade followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at the Civic Center on Vernon Street. Bring the family, Santa makes a visit and there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

Women’s Choral Studio of Sacramento comes to Roseville on December 11th for a special holiday performance of Treasures of the Season. Enjoy this 4th annual holiday concert at Sherman Clay Recital Hall on Pleasant Grove Boulevard. Treasures of the Season is an ideal mix of traditional holiday music to engage audiences in the spirit of the season. You can even join in the singing, so stick around for the entire show.

Fall brings the opening of Sacramento’s newest performance venue. Capital Stage moves to the heart of downtown Sacramento at its own building at 2215 J Street. Vacating its former home on the Delta King, the Capital Stage opens its 2011 – 2012 with Superior Donuts running through November 13th. Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) follows for the holiday season playing from November 30th through January 1st.

After exciting October performances of Dracula, the Sacramento Ballet readies for the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker. The heart of Sacramento’s holiday season, make plans now for a family outing to the Community Center Theater for a classic performance of The Nutcracker. Running December 9th through the 23rd, enjoy the Sacramento Ballet featuring local children dancing the roles of the children. If you miss the holiday performances, look for the Sacramento Ballet performing Cinderella in February.

Davis, 15 miles west of Sacramento, known as the most bicycle-friendly small city in America, is home to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. With a full performance calendar, brighten the holidays with concerts by UC Davis Symphony Orchestra or UC Davis University Chorus. The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show is Thursday December 15th. Enjoy Sacramento and its surrounding communities this fall and winter.

California's Coastal Rain Forest

Fall and winter have invaded Northern California. Communities like Cloverdale, Clearlake, Chico and Corning in the south of the region offer travelers access to California wine country, outdoor fun at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area or water sports on Clear Lake or Lake Almanor. Redding and Red Bluff in the heart of Northern California are gateways to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and spectacular Mt Shasta – a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The northern coast is home to Fort Bragg, ten miles north of Mendocino, where visitors find fun exploring Glass Beach or riding the Skunk Train.

Northern California, with the dramatic Pacific Ocean coastline, spectacular Redwood forests and dramatic mountain peaks, is an adventure for travelers. Local outfitter Liquid Fusion Kayaking in Fort Bragg, hosts a Mushroom Paddle along the Noyo River early November. Learn how to hunt and identify mushrooms while enjoying the fall scenery and wildlife – you may even go home with a stash of Mendocino mushrooms.

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are a must see for visitors to Fort Bragg. Located three miles south of downtown Fort Bragg, get in the holiday spirit with a visit to the gardens 2011 Festival of Lights. Spend an evening December 2nd through the 11th, strolling through the perennial garden lit with tens of thousands of sparkling lights. Remember the Gardens Store and Nursery are open and filled with wonderful holiday décor and gifts. The Holiday Treats Café is also open during the Festival of Lights.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding has two fascinating exhibits closing soon. Age of Wonder: Artists Engaged with the Natural World runs through December 31st. This unique exhibit brings together a variety of artists and mediums reflecting on the modern world in relation to environmental consciousness. Masters of the Night: the True Story of Bats is at Exploration Park through January 8th.

Redding’s Cascade Theater is a hub of culture for Shasta County. Enjoy a variety of shows and events from concerts by Vince Gill and the Vienna Boys Choir, to Broadway’s Monty Python’s Spamalot. See Shasta County’s most talented performers at the annual "A Cascades Christmas" November 25th and 26th and December 1st through the 3rd. Plan now for the family of The Nutcracker at the Cascade Theater featuring the Redding City Ballet.

Red Bluff thirty miles south of Redding on Interstate 5 in Tehama County hosts wonderful small town American celebrations. Kick-off the holidays in downtown Red Bluff at the Red Bluff Christmas Parade November 26th. Corning 20-miles south hosts their 16th Annual Corning Hometown Christmas and Light Parade on December 3rd. Step back in time at Red Bluff’s Pioneer Christmas Party at Ide Adobe Park on December 17th, featuring exhibits of California’s early Christmas traditions. You can even celebrate New Year's at the NBC New Year’s Eve Bull Ride in Red Bluff’s Tehama District Fair – Pauline Davis Pavilion – lots of rodeo excitement followed by a New Year’s Eve dance. Have a home town holiday in Red Bluff.

Enjoy Palm Springs Golf Courses

California’s Inland Empire, an hour east of Los Angeles begins with Riverside and San Bernardino, the largest cities in the region. Travelers along Interstate 215 and Interstate 10 know they are getting close to Los Angeles, as they reach this Metro Region of the Inland Empire. Newbies to the state of California are welcomed at San Bernardino California's Welcome Center, featuring a historic Route 66 theme. Riverside, 15-miles south of San Bernardino, welcomes visitors with the California Citrus State Historic Park, with nearly 400 acres of preserve dedicated to honoring California’s citrus industry. Rich in history, industry and California culture, the Inland Empire makes a wonderful destination.

The Town of Yucca Valley, in the east of the Inland Empire is ideal in fall. As days cool, bring a sweater to enjoy the incredible clear night sky. Centrally located, with easy access to the Palm Springs, the Colorado River and Big Bear Mountain, Yucca Valley is a great for outdoor recreation. The town is located on State Route 62 or the “Twentynine Palms Highway, just north of Joshua Tree National Park.

Fall is prime season for visitors to Joshua Tree National Park, as daytime heat subsides. Visitors take to the many trails for hiking, Park Rangers provide guided walking tours for the curious and mountain bikers enjoy an extensive network of dirt roads for cycling. Rock-climbing is popular in Joshua Tree and fun to watch even if you don’t participate. Bring plenty of water, even in fall, and have a fun visit to the park.

Northwest of Yucca Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers fall visitors brilliant fall foliage, crisp cool weather and some Indian summer days. Take advantage for the last of season hiking, biking and fishing. Take the Zipline or Alpine Slide through the red and gold laced forests surrounding Big Bear or relax with a game of golf at Bear Mountain Golf Course. Fall is a wonderful time in the California Mountains.

Following the Big Bear International Film Festival mid-September, the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center hosts Big Bear Horro-Fi Film Festival September 30th through October 2nd. Join fans, filmmakers and celebrities with a passion for horror and sci-fi genre films for this grizzly film festival. An international selection of films includes a juried selection of feature and short films from across the globe. Come enjoy the screenings, or rub shoulders with the best in the business.

On the west end of the Inland Empire region, Ontario serves as a gateway to the area. This Inland Empire suburb is a hub for commerce, with the Ontario International Airport serving as one of the largest cargo airports in the US and location of the city at the apex of the largest freeways in the area. At the crossroads of Interstate 10, Interstate 15 and the Pomona Freeway visitors will find it easy to access all of Southern California’s attractions and destinations.