It’s a tradition in California. Tourists, vacationers and local bravehearts head for the water to ring in the New Year and ring out their clothes that become soaked. Plunge events, as they are most often called, organize this process and experience, though many surfers and swimmers go it alone. As we watch programs such as the Nightly Business Report with their analyses of the 2008 economic trends, the bulls seem undeterred, though homes sales are down markedly, and prices in most California regions are down. What will happen to tourism, we all wonder?
Here’s a tidbit you’d not expect. On Christmas Day Disneyalnd had to turn away people at the gate. The park maximum occupancy sold out before 11 a.m.! Admission to Disneyland will cost you around $100/person with parking and food, and for tourists, there’s the hotel rooms and travel to get to Anaheim. As we search hotel availability in upcoming months for beach communities, there seem to be some solid meeting and convention bookings in the $200 - 300/night room range, as well. That bodes fairly well in the face of dire predictions that have been forecast.
If gas exceeds $100/barrel, the impacts could become apparent later in the tourist season (May to September), as 85% of California vacationers feel the pinch. They are the drive market, the California residents, who either hop in a car of fly locally to some nearby destination. Economists predict the pinch or crunch will be felt throughout 2008 and into 2009. If true, it’s really tough for us in the tour and travel business to predict how we will be affected. Niche markets, corporate travel, meetings, conventions, and foreign travelers with dollars to spend in this de-valued US market may come to the United States, and fill those hotel rooms. 
We previously discussed a travel marketing study performed in Florida by Yesawich, Pepperdine and Brown that showed the least affected market of European and upper crust travelers in the $100K plus income, are now trading down in how much they spend on rooms, vacation rentals, etc. The study warned that this could be the omen of things to come throughout the U.S. and top destinations such as California and Hawaii. What California lacks in casinos, it shares with its neighbor, Nevada, in spending. Many travelers go to Las Vegas, and then California beaches or mountains. Even Californians take their dollars out of state and spend them in entertainment heaven, Las Vegas.
As you take the plunge into the New Year with a champagne toast, a dip in the ocean, ski down a slope, or whatever your passion, Beachcalifornia staff recommends that you take time to get out and explore. If overnighters are becoming too costly, shop off season for rooms such as now through March 2008. You’ll find some deals during this time. And even though Disneyland sold out on Christmas Day, the theme parks do tend to thin out after the New Year for a month or two, as well.
California beaches are the scene for one of the first programs on Tru TV, launched Jan. 1, 2008. Billed as “not reality, actuality” TV, I live in Huntington Beach where a show, OCEAN FORCE, Huntington Beach, OC, about Huntington Beach lifeguards is unveiled on Jan. 1, showing them in tense situations, rescues and challenging moments. The producers certainly did their research. Huntington Beach experiences close to the highest number of rescues of any California beach, and sadly, some drownings, too. Its frequent rip tides, southwest to west-facing swells and number of tourists and locals unaware of how to escape rip currents lead to predictable consequences. Because of the constant danger and strong currents at my local beach, our web site, beachcalifornia.com, is constantly promoting beach safety with information about dangers of the Pacific Ocean and California beaches. Before you watch the show (or after), here’s a real video of a rip current rescue in Huntington Beach with the crew featured on the new OCEAN FORCE show. If the television program does anything at all beyond titilate with its sensational scenes, maybe it will save a few lives for those who happen to catch the program. It’s hard to say how well it will take off. Just before the launch they’re running a marathon of real life murders and mysteries solved by investigators and profilers. Replacing death mysteries and crime scene photos, with real life rescues is timely. The writers’ strike is going on, reality shows are “in” and the climate is conducive to “actuality”.
After choosing Christmas Dinner at Koury’s in Alamitos Landing, I noticed the Reggae Party Boat next door to the restaurant offered holiday lights tours through New Year’s Eve. I booked a seat and showed up yesterday. Boy did I pick the right group to hang out with! They staked out their little corner and fought for it. Sassy 60 somethings, they asked several kids if they were planning to block these seniors’ views. The dad of the children stepped in and an argument nearly ensued. Long and short, I sat in a protected little cove with the sassy seniors of Los Alamitos in a crowded boat (video link). From a boat ride in Alamitos Bay to the DWP Holiday Lights drive near L.A. Zoo, or the biggest drive through light show on the West Coast at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (where the surf meets the turf), people aren’t ready to give up the holiday celebrating just yet. There will be thousands of parties celebrating the New Year in California. From family First Nights held in Fullerton (where a Christian Singles New Year’s Party will be held), to the decadent Brazilian Carnaval atmosphere aboard the Queen Mary, complete with fireworks and sexy, sizzling feather & jewel clad female Samba dancers, Hotel California promises to deliver enough live music, dance, food and champagne to catapult California into one of the nation’s top consuming states for fun. How do we end a perfect transition into 2008? The Rose Parade.
While one of my neighbors in Southern California is heading with his wife to New York to see the Ball Drop at Times Square on New Year’s Eve, I’ve been there and decided I wouldn’t go back. From being stuck in a crowd that was so packed people nearly fell over, to watching pick-pockets work their way through the crowds, then being threatened by a strange guy wielding a knife as a group of us made our way to a nightclub, things seemed a bit dodgy, as the Brits would say. New Year’s celebrations keep getting better in California, so I’m staying in state this holiday season. Restaurants in California are raising the bar this year, not just with designer cocktails and quality champagnes served on New Year’s Eve 2007. From San Diego to San Jose, we’ve received press releases from restaurateurs and their PR firms promoting New Year’s Eve events. Recognizing that a gourmet meal with wine/food pairings, live entertainment and a midnight toast may be the ticket, many small to mid-size restaurants are hedging their bets that folks will stay closer to home this New Year’s season and seek intimate dining experiences. Since New Year’s Day falls mid-week in 2008, many employees will return to work Jan. 2, according to a Human Resources specialist from a Fortune 500 firm. She told BeachCalifornia that when the major holidays…Christmas and New Year’s Day occur on Tuesday or Wednesday, employees tend to select Christmas week as their preferred vacation and opt to get back to work January 2nd, thus celebrating locally more often than when the two holidays land on Monday, Thursday or Friday. That’s good news for smaller bistros and restaurants. In 2008 Christmas falls on a Thursday, as does New Year’s Day 2009. “We see more employees taking a vacation day when a holiday lands on Thursday versus Tuesday,” she said. “Employees prefer rolling into a weekend rather than face a partial week of work ahead.”
I look each year for the date of the NO Parade in Sunset Beach. It is such a non-event, that finding it requires research and timing. As luck would have it, I noticed the flyer for the 2007 parade and decided to clear my slate for some low-key nonsense. The only thing guaranteed about the NO Parade is that you can be in it if you want.
“Where do you park,” friends asked me when I invited them. “Are you kidding?” I replied. This is a NOT a big deal. Don’t worry about showing up and finding a spot. “What’s it about,” they pressed on. “It’s about nothing…really.”
After getting friends to attend so I could see their reactions, I now have a strategy for future years’ events. I will probably just mention the parade if I happen to find out, then pass on the flyer and pretty much count on going by myself if I’m in town.
Waaaaaaaah! The boat parades are winding down. Now where are we going to eat for Christmas? I checked out the great buffet they have at the Queen Mary and it isn’t happening. There’s one seating at the Pirate’s Dinner Theater in Buena Park, Burgers and Cobb Salads at Disneyland, and many surrounding hotels have up-ed their fees for a Christmas buffet to prices ranging from $30 - 150. Last year we took a leisurely drive on Christmas day and found this mellow vibe throughout the California places we visited. But when dinner time came around, it became a bit dodgy, finding some place to eat. Finally sinking in that there wasn’t much open, the last stop was Chart House in Redondo Beach. Our eyes scoped out a line of cars in their little lot…and we took our chance. It was absolutely a busy time for their wait staff. Well, they took my reservation, and approx. 2 hours later a table became available. The sunset going down over the Pacific Ocean on a warm, SoCal evening, completed the perfect day filled with exploration of the surrounding cities and beaches. Nothing is set for this year just yet. But after last year’s near miss, I recommend you plan ahead and don’t count on your favorite restaurnts being open.
We have some inside information that kids love Disneyland for Christmas vacations. Our staff went on over to the park to discover the buzz about this phenomenon, and it was true. While the dream California kids Christmas vacation is a trip to Mammoth Mountain or Yosemite to play in the snow for some folks, the attendance to Disneyland during the holidays isn’t too shabby. By the numbers, Christmas is one of the top holidays for park attendance. What’s so special about this season is that the weather is rarely too hot (summers can sometimes get uncomfortable,) and the park is decked out in special bows. Take Main Street, for instance. As you enter the park there’s a huge Christmas tree with big, big bulb ornaments. Then as you wander down Main to the themed lands, wreathes are draped above the street, shaped like the big cheese, Mickey Mouse. For a superb California kids Christmas vacation, theme parks are D-vine and D-land is tops.
When things get tough, the tough get out and celebrate. Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is living proof that things aren’t that bad, really! The first night of the parade went off without a hitch and only a few sighs or cries from youngsters who were simply tired. But for the adults, this is a bang up, must-see event with spectacular lighted boats and a few parties in the surrounding pubs and bars. If you want to keep it strictly non-alcoholic, the sidewalk vendors sell popcorn, sodas, water and hot cocoa or coffee. We asked Newport Landing if there are rides still available, and were told they had space on Thursday and Friday (not much, but some.)
My Christmas primer is chock full of events to see and do. Yesterday, I checked off two. I went to an historic house museum to see it decorated for Christmas with wreaths and bows. Afterward I found my Christmas tree just arriving from Washington state. It has a beautiful shape. Tonight I went to a Christmas boat parade and recorded some videos. I can’t worry about what I missed this week, though I wish I could have done it all. My associate, Steve Wiideman, is covering the IFLY attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood (I hope he can make it along with a photog), because from all accounts, it’s a blast. What impresses me about getting out to celebrate the holidays, is the people I have met. They’ve been incredibly nice. I won’t be buying many presents this year, but I’m taking time to enjoy good cheer. Check out some of the decorated boats & yachts I saw tonight.
It’s an annual ritual for me. I want a fresh tree that smells delicious. I want it pretty, beautifully shaped, cool to touch, and fragrant. Though the trip to get a tree is pitted with obstacles, I usually am satisfied, once I pick out the perfect specimen and decorate it in my house. I posted a video of my tree I selected, just in case it doesn’t arrive in time for Christmas. Last year Snow Mountain lost my tree.
Update: Sure enough, the driver called my house tonight and said there was a tree without a tag on it. Could it be mine? When he delivered the tree to my house, there was a 12′ and a 6′. I had picked the 6, and told him I’d gladly take the other. No dice. But my 6 is really nice. The best part is that it just arrived in a shipment today.
Do you want to know the secrets of the nation’s largest cut Christmas tree? At Fashion Island in Newport Beach not far from The Island Hotel gingerbread display stands the nation’s largest Christmas tree, or so they say. At 115 feet, weighing 20,000 pounds, and exposing 17,000 ornamental lights, you may ask, “How’d they do that?” Upon examination, I found out. This seemingly perfect specimen has been stripped, then rebuilt with artificial and real tree limbs and needles. Pretty amazing! When you stand up close you’ll notice some plastic needles. “No, those can’t be plastic,” said my friend. “Look again,” I told her. “OH!” There is nothing new about doing this to fill in trees. Stores, boutiques and homeowners have done it for years. When you buy a tree filled with gaps, it’s a snap. Just stuff in some artificial foliage and greenery and nine times out of ten, no one ever notices.
From time to time I check in on Christi (left in picture), who was assigned to unleash her lifestyle and photos on a Beachcalifornia Myspace page. Though we only live a few miles apart and are related, we rarely see each other, so this way I get to catch up. Christi is working, but seems to save time for socializing. She just posted “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit” by Fedde. I am so busy doing the mainstream stuff that Christi keeps me up to date with what’s happening out there. Keep smiling!
Life at the Southern California beach is filled with promise–and sunshine. As you gaze out to the Pacific Ocean where the horizon is an endless ocean, there’s enough water to provide hope and comfort. But on this semi-desert that borders the Pacific, it just doesn’t rain much. We love it for that, and, in fact, have the best weather on the planet. You can plan events and seldom get rained out. It is just that predictable. This year I got busy traveling and totally missed the fact that my back lawn died. Having to bite my tongue during my travels, I finally became accustomed to the fact that it does rain elsewhere and I should not be so amazed. Back home in L.A., my gardner’s attemp to earn extra cash by installing sprinklers was a real fiasco. He has many strong points, however, that include taking a seed from another client’s avocado tree and planting a new tree for me. He tries to teach by example. Each time I came home, I noticed a garden hose sitting at the base of this young tree. Slowly, I began thinking about the squat little plant, and began watering it myself whenever I could. Today there are 25 lovely avocadoes on that baby tree that I am savoring, one-by-one. Since I live in a city that gets the majority of its water from an underground well, we’re in pretty good shape this year, according to a water offiicial I spoke with. He told me I don’t have to feel guilty watering my lawn yet, but next year could be another story if it doesn’t rain. So when I saw it rain yesterday (the second time in 2 years, it seems,) I was elated. The ground is wet and ash from the recent L.A. fires has been washed off the bushes and trees. My skylights that were covered in ash and dirt now offer natural light indoors, too. Who would think someone could love rain so much? I swore I couldn’t live permanently in Wisconsin after my indoor window cacti died there due to lack of sunshine and so much darned rain and snow. If you’re a tourist, you probably don’t need to visit Disneyland to get sunshine or even see the theme park. There are numerous Disney parks around the globe, and plenty of sunshine around the planet these days. But when the rain & snow gets you down, head on over to my beach town!