Category: Uncategorized

Knob Hill, San Marcos

If you are in the San Marcos area for the holidays, check out the elaborately decorated home on 1639 Knob Hill Rd.

For 28 years the Gilfillen Family has decorated this wonderful home for the public to see.

In talking to the owners wife, she informed us that her husband does the display all by himself. He starts right after Labor Day and works daily to have it finished by November 26^th.

Among many other items, the display features a Nutcracker section, dozens of different animals, and even Star War characters to keep in the spirit of the opening of that film. Thousands of lights and other holiday characters are scattered about the grounds also.

Santa pays a visit between 6:30 and 8:00pm Dec 13—Dec 23^rd. As mentioned, the display starts on November 26 and ends on Dec 30.

A must see for you light chasers.

Newport Harbor Holiday

It is my hopes that everyone has wonderful holiday moments from their youth and as grown-ups, can look back on those memories with great fondness.

I know I have tons of recollections from growing up near a place that is always filled with holiday spirit, the  illustrious Newport Beach Harbor.

In my youth, Newport was always dressed up in impressive yuletide style, from the brightly lit city hall, to the impressive homes and yachts at water’s edge in the harbor.

The annual boat parade is one of the best in the west with boats and yachts of every size participating during its run December 16-20, 2015.

This year, we rented an electric Duffy boat to view the homes from the water and which also enabled us to see more home fronts that you normally couldn’t see from the road.

We started out about an hour before sunset and had it rented until an hour and half after sun down. The daylight gave us the opportunity to see the beautifully decorated houses and also a chance to explore the harbor before it got dark. Munchies were spread out on the table and the plastic walls covering the sides kept us warm against the wind. Christmas melodies rang out from the radio and battery operated lights gave our little cabin a holiday feel.

Even in daylight you could view the beautifully decorated homes

I dressed warm in case it was cold on the bay and by warm, I mean California style. I am sure my attire would make someone from the Mid West laugh because a thick sweatshirt wouldn’t cut it on their cold winter evenings. As I have said many times, that is why we pay the big bucks to live in California.

Just a few blocks west, the sun finally set over the ocean and soon the colorful lights of the houses and boats came alive making the harbor look like a holiday wonderland.

Some of the residences looked like theme parks with huge blow ups everywhere and thousands upon thousands of lights. One house had a moving Santa and reindeers on the very top spinning around for all to see. Some looked elegant with beautiful garland and wreaths while others looked fun and whimsical. Tastefully decorated cottages sat next to huge mansions and both were aglow with every color light imaginable.

As twilight turned the bay to dark it became a little harder to see around the water. Luckily the beautifully illuminated houses and boats gave us bright vantage points to help negotiate around the channels.

This is the same house from above but now lit up with thousands of lights

A lit up dock, the Pavilion in the background, and a huge yacht passing by on the right.

I spent many days fishing in that harbor so I know it like the back of my hand; still it was nice having passengers help me with spotting other boats and navigating around buoys that are harder to see.

We planned this trip before the boat parade so the water traffic wouldn’t be so heavy. During the parade and especially on the weekend, the harbor comes alive and you have to be on your toes as every size and shape boat is traveling in the same lanes as you are.

In past years, we strolled along the boardwalk on Balboa Island and our only excursion on the water was to take the 3 minute ferry ride across from the peninsula. So being on the water during this time is a new experience and one I highly recommend if you get the chance. Make sure you are careful out there though; there are no headlights on the Duffy boats.

The homes along the harbor are not the only ones lit up. If you drive your car through the narrow streets of Balboa Island, you will be amazed on how many houses are glowing with lights and decorations that could keep you there for hours.

It is just a wonderful place and as mentioned, my beloved childhood home.

We made one last loop near the entrance to the harbor and headed back to the dock with plenty of time to spare.

Rain was predicted to hit during our ride, but it held off until we were finished and safely at the dock. Only when we were walking to our car did we feel the first gentle drops of drizzle starting to fall. Soon came a downpour and we thanked our lucky rain angel for holding it off for awhile.

Seeing the Newport Harbor during the holidays is a must see, seeing it from a boat is even more magical.

Voyager Boat Rentals was nice enough to stay around after they closed to let us take it out at night.
I am not sure if this is the norm but we were happy with the service and he came right out at 6:30 to guide us in. http://voyagersrentals.com

We saw plenty of Duffys out on the night but weren’t sure if they were rented or private. If you can rent them, I would suggest giving it a try.

If you can’t get on the water to see Newport Harbor during the holidays, drive your car to the Pavilion on the Newport Peninsula and enjoy the boats and homes on foot.

You can stroll the boardwalk and view the bay-side homes.

On the water or off, you won’t be disappointed.

The Duffy Crew

Story and photos: Debbie Colwell

Parting Shots

Homes facing west get the sun shining in their windows at sunset.

19th Street has a public dock and bathrooms. To the south is the new lighthouse park and cafe.

Half way through our ride, a seagull came and visited

Staycations California Top Five

Solvang, Santa Barbara County
Solvang is a unique town with its Danish architecture around town and on buildings.   With a small population of about 5,000, most of the businesses are geared towards visitors who come to stroll the streets which are filled with unique shops, variety of restaurants or bakeries, or to enjoy the many festivals throughout the year. The festival in December is called the Julefest (Yule-fest) which features a Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, Live Nativity Pageant, Holiday Wine Walk and much more!

Besides Solvang itself, the countryside around the area is beautiful with its rolling hills and countryside appeal. www.solvangusa.com

Alamitos Bay and Naples Canals, Los Angeles County

This is one of my favorite places whether it is at the holidays or the middle of summer. Located near Long Beach, Alamitos Bay is filled with  a lot of nooks and crannies to take your kayak, SUP, or boat. For Christmas, they light dozens of Christmas tree barges and place them in the middle of one of the main channels. Nearby sits the Naples Canals where you can walk along the sidewalk right at waters edge. The houses along the canals are nicely decorated for the holidays and gondola rides can be booked to give you a view from the water.

www.naplesca.com

Venice Canals, Los Angeles County

This is the same thing as Naples with home viewing accessible along the walkway that stretches throughout the multiple canals.   Bridges cross over to each side so you can enjoy all the homes along the way. Just like Naples, every once in awhile you will hear the sweets sounds of a gondolier singing to his passengers.

A fun and easy excursion for your Christmas light viewing, although it can get crowded on the weekends.

www.venicebeachwalkingtours.com

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Newport Beach Boat Parade, Orange County

This boat parade is the best in the west in my opinion. Boats of every size and shape parade around the bay with some of the most elaborate decorations you will see. Last year’s highlight featured a huge dragon perched at the bow of the boat with fire exploding from its mouth. Not sure where the holidays fit in with that one but it was awesome anyway. Before the parade, take the ferry across to Balboa Island and enjoy the beautifully decorated homes and docks. On weekends you will hear carolers, bands, and hot chocolate and cookies are served along the way.

If this doesn’t get you in the spirit, nothing will.

Home (2023)

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego County

Where else can you watch the sun setting on the ocean while gliding across ice?   The answer is at Hotel Del Coronado’s holiday ice rink. The rink is situated only steps from the sand and the hotel grounds are full of holiday spirit and decorations.

http://hoteldel.com/activities/coronado-events/

Everyone loves a festival!!! Here is a link to a few that we have found coming up in December 2015.

http://www.seecalifornia.com/festivals/monthly-december-festivals.html

This is Why we Pay the Big Bucks
As parts of the country were experiencing their first snow storms of the season, we were walking on the Oceanside Pier in shorts and t-shirts on a warm November day.   This was indeed why we pay the big bucks to live in California.

Walking the pier gives you a great perspective of the coast in both directions. However, what got our attention this day was the ocean and in particular how crystal clear it was. It was a lighter shade of blue unlike anything I have seen in this area. I have traveled to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Brazil, the Cayman Islands, Florida, etc. and nothing can compare to the clarity and turquoise tint of the water in those areas but, for California, this was the prettiest I have seen it in a long time.

Because of the clarity, you could see the old pilings of a previous pier, something I have never seen or maybe not have noticed. Far below, we saw a couple of sting rays or sand sharks scurrying along the bottom.   An offshore breeze gently feathered the tips of the waves making the conditions perfect for surfing. However,   the waves were too small for the normal crowd of surfers who were probably home watching football. Except for a few brave souls, the 64 degree water was mostly empty of riders.

The pilings from a prior pier

The water was crystal clear

There is a lone pelican named Charlie that sits on the wood railing by the bait shop. He is the star of the pier with visitors jockeying to take photos and paying to feed him anchovies.   On this Sunday afternoon, he was joined by 3 new friends that were relaxing and enjoying the day, like we were. Charlie finally got up, stretched, and soon eyeballed an Abba Zaba candy bar that my friend just bought.   He started sneaking up behind her while she was looking the other way and only a warning from me kept him from claiming his prize. It probably wasn’t good for him anyway.   The hefty bird would soon be getting left-over bait and anchovies. Plus there were tons of little fish in the water that we could see clearly, way better than an Abba Zaba.

Later, as the sun disappeared on the horizon, the vibrant orange sky stayed bright for at least a half an hour more. Catalina Island could be seen to the north and a weird cloud illusion gave it the look of a plateau in Utah.

All of this eye candy was another reason we pay to live in beautiful California.

As the sun was long gone and on its way to brightening the day in another part of the world, the air was turning cold for us.   It was time to put the parka on, just joking; it was time to put the sweatshirt on.

Unfortunately, in winter the temperatures drop quite substantially in the evening. We babies in California don’t like to be cold, well at least I don’t.

Later on, as I sit down and write the rent and utility bills, I will remember that warm Sunday in November and be grateful that I live here. The digits I am writing on the checks won’t seem as bad knowing that on any given day I can stroll the pier eating Abba Zabas, feed friendly pelicans, watch an amazing sunset, and only ever have to wear a sweatshirt to stay warm.

Well, actually with El Nino on its way, I may have to pull out the parka…but only for a little while.