Discover Twelve Days of Free Christmas in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 29, 2006

'Tis the season to spend and splurge in Los Angeles and Orange County, but what if you haven't got a ha-penny for little luxuries like holiday entertainment?

Unwrap a year of free fun things to do when you open the pages of two unique travel guides, "Free L.A. The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels" and "Free Orange County: The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the California Riviera." Both edited by Free and Frugal Fun Expert, Troy Corley.

Put the $12.95 guides to hundreds of free L.A. and O.C. museums, festivals, gardens, concerts and films on your wish list. Or tuck them into someone else's stocking.

Since this is the season of giving, CorleyGuide, the publisher of Free Fun Guides(TM) (http://www.freefunguides.com), is giving away Twelve Days of Free Christmas in L.A. and O.C.:

Cruise the mile-long DWP Light Festival illuminating Griffith Park's Crystal Springs Drive 'til New Year's Eve. Hundreds of thousands of lights create 23 sparkling displays including the L.A. Skyline and the Hollywood sign. http://www.dwplightfestival.com.

Journey to L.A.'s historic plaza on Olvera Street for Las Posadas, a Mexican re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's biblical trek to Bethlehem. The 45-minute candlelight procession begins at 7:30 pm., Dec. 16 - 24. Look for free pan dulce and hot punch from plaza merchants. Free entertainment with pinata breaking for kids at 6:30 pm. http://www.olvera-street.com.

Dash through the surf to the 98th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Dec. 13 - Dec. 17. Named a top 10 U.S. holiday experience by the NY Times, the fourteen-mile lighted procession of elaborately decorated multi-million-dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other vessels sets the harbor ablaze 6:30 pm. to 8:30 pm. or 9 pm. http://www.christmasboatparade.com.    

Experience a 19th century Mexican and American Christmas when Rancho Los Cerritos, the oldest adobe in Long Beach, is decorated with vintage Christmas ornaments for the free holiday Open House Dec. 10, 1 pm. to 4 pm. California frontier crafts, pinata breaking and Santa visits for kids; free refreshments for all. http://www.rancholoscerritos.org

Bring an unwrapped toy and make history when you join the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade in becoming America's largest Toys for Tots moving collection site Dec. 9. U.S. Marines will march the perimeter of the one-mile Crown Valley parade route and reach out to the crowd for donated gifts. http://www.lagunaniguelparade.com

Board the Queen Mary for free on Dec. 6 and snack on complimentary holiday treats during the annual Christmas tree lighting on the luxury liner's Sun Deck Stage. Boarding starts at 4:30 pm.; tree lighting ceremonies 6:30 pm. to 7:30 pm. Parking reduced with validation; bring canned goods for Long Beach Food Bank. http://www.queenmary.com

Set sail Dec. 8 - 9 for Marina del Rey's Holiday Boat Parade where a flotilla festooned with thousands of lights cruises the main channel. Preview parade Friday 7 pm. to 9 pm.; main parade Saturday 6 pm. to 8 pm., with five minutes of fireworks preceding. Best viewing spots are Burton Chace Park and Fisherman's Village on Fiji Way. http://www.mdrboatparade.org

Pull on some mittens and plunge into 30 tons of snow when downtown L.A.'s Pershing Square becomes a winter wonderland Dec. 8 - 10. The Winter Holiday Festival features Christmas crafts, photos with a popular penguin and musical entertainment. http://www.laparks.com

Combine history with holiday magic as you drive down Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane, a street lined with the tallest Christmas trees this side of the North Pole. The 135 towering deodars were seedlings in 1885 and volunteers have been decorating the trees with 10,000 colorful bulbs since 1920, making it SoCal's oldest large-scale Christmas lighting exhibition. http://www.pasadenacal.com

Become part of a snow scene when you walk through a 20-foot tall multi-sensory snow globe that graces the Beverly Center's Grand Court and features "Happy Feet" movie penguins. It's a magical experience with 300 tons of swirling snow. http://www.beverlycenter.com

Relive a Southern California Christmas from the 1840s, 1870s and 1920s at the City of Industry's historic Homestead Museum Dec. 10, 1 pm. to 5 pm. Visit with living history characters during free tours, listen to a strolling Victorian brass ensemble, make old-fashioned Christmas ornaments and join in with Christmas carolers. http://www.homesteadmuseum.org

'Twas the night before Christmas and savvy Angelenos were found at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in leaps and bounds. A free six-hour musical performance marathon sponsored by the L.A. County Arts Commission features choirs, gospel singers and dance troupes who perform everything from traditional carols to ethnic drama. http://www.lacountyarts.org

Free L.A. (288 pages; $12.95; ISBN 0970624212) and Free Orange County (288 pages; $12.95; ISBN 0970624220) are available at AAA Southern California Auto Club, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Vroman's, Dutton's, Book Soup and other SoCal bookstores.

This press release may be reprinted in whole or in part as long as credit is given as "From Free L.A. The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels and Free Orange County: The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the California Riviera, copyright 2004-2006 CorleyGuide."

Note to Editors: Review copies and high-res photos available. Content available for syndication.

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