Big Bear

Big Bear Mountain Opens for Ski Season

Last winter, the pandemic limited daily capacity because of social distancing. This winter, changes have been made to keep lift areas from getting too congested.

Big Bear Ski Resorts opened for business Friday, marking the beginning of ski season, but there are some changes.

Night temperatures finally got cold enough to turn on the snow-making machines.

Skiers and snowboarders say even if the snow isn't natural, it's good enough.

"We were so pumped. We were talking about it on the drive up. We woke up at 5 a.m. from Los Angeles and got up right in time for lessons. It's been awesome. It's perfect weather," LA resident Liisa Jackson said.

As of Friday, seven runs and four chair lifts were open.

"We do want to advise people that we have limited runs, meaning be careful when you are out there on the slopes. It might be a little more congested than it would be when we get more terrain open," Justin Kanton of Bear Mountain Resorts said.

Last winter, the pandemic limited daily capacity because of social distancing.

This winter, changes have been made to keep lift areas from getting too congested.
Skiers are given a ticket card that beeps them through a gate.

"You don't have to stop and scan your badge. You literally just put it in your pocket and it's a lot faster as well. The line was a lot quicker," San Diego resident Kimberly Villegas said.

Nearby businesses are also reaping the financial rewards of opening day, including the Copper Q coffee shop.

"It means that definitely for the next few months while they're open we are going to have plenty of business to keep us going," manager Loralye Burger said.

Burger says the pandemic and drought have taken a tough toll on small businesses in the area.

"You know we did lose a couple of restaurants in the village due to Covid so it's good to see people coming back up and having a good time again," she said.

South Coast Botanic Garden
A wonderland of lovely, incandescent trees, shrubs, and walkways? Find the glow at "GLOW" at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula.
THE BLOC
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Night of Lights OC
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Tanaka Farms
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Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging
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Holiday Road
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Knott's Merry Farm
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Alysia Gray Painter
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Ariel Skelley
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Universal Studios Hollywood
Hogwarts will be lit with lovely lights aplenty at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" while "Grinchmas" will summon the grins at Universal Studios Hollywood. Treats, decorations, and, oh yes, that magical chorus of singing frogs will all be back, as well as hot Butterbeer. (Universal Studios and NBC-owned TV stations operate under the same parent company NBCUniversal.)
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
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David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort
The eats and treats of the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure? They pay tasty tribute to traditions from around the world. Picture-perfect desserts, hearty potato dishes, zesty cocktails, and other appetizing offerings are available at the pop-up booths dotting the Anaheim theme park.
Dodgers Holiday Festival
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The Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey
Is there a certain impish elf who becomes an important part of your family each December? Then best get to the Fairplex in Pomona, where a stroll-through spectacular featuring all sorts of fanciful figures and scenes is now charming kids and grown-ups. "The Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey" will frolic on through Jan. 2, 2022, and those advance tickets? They're a merry must.
Shutterstock/sakchai vongsasiripat/Alysia Gray Painter
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The Citadel
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Irvine Park Railroad
It's one of the most popular attractions in all the land: Irvine Park Railroad's festive Christmas Train. Tickets? Oh goodness: They sold out faster than a reindeer flies.
Underwood Family Farms
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Jamie Pham
LA Zoo Lights brings an after-dark dazzle to the animal park throughout the 2021 holidays. The ever-popular Twinkle Tunnel, beautiful animal sculptures that glow, treats and warm drinks, and disco balls to add zing are some of the sights visitors will see through Jan. 9, 2022.
SkyPark at Santa's Village
Mrs. Claus, Santa, and Arrow, too: The Christmassy characters people adore are now at home at SkyPark at Santa's Village. Look for cookie decorating sessions, chances to ice skate, Tea with Mrs. Claus, and Breakfast with Santa at the Lake Arrowhead-close attraction, which can trace is ho-ho-story back to the 1950s.
David Nguyen/Disneyland Resor
Peppermint-y goodies, cinnamon churros, the Christmas Fantasy Parade, the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and characters in yuletide garb... the holidays are in full and happy flourish at Disneyland Resort.

Even if the drive is a long one, people on the slopes say it's worth every mile.

"Like once you get up here you remember how much fun it is and you are stoked to be here," Jackson said.

If you are planning to come up, the resorts are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends.

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