Home for the Holidays means a lot to many Families and Friends a time to enjoy each other.  There is so many things going on right know and coming up I thought we could give you a head start on some of the items.

Novmber 21 thru December 2009

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival – Reserve & New Release Tasting. Take in the beautiful San Diego Bay and enjoy the ocean breeze as you partake in the largest, most talked about wine and food festival in Southern California. This year you will enjoy 170 wine & spirit purveyors, 70 of San Diego’s top chefs, gourmet foods, “Chef of the Fest” competition, cookbook author signing tent, and live entertainment. Must be 21 years or older to attend. No infants admitted. Location: Embarcadero Marina Park North -Behind Seaport Village, San Diego, CA. Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Check prices & buy tickets

FALLBROOK - Holiday Art Faire – Join the wonderful holiday experience on the grounds of Pala Mesa Resort at an upscale local Artists and Artisans event that includes ceramics, pottery, sculptures, oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen & ink, fiber art, photography, digital art, jewelry, murals, hand painted ornaments. Aqua Terra Restaurant will be selling food and beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, within the Art Faire. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Cost is $10 for tickets in advance, $15at the door. Location: Pala Mesa Golf Resort, 2001 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook, CA 92028 – November 22, 2009

SAN BERNARDINO – Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Carolers, cookies, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa Claus transforms the National Orange Show Events Center’s scenic Lagoon into a glowing, enchanted wonderland with the annual lighting of a 70-foot holiday tree. Time: 5 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: National Orange Show Grounds, San Bernardino, CA. nationalorangeshow.com

CORONADO – Skating by The Sea. Three-hour skating sessions will be offered daily from 2 to 5 pm and 6 to 9 pm. A special matinee skating sessions from 11 am to 1 pm will occur on weekends and holidays. 3-hour session: Prices based on previous years, and may be different in 2009: $20/adults; $15/ages 10 years and under; 2-hour matinee session $15/adult; $10/ages 10 years and under. Skate rental is $5 per person. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA.  Call: 800 Hotel Del or  (619) 435-6611 November 26, 2009

OCEANSIDE – Oceanside Turkey Trot. Turkey Trot is a new event that includes Locals 5K, Open 5K, Kids 1 Mile Fun Run. Time: 7 a.m. Cost: Varies per race. Location: 330 N. Coast Highway (Corner of Coast Hwy and Mission), Oceanside, Ca 92054. Call: (760) 434-5255. Website: osideturkeytrot.com  November 26, 2009

COSTA MESA – Here Comes Santa. Every weekend through December 20, meet and get free photos with Santa Claus compliments of the Orange County Market Place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free holiday puppet shows presented by Mitchell Marionettes on Nov. 28 & 29 and Dec. 19 & 20. All events are free with swap meet admission, which is $2 and free for children 12 and under. In its 40th year, the Orange County Market Place is held every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a .m. to 4 p.m. at the O. C Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa and includes nearly 1,000 vendors selling an assortment of merchandise and services, a produce market, children’s play area, Artisans’ and Crafters’ Corner, hair salon and a variety of food concessions. Location: Orange County Market Place, 88 Fair Drive – Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Call 949-723-6660. ocmarketplace.com November 28, 2009

CRESTLINE – Christmas Tree Lighting.  Christmas carols, Santa Claus, hot cocoa & coffee & cookies,

and the countdown to lighting the giant tree across Lake Gregory.  Sometimes there’s even snow!

Time: 5 p.m. November 28, 2009

November 30, 2009

SAN DIEGO – Gingerbread City. A spectacular holiday gala for charity featuring celebrity chefs, complimentary champagnes and wines, holiday music, exciting auctions and the largest nationally recognized gingerbread structure competition on the West Coast showcasing creations by San Diego’s leading chefs, artists and designers.  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Ticket: $250. Location:

CARLSBAD – Holiday at the Rancho. Leo Carrillo Ranch transitions into a version of Whoville, taken over by the Grinch with a tree lighting ceremony, Grinch crafts, and a very special visit by Grinch himself. Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Location: Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying L.C. Lane, Carlsbad, CA. Call: (760) 602-7519. ci.carlsbad.ca.us. December 5, 2009

ENCINITAS - Encinitas Holiday Parade- Encinitas Holiday Parade festivities will kick off with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m. in the Lumberyard shopping center courtyard on Coast Highway 101. The Parade begins at 5:30, heading south along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. Additional information about this year’s Parade will be available late Summer. Mark this date on your calendar to bring family and friends to watch as nearly 100 entries make their way down the Parade route. Call (760) 633-2740 for general Parade information. ci.encinitas.ca.us December 5, 2009

SAN DIEGO – Blue Christmas Holiday Event. A special night of free entertainment throughout many fabulous Gaslamp locations with performances by blues, rock and R&B musicians and much more! The Gaslamp Quarter Association would like to thank the participating locations and entertainers. Time: 7 p.m. begins. Cost: Most events are free. Location: Dick’s Last Resort, 345 4th Ave. 7 pm. Croce’s Restaurant + Jazz Bar, 802 5th Ave., 8 pm to midnight. gaslamp.org  December 10, 2009

LA MESA - Christmas in the Village. December 11, 2009