I’m using my road trip planner to take me to where the road ends where the boats begin. Floating light parades are a treasured Christmas tradition along the West Coast, especially in Southern California. Other states may claim their White Winter Wonderland, but California, seemingly bathed in perpetual sunshine, has to create a different kind of Winter Wonder. Here, reflections bounce off the water instead of the snow-covered slopes. Yet Christmas cheer and twinkling lights are familiar everywhere. So hop aboard a decorated boat or line up along the boardwalk and join in the merriment.

One of the most enjoyable ways to enjoy the parade is to watch the boats glide past your restaurant window as you dine in warmth and comfort. Most beachfront restaurants take reservations months in advance (add the reservation number to your road trip planner and print the itinerary and keep a copy in the car). For those laden with blankets and chairs, the goal is to park as close to the boardwalk as possible and mark a spot early. Traffic increases significantly as parade time approaches, so sometimes the best option is to “park and walk”, especially if you are taking a road trip that takes more than four hours from home and you are away. familiar with the side -streets.

* DANA POINT – BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS – Dana Point is a charming port town. Clean and quaint, there are a number of nice beachfront restaurants to enjoy before strolling down to the harbor to see the flotilla of lights. DATES: December 5-6 & 12-13, 7:30 pm FAMILY BONUS: Enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Jolly Roger restaurant on December 13th.

* LONG BEACH PARADE OF 1000 LIGHTS at Downtown Shoreline Marina. Some of the best views can be found along the Shoreline Village boardwalk. Most of the parking in and around this area will be paid. DATES: December 13, 2008, 7 pm ADDITIONAL TIP: Make Long Beach the center of your road trip planning because there are many other freshwater themed activities you can enjoy, like getting on board the Queen Mary or visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific.

* AFLOAT HOLIDAY PARADE THROUGH THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES – This parade shows ships as they navigate the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles. You can view the ships from various locations such as the Banning Landing Community Center or the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Ship on Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. Another popular viewing spot is at Ports O’Call Village at 1100 Nagoya Way in San Pedro, as well as Cabrillo Marina at 200 Whaler’s Walk, also in San Pedro. DATES: December 6, 2008, 6-7: 30 pm ADDITIONAL TIP: Consider staying at the Hilton Port of Los Angeles / San Pedro because it is only a ΒΌ mile walk from the hotel to Cabrillo Marina.

* MARINA DEL REY BOAT PARADE – Nearby Fisherman’s Village is an excellent viewing spot for this parade. Include fireworks and boat evaluation. Click here to see last year’s winners. DATES: December 13. * NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE – This annual Christmas event is one to definitely add to your road trip planner. Join nearly a million other spectators as you watch the beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail through Newport Harbor. People from as far away as Arizona and San Francisco have been known to make the trip to participate in this Christmas custom. Viewing is free, as long as you can find a point of view. DATES: December 17 – December 21, 2008, celebrating its centenary! The parade begins on Bay Island at 6:30 pm and ends at the same location at approximately 9:00 pm each night. The fireworks will begin at 6:25 pm from the Balboa Pier just before the start of the parade at 6:30 pm

Your road trip planner and car may be the “king of the road” until you hit the boardwalk, but once there, the “ladies” reign supreme, so sit back and enjoy the glide.