'Eye on L.A.': Celebrating the holidays across SoCal
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Eye on L.A. loves getting into the holiday spirit! There are so many festive things to do, see, buy and eat in L.A.! We traveled across Southern California to find some of this season's best. We stopped by the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside to experience its old-world holiday charm and had some family fun at the Queen Mary. From our family to yours, happy holidays!
Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit like lights, lights and more lights! We visited some local favorites, guaranteed to make you feel festive!
Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has been a southern California holiday tradition for 22 years. This historic old mission in Riverside boasts over 400 animatronic characters and 4 million dazzling holiday lights. And their hot chocolate is no joke! A must see for the whole family.
L.A. Zoo Lights
For the first time in its history, the L.A. Zoo has been transformed into a winter wonderland light show. With animal escapades rendered in LED lights, lasers, and 3D projections!
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA
Olaf's Rink
Located in Downtown Disney, this lovable snowman from Disney's Blockbuster "Frozen" has his own ice rink with some "cool" holiday gifts for you to pick up this holiday season.
(Between AMC Downtown Disney 12 Theatres and ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney District)
Anaheim, CA 92802
https://disneyland.disney.go.com
The Grove
Come take your Christmas card photo with Santa in front of LA's largest Christmas tree and enjoy live holiday performances while grabbing a bite or shopping all season long at The Grove.
Whether looking for some family fun, or a night out with the one you love, we found a few cool spots to "chill" this holiday season!
Watch the video: Cool spots to 'chill' this holiday season
Chill at the Queen Mary
One of the largest holiday themed attractions on the West Coast, "Chill" at the Queen Mary has holiday fun for the whole family. From Ginnie's Gingerbread House to tubing on a six lane glacier slide, ice skating in front of the impressive Queen Mary and an Ice Kingdom filled with incredible ice sculptures. Dress warmly, it's quite chilly!
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
Vitello's
Tucked away in Studio City is Vitellos where you can find some of the best live jazz in town! Upstairs at Vitello's is featuring cool holiday themed jazz, swing and big band music all season long.
Loosen your belt a notch, cause the holidays are chock full of yummy, festive food! We discovered a Pasadena eatery cooking up a twist on a traditional Christmas Eve meal, and a cake so good, it will have all your friends buzzing! Literally!
Watch the video: Best places to eat this holiday season
Union Restaurant/Feast of the 7 Fishes
Check out this Italian holiday tradition at Union Restaurant in Pasadena as they celebrate, "Feast of the Seven Fishes". This Christmas Eve tradition will have your month watering for seven courses of squid, octopus, and branzino. Be sure to make your Christmas Eve reservation, space is limited!
37 E. Union Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-5841
Cake Buzz
What's your drink? He'll cake it for you! Sean Allen, the Cake Bartender, has dessert experts all abuzz with his liqueur filled cakes called, "Cake Buzz". With up to one cup of liqueur in the batter AND in the frosting, these cakes will be the talk of your holiday party! Custom order the cake of your choice with one week's notice, we guarantee you won't be sorry! (Must be 21 or older!)
4051 Inglewood Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 871-1049
So many people on your shopping list! What to do? Eye on L.A. found some of the coolest gifts and gadgets sure to please the special people on your list! From the ultimate family gift, to unique L.A. inspired presents, and a secret shopping spot to find one of a kind treasures that won't break the bank!
Watch the video: Best places to buy unique gifts
LA Phil Store
Located inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA, the LA Phil Store has all the holiday gifts you could want for the music lover on your list, from handbags to unique jewelry items made in L.A.
131 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 972-3440
MOCA Store
Just across the street, at the Museum of Contemporary Art you'll find unique and artistic gifts from well-known local artists to cool, pop art items from their current exhibition, Andy Warhol's "Shadows."
250 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 621-1710
http://mocastore.myshopify.com
Goodwill
Our favorite spot to nab one of a kind antiques, collectibles, books, electronics and evening vintage clothing! The treasure hunt makes your holiday shopping even more fun!
Giant RV
Give the gift the whole family will enjoy at GiantRV. They have the latest models of super cool toy haulers, fifth wheels, and travel trailers. Whether you're the adventurous family or all about the "glamping," Frankie at Giant RV will hook you up with the gift that keeps on giving!
Game Golf
For the golf lovers on your gift list, check out Game Golf. A high tech way to improve your game! Game Golf analyzes every stroke you take and automatically captures your golf game, your statistics and your trends. You can even compare your game with friends.
Silk'n
Silk'n is a leader in the field of home esthetic devices. Get spa-like results in the privacy of your own home, for a fraction of the cost! Skip the thousands of dollars for laser hair removal at a medi-spa and pick up Silk'N's Flash n' Go for easy, painless hair removal. The perfect gift for ladies and guys who want smooth, hairless skin!
Singtrix
Transform your holiday party into a Karaoke party with Sing-Trix! Created by the maker of Guitar Hero, Sing-Trix auto-tunes your voice, lets you choose from over 200 effects, and you can also hook your phone or computer to it and it will reduce the vocals on any song in your library so you can sing to it! Eye on L.A. host, Tina Malave's pick for most fun holiday gift this season!
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