1. Start a family tradition: The Mission Inn’s Holiday Lighting ceremony in downtown Riverside

At sunset on November 28^th, the Mission Inn Hotel will launch their annual Festival of Lights. In its 16^th year, for many families it is a tradition to start their holiday festivities by attending the annual lighting of the hotel’s holiday lights and decorations. Last year, the Mission Inn’s festival was featured on Good Morning America.

Plan ahead to take time to stroll the quaint shops, with all their holiday displays ablaze with the spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life. Last year, the restaurants were full and it was standing room only, with everyone waiting for the dignitaries to flip the switch. Downtown Riverside will have an outdoor ice skating rink open every day of the week for the duration of the Festival of Lights, from November 28^th through January 4^th.

2. Spend the weekend in the mountains at a bed and breakfast or cabin rental

Need a long weekend to recoup? Consider booking a room at a bed and breakfast in the San Bernardino Mountains. If you prefer greater privacy, cabin rentals are available for rent as well. Imagine getting back to a simpler time…no phones, no email. Take an afternoon walk to the lake, then later have an after-dinner drink while watching your golden retriever regain his energy by a roaring fire in the floor to ceiling fireplace. Wake up to the sounds of birds in the fir trees and watch them frolic with the squirrels as you sip your coffee on the deck.  What better way  to reenergize?

Don’t forget to collect fall leaves to take home and press between wax paper with the kids for Thanksgiving decorations.

3. Play hooky from work and take the family for a day in the snow at Running Springs’  Snow Valley

Closer for some than other area ski lifts, Snow Valley is the San Bernardino Mountains’ hidden gem. “Snow Valley takes half the time to get to than Big Bear and is less crowded,” said snowboarder  Erin Dibble of Glendale, “ And, best of all the season passes are close to half the cost.”

Snow Valley offers skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and a designated area just for playing in the snow or sledding. The rental shop offers skiing and snowboarding equipment for rent; lessons are also available at the Snow Valley resort.

4. See a national symbol, the bald eagle, in the wilds of our own back yard

Did you know that bald eagles winter in our San Bernardino Mountains? If you don’t have the money to get back to nature in the great northwest, just take a day trip to Big Bear. The eagles start arriving in the San Bernardino Mountains in early November and winter until early April.

Every year, the U.S. Forest Service organizes monthly winter eagle counts during December through March. Consider contacting them and helping with the count. It’s a great learning opportunity for children to respect nature and catch a glimpse of our national symbol.

5. Partake in small-town holiday shopping fun

The Village of Claremont will hold its annual tree-lighting ceremony December 5^that 6pm with Santa as the guest of honor.  Wear your walking shoes, the decorated shops will be hard to ignore. After the ceremony, consider making dinner reservations at one of the great restaurants, such as the Harvard Square Café (909-621-7763) or getting tickets for “The Wonderful World of Christmas: Home for the Holidays,” playing at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre.

By Deanne Hollis-DeGrandpre, IEunderground.com