They are postcard-worthy scenes by the sea and on the sand, oh-so-very-California ways to kick off the holiday season by the coast.
Piers light up the night, their reflection glistening off the ocean for a picturesque scene. Christmas trees adorn with decorations are set out on the sand, waiting for the perfect photo op with the sun dipping into the water as the backdrop.
The first of several beachside celebrations happened this week in San Clemente with a pier lighting ceremony – with bright bulbs now lining the entire wooden pier, as well as draping the lifeguard building and Fisherman’s restaurant.
PierPride, a nonprofit that raises money for pier upgrades, auctioned off the official flip of the switch last month during a big fundraising event. Sparky Langley, founder of Rainbow Sandals, bid $2,500 for the honors, but gifted it to Shelly Kindred, manager of the San Clemente Journal, and Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching manager Donna Kalez, whose father Don launched his fishing charter business from the pier in the ’60s.
“My dad would be so stoked,” Kalez said of the wooden pier shining bright. “Now, it’s the new iconic photo that everybody is going to want for Christmas.”
While the city has had smaller, temporary lights decorating the pier in the past, these ones are permanent and will each year be switch on for the holiday season, said Eileen Kawas, president of PierPride, which this year raised $200,000 for various pier improvements.
Already, a decorated tree at the end of the pier added a few years ago has become a popular place for family photos. The city will host “Sunset with Santa” photo ops, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 12 and again on Dec. 18 and 19.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley attended the pier lighting ceremony, calling the event a new moment in the pier’s history.
“The pier is an iconic landmark here in Orange County and now we get to see it all lit up for the holidays. What a great occasion,” Foley said. “I think it will be really fun as all the tourists come in, it makes everything feel much more festive.”
San Clemente isn’t the only pier shining bright for the holidays.
In Huntington Beach, the annual “Light a Light of Love” pier lighting ceremony is Dec. 3. The celebration benefits the Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, an emergency crisis and intervention program for abused, homeless and struggling children that is focused on family reunification.
There are 80 snowflakes that light up the pier, with each donated by the local community as a fundraiser.
The festive vibes go beyond the piers, with several holiday celebrations on the sand and on the sea.
The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort will host its 33rd annual “Lighting of the Bay” and this year an added Fire & Ice Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24.
The Newport Dunes has 50 lit up, floating Christmas trees and holiday decorations on the bay and a new Fire & Ice Festival, with fire dancing and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, will happen through New Year’s Day.
This year, the Newport Dunes also has a 4,000-square-foot waterfront ice rink just steps from the bay.
Another popular beachfront holiday kick-off party happens at Crystal Cove, where a tree lighting ceremony will be Dec. 2.
The Crystal Cove Conservancy hosts the tree lighting and holiday bizarre in the historic district, where restored cottages from the ’30s, decked out with holiday décor, take visitors back in time.
Santa Claus will be on hand for beachside photo ops and cookies and cocoa courtesy of The Beachcomber will be given out. There will also be an area to do holiday crafts through the day, with the tree lighting happening at sunset.
