Our OUT IN THE OC series continues with a special holiday edition!

We LOVE the holiday season and we LOVE Southern California! What better place to spend a few days during the holiday to really get into the spirit and festive feel!

DISNEYLAND takes on a special look at Christmas, they go ALL OUT - with the seasonal decorations adding to its already considerable charm.

Christmas decorations appear everywhere in Disneyland, but they're the best in Toontown and New Orleans Square. Town Square at the end of Main Street boasts a 60-foot Christmas tree covered with thousands of lights and ornaments.

300,000 lights adorn Small World, there are live reindeer at Big Thunder Ranch and the Haunted Mansion is even all decked out!  From November 21, 2008 through January 4, 2009, the Disneyland resort in Southern California transforms into a Christmas Wonderland with special Parades, Shows and Entertainment that are sure to make this a memorable holiday season for  everyone who comes to visit!

It really must be seen, to be believed! One of this season's highlights is 'Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle' and the three part show which takes place each day.

This park icon is covered in freshly fallen 'snow.' The sparkling towers and turrets are a great backdrop for photos during the day and at night, the Disney magic begins. Twilight brings the start of 'When you Wish'. You'll hear the wind blowing and hear a little child wishing for snow. The mother responds with 'in order for your wishes to come true, you must believe.' With that, snow flurries fill the air and the castle begins to glisten.

Later in the evening is the "Believe...in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular." As the child again wishes for snow, magic and icicles, the snow falls again and Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes more illuminated. The grand finale follows the "When you Believe" fireworks. As 'White Christmas' is performed, icicles appear on the castle as snow falls on Main Street, New Orlean's Square, small world mall and the snow on the castle becomes a jewel like display.  Sensory stimuli  and truly beautiful! Only at Disney!

Anaheim offers probably the greatest array of shop-till-you-drop stores!  Anything and everything you could possibly want or desire can be found in Anaheim!   The SOUTH COAST PLAZA  is one of California's shining landmarks. It's the most distinguished retail address on the entire West Coast. It's like Rodeo Drive  times TEN. SEVERAL HUNDRED high end stores, it's a mix of museum art, world-class theatre, trendy shops and distinctive dining - all of which has beguiled kings and queens, world leaders, and of course, Hollywood's celebrities. Gucci, Versace, Fendi, Cavalli, Pucci, Dior, Valentino, Tiffany, Hermes, Chanel - it's all here!

4 concierge locations throughout the building to help you with just about everything - custom gift wrapping, Valet, money exchange, foreign language assistance and more. And during the holiday season there will be lots of events and promotions going on like  Early Bird Discounts starting Black Friday, November 28th, after Thanksgiving Sales, Gift with Purchase thru the holiday season, David Yurman special launch, Molton Brown event, Givenchy and Marc Jacobs parties, and so much more. Visit the site and look at EVENTS!

128 acres of shopping not enough and still can't find that perfect gift for me? Just across the street from Disneyland is the brand new  Anaheim Garden Walk.   It is an oasis of outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of Orange County. Discover an abundance of retail stores, fine dining restaurants, an upscale bowling lounge and state-of-the-art movie theaters, in a truly unique environment of scenic waterfalls and luxuriously manicured gardens. It's the OC's newest  hot spot for fashion, food and fun! -  50 stores and restaurants open now and more coming soon.

Anaheim provides the highest concentration of shopping of anywhere in the country - and probably even the world.  LEGENDARY describes The LAB, O.C.’s renowned urban youth “anti-mall”, is a unique retail complex catering to the lifestyle demands of the trend-setting shopper.  Urban Outfitters anchors an eclectic array of unique and one of a kind shops such as Habit, Eye Five, Great Laundry, Carve, Blends, Arth, Black & Blue, Crew Salon, featuring clothing, hats, gifts, sunglasses, shoes, and housewares. Music, art shows and special events keep customers entertained in a relaxed indoor-outdoor environment. Dining spans health fare at Gypsy Den Café to Cuban cuisine at Habana to Zipangu, the late night sushi lounge. 

And just across the street is The CAMP offers an innovative shopping community catering to outdoor and action sport enthusiasts through authentic retailers such as A16/Patagonia, Cyclewerks, Active surf/skate/snow shop and more.  Also enjoy a variety of culinary delights at Native Foods vegan restaurant, Village Bakery and the centers’ newest restaurant Aire.  Get certified in a dive pool, buy authentic mountaineering gear, enjoy a cup of coffee with an organic treat, and stroll thru our Co-Op art gallery, all within an ecologically conscious environment.

Now I know out of all those choices we just gave you, you can surely find me that special little something!

Last but not least, no trip to Anaheim is complete unless you top it off with a special dinner at the famous Anaheim White House Restaurant!  Located in a beautiful  1909 home with eight different dining areas. The menu features fresh seafood and specialties influenced by proprietor Bruno Serato's frequent trips to his hometown of Verona, Italy.

The restaurant  has won many awards and is featured on several  "best of" lists!  Bruno delivers award-winning excellence and signature entrees. And his philosophy is simple: to treat each and every one of his patrons as a distinguished guests in his home.

PRESENTATION is everything here. The food is beautiful and picture perfect and each room is beautifully decorated. For nearly twenty years the Anaheim White House has been serving what Zagat Guide has called "excellent Northern Italian fare" with "superb service." 

Last year Bruno published the most unique cookbook of the year.  Temptation at The White House is Bruno's provocative interpretation of how food and sensuality go hand in hand. 

Never before released recipes were paired with photographs of his visually stunning food and equally stunning bare chested  male models, photographed by the distinguished Greg Gorman.

"With so many cookbooks on the market, I wanted to create something completely different," said Serato. "It has long been understood that there is a link between sensuality and food and it's that connection that I witness every day in my restaurant." - The book is sure to heat up more than just kitchens!

For a complete calendar of events, more information on where to go and what to see, maps and directions and a listing of Orange County hotels, please visit: