There's still time to enjoy Santa's Kingdom at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and then hop on a train to view the thousands of lights that festoon the Victorian homes in this seaside community.
The hourlong rides offer opportunities to sing Christmas carols, sip hot-spiced cider, listen to musical entertainment and enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets include one activity at the boardwalk: holiday miniature golf, laser tag or arcade games.
Roaring Camp Railroads Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train departs from in front of Neptune's Kingdom on the boardwalk at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. daily until Friday. Tickets are $26 for ages 13 and older and $18 for ages 2 to 12. Reservations are recommended and may be made at www.roaringcamp.com.
Paddle along with Santa
Holiday festivities continue through Saturday on the Tahoe Queen Paddlewheeler, which leaves at noon for daily cruises to Emerald Bay.
The trips, which last two and a half hours, offer loads of scenery along with a history of the Emerald Bay area. Santa is expected to appear Saturday to hear Christmas wish lists and pose for photos.
The Tahoe Queen departs from Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe. Visitors are asked to check in 30 minutes prior to departure time to receive boarding passes. Tickets are $39 for adults and $15 for children. To learn more, go to www.zephyrcove.com.
Lights display in Minden
Anyone who would rather enjoy holiday decorations from the comfort of a heated automobile may visit Candy Cane Lane, an outdoor drive-through display at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden, Nev., about 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.
Music, images and thousands of lights highlight the free display, which is open at dusk every evening through Dec. 31.
Area visitors also may wish to view the nearby town of Gardnerville's light display at Heritage Park and the seasonal illumination of the gazebo in Minden Park along Esmeralda Street in Minden.
For more information, visit www.carsonvalleyinn.com.
A Kwanzaa celebration
Celebrate Kwanzaa from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge at Fort Baker in Sausalito.
The event will feature a celebration of African American culture through hands-on art activities and performances.
E.W. Wainwright and The African Roots of Jazz will perform at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Discovery Theater. Anyone wishing to see the concert should obtain a free ticket upon arrival. Tickets are limited and only ticket-holders will be allowed in the theater.
The museum is dedicated to developing childhood creativity and nurturing future generations of creative thinkers. For more, go to www.baykidsmuseum.org.
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Travelogue lists travel talks and events, as well as organized day trips with nominal costs up to $100. Send information to travel@sacbee.com. Priority will be given to events free to the public.
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