SeeCalifornia.com

If you’re looking for nice weather, Christmas in Southern California is generally the time to find it. On Dec. 23, 2014, we headed for Knott’s Berry Farm and watched the temperature gauge rise as we left the Orange County coast for our destination 14 miles inland. It was 85 degrees in Buena Park as we stripped off our jackets to enjoy the famous, shirt-sleeves weather influencing tourists to move to our state.

First Christmas in Sunny California:

• You’ll see the traditional Christmas snow scenes and decor replaced with Surfin’ Santa, sand and palm trees strewn with lights.
• You’ll be amazed when you see Californians truck in snow for kids to play with. Many children have never seen it.
• You’ll pinch yourself in disbelief that the nice weather is real.
• You’ll be amused to see locals wearing woolen mittens, scarves, stocking caps, jackets, and fur-lined boots.
• You’ll discover that Californians have no idea what you’re talking about when you mention wind chill factor.
• You’ll learn that on Christmas Day many parents take their kids to the beach to play with toys and wear off energy.
• You’ll find that restaurants can be busier than department stores in days leading up to Christmas. Many simply turn away business!
• You’ll call your relatives you left behind in colder climes and brag about the weather.
• You’ll thank your lucky stars that such a place exists and wonder why it took so long to move to California.