SAVE THE DATE / SOMETHING YOU WON’T SEE IN ARIZONA

TIS THE SEASON—No knock on our favorite desert oasis, but you won’t see any time soon a Christmas Boat Parade of Lights floating down Yuma’s West 24^th Street or Scottsdale’s East Shea Blvd.

But if you Zonies bundle down and head West until you run into the beach, you’ll be in time to view San Diego’s annual Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights visable FREE along Mission Bay and its surrounding beaches.  Plus, you can wiggle your bare toes in the sand.

The parade is Saturday night from 6 pm to 9 pm. 

Details: http://www.mbyc.org/

This free, distinctly California celebration features boats decorated for the annual holiday season that will sail around Mission Bay. A highly anticipated event in the San Diego community, dozens of vessels take to the water for the parade.

The boat parade begins at 6 pm from Quivira Basin. Best viewing is from Crown Point, the east side of Vacation Island or the west side of Fiesta Island.

See more at: http://www.sandiego.org/events/parades/christmas-boat-parade-of-lights-mission-bay.aspx#sthash.F4M6oeIc.dpuf

One cool place to watch the Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights is on Vacation Isle, a manmade island in the middle of San Diego's Mission Bay.  Paradise Point Resort, occupies the lower half of the island (as seen in photo above), but toward the top of the picture east of the bridges is public parkland and a great place to view the parade from shore.  Free parking. Free parade.  

TRAVEL TIP: If you want to make a night of it, catch an early dinner at Tidal Restaurant or any of the eateries at Paradise Point Hotel and you’ll already be on Vacation Isle, a locale that’s perfect for watching the more than 100 holiday festooned vessels in the annual boat parade.

Paradise Point, A Destination Hotel, is a AAA Four-Diamond 462-room bungalow-style resort set on Mission Bay in the heart of San Diego. Established in 1962, this 44-acre island getaway features over one-mile of beach encircling the resort, five swimming pools, tranquil lagoons, and lush tropical gardens. Among the resort’s various amenities are a luxurious island-themed spa, an 18-hole putting golf course, private marina, beach bonfire pits, and five dining venues including two waterfront restaurants. Secluded yet centrally located, Paradise Point is next door to SeaWorld and just minutes from the airport, downtown San Diego, and top attractions like Old Town, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. For more information, visit www.paradisepoint.com.