When I moved to LA decades ago, I thought that Christmas was going to suck because of the lack of ambiance, warm weather, etc. I was working at a big restaurant on the beach, (Gladstone's for locals), and volunteered to work on x-mas day because I could not afford to go home, I had only moved a couple of months prior.
Boy, was I wrong. Christmas is different in SoCal but it's far from dreary. All of the hot waitresses had little Santa outfits on and they were piping Christmas music on the PA, including of course The Beach Boys and Chuck Berry, etc... People were happy and I was too, that is what Christmas is really about...giving and being with family or whoever is around.
I might head home to MN this year to spend it with my many cousins and sister+ her family but I have had a lot of good ones here. It's really about the holiday parties and mirth, plus they really go nuts with decorations everywhere. Beverly Hills does the best with their streets, I'll try to get some photos today or tomorrow.
Also on the same street as the carolers, the local pet supply store has an annual dog party with weird animal Santas and real snow. Here is that one from this morning:
