Where to Make Merry

Santa Sightings

To spot Santa’s sleigh among the stars, finding an unobstructed view is essential. The beach has its benefits--no crowds at night and less light pollution. But for that looking-out-from-the-end-of-the world feeling, there’s the bluffs of Palos Verdes. Malaga Cove, off Paseo del Mar by Via Arroyo, might do nicely. To get a closer look, try the telescope at Griffith Observatory (Griffith Park, [323] 664-1191), which is still in use each clear night until 10 p.m. (On Jan. 7 it closes for three years’ worth of renovations.) Or, if you don’t have the tykes along, on a clear night you can see Santa and just about everything else within a 50-mile radius from Windows, the restaurant on the 32nd floor of the Transamerica building (1150 S. Olive St., downtown L.A.).

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A Holiday Theme

Disneyland (and California Adventure) becomes the merriest place on Earth this time of year, with holiday fireworks and special parades through the first week of January. Knott’s Berry Farm skates through the holidays with the “It’s Christmas, Snoopy” ice show. At Universal CityWalk, the ice show is do-it-yourself, with a rink and skate rental. Inside the Universal Studios Hollywood park, forget Santa; the Grinch holds court. Have your picture taken with Max, the Grinch’s dog, or next to the 50-foot Whoville Christmas tree.

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A Chance of Snow

Invariably, someone in Southern California will try to defy nature and truck in a few tons of “snow,” which tends to resemble an oversize Sno-Kone rather than anything natural. But downtown in Pershing Square ([213] 624-2146), they’ll have 15 tons of the stuff this Saturday and next. To find the real thing, aim high, usually at least 3,000 feet above sea level. There’s been snow reported already this season--much to skiers’ delight--in Wrightwood, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Skiing is the big draw, of course, but places like Magic Mountain in Big Bear ([909] 866-4626) have sledding or inner-tubing. And when there’s no snow, they, ahem, make their own.

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Celebrity Spotting

Bring the relatives in from Dubuque, and it’s a sure bet they want to see famous people. (We locals are sooooo jaded. We never get excited when we spot Christian Slater in Westside traffic. Really.) You can increase your chances of sightings for the relatives by knowing where to go. Christmas shopping, or at least browsing, at Fred Segal might do the trick. Take a respite at the tearoom at Barney’s New York in Beverly Hills. The Hollywood Farmer’s Market (Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Ivar Avenue between Sunset and Hollywood boulevards) is the place to get your organic sprouts, free-range chicken and no-spray veggies, so you know it’s a magnet for certain Hollywood types. And if that fails, there’s always the Hollywood Wax Museum around the corner.

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Pitching In

Habitat for Humanity gives others a chance not only to be home for the holidays but also to own the home. Southern California has a dozen affiliates between San Diego and Santa Barbara, and a volunteer hotline for each can be found at www.habitat.org. Construction work is done nearly every weekend. Your holiday entertaining can include the less fortunate as well. Cheer for Children in Redondo Beach, for one, needs people to help with parties for disabled and ill children as well as to wrap and deliver gifts. Call Pam Edwards at (310) 540-2494. If you’re going to cut down a tree, think about planting (or tending) another one. TreePeople will hook you up: (818) 623-4879 or www.treepeople .org.The organization has two activities this weekend: tending trees in the central city and planting them in Los Liones Canyon. Finally, if you’re at a loss for how to help, try the volunteer network doingsomething, which matches volunteers with not-for-profit groups and charities. The hotline: (310) 391-3907 or www.doingsome thingla.org.