Terrific Thanksgiving Travel Destinations that Aren't So Packed!

If you live in Southern California and want to get away to somewhere awesome this Thanksgiving weekend, BUT you don't want the crowds of the top 5 busiest travel destinations, I have 5 others that you'll absolutely love!

5. Ojai - the sleepiest choice on the list, but if you want peace and relaxation, this is the place. Get a massage, take a nature walk and bring a book! You can also enjoy the artistic flair, quaint boutiques and tasty restaurants in the Downtown area. About 2:20 from Laguna Beach.

4. Julian - I hesitate to mention it, because we in the know want to keep it a secret, but it's a great spot for the whole family. Bring your elastic-band pants and an appetite for sweets - fresh pies, delicious apple cider (regular for the little ones and hard cider for the grown-ups!), a fabulous candy store and so much more. You can even pan for gold! About 2 hours from Laguna Beach.

3. Catalina Island - Take a cruise on Catalina Express (free on your birthday) or Catalina Flyer. Temperatures are still nice this time of year, but bring a jacket! Try the new zipline eco tour, rent bikes or a golf cart and tour the island, check out the sealife in a glassbottom boat or see wildlife up close. Don't forget to grab some saltwater taffy before heading home. About an hour and a half ride across the ocean from Dana Point.

2. Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead - Don't wait for ski and snowboarding season! Go now! Take in the gorgeous fall colors and crisp, clean air. Go fishing in the lake, mountain biking, hiking. You can even take a scenic sky chair at Snow Summit. My favorite part? Playing board games in a cabin, drinking hot cocoa and wearing my UGG boots! About 2 hours from Laguna Beach.

1. Palm Springs/Palm Desert/La Quinta - When you're not laying out at the pool and soaking up the sun, you can take the Aerial Tramway up the mountain for a major weather and scenery change, explore the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and enjoy plenty of live entertainment. If you're brave, you can visit the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon, but pack your patience. WARNING!!! I highly recommend coming home first thing Sunday morning to avoid HOURS of stopped traffic. About 2 hours away from Laguna Beach.

Don't forget to ask about off-season discounts; you could save some serious cash!

Whatever you do, wherever you go, be happy and be safe!!!

Big Screen Thanksgiving Scenes to Be Thankful For

As you defrost your turkey and prep your pie, I thought you might want to sample some Thanksgiving scenes from the big screen. Put on your bib and dig in… and be sure to let me know if I’ve missed any. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles – This is the all-time BEST Thanksgiving movie, featuring one memorable scene after another. A must-see EVERY Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Scenes and/or Movies – Perhaps the Most Popular
About Last Night…
Addams Family Values
Avalon
Funny People
Grumpy Old Men
Hannah and Her Sisters
Home for the Holidays
Little Fockers
Miracle on 34th Street
Nobody's Fool
Pieces of April
Raising Arizona
Scent of a Woman
Son in Law
Spider-Man
Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale
The Blind Side
The Ice Storm
The New World
You’ve Got Mail



More Thanksgiving Scenes and/or Movies
Alice’s Restaurant
American Gangster
Antwone Fisher
The Doors
Down and Out in Beverly Hills
Dutch
Easy Virtue
Four Brothers
Antwone Fisher
Beethoven
Broadway Danny Rose
Grindhouse (trailer in movie)
Hit & Run
Holiday Inn
Home of the Brave
House of Yes, The
Jack and Jill
Palo Alto
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Pie in the Sky
Primary Colors
Rescue Dawn
Rocky
She's Gotta Have It
Starting Over
Thankskilling
Tower Heist
White Palace
Pocahontas
Smart People
Tadpole
Thankskilling
The Myth of Fingerprints
What’s Cooking?


These movies appeared on some lists, but I can’t remember the scenes and have not verified them at this point. Feel free to comment!
27 Dresses
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Conviction
Hanging Up
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Morning Glory
Parenthood
Superhero Movie
The Family Man
Trading Places
Tropic Thunder (Fatties commercial)
While You Were Sleeping
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory


TV
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Family Reunion
The Mayflower Voyagers
An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving