25 Things To Do around LA When Everyone Else Goes Away for Christmas

Shhhhh. Do you hear that? Wait - I think.... Yep! They're gone! All those people whose families live on the east coast, in the Midwest, in the Bay Area - they're all standing in their socks at airport security, telling their kids to hurry up and knock back that juice box before they miss their plane. Doesn't it make you glad to be in LA?

The marvelous secret I never knew in my childless, travel-at-will days is that for roughly 10 blessed days in December every year the highways of Los Angeles open up - and I'm not talking the San Andreas Fault way. For the next 10 days, you can do anything, anywhere, and it need not take you more than 20 minutes to get there. Have friends you miss in Glendale? Never get to the beach? Now is the time to start checking items off our 100 Things To Do in LA Bucket List - or try a few of the far-fetched and fun outings below that won't feel nearly so far during LA's true Holy Week!

1. Catch The Science of Gingerbread or Indiana Jones exhibit at the Discovery Science Center
2. Hang with the peacocks at the Los Angeles Arboretum
3. Sled the giant sand hill (just past Sycamore Canyon) on PCH in Point Mugu State Park
4. Take a Boat Sleigh ride to see the lights in Ventura Harbor
5. See some animal shows at the Moorpark Teaching Zoo
6. Go on a whale watching cruise
7. Wander the Redondo Pier
8. Spend a day at Kidspace Children's Museum
9. Visit the Gull Wings Children's Museum in Oxnard
10. Check out the International Printing Museum in Carson
11. Visit the rescued sea lions at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center
12. Pay a visit to Descanso Gardens and ride the Enchanted Railroad
13. Explore the tidepools (and everything else) at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
14. Attend events before, after, or during the 2013 Rose Parade.
15. Race Go Karts at Speedzone
16. Enjoy some holiday music having tea and cocoa by the big Christmas tree at Pelican Hill
17. Do some outlet store shopping at Camarillo or The Citadel
18. Head up to the Santa Barbara Zoo
19. Take a drive to see over-the-top Christmas lights around LA
20. Drive out of LA to see more over-the-top Christmas lights
21. Take a walk around Balboa Island
22. Stroll bird-watching heaven along the wooden walkway through Malibu Lagoon
23. Enjoy holiday music and horse-drawn trolleys in Montrose Village
24. Visit the gardens and exhibits at the Huntington Library
25. Learn some real cowboy history at the Autry National Center (free on New Year's Day!)