SoCal Field Trips

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When you think of education what do you imagine? Homeschooling, charter schools, public schools, private schools, junior college or more? Here in the United States we have many opportunities to educate our children. Sometimes actually more than we need. Our education is vast and wide and there are opportunities for many.

But what if you live in poverty? Imagine waking up not being able to go to school, because you need to help your mother take care of your younger siblings or realize that your parents don’t have enough money to buy the uniform required to send you school.

It’s even more complicated when you realize that not two families have the same situation. Each family’s path out of poverty calls for a different action plan.

Global poverty may be a tremendous problem, but the good news is there are ways to tackle it. One of the best ways is to learn how we can help students living in poverty overcome and achieve their dreams.

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Updated For 2020

Simplify your search for Christmas lights in Los Angeles with these must-see neighborhoods and landmarks.  While the glammy glitz of Rodeo Drive is fun, there’s particular magic to those over-the-top holiday light displays created by your favorite neighbor who wants to attract the entire population of Los Angeles to their front doorstep.  Even better is when a whole street made up of holiday lights glistens in the night sky.

Los Angeles has plenty of community treasures hidden in plain view; from the return of The Grove, where snow magically falls twice nightly to Ziemkowski’s Lights on Display, which easily rivals any professional light and music show you’ll ever see.  There are hundreds of holiday lights on display for all types of holiday fans to enjoy.

In between a deluge of Christmas events and frantic shopping trips take the time to check out these twinkling neighborhoods.  Just make sure to bring along an extra sweatshirt and a cup of hot chocolate for the kids!  

Also, please check websites ahead of time to make sure communities and cities are still hosting their annual Christmas light displays!

 

 What are the best Christmas lights near me in LA?

Enchanted Forest of Lights, Descansco Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge (canceled)

Descanso Gardens, one of my all-time favorite public gardens in Southern California, hosts Enchanted Forest of Light during the holiday season.  As the sun sets, Descanso Gardens is transformed into a holiday wonderland with thousands of lights.  It is simply mesmerizing!  Some other words that come to mind to describe the light display are captivating, riveting and and amazingly beautiful.  Our favorite part is The Symphony of Oaks walk-through exhibit, which lets you manipulate lights and sounds in the garden’s historical Oak Grove.

LA Zoo Lights, Los Angeles (canceled)

LA Zoo Lights is a great way to spend an evening at the zoo while walking around with hot cocoa in your hands!  The zoo is transformed into a magical winter jungle complete with a disco ball forest, whimsical 3-D animations, a glowing “Northern Lights” featuring animal constellations that come to life, a picturesque kaleidoscopic savanna where glowing, large-scale animals roam and the very popular Twinkle Tunnel.  Guests can see the world’s largest illuminated pop-up storybook!

Grand Park’s Winter Glow, Downtown LA

The Downtown park is taking advantage of winter’s ever-shortening daylight with a light-up activation that brings a bit of warmth to the area.  Winter Glow complements the park’s traditional holiday decor with hands-on displays of all sizes.  For the second year, the art, projection and light display will feature works from local artists and organizations.  Grand Park’s Winter Glow runs , from sunset to 10pm each night and admission is free.

Lights on Miracle Hill – A Christmas Promise, Walnut

It takes volunteers 10,000 man hours to install the 500,000 lights on display, drawing over 10,000 people each year to this light show.  Free admission to this light show which runs weekend evenings December 1-23.

Downtown LA Holiday Walking Tour, Los Angeles (virtual)

Lights, decorations, festivities and holiday cheer abound as we stroll through the central city during the most joyous time of the year!  This Holiday Lights Special tour witnesses the beauty of Downtown LA at night to celebrate the seasons of Christmas, Hanukkah and many more!

Westlake Village Inn, Westlake Village

Thousands of twinkle lights bring holiday cheer to this charming European-style inn, set on seventeen acres in Westlake Village. Christmas trees and poinsettias are scattered throughout the property, creating a winter wonderland.

Lights on Display, Sherman Oaks

Ziemkowski’s Lights on Display, which he builds annually at his home in Sherman Oaks, easily rivals any professional light and music show you’ll ever see.  Over the years Lights on Display has become more and more elaborate, with additions including computer controlled lighting, DMX controlled intelligent light, and a bevy of animatronic characters synched to a pre-programmed playlist of holiday tunes.  And the best part?  

It’s free and open to the public, with showings taking place nightly at 5 p.m.  The address is 3901 Longview Valley Rd, Sherman Oaks.

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