Hang Ten Holiday - CoastalLiving.com

Dreaming of a White Chritmas? Not me, and not the Mattisons of Oceanside CA apparently. If I want a bit of the white stuff a trip to the mountains is in order, but if the "white stuff" is surf foam...it would be a trip to the beach, here in Southern California. We make new traditions...

"Visions of sugarplums have been replaced with dreams of the perfect wave at the Mattison home in Oceanside, California. On Christmas morning, the presents under the tree can wait. Stockings stuffed with goodies can hang out a little longer. Breakfast? Maybe later. This clan makes a fast break to the beach as soon as the sun comes up."

Did someone say beach?

See:Hang Ten Holiday - CoastalLiving.com for the full article.

Oceanside: A Strategy for Saving Money When Visiting San Diego?

Everyone is looking to stretch the dollar (US or Canadian), Euro, and GBP these days, so it's time to think outside the box. We all know about Priceline, and kayak, bookingbuddy and other internet sites that help us save money, but how about just staying somewhere "else?"

According to: Strategies for booking hotels on a budget - USATODAY.com: "Visitors to urban centers may save by booking outside main tourist areas. For San Diego, for example, 'you could stay in Carlsbad or even up as far as Oceanside,' said Joe McInerney, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association."

So take a look at the next "big city" trip and consider if there may be a smaller city nearby without the name recognition that will save you significant amounts of money. Who knows, you may just discover the some hidden treasures in the new locale.