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Located less than an hour outside of Orange County, Bravo Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Alhambra is conveniently situated among a wide array of holiday shopping options. And while Orange County might be more well-known for its picturesque beaches and resort attractions like Disneyland, its holiday shopping options are no disappointment. We've highlighted a few of our favorite local events and shops to help you get prepared for the coming season. more Sawdust Winter Fantasy The Sawdust Art and Craft Festival is a nonprofit group with a mission centered on public education and the promotion of local artists. They host a number of events throughout the year, but the most exciting may be the annual Winter Fantasy festival in Laguna Beach. Attendees will enjoy shopping for ceramics, clothing, glassware, jewelry, paintings, photography prints, sculptures, woodworking, and more. The vendors' booths are decorated for the festive season, and the entire atmosphere is one of holiday cheer. The 2017 Winter Fantasy runs on weekends from November 18 through December 17, and the 2018 event is expected to follow a similar schedule. Old World Christmas Market Located in Huntington Beach, the Old World Christmas Market emphasizes a German perspective on the season. The Old World organization is known for its popular German restaurant and Oktoberfest celebration, but its annual Christmas Market event is no less remarkable. The event features German food, arts and crafts, handmade gifts, and a stunning selection of Christmas cookies. Children will enjoy taking photos with Santa, and the whole family will appreciate the schedule of live music. The Old World organization also puts on a Christmas and Nativity Play in mid-December, a collaboration between several local churches. Winter Market This holiday shopping event takes place in downtown Fullerton every year in early December. In addition to browsing plenty of vendors to select the perfect Christmas gift, visitors will also enjoy a beer and wine garden and a number of unique food booths. Face painting and photos with Santa are available for younger attendees, and donations are taken for the “Spark of Love” toy drive, which is organized by Fullerton's firefighters. The Fullerton Winter Market is a great option if you're looking for holiday entertainment and shopping in a convenient location. Anaheim Town Square If you're on the lookout for a more conventional holiday shopping experience, you'll find all of the familiar major retailers at the Anaheim Town Square. The shopping center runs a number of sales throughout the winter season, so you won't have any trouble finding the hottest gifts at a reasonable price. The Anaheim Town Square also features a few specialty stores. By visiting some of these boutique shops, you'll expand your shopping options beyond the usual big box stores. These events and markets provide a stress-free alternative to holiday shopping at the crowded local mall. Orange County has a lot to offer during the winter season, and these selections are a great way to start taking advantage of the best local options.   Image “ West Side Market” by EDrost88, used under CC BY 2.0

Winter comes whether we want it to or not, and even though it's always safer to stay home during a winter storm, sometimes you have to head out. If you do need to drive in a snowstorm, you can make your ride safer by preparing ahead of time and driving the correct way for the conditions. Here are some tips for safe winter driving. more Prepare Your Vehicle Before winter starts, it's important to get your vehicle ready for the snow and cold. Check your tire tread if you have all-season tires to make sure it's in good condition, or even better, put snow tires on your car. Snow tires have a specially designed tread to give you better traction in the snow, and they're much better to have if you drive in winter conditions. You should also check your windshield wiper fluid, make sure you have a blanket in the car along with a flashlight, and an extra battery for your phone. Slow Down The first rule of driving in winter weather is to drop your speed. You can't safely drive the same speeds on a snowy road that you can on a dry or even a wet road. Accelerate slowly to keep your tires from spinning, and leave plenty of space between you and the cars around you so there's plenty of time to stop. Remember, everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Don't Lock Your Brakes When you need to slow down, make sure you don't press down hard on the brakes and lock them up. If your vehicle is an older model, you'll need to slowly pump the brakes to avoid locking them up. If you have a newer vehicle with anti-lock brakes, press the brake pedal down slowly and firmly. The brakes will pump on their own. Perform Only One Action When the roads are slippery, you'll stay safer if you only ask the car to do one thing at a time. This means that when you need to turn, don't apply the brakes, or when you need to speed up or slow down, do it when going straight. Apply the brakes before you turn, and then press back down on the accelerator after you've straightened the car back out again. Watch out for Other Drivers Even if you slow down, take necessary precautions, and drive responsibly in snowy conditions, you can't count on other drivers around you driving as safely as you. Drive extra defensively, and leave plenty of space around you so you can make any corrections if other drivers make mistakes. Don't let drivers behind you make you feel like you have to go faster. If they're too close, pull over and let them pass. When driving in winter conditions, it's always better to slow down and get to your destination late instead of not at all. Don't let four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive give you a false sense of security, and keep your distance from other drivers. Image “ Snowy Road” by h3h, used under CC BY 2.0

Whether you need to shop for clothes, things for the house, or you just like to window shop, there are plenty of places to go in and around the Alhambra, California area. There are also several shopping areas with a variety of stores, so you can get errands done and get some shopping in at the same time. Here is where to shop in Alhambra, California. more Alhambra Place Alhambra Place is a shopping center with over 120,000 square feet of space. It has a wide variety of stores and a number of restaurants where you can stop for a bite. Some of the stores include Burlington Coat Factory, Sprouts, and Vidorra, and if you get hungry, you can stop at Blaze Pizza for a slice or JJ Bakery for something sweet. You will find Alhambra Place just 8 miles outside of Los Angeles, right on the corner of Main Street and Garfield. The Colonnade Mall The Colonnade Mall in Pasadena on South Lake Street has a little something for everyone. It recently underwent some renovations, so it looks new and clean, but the best thing about this shopping area is the specialty shops. You'll find Leslie Needham Knits here along with Le Cafe Creme and Tres Jolie Lingerie. There is also a nail salon, a jewelry store, and a Japanese Grill. This is one of the smaller shopping centers in the area, but it is well-kept and clean and offers a quaint atmosphere. Atlantic Times Square The Atlantic Times Square Shopping Center in Monterey Park is just a short drive from Alhambra. This shopping center has several stores along with a movie theater and a 24-hour fitness center. Stop in here to shop for clothes, cosmetics, coffee and tea, jewelry, and gifts. You can also take a break from shopping and eat at one of the several restaurants on-site. Choose from the Tasty Garden Bistro, Gatten Sushi, the OK Cafe, and the Nice Time Cafe, just to name a few. You'll find Atlantic Times Square on North Atlantic Boulevard right in Monterey Park. Old Town Pasadena Old Town Pasadena is a great place to visit and to go shopping. It is fun to walk around the area and do shop shopping or take in the sights while you sit and have a cup of coffee. Some of the stores include Anthropologie, the Apple Store, Athleta, Audio Element, and the Banana Republic. You'll also find The Bea's Knees for wine, cheese, and gifts and Bird Pick for tea and herbs. If you want to stop for a bite to eat, there is 1810 with an outdoor patio, 21 Choices for frozen yogurt, and 85C Bakery Cafe. Old Pasadena also has the 35er Bar and Akbar Cuisine of India. There are plenty of places to go shopping in and around the Alhambra area. If you want to take a drive, there are some larger shopping centers, or you can stay right in Alhambra and take advantage of the stores in town. Image “ Old Town Pasadena shops” by fredcamino, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Alhambra is only 40 miles from Orange County, which makes for the perfect opportunity for a fun-packed, sun-drenched, beach-combing weekend road trip. So pack the flip-flops, sun screen, beach towels, shades, and a California music mix, buckle up, and hit the road. more Pacific Coast Highway 1 Whoever said the journey was more important than the destination was probably talking about the iconic Pacific Coast Highway 1. Start your epic weekend getaway to the OC by driving south down the PCH from Seal Beach. From there, it's nothing but ocean views and sea breezes as you ease on down the road. Huntington Beach Pier Surf's up and the sun goes down in epic colors at the landmark Huntington Beach Pier. Whether you're surfing, ogling the surfers, or strolling the pier, there's plenty of sights to feed the eyes and the soul. To feed the body, partake of fresh seafood dishes washed down with umbrella drinks at any one of a number of rooftop lounges or beachfront eateries. Old World's Oktoberfest We interrupt your beach blanket bingo for a total non sequitur. Old World Huntington Beach throws down in the grand style of Germany's Oktoberfest from September through November. Take a break from the sound of seagulls and dive into the finest German beer and bratwurst this side of the Rhine River. After an evening of beer, sausages, oompah music and wiener dog racing, you can safely head back to the beach with barely a hiccup in the road trip. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages Why stay in a motel when you can slide into sleep with the sound of waves and a serene sea view? Check in to your own retro beach cottage from the 1930s at Crystal Cove. Most of these historic beach cottages have been lovingly restored for that authentic beach shack party vibe. Reserve early for your best chance to catch a cottage. If you prefer to rough it, pitch a tent in Crystal Cove State Park after a day of hiking pristine nature trails. Tidal Pools and Bizarre Art Festivals at Laguna Beach Get your toes wet in one of the many tidal pools along Laguna Beach. Rocks and ocean clash to form clusters of beautiful tidal pools adorned with sea anemones. At the Pageant of the Masters, watch 90 minutes of tableaux vivants, or living pictures. People dress up to re-enact the world's most famous paintings by the masters. Whale Watching at Dana Point If poking around in tidal pools for sea anemones isn't enough of a marine wildlife experience for you, book a boat tour at Dana Point for some quality whale watching. While you have your highest chance of spotting whales in September, you're always sure to get pics of playful dolphins squeaking and splashing about in the waves. From Dana Point, you could fast track back toward Alhambra by taking I-5 north, passing through Anaheim, and stopping for some signature boysenberry pie at Knott's Berry Farm. Or better yet, reverse your course and head back up the PCH. That way, the driver's side of the car gets the killer ocean view all the way back. Image “ Day’s End – Huntington Beach, CA, USA” by Slipshod Photog, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Haven't we all had that time that we wished it was less sunny, or less rainy, or just less chilly outside? With so many indoor activity options in Alhambra, no rainy, hot, or chilly day needs to be a dull day anymore. Here are four indoor family activities to enjoy in and around Alhambra, California. more Kidspace Children's Museum With an objective to nurture children's potential through playful kid-driven experience, the Kidspace Children's Museum, located in Pasadena, encourages them to become active, joyful learners. With both an indoor and outdoor play space, the museum offers a learning atmosphere that allows kids and adults to spend time together. Also, the museum offers exhibits and shows that encourage learning and curiosity and allows kids to experiment and explore their imaginative skills. Magical Playground A safe and clean indoor playground for kids of all ages, Magical Playground in West Covina is a favorite among locals. Kids and their parents or caretakers can embark on a fun yet enriching educational journey here. The objective is to help youngsters develop coordination, self-esteem, and social skills through play. The facility offers special facilities for younger children that include a toddler bouncer, a toddler slide, and other educational but fun play equipment. It is also a fun option for hosting private birthday parties, with special party packages available. PlayLab An indoor play space located in Pasadena, PlayLab welcomes kids ages 0-5, with their families for open play regularly from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The facility has a 2,200-square-foot-area of play space that offers playful and interesting activities tailored for different ages, all designed by experts to focus on various aspects of a child's development. While the area is safe for the children to explore on their own, parents are welcome to supervise their kids and also become a part of their learning experience. Not only does this encourage kids and parents to spend time together, but it helps parents understand the kids' interests and learning capacities. PlayLab stimulates open-ended imaginative play with natural and sustainable materials to help nurture developing brains. Amy's Playground With a tremendous indoor play area of around 3,000 square feet, Amy's Playground, located in South Pasadena, features a giant maze, a playhouse bouncer, and a specially designed fun space for babies and toddlers alike. It is a clean and safe indoor area that provides a playful atmosphere to accommodate both kids and grown-ups as they spend time together. Family activities with educational and enriching games are regularly scheduled, with specially tailored weekly activities like Dress-Up Tuesdays, Music Sing Along Wednesdays, Balloon Artist Thursdays, and Arts and Crafts Fridays. The facility also offers wireless internet access for parents and no time limit on the day access pass. The facility also offers special packages for private birthday parties. Looking forward to spending family time at an indoor play space with your kids in Alhambra, California? You do not need to search for options with these choices. Image “ Teterboro Aviation Hall of Fame” by DaniloEddy, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

Sometimes, nothing sounds better for dinner than great Chinese takeout. Luckily, there are a variety of awesome takeout spots in and around Alhambra. Not only will you get food that is good quality and tastes delicious, but you'll also get great service at these takeout Chinese restaurants. more Szechuan Impression Head to 1900 W. Valley Blvd. in Alhambra for Szechuan Impression. Whether you eat in or take out, you'll be impressed, that's for sure. Start off with appetizers including fried rice cake with black sugar, the impressive cold noodle, or Hou Dao dumplings. While there are tons of entrée options, some of the favorites include hongxing diced rabbit, dry-fried farm chicken, and braised beef with bamboo shoots. There are several soups, if that's what you're in the mood for, including golden soup with fat beef slices, golden soup fish, and golden soup lamb. Try something sweet, such as the ice jelly er or the Cinderella's Pumpkin Rides. Bamboo Garden For another great Chinese takeout option, check out Bamboo Garden at 2632 W. Valley Blvd. Here you can eat in, take out, or even get delivery if you're within 3 miles of the restaurant. Start off with fried wontons, beef sticks, or egg rolls. There are nine soup options, including hot and sour, crab meat seafood soup, and egg flower soup. For your entrée, try one of the chef's suggestions, such as tangerine beef, sweet and pungent shrimp, or pork chop with spicy salt. Other entrees include sesame chicken, moo shu pork, and kung pao squid. Tasty Garden Check out a local favorite when you choose Tasty Garden, located at 288 W. Valley Blvd., Suite 110. Here you'll find authentic and Americanized Chinese options. Try something new with the marinated pig stomach or duck tongue with basil and black pepper for your appetizer. Entrees include options you know and love, as well as new favorites. Consider the shrimp and chicken with water chestnuts and asparagus, country style sweet and sour pork, or the sautéed frog with scallion. There are vegetarian options, such as deep-fried tofu in spicy salt or baby bok choy in garlic sauce. Jasmine House Chinese Cuisine Another great option if you're looking for takeout or delivery is Jasmine House Chinese Cuisine at 11 W. Main St. Try some appetizers such as the cream cheese wonton, cold spicy cucumber, or pan-fried dumplings. Soups here include wolfberry pork liver soup, tofu seaweed, or wonton soup. Try something to delight your taste buds with the chef's signature dishes, such as Peking duck, braised sea cucumber in brown sauce, or Zi Ran lamb. More commonly known options are available as well, including Szechuan garlic chicken, Mongolian beef, and honey-glazed walnut shrimp.   Whether you're in the mood for something you've had a hundred times or you are feeling adventurous, check out the best takeout Chinese food options in the Alhambra area. You'll get delicious food at great prices. With the quality and flavor, you'll want to try everything on the menu, no matter which Chinese restaurant you choose. Image “ chicken, cabbage egg roll” by stu_spivack, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original

The thought of going on a vacation is exciting, but the thought of paying for a vacation is daunting. If you are ready to pack up and get away with friends or family, there are some things you can do to keep the costs down and make your vacation budget go further. more Drive Instead of Fly Instead of flying to your destination if you are staying in the states, consider driving there. You can use apps such as GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas near you, and then you can hit the road. You can even use GasBuddy or AAA TripTik Travel to decide where to go. Just put in how much gas you want to use, and the app will give you a list of destinations within your gas budget. Even if you're traveling a long distance, driving there adds to the experience. There is a lot to see across the states, and you can make it an adventure for the whole family. Travel With Friends It helps if you can split the cost of your trip with friends. If you are close enough, sharing a hotel room will cut your lodging costs in half, and if you want to travel with a large group, some airlines will offer discounts. Once you arrive at your destination, ask the hotel concierge, or use the internet to research group deals for local attractions. Visit National Parks The U.S. has thousands of national parks with beautiful scenery and lots of things to do. Moreover, they are cheaper to visit than many of the big amusement parks and attractions if you have kids. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can pay a small fee for entrance, and then enjoy a whole day or even a week of fun outside in the fresh air at a National Park. If you are a senior, it is even better. The America the Beautiful Senior Pass costs just $10 and allows you entrance into 2,000 national parks for the rest of your life. Use Your Smartphone There are so many apps available to help you find good deals, no matter where or how you travel. You can set up some apps to give you alerts when cheap airline tickets become available, or you can use a parking app to find good parking and a lower price in the city. Travel in the Off-Season One of the easiest ways to save a lot of money is to travel in the off-season. If you don't have to travel when the kids are out of school, try to book your vacation right before the peak season starts or just after it ends. Prices for hotels drop drastically if you travel to the beach in the fall or to the mountains in the summer. The weather is still nice, and most of the shops and restaurants are still open. You will save money and get excellent service since the crowds are gone. With just a little bit of planning and thinking outside the box, you can make your travel budget go much further. Image “ Road” by Janitors, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

Alhambra, California is a small city just a few miles outside of Los Angeles. While it is just a short drive to LA for shopping, there are also some nice shops right in town and in some of the neighboring towns, so you don't have to travel into the city. Here are a few fun places to shop in Alhambra. Alhambra Place Alhambra Place is a shopping plaza on the corner of Garfield Ave and Main Street. It was recently renovated giving it a whole new modern and updated look with new shops and businesses. You can head here for almost anything from pizza at Blaze Pizza, clothes at Burlington Coat Factory, or cards and gifts at Maido Stationery. There is also a Sprouts, Vidorra, and a Verizon 4G Wireless shop. Nucleus Art Gallery and Store Nucleus Art Gallery and Store is a great place for those who love art. There is both a gallery with exhibits and a store that sells both art-related products and rarities. Nucleus also holds benefit auctions, music events, and they even have artists come in for lectures. There are pieces of art for sale, and you can browse through their collection of original pieces from a variety of genres including contemporary, illustrations, graphic art, and commercial art. more Marini Music Marini Music is the store in Alhambra where people who love music shop. Here, you can buy musical instruments including keyboards, guitars, mandolins, and all the accessories to go with them. They have books with sheet music for all kinds of instruments, mics, music stands, cases, and amps. The owner is very knowledgeable about music and instruments, and he is friendly and helpful. You can bring in your guitar when it needs new strings or other instruments that need repairs or tune ups. Stop in here for all your music needs whether you are just getting started or you are an experienced musician. You'll find Marini Music on West Main Street right in downtown Alhambra. Westfield Santa Anita Westfield Santa Anita is a great shopping mall just a few miles from Alhambra. It has both indoor and outdoor shopping, a playground for the kids, and plenty of seating for when you need to take a rest. There is a huge selection of stores with merchandise for almost any occasion or need, and this mall has many restaurants so you can stop for lunch or dinner. There are two food courts, kiosks with food, and several sit down restaurants. Stop in at the NYX makeup store, or shop at one of the many Asian shops. Check out the website for special events at this mall such as the Refashion the Future or the Yoobi Chalk Party, or you can take in a movie a the AMC theater.   Whether you enjoy shopping and want to head to a large mall where you can spend the day browsing through lots of shops, or you just want to go to one store and get your errands done, there are plenty of places to shop around in the Alhambra area. Image “ Alhambra, California” by Ken Lund, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original

Alhambra, California sits just eight miles outside of Los Angeles and is a small city that has a little of something for everyone. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, it is a great place to live or visit. Here are some of the fun things you can do outside in and around Alhambra. Visit Grenada Park Grenada Park on West Hellman Ave is a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. There are picnic tables along with covered shelters so you can sit and relax either out in the sun or under the shade. This park has a playground for the kids for climbing and swinging and a large grassy area where they can run and play. The heated swimming pool is just the right temperature, and there are ball fields and tennis courts for those who want to get a game going or hit the ball around. more Bike Riding Head over to Edison Trails Park in Monterey Park for some bike riding. This park sits on 11 acres of land with hills and beautiful views. Hikers and bikers share the trails that wind through the park, but they are usually not crowded other than the occasional dog walker. There is plenty of parking, updated restrooms, and many places to stop and take a rest. You can also head up to Pasadena and ride the Rose Bowl Loop Track. This is a popular spot for joggers and bikers with a 3-mile loop that is flat and easy to navigate. Hiking There are all kinds of hiking trails in and around the Alhambra and Los Angeles area. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced hiker, there are trails out there for you. For an intermediate hike that is not too easy, but not too difficult, head to Bee Rock. This is a four-mile loop that starts at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round lot. You'll follow along fire roads, a paved road, and by the remnants of the original L.A. Zoo. The trail eventually leads you to the top of Bee Rock where you can see some amazing views before you descend the trail to your left. To get to the bottom, you'll walk down rocky steps and another fire road that wraps around the hill before you end up back in the parking lot. Hit the Beach What better way to spend a day outside than at the beach. There are several lovely beaches just a short ride away from Alhambra, so you can pack up the car and take a day trip to the ocean. Check out Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, for a mile long stretch of sand with sea cave and tide pools, or go to Malibu Surfrider Beach and either hit the waves yourself or watch the surfers as they try to catch the perfect wave. Santa Monica Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area and is home to the historic Santa Monica Pier. There are many ways to spend the day outside in the Alhambra area. Whether you just want some fresh air or you want to get some exercise while outdoors, there is something for everyone. Image “ Surf’s Up” via Flickr by reggiepen, used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original