The decision wasn’t surprising, John Elliott recalled, his son was enthralled with flying and loved the brotherhood among Marines. Capt. Sean Elliott went on to earn his wings, and in his nearly eight years of service, he deployed to the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, North Africa and Afghanistan.

In 2017, Sean Elliott, 30, was the co-pilot on a C-130 that crashed in a Mississippi soybean field, killing all 16 aboard.

John Elliott and his wife, Cindy, knew the dangers facing their son and that he might one day not return home. Now they are part of an effort to recognize the military families who serve and sacrifice right alongside their service member.

The Dana Point Fifth Marine Regiment Support Group — one of the most active military support groups in Southern California — has commissioned the bronze statue “Returning Home” from Colorado sculptor Sutton Betti. It will capture the moment of reunion between a Marine and his wife and child as he runs into their open arms following a deployment.

The sculpture will be surrounded by two memorial benches in Dana Point’s Heritage Park, along with dozens of bronze plaques and brick pavers, all of which will tell unique stories of love, service and sacrifice.

“It gives you comfort,” John Elliott said of the plaque in honor of his son that will be among the others on a Wall of Honor. “There’s a sense of bonding with other people and community that maybe have also lost their loved ones.”

The support group is raising more than $130,000 to pay for the monument. The City Council agreed to pay up to $110,000 for its installation, which includes reworking infrastructure at the park overlooking Dana Point Harbor.

The significance of the monument is not lost on Mayor John Gabbard, a second-generation Marine who, as a combat engineer officer, served 17 years and deployed overseas multiple times.

“It represents a brief moment when the terror, loss and tedium of war are gone and replaced with the embrace of a family who has endured their own agonizing uncertainty, pain and loneliness,” he said.  “There are kisses, hugs and celebration in the moment, but also an unsaid resolve and hope to restore their lives together.”

Gabbard, who recalls standing on the flightline waiting for his own father, a helicopter combat crew chief, to return from deployment to Vietnam, emphasized the importance of the families left behind.

“They are the stabilizing force in a chaotic environment, ensuring that the entire family’s life can be somewhat normal in an un-normal world,” he said. “This statue honors the spouse and child as much as the Marine.”

He credits the support group for making the project a reality.

The volunteer group is active year-round and assists Camp Pendleton’s “Fighting Fifth” regiment by raising money for single Marines to attend the Marine Corps Ball, hosting baby showers for expecting families and providing single Marines in the barracks with a Thanksgiving feast.

The support group – presented with the prestigious national Spirit of Hope Award in 2021 – has also built and paid for monuments in the 5th Marine Regiment Memorial Garden and raises money for base projects, most recently to spruce up and renovate the Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno Memorial Chapel near the garden. There are monuments there for those who died in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Purple Heart memorial and a monument to Marines who died in Vietnam.

“We’re the glue,” said Terry Rifkin, the group’s president and CEO.  “It’s been our honor. The Fifth Marine Regiment is the most highly decorated in the Marine Corps.”

Rifkin, a founding member from 2004, said a returning Marine at Camp Pendleton had commented that there were no memorials honoring their families.

“I took that simple message to heart,” Rifkin said, adding she began working on the idea of the statue five years ago.

While a Marine is represented in the sculpture, the monument is inclusive to all who served, she said.

“We’ll have a beautiful site,” she added. “It will be a place of reflection and honor for all branches and the families who stand beside them.”

Among those appreciative of what the support group is doing is Col. George Flynn, commanding officer of the 5th Marine Regiment, who is preparing for a deployment to Australia.

“What I love about the statue is that it tells so much of a very beautiful story that any Marine looking at that can say, ‘That’s what it feels like,’” Flynn said.

As someone who has been in the service for 23 years and has deployed multiple times, he calls what the Dana Point group does “the gold standard.”

“It’s unusual for Marines to have the support we have here,” he said.

For his Marines, he said, the group symbolizes another example of their purpose in defending the nation.

“They have their families back home, fellow Marines, but when you look at what the Dana Point support group provides, it’s local support and love to the Marines of the regiment,” he said. “It gives them a great perspective on what they provide to the nation.”

Just recently, the regiment came off a two-week predeployment training schedule, and the support group was there with a Christmas party for 400 families at a Dave & Buster’s in Carlsbad.

“Every child of a Marine in the regiment walked away with more gifts than I could even count,” Flynn said.

“They played video games to their heart’s content and had great food, had Santa and elves,” he said. “Coming off a hard training, it really brought levity, and it also allows time for the Marines to break bread together.”

That event and others the group puts on are opportunities for the regiment’s leadership to engage with the Marines.

“When the Marines feel they have someone looking out for them both inside and from the community, I think it gives them a renewed sense of drive and purpose to do what they’re supposed to do in support of the nation,” Flynn added.

The new memorial in Dana Point, he added, will make the broader community more aware of military service and sacrifice.

“Even if it causes them to just think for a moment, ‘Oh, there’s a family that is tied to this Marine.’ It’s someone’s little boy or girl who is going forward to do what needs to be done,” Flynn said. “There’s a family involved, full of worry and pride. If that gives someone some pause to better understand that, then that statue at Heritage Park does it’s job.”

A place to sit and let that sink in is what Carol Santell, who is sponsoring one of the benches, hopes will make the monument special.

The 93-year-old Dana Point resident, whose husband served in the Navy, is one of the group’s biggest donors, spending $25,000 for the bench.

Selfishly, she’s been angling to have a bench in the park near her home, she said. So, when she was approached by Rifkin about the project, she decided it was meant to be.

“It’s nice for Marines, other service members and families to have a place to come when they’re feeling down,” Santell said.

That bench overlooks the place where father and son were kayaking when Sean Elliot first declared his intention to be a Marine.

“The spot is beautiful, and it completes a circle,” John Elliott said. “In a way, he started and ended there.”

The couple stays involved in the lives of the active-duty Marines from the 5th Regiment, in their own way experiencing part of the brotherhood that drew in their son.

“By them providing continued support, they’re still part of the team,” Flynn said of the Gold Star parents. “It allows them to see an aspect of their son through the eyes of other Marines and reconnect to the brotherhood.”

And, he said, it also aligns with a Marine Corps philosophy of adopting a more parental mindset.

“When you lose a Marine, you see the moms and dads deal with that challenge,” Flynn said. “And, then these Marines step up. And those parents who lost their son or daughter will always grieve the loss of their child, but they take on a squad’s worth of sons and daughters.”

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Aidan Antonio, Woodbridge, Junior

Woodbridge junior Aidan Antonio signaled what kind of cross country season he would have when he finished first in the Dana Hills Invitational in early September.

The great results kept coming. He finished fifth in the prestigious Woodbridge Invitational, finished first in the Orange County Championships, and won the CIF Southern Section Championships Division 2 race before finishing third in the CIF State finals.

Antonio’s winning time of 14 minutes, 6.4 seconds in the CIF-SS Division 2 final was the second-fastest time of the day among all runners. His third-place time in the CIF State Division II race at Woodward Park in Fresno was 14:50.10, his personal-best time over 5,000 meters.

His winning time of 13:56 in the Orange County Championships was his personal record on a 3-mile course and broke the Irvine Regional Park course record set by three-time Orange County cross country athlete of the year Evan Noonan in 2023 (13:59.4).

Woodbridge also won the boys team championship at the Orange County meet.

Antonio, who qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals, chose his Orange County Championships day as the best day of his junior season.

“Because that gave us the Orange County championships team title,” he said. “And, honestly, it was my best race all season. I felt good the whole race. I was able to close well and I broke Evan Noonan’s record.”

He has impressed Woodbridge coach Bryan Pacheco.

“First of all, he’s obviously a very talented athlete,” Pacheco said. “But what’s impressive about Aidan is his focus. He’s not playing around, he’s not goofing off, and every aspect of what he is doing in the sport – his training, his diet, his sleeping – is highly controlled to optimize his performance.”

Antonio, whose junior year of athletics continues in this spring’s track and field season, gets special enjoyment from being in a very good cross country program. (Woodbridge finished fourth in the CIF-SS Division 2 finals team standings.)

“It’s great having a team like that to run with you,” Antonio said. “The guys are always pushing me to go faster even when they’re behind me. You see them improve and then I’ve got to keep up and keep improving, too.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Luciani, San Clemente

Dave Luciani of San Clemente is the Orange County boys cross country coach of the year.

The Tritons boys team, led by juniors, finished second in the CIF State Championships Division I team standings, behind Redondo Union. San Clemente was second to Beckman in Division 1 in the CIF Southern Section Championships and was third in the Orange County Championships.

Luciani, 45, completed his third season as San Clemente’s head coach. Also a runner himself, Luciani finished 10th in his age group in the Chicago Marathon this year.

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Yohan Anderson, San Clemente, Jr.

Aidan Antonio, Woodbridge, Jr.

Ryan Barris, Beckman, Jr.

Mattheus Dos Santos, San Clemente, Jr.

Toren Habbestad, Yorba Linda, Sr.

Oliver Hunter, Dana Hills, Sr.

Inban Kathiravan, Woodbridge, Sr.

Chase Manning, Tesoro, Sr.

Aiden Morales, JSerra, Sr.

Aidan Zavala, Woodbridge, Sr.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Sebastian Bello, Trabuco Hills, Sr.

Jack Burnett, JSerra, Sr.

Luke Friedl, JSerra, Sr.

Conner Jaurigue, San Clemente, Jr.

Emmanuel Lopez, Servite, Sr.

Jack McDonald, El Dorado, Jr.

Mason Nguyen, Beckman, Sr.

Darin Spragno, Santa Margarita, Sr.

Dresden Taylor, Trabuco Hills, So.

Erik Troester, San Clemente, Jr.

It didn’t matter that the waves were tiny, or that he couldn’t stand up on the board. Muir, who nearly drowned and was left temporarily paralyzed following a surfing accident in Oceanside in October, was just stoked to be in the salt water once again.

Following 85 days of intense rehab at Craig Hospital, a neurorehabilitation center in Colorado, Muir is back home with his family in Capistrano Beach. And while life for the longtime pilot and Air Force veteran is going to be much different in the days ahead, following his spinal cord injury, he’s thankful for the second chance.

“Whatever you have in front of you, you have to be OK with what your life is like,” said Muir, who was joined for his recent session in the ocean by his wife, Kristen, and two kids, Quinn and Wilem, good friend Pat Luke, as well as Judah Ely, the surfer who helped pull him out of the water and saved his life.

That fateful day, Muir and Ely had befriended one another in the water, hooting and hollering for each other as they took on big, barreling waves before Muir’s wipeout happened. Ely had noticed when Muir went missing and rushed to flip over his paralyzed body and, with the help of friend Thomas Alspaugh, pulled Muir to shore.

On Sunday, Dec. 20, Ely and Muir’s support group were once again cheering the surfer on as he glided on a small wave at Doheny State Beach, lying down on his belly as he let the ocean propel the board and his body to shore.

Ely and Luke helped walk Muir out to the water, his balance still a challenge. Muir is still requiring the use of a cane.

Unsure if he would ever surf again, the moment back in the water told him he can still do what he loves – maybe not in the same way – but that’s OK, he said.

“That’s OK if that’s what it always is, I don’t care – that’s what I’ve learned,” he said. “If I’m laying down on the waves and that’s surfing, I’m OK with it. Just to be in the ocean again, the salt water – it’s where I’m supposed to be.”

The waves were tiny, but it was just good to feel the energy once again, Muir said.

“It was the smallest day you could possibly think of,” he said. “You get that flow and that little rush of speed, it was amazing to get that feeling back.”

And there was nothing better than having his family next to him in the water, cheering him on, splashing him with saltwater as he rode the wave to shore.

“It’s not often you get your first wave over again, so it was pretty special,” Muir said. “I didn’t think I’d get it again. Getting that back is a really special thing. I appreciate it so much. Until it’s all taken away from you, you don’t understand what it means. Coming home to four wetsuits hanging up in the front yard like they were before, is the best thing ever.”

Muir said his resolution for the new year is to get 1% better every day, and to be content with what he has, not comparing his current life to what he was able to do before.

And his plan is to bring that feeling of gratefulness to the water to share with other surfers.

“This whole thing has opened my eyes. Just continuing to share stoke and cheer in the line up,” Muir said. “I’m excited to go out on a busy day and make people happy in the water again.”

Corona del Mar proved that Tuesday. Five players for the Sea Kings scored in double figures in their 74-71 win over Cypress in the Orange County North/South Challenge at Tesoro High.

Junior guard Maxwell Scott scored 17 points. Senior guards Aiden Cole and Oliver Nakra scored 14 points each, senior guard Luke Mirhashemi scored 13 points and sophomore guard Nolan Scott added 11.

The Sea Kings, No. 4 in this week’s Orange County Top 25, are undefeated at 12-0. No. 6 Cypress is 10-5.

Cypress took a 54-53 lead into the fourth quarter. A 3-point basket by Nakra was an important one, giving Corona del Mar a 64-60 lead. Nakra made another 3 a couple of minutes later, and a basket by Maxwell Scott later pushed the Sea Kings’ lead to 71-64.

The Centurions twice trimmed their deficit to three points in the fourth quarter but did not get closer.

Mirhashemi liked the Sea Kings’ effort Tuesday.

“We played super hard,” Mirhashemi said. “Our coaches do a great job of getting us prepared for every game.”

Junior guard Brennen De La Cruz led Cypress with 18 points. Senior guards Ryan Gov and Ethan Mai scored 13 points each for the Centurions.

The Orange County North/South Challenge is being played for the 26th time. The event is dedicated to the late Tim O’Brien, who coached at Northwood, Estancia and elsewhere in Orange County boys basketball.

Also in the Orange County North/South Challenge on Tuesday:

No. 2 Crean Lutheran 72, No. 7 Los Alamitos 69: Hunter Caplan made four free throws in the final 17 seconds to keep the Saints ahead in the final game of the eight-game event.

Crean Lutheran is 10-3. Los Alamitos is 4-6.

Caplan, a junior guard, scored a game-high 24 points including five 3-point baskets. Crean Lutheran 6-11 senior Chadrack Mpoyi scored 16 points.

Los Alamitos was led by sophomore guard Isaiah Williamson’s 19 points. Senior forward Tyler Lopez scored 17 points and sophomore guard Riley Bowers 15 added 15 points for the Griffins.

The Griffins led at various times during the fast-paced game, including a 67-66 lead with 1:35 left in the fourth quarter. Los Alamitos’ frenetic style bothered Crean Lutheran, but Crean Lutheran’s size advantages were in a large way responsible for the Saints’ victory.

No. 12 Tesoro 61, Irvine 46: Max Draper scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for the Titans (13-2).

Carson Hatch added 15 points for Tesoro.

No. 18 San Clemente 59, No. 23 Woodbridge 49: Bryan Blake scored 24 points and Desi Gutierrez scored 23 for the Tritons (7-7) in their win over the Warriors (10-4).

No. 21 Fountain Valley 67, Trabuco Hills 65 (OT): Kenneth Nguyen made two 3-point baskets in overtime for the Barons (12-0) in their victory over the Mustangs (9-7).

Nguyen finished with a team-high 21 points including four 3-pointers. Nguyen made his other two 3s in the fourth quarter. Isaac Chinchilla scored 17 points and James Pennington contributed 13 points for Fountain Valley.

Ryan Hull scored 24 points for Trabuco Hills. Devon Williams added 19 points for the Mustangs.

San Juan Hills 68, Tustin 51: Rocco Jensen’s 27 points led the Stallions (9-5) over the Tillers (8-8).

Stallions coach Jason Efstatiou said Tuesday’s game was a rare one for San Juan Hills because the team finally had a full-health roster.

San Juan Hills got off to a solid start and had a 27-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In other North/South Challenge games Huntington Beach defeated Dana Hills 69-39 and Northwood defeated El Toro 74-57.

“Saying goodbye is never easy,” said Gemmell in a written release. “We appreciate the heartfelt support of our beloved patrons who’ve kept us going.”

Barbara Tagudar-Gemmell, Byron’s partner, suggested that this will be the couple’s final culinary chapter, adding, “We look forward to seeing what retirement holds for us.”

ALSO READ: Parking structure opens as first landside project in $600 million Dana Point Harbor renovation

She went on to express gratitude for the staff, some of whom have worked at the eatery for years on end. “We could not have made it this far without the tremendous dedication of our humble and loyal employees, many of whom have spent more than a decade of their careers with us,” Tagudar-Gemmell said in the same release. “We cannot possibly convey our true gratitude for our team including Edgar, Julian, Jovanni and Kevin.”

Gemmell’s differentiated itself from the bulk of the famed harbor’s roster of Neptunian restaurants by honing in on classic French-Continental fare instead of a predominantly seafood menu. Highlights included stuffed crepes, pork tenderloin, pate canard, cassolette of escargots, roasted duck and more.

In addition to its menu, the restaurant also set itself apart with its cozy decor, especially during the holiday season, when diners were treated to roughly 250 nutcrackers on display, a collection amassed by Tagudar-Gemmell over the years.

Gemmell’s is officially set to close its doors on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

The Dana Point Harbor is currently undergoing a roughly $600 million overhaul that will refresh the harbor’s commercial core and 2,265-slip marina with two hotels and a lineup of restaurants to be announced at a later date. Harbor dining stalwarts like Harpoon Henry’s and El Torito shuttered in 2025 and 2024, respectively, while the 46-year-old Coffee Importers relocated a stone’s throw from the Ocean Institute earlier this year.

“Mike is the kind of leader who doesn’t just sit in his office and direct; he truly leads from within,” said Vickie McMurchie, president of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce. “He’s generous with his time and is always willing to roll up his sleeves alongside the people he serves.”

McMurchie went on to cheer Killebrew for stepping into the role in 2020, which she said was among the hardest of times to take over.

“His leadership made a huge difference for our local economy and for countless business owners,” she said through tears at a recent tribute to Killebrew during his final City Council meeting. “Mike, your actions literally saved businesses. So many more would have shuttered if you hadn’t been so proactive, flexible, and thoughtful during that time.”

And she credited Killebrew for setting the tone with the city staff, saying their success and follow-through are a testament to his leadership.

Killebrew leaves the city after 18 years of service, five as city manager, on Dec. 30. Kelly Reenders, who is the assistant city manager, will take over on Dec. 31. She was hired as the city’s economic development manager in 2016.

Before coming to Dana Point, Killebrew worked for 17 years in Long Beach, where some of the focus of his finance role included city rehabilitation projects, the Long Beach Airport, water treatment facilities and other infrastructure. He left there as the city’s chief financial officer.

While Killebrew said he prefers to stay behind the scenes and not draw accolades, quoting “More good things can happen if you don’t care who gets the credit,” he said that his primary goal in city government has always been to effect positive change.

“I’m always looking to make things better,” he said, adding that his focus was never on becoming city manager. “I’ve been blessed. I’m always looking to set up better policies.”

Among the projects he was involved in was Dana Point’s long-awaited Town Center plan, kickstarting rehabilitation of the commercial area along Pacific Coast Highway, now known as the Lantern District, which attracted many new businesses and restaurants. And, it is exactly what city leaders hoped for, a destination for many in South Orange County.

It has transformed the once-sleepy beachside town into a contender for tourism dollars, competing with neighboring Laguna Beach and San Clemente. New sidewalks, street signs and medians were constructed between Blue Lantern to the north and Golden Lantern to the south. Del Prado AVenue and Pacific Coast Highway were changed into two-lane roadways.

“It was critical,” Killebrew said, because before that, Dana Point had no “downtown.”

He also helped make progress on Doheny Village, a rehabilitation project on the south end of Dana Point, better known as Capistrano Beach, that is expected to similarly pump energy and revitalization into an area that has become tired. The improvements there, which also include more and new housing, should happen within the next two to four years.

With all his experience in municipal government, Killebrew said one of the most significant things he learned in Dana Point was setting the culture of the workforce in a way that built team camaraderie and, through that, benefited the city’s residents.

“The executive team established our expectations of service above self, and some of our very talented staff designed training targeted to implementing and reinforcing the culture,” he said.

Among other things, he said he’s proud of is that Dana Point has the “best roads” in the county. He ensures that, he said, by offering a steak dinner, gratis the public works director, to “anyone who finds a pothole in town.”

So far, he said, there have been no free dinners.

And, while most residents might not have met Killebrew at City Hall or seen him at council meetings, he made it a priority to get out into the community and help out local groups. Just recently, he was licensed to drive the city’s trolleys. On Saturday, his passengers in the trolley were Dana Hills High students participating in the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade.

Assisting local nonprofits, such as Fish For Life, the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, the chamber’s annual Turkey Trot and car show and the Dana Point Historic Society’s preservation efforts, has been the “most fun” part of his job, Killebrew said.

Working with these groups, he said, was also “incredibly impactful” for him in his role as city manager.

“In my leadership position with the city, I had a unique opportunity to focus some government resources on helping others better serve our community,” he said. “It is encouraging to see so many selfless people giving their time and money to make others’ lives better.”

In the departing city manager’s honor, McMurchie established the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Mike Killebrew Spirit of Service scholarship, which will be awarded each year to a Dana Hills High senior who shows exceptional commitment to volunteerism and puts service over self.

The chamber’s $1,000 donation will be matched with another $1,000 from the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club, where Killebrew also served.

Wayne Yost, who is the quartermaster of the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934, also commended Killebrew for not only supporting the post, but being hands-on by “scrubbing pots and cooking tri-tip.”

“Nobody else has that sort of relationship with veterans,” Yost said.

And, Terry Rifkin, president of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, thanked Killebrew for his guidance and help with the group’s adopted regiment at Camp Pendleton.

“You may never know the impact you’ve had on our Marine Corps and Navy corpsman families,” she told him.

Among the selection of gifts Killebrew was recently presented, Orange County Sheriff Department Capt. Frank Gonzalez, who serves as the chief of police services for Dana Point and a host of his deputies, presented Killebrew with a recycled wood American flag.

“Police Services is better because of you,” Gonzalez said. “I appreciate the most how many times you were quiet but present, whether it was a briefing because of a protest, Ohana, or a celebration. The deputies were successful because you were always there. You took the time to get to know our people.”

The annual Boat Parade of Lights launched in the harbor Friday night, with the last cruise happening at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. This year’s theme is the “Golden Jubilee – Carol of the Boats.”

Spectators have been bundling up to watch the parade from the public spaces around the harbor, and its restaurants have been hosting viewers each night.

The boat owners who participate in the parade line their vessels with lights and decorations, all in hopes of winning bragging rights and some of the $10,000 in cash prizes that will be handed out. Award categories include Best Use of Theme, People’s Choice, Supervisor’s Cup and Mayor’s Cup.

Though Sunday is the last night of the parade, the holiday spirit in the harbor will hardly dim. The harbor’s popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch, giant whale and other holiday displays created out of more than 700,000 lights are up through the end of the year.

The granddaddy of them all, Newport Beach’s famed boat parade, which has been going on for 117 years, has become a must-do for residents and tourists alike.  Dana Point’s Boat Parade of Lights is marks a major milestone this year when it launches Dec. 12.

Some of the other upcoming boat parades are more intimate affairs aimed at bringing the community together, including in two land-locked towns, and while they may not have the glitz and glam of more well-known parades, they are certainly worth checking out for their festive cheer.

Dana Point

The 50th annual Boat Parade of Lights sets sail through the Dana Point Harbor from Dec. 12 through 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. each night.

This year’s theme is the “Golden Jubilee – Carol of the Boats.”  Local boaters will transform their vessels into floating festive displays for a chance at $10,000 in cash prizes.

Award categories include Best Use of Theme, People’s Choice, Supervisor’s Cup and Mayor’s Cup.

Dana Point boater Randy Profecta said the parade has become a family tradition, a “must-see” for all.

“It starts with a meeting of family members to see how best to decorate our boat so it coincides with the theme, a parade theme that changes every year,” he said, describing the lead up as: “Hours spent together planning, decorating, improvising and preparing. Putting together our guest list. Praying for good weather.  Bundling up for the parade.”

What really makes it special, he said, is the reaction of the thousands of spectators lining the route “as we pass by, our crew singing and dancing.”

Spectators can view the parade from public spaces along the route, from a local restaurant or even on a boat. The local charter companies run nightly for those who want to be a part of the procession.

Parking should be easier with the addition of the new parking structure that opened earlier this year. And the harbor is again glowing with its holiday decorations featuring more than 700,000 lights, including the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch and giant whale, which are popular for photo opportunities.

More information: danapointharbor.com/events.

Newport Beach

This year’s Christmas Boat Parade will float through the Newport Harbor from Dec. 17 to Dec. 21. It is one of the longest-running in the country and draws more than a million visitors each year, local officials say, to check out the more than 100 boats that circle the harbor’s waterways each night.

There’s everything from small Duffy boats to large mega yachts whose owners spend weeks, and often big bucks, to decorate their decks in hopes of winning bragging rights.

This year’s theme is “Magical Nights of Lights.” Synchronized light drone shows, held twice nightly, “will light up the sky above Newport Harbor, adding a modern, magical twist to the festivities,” organizers said. There are also fireworks shows on some days.

The parade floats a 14-mile route beginning and ending at the Tip of Lido Isle.

Opening night at Marina Park will feature a holiday market, live music, entertainment, photo ops and kid activities. The free event kicks off at 4 p.m. and runs through 8 p.m., with fireworks planned for 6:15 p.m. and the parade passing at about 6:54 p.m.

The 2025 grand marshal is Newport Beach native Ted McGinley, an actor known for his roles in “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat,” “Married…with Children” and most recently, “Shrinking.”

For more information, including the best public places to view from or restaurants with viewing areas: christmasboatparade.com.

Huntington Beach

The Huntington Harbour Boat Parade will embark on its 63rd year on Dec. 13 and 14. Boats line up at 4:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 5:15 p.m.

This year, the theme is “Fun With Music” and the grand marshal is Madeline Fields.

Public viewing is from the beaches only. Track the route and get more information at HHBoatParade.org.

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee will host its Cruise of Lights fundraiser from Dec. 19 to 23. It’s a 45-minute narrated boat tour to see the holiday lights around the harbor.

Adults pay $26, children $19. Cruises depart hourly each evening at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Information: cruiseoflights.org

Inland boat parades

Coastal towns aren’t the only ones with a tradition of hosting cheer on the water.

East Lake Village homes are known for going bright with decorations for the holidays, and that includes their boats, which they will parade around the Yorba Linda community’s lake at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14.

The community can watch from the public streets around the lakefront neighborhood. Food trucks will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. at the East Lake Clubhouse. Information: elvca.com

And here’s a fun twist to a boat parade: The beloved Dry Land Boat Parade will return to Villa Park on Dec. 14 this year with a “Reeling in the Holidays” theme.

Each year, residents decorate their trailered boats – and just about anything else with wheels – to join in a citywide display of holiday cheer with the “asphalt boat parade.”

Neighborhood watch parties bring lookie-loos together to watch the decked-out vessels pass by homes.

The parade, now in its 27th year, starts at 5 p.m. on Taft Avenue at Villa Park High and ends there.

A parade route and schedule are available at vpcsfoundation.org

Just get there early, because they’re justly popular, expect to hunt for parking (or bike or Uber), and dress warmly. It’s colder than you think. A thermos of hot beverages would not be unwelcome. And, if you just won the lottery, reserve a table by the water and watch in style.

Here are some of the classics coming up soon:

Dana Point 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

Friday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Dec. 14: Dana Point Harbor, 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point

This year’s theme is “Carol of the Boats.” The parade is slated to run from 6:30-8 p.m. Boaters can sign up to participate online or at The Marina at Dana Point office. There’s free viewing from the boardwalk and park areas. You could also see if you can nab a view table at a waterfront restaurant or take a boat parade charter. Get there early.  danapointharbor.com/event/50th-annual-boat-parade-of-lights/2025-12-12/

Shoreline Yacht Club Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 13: 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach

There will be a viewing party at Shoreline Village to see this parade. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m., travels through the Shoreline Marina and Rainbow Harbor and arrives at Shoreline Village between 6 and 7 p.m. The viewing party runs until 7:30 p.m. and is slated to include dancing to a DJ, balloon animals, live holiday music and more. . facebook.com/ShorelineVillage

Marina del Rey Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 13: Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey; Burton Chace Park , 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey

The 63rd annual Marina de Rey Holiday Boat Parade starts with a drone light show at 5:45 p.m. followed by the official parade start at 6 p.m. with fireworks. The 2025 theme is “A Nightmare Before Christmas” celebrating the 13th of December. There are events at Burton Chase Park from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. mdrboatparade.org

Huntington Harbour Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14: Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach

The 63rd annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade is slated to start at 5:15 p.m. until 8 p.m. This year’s theme is “Fun With Music.” Public viewing is at the beaches only, and parking is very limited. See the parade route here: hhboatparade.org/parade-route. Learn more: hhboatparade.org

Villa Park Dry Land Boat Parade

Sunday, Dec. 14: Starts and ends at Villa Park High School, 18042 Taft Ave., Villa Park

Who says you need water for a boat parade? The city of Villa Park is holding its annual Dry Land Boat Parade starting at 5 p.m. on Sun. Dec. 14. This year’s theme is “Reeling in the Holidays.”  Some 50 vessels travel around the city, past holiday parties and kids begging for candy. Organizers say participants include “decorated boats and wheeled transports, including golf carts, Segways and classic cars. The parade runs rain or shine. Good places to watch the parade include the walking trail on Lemon Street and Villa Park Elementary School. There’s room for your chairs but bring blankets. Learn more: villapark.co/dry-land-boat-parade

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Dec. 17-21: Newport Harbor, Newport Beach

This Newport Beach tradition has been going on for 117 years. Expect 100 or more decorated yachts, boats and kayaks. View for free from the shore, or go for paid seating and boat tours. Get there early. Seriously. Really early, particularly at Balboa Island or Marina Park. The best free viewing is at Marina Park, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach. There’s a fireworks show on Dec. 17 at 6:15 p.m. christmasboatparade.com

79th Annual Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade

Dec. 20: Naples Island, 5824 E. Naples Plaza, Long Beach

In this Long Beach tradition, lighted and decorated small boats sail through the Naples canals and larger boats around the perimeter, while many houses they sail past are elaborately dolled up for the holidays. This year’s theme is “A Tropical Winter Wonderland.” The large boats set off at 6 p.m. and smaller boats at 6:30. Go early to secure a parking place and good spot for viewing. Bridges over the canals such as the 2nd Street Bridge and Appian Way Bridge are good locations, but anywhere along the canal walkways will provide good viewing. visitlongbeach.com/events/naples-island-christmas-boat-parade/

“It’s a beautiful thing when you see your message connect with people, especially the children, because they are going to inherit all these challenges. But I’m optimistic,” said the renowned marine artist, who launched his art career in Laguna Beach.

The Wyland Foundation recently announced $250,000 raised at a recent gala held in San Clemente will support clean water initiatives, from inland to the ocean, across the country.

The event, held at Gray Matter Museum, brought together supporters, community members and art enthusiasts to help expand the foundation’s ocean conservation and youth environmental outreach through programs such as the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center, a traveling 1,000-square-foot science exhibit that brings hands-on watershed education to Title I schools and community events nationwide.

Other initiatives include public art partnerships, climate and water-resilience workshops, the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, and the Streams of Hope watershed program, which launched in 2022 and empowers middle-school students to adopt and study their local waterways.

The Wyland Foundation nonprofit launched in 1993, and in the past three decades has worked to protect oceans, lakes, rivers and streams through education, public art, community engagement and national awareness campaigns.

Wyland, a Detroit native who says he was first inspired after seeing a gray whale off Laguna Beach during a summer vacation as a youngster, came back to the beach town to create his first-ever Whaling Wall in 1981, the start of a 103 mural series. He has made his mark around the world and across Southern California

A few months ago, Wyland Foundation helped create a first-of-its-kind “3D Visual Experience” in Laguna Beach, transforming his Gray Whale and Calf mural, which spans 140 feet, into a 3D illumination.

Also, Dana Wharf Sportsfishing and Whale Watching a few weeks ago unveiled its latest collaboration with the artist, wrapping the hull of its Ocean Adventures catamaran with his artwork.

Dana Wharf has long partnered with the artist, launching together the Wyland Whale Watching Art Contest 15 years ago, which runs from the end of January through April. Young artists get to create marine art aboard a boat, with the Wyland Foundation picking winners at the end of the series.

The artwork on the catamaran’s hull depicts a pod of humpback whales swimming alongside bottlenose dolphins, marine mammals regularly seen off Orange County’s coast.

“These whale images are deeply personal – each one a reminder that when art lives on the water, it can move hearts the same way the ocean moves the tide,” Wyland said.

He’s also been focusing his attention inland with the Streams of Hope initiative.

“I’ve known for a long time, if we’re going to protect the sea, we have to protect the water habitats,” Wyland said. “I’m trying to think big and share what I know. And, at the end of the day, it’s going to require all 8.5 billion people to ensure we have clean water and healthy oceans now and in the future.”

What happens on lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands impacts the ocean, he said. “If you love the ocean and love marine life, you have to take care of our freshwater.”

Clean water is the most important issue of our time, Wyland emphasized.

“The reality is,” he said, “we have plenty of water, but we’re not taking care of it.”