These amazing gingerbread houses will inspire you to get creative this year
Gingerbread season is here! While the candy-covered creations we make with our kids are what we’d call “shabby chic” at best (here are some gingerbread house hacks to help you this year), some folks take it to the next level. We’ve rounded up a village of amazing gingerbread houses that will make your jaw drop.
Disney World is known for displaying amazing gingerbread houses every year, and the Grand Floridian Resort tops the list of best places to spot them.
"12 Days of Gingerbread"
The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville is famous for its annual Gingerbread House Competition. This year is the 31st anniversary, and starting on November 27th, all the submissions will be displayed throughout the resort. If you won't be in the area, be sure to check out their "12 Days of Gingerbread," where, from Dec 1. - Dec. 12, the top 12 finalists are presenting on Facebook and Instagram.
The Fairmont in San Francisco is famous for its two-story gingerbread houses, which is a part of its annual holiday fun. You can even book a dining experience for up to eight guests inside the gingerbread house! The hotel officially kicks off the holiday fun on November 24th, 2023.
We're totally crushing on this creation by Sugar & Cloth, complete with a Rice Krispy Christmas tree on top of the sweet retro camper. There are even step-by-step instructions if you’re feeling brave enough to attempt it yourself.
Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach created a jaw-dropping take on The Wizard of Oz, made with 400 pounds of gingerbread dough, 300 pounds of fondant, and 100 pounds of chocolate.
Two of our favorite holidays collide in this spooky house from Cookie Connection. A candy-lined path leads up to a sweet mansion that’s crawling with ivy—would you dare to step inside?
The White House gingerbread house is a tradition that’s been going on since the Carter administration. We think the 2019 house was pretty awesome because not only is the White House featured, but other important American landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Alamo are included too.
How cute is this farm setup from My Name Is Yeh? Complete with matcha trees, heart-shaped jolly rancher windows, and gingerbread ponies, it’s a farm you can really sink your teeth into.
Disney doesn’t do anything halfway—including this life-size replica of a Jersey Shore Boardwalk concession stand at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, which has a grand total of 674 gingerbread shingles. We’ve only got one question: how do you keep the kiddos from nibbling on it as they walk by?
Frozen fans will appreciate this awesome gingerbread ice castle that popped up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Florida. Anna, Elsa, and the rest of the gang are all ready to wave hello.
Here’s a cute idea—combine a couple of holidays for an extra special gingerbread house. This creation from With Love and Confection is super sweet down to the last detail, from the heart-shaped roof tiles to the glittery snowman in the front yard.
This amazing gingerbread house combines an iconic building at the National Institutes of Health with everyone’s favorite reindeer and all of his friends. Watch out for the Abominable Snowman in the background!
This clever house looks just like the one featured in Pixar’s hit movie Up. From the “grass” made out of toasted coconut to the rice paper curtains, this house makes every detail count.
Waterbar's Executive Pastry Chef Erica Land spent over 100 hours creating this amazing rendition of Halloween Town from Tim Burton's classic film The Nightmare Before Christmas. It was three feet tall, and six feet wide, and included over 25 lbs. of gingerbread!
With the price of flights at an all-time high, it seems like taking a road trip is much better bet—budget-wise (at least slightly right?!). Thankfully SoCal has plenty of epic vacation destinations that are just a drive away and while you might be familiar with these popular destinations, have you heard about the must-see quirky stops to take along the way? From downright wacky to pretty darn cool, these roadside attractions turn a pit-stop into a wild good time.
If you're heading out on the I-15 from SoCal towards the Las Vegas area, then a stop at EddieWorld is well worth it. Touted as California's largest gas station, you can fuel up and recharge with the lowest gas prices and 18 Tesla supercharging stations. There are also three fast-casual restaurants serving up fare ranging from gourmet burgers and unique fries to salads and sushi. Also don't miss, homemade ice cream and Peet's coffee for the parents and bags of candy for purchase.
Insider Tip: There are plenty of fresh, tasty vegan options available—and their bathrooms are notoriously clean!
Have a roaring good time when you stop to see the Cabazon dinosaurs before spending the weekend in Palm Springs or Joshua Tree. View over 50 dinosaurs, stroll through a cool museum and even climb inside the T. Rex. It's dino-tastic! Even more, for a sweet treat check-out the Wafflesaurus Truck open Fri.-Sun. from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. You’ll get to stretch your legs and the kids will love this adventure!
Museum Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Cost: $15/adult; $13/child; free for children under 3
Located just 22 miles north of San Diego, here you can enter a bootlegger's tunnel through the historic Cave Store and follow it down through the sandstone cliffs and into a sea cave. The story goes that the creator of The Wizard of Oz inspired the cave's names when he noticed that the opening looks like the Sunny Jim cartoon character. Tours are self-guided and take about 15 minutes to complete.
Cost: $10/adult; $6/youth (ages 3-17)
Cave Store 1325 Coast Blvd. La Jolla, CA Online: cavestore.com
While Randy's plans worldwide doughnut domination, nothing beats stopping at the orginal. So the next time you're road-tripping through Los Angeles plan a pitstop off the 405 for a box of the now-iconic sweets.
Good to Know: The famed big donut that graces their roof is a California icon featured in plenty of TV shows and movies, like Arrested Development, Californication, and Iron Man 2. Their flagship location in Inglewood has been there for nearly 60 years and is home to the original giant 32-foot donut.
If you find yourself driving to the California Redwoods for vacation, this is a must-do road trip adventure! There are three opportunities in the area where driving through a tree is actually encouraged! The drive-thru trees are giant redwoods with holes big enough for motorists to drive through. Shrine Tree in Myers Flat, Chandelier Tree in Leggett, and Klamath Tree in Klamath all offer the opportunity to take your car where it’s never been before (just remember to fold in your side-view mirrors).
It's true—this roadside attraction is in fact, an alley, about 70 feet long and 15 feet high, covered in thousands (maybe millions) of wads of chewed gum. The alley's history is debated, but it's been around since at least the early '70s and is usually full of people taking selfies or contributing their own piece of gum. The bubblegum graffiti is located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo and can be described as one of the city's most popular, unofficial landmarks. So, feel free to extend your stop and pop into one of the many local shops or restaurants. There's even a classic sweet shop, SLO sweets, that sells, you guessed it, gumballs!
733 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, CA Online: slocity.org/
Pirate House, Newport Beach
When you’re driving down Marcus St. in Newport Beach, you really can’t miss this quirky gem on the corner of 35th and Marcus. Pirates of the Caribbean figures, a giant rooster and the Statue of Liberty are just a few of the things you’ll see. This is someone’s private residence, so you can’t go inside, but the owners are well aware that the home draws a lot of spectators.
35th St. & Marcus Ave. Newport Beach, CA
Roy's Motel and Cafe
Get your kicks on Route 66! Roy’s Motel & Cafe is an institution of The Mother Road and one of the most photographed sites. Yоu mау rесоgnіzе іt from the numеrоuѕ mоvіеѕ, commercials, music videos and рhоtо shoots thаt hаvе featured thе iconic Route 66 lаndmаrk.
87520 National Trails Hwy. Amboy, CA Online: visitamboy.com
Go out on a limb and visit Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch located along Route 66. It's literally a forest of bottle trees in the California desert. Even more, the best part is the musical sound the bottles make on a windy day.
Located in the town of Buellton, you’ll find Ostrichland a unique roadside stop that will engage everyone. Here you can visit with 100+ amazing ostriches and emus. Then, head on to downtown Solvang where this quirky Danish town has bakeries, restaurants and shops with many folks dressed in Danish costumes.
The weather in Orange County is pretty much perfect year round and that means it’s always a great time to hit the trail. Our friends at AllTrails gave us this amazing list of kid-friendly hikes in Orange County and it is full of winners. Whether you hike along the coastline or head through the hills, you are guaranteed some epic views and fresh air galore. Get ready to check off your favorites!
1. Reef Point and Crystal Cove Trail
Wayne Booth/AllTrails
Reef Point and Crystal Cove Trail is a 5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Laguna Beach, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until November.
Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Easy
2. Borrego Canyon to Red Rock Canyon
Kumar Ghandi/AllTrails
Borrego Canyon Trail to Red Rock Canyon is a 4.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Foothill Ranch, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Horses are also able to use this trail.
Parking Fee: $3. During the winter this park may close due to weather conditions. It may also close due to mountain lion activity. Please check with the park before visiting.
Distance: 4.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
3. Peters Canyon Lake View Trail
Mia WOmack/AllTrails
Peters Canyon Lake View Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Orange, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from October until June. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Peters Canyon Regional Park encompasses 340 acres of coastal sage scrub, riparian, freshwater marsh and grassland habitats. The 55-acre Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir is home to many resident and migrating waterfowl. black willows, sycamores and cottonwoods line the lake and Peters Canyon Creek which meanders through the canyon. Parking Fee is $3 daily.
Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
4. Buck Gully Trail
Jim F./AllTrails
Buck Gully Trail is a heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Newport Beach, California that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round.
Note: this trail is periodically closed due to weather conditions. Please check park website for most up-to-date information on trail conditions.
Distance: 4.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
5. Mission Viejos Oso Creek Trail
Lesley Garcia/AllTrails
Mission Viejo's Oso Creek Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Mission Viejo, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 3.2 miles Difficulty: Easy
6. Quail Loop Trail
Johnny Mai/AllTrails
Quail Loop Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Irvine, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
7. Aliso Summit Trail
Angela Shoost/AllTrails
Aliso Summit Trail is a 8.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Laguna Niguel, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This hike along the southern ridge of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park is fairly easy, with only a short moderate hill at the end. As you walk you'll find the park to your right and suburbs and homes to your left, so you don't really get an out in nature feel to the hike. At the end you get a really nice view of the ocean and Aliso Beach County Park.
Distance: 8.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
8. Newport Beach Back Bay Trail
Bill Forliano/AllTrails
Newport Beach Back Bay Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Newport Beach, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Sea breezes make this one of the few treeless trails that you can hike in summer in Southern California. Located far from the ridges, the flat expanses of the marsh do not, at first glance, seem like much of a place to commune with nature, but once you get up close you discover all kinds of wonders including waterfowl, insect life, peculiar vegetation, and fossils.
Distance: 10.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
9. Fullerton Panorama Trail
Marly Castellanos/AllTrails
Fullerton Panorama Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Fullerton, California that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 2.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
10. Sulphur Creek Reservoir Loop
Candace Saik/AllTrails
Sulphur Creek Reservoir Loop is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Laguna Niguel, California that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
The lake at the heart of this Orange County regional park is a secondary attraction to the green lawns and trees of the adjacent picnic areas. Many walk this trail as an afterthought or prowl it in search of one of the many lakeside fishing spots at the bottom of a set of railroad-tie stairs.
AllTrails helps connect us to the outdoors and makes getting outside easier and more accessible. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, with AllTrails you can search for and navigate trails, parks, and green spaces, or use filters to find your next favorite trail.
Janie and Jack is getting you ready for the holidays! After last year’s fab collection, the children’s clothing retailer just launched a second holiday collab with stylist, CEO, and mom, Rachel Zoe.
The two-collection collaboration launches with Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection. Available starting Nov. 9, the line is packed with glam styles that emulate Zoe’s signature style, including several pieces that match her women’s collection for that perfect mommy and me photo opp.
The Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection has pops of gold, faux-fur and jacquard suits, dresses, headbands, metallic leather shirts, grey suits, cream dinner jackets and black tuxedo pants. The 30-piece capsule is available in sizes 6-12 months to 12 years, with prices ranging from $19.50-$169.00.
You can shop the line at at select Janie and Jack stores (NYC, LA, Newport Beach, CA) and online at janieandjack.com. Keep your eyes peeled for the second part of the collaboration, a Resort Collection that launches on Dec. 7.
Finally, Rachel Zoe will help kick off Janie and Jack’s Holiday Program with a styling video that includes tips for families getting ready for holiday photos. The program also has an interactive calendar that will inspire families this holiday season with special at-home activities.
Beaches are now starting to reopen much to the delight of those looking to put their feet in the sand. Some may be looking to relocate to a community close to the water. WalletHub just released a report on 2020’s Best Beach Towns to live in.
To determine the most livable beach side communities, WalletHub compared 191 cities across 63 key metrics. The data set ranges from housing costs to share of for-sale waterfront homes to quality of beach water. This study divides beach towns into two categories, those by the ocean and those by lakes.
Top 10 Ocean Beach Towns
Naples, FL
Lahaina, HI
Boca Raton, FL
Newport Beach, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Sarasota, FL
Kailua, HI
Carlsbad, CA
Encinitas, CA
Vero Beach, FL
Top 10 Lake Beach Towns
Traverse City, MI
Folsom, CA
Redmond, WA
Holland, MI
Cornelius, NC
Kirkland, WA
Mercer Island, WA
Rocky River, OH
Davidson, NC
Pewaukee, WI
Best vs. Worst
Ocean Beach Cities:
Port Lavaca, Texas, has the lowest median home price as a share of income, 1.75, which is 8.7 times lower than in Coronado, California, the city with the highest at 15.14.
Wailuku, Hawaii, has the lowest median annual property taxes, 0.15 percent, which is 19.9 times lower than in Shirley, New York, the city with the highest at 2.98 percent.
Miami Beach, Coral Gables & Key Biscayne, Florida, all share the fewest disaster declarations (since 1953), 15, which is 4.9 times fewer than in Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates and Malibu, California, the cities with the most at 74.
Long Beach, New York, has the fewest property crimes per 1,000 residents, 2.37, which is 44.5 times lower than in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the city with the most at 105.47.
Lake Beach Cities:
Alpena, Michigan, has the lowest median home price as a share of income, 2.02, which is four times lower than in South Lake Tahoe, California, the city with the highest at 8.05.
Morgan City, Louisiana, has the lowest median annual property taxes, 0.26 percent, which is 14.7 times lower than in Zion, Illinois, the city with the highest at 3.83 percent.
Traverse City and Alpena, Michigan, have the fewest disaster declarations (since 1953), five each, which is 11.6 times fewer than in Lake Elsinore, California, which has the most at 58.
Bay Village, Ohio, has the fewest property crimes per 1,000 residents, 3.05, which is 34.6 times lower than in Branson, Missouri, the city with the most at 105.62.
WalletHub recently announced the best beach towns to live in for 2019. And if you’re considering a move—what better time than the present?
So which towns topped WalletHub’s list? After comparing 192 cities across 62 key indicators, the website picked these summery cities as the top 10 best ocean beach places to live:
Naples, Florida; Lahaina, Hawaii; Newport Beach,California; Carlsbad, California; Boca Raton, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Encinitas, California; Santa Monica, California; and Venice, Florida.
If lakeside living is more your style, the top 10 lake beach towns are: Traverse City, Michigan; Folsom, California; Cornelius, North Carolina; Holland, Michigan; Kirkland, Washington; Mercer Island, Washington; Davidson, North Carolina; Redmond, Washington; Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Bay Village, Ohio.
When it comes to specific pluses of each town, Port Lavaca, Texas had the lowest housing costs; Stony Brook, New York had the highest median household income; Wailuku, Hawaii had the lowest median annual property taxes and Key Biscayne, Florida had the lowest violent crime rate.
Looking for an edible adventure that will have your kids in awe rather than saying ‘ew’? Enter conveyor belt sushi joints where you grab your food as it passes by on its own little moving platform. Half the fun is stopping a plate before it’s about to whiz by! You’d be surprised how open kids are to trying new things when it arrives via bullet train. Read on for our top picks and jump aboard the self-serve sushi express!
Magic Touch Bullet Train Sushi Sushi ordered from a booth via table-side iPads and delivered by miniature “high-speed” bullet trains directly to your seat? Um, yes please! Parents will love the built-in hot green tea spout right at their table and kids will love, well, the “trains” of course whizzing around the restaurant on double-decker beltways with plates of high-quality sushi on board. Come hungry (sushi tacos anyone?) and leave feeling like you and your family blasted into the future of sushi dining!
Gatten Sushi Family-friendly is what this revolving sushi joint is all about where you’re bound to get greeted at the door with enthusiastic exclamations, and even a song or two if you’re lucky. Not sure if your picky toddler is going to fully embrace their first Philadelphia roll? No problem! Gatten offers rolls and sushi selections in 3-piece portions making it much easier to try new things (and makes it easier on the wallet as well!). For those that crave the conveyor belt experience but aren’t fans of raw fish, there is also plenty on the menu to satisfy the non-sushi sect. Ramen for the win!
1530 W. Artesia Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90248
Phone: 310-436-0076
Locations also in Monterey Park, Granada Hills & Cerritos
Online: gattenusa.com
Blue C Sushi
In the heart of Hollywood at Sunset near Vine, Blue C sushi has rotating plates that are color coded for easy price identification while the contemporary décor lends the place a modern, cheerful ambiance. Inspired by and modeled after the colorfully dynamic Tokyo subway lines, these conveyor belts use digital tracking technology that allows the staff and chefs to closely monitor every item out for selection. You won’t have to worry that your junior sushi brigade will select anything with subpar quality as chefs receive an alert when it’s time to refresh any particular dish! Located next door to ArcLight Cinemas, it’s a perfect excuse to grab a quick bite (don’t forget to order the blue cotton candy for dessert) before catching the latest family flick on the big screen.
6374 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: 323-391-2241
Also located in Newport Beach
Online: bluecsushi.com
Sushi Sumo For those wanting to try the conveyor belt sushi thing but aren’t ready to go all in, this place is a happy compromise. With both table and waiter service and a revolving belt of freshly made plates in the middle of the restaurant, you and your little fishies can have the best of both worlds, along with some of the friendliest service around. Snag a couple of smaller portioned items from the conveyor as appetizers and order traditional sushi platters table-side for the main meal. This place becomes quite the party spot after 8 p.m. so if you’re bringing the littles, probably best to make it an early evening.
1831 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
Phone: 310-576-0499
Online: sushisumogardena.com
Let us know if we missed any of your favorite serve yourself spots! And if you’re looking for regular old sushi restaurants, check out our list of local favorites for kids.
Whether you like them lightly toasted or burnt to a crisp, roasting marshmallows around a campfire is the ultimate summer activity for kids. Pair it with a warm Los Angeles evening and you’ve got yourself a real summer treat. Here are 5 places where you can warm up your roasting arm (and some bonus hints for where to score s’more treats without getting toasty).
From the Santa Monica Mountains to the LA River, four local Los Angeles parks are sponsoring community campfires that are free and open to the public all summer long. Roasting equipment and marshmallows are provided, as is the all important roaring fire. All you have to bring is a light jacket and a blanket so you can get comfy on the park grounds.
While you’re scarfing down your marshmallows, you can sit back and enjoy a park ranger narrated nature program, which will teach little nature lovers all about local flora and fauna. So if you’re wondering just what mountain lions like to eat or how to spot poison ivy, a park ranger would love to answer your questions while you get sugary and toasted. What does deer poop look like? Yep. She’ll answer that, too.
Here’s where you can find these free, ooey-gooey,finger-licking-good, campfire events near you. Each one begins at 7 p.m. and lasts about an hour and a half. The programs are currently running now through the first week of August.
Seaside S’Mores
Dockweiler Beach is the only beach in Los Angeles where beach fires are allowed. Get there early to snag a fire pit and build the best bonfire this side of Orange County (where there are more beaches in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach that allow fire pits), and you can roast your own marshmallows as you dry out from a day at the beach. Sticky fingers and sandy toes required.
The pits are open year round on a first come first serve basis and you must bring everything with you: wood, matches, fire starters, & s’mores supplies. Don’t forget the sticks, they’re not plentiful on the beach! Bring a bucket, too, because you’re in charge of extinguishing your own fire. A little sea water should do the trick. Keep flip flops on near the campfire due to arrant sparks and wood chips left from previous users.
Dockweiler State Beach
12000 Vista del Mar
Playa del Rey
Online: beaches.lacounty.gov
More S’More Making and Taking
If you think s’mores should only be made around your own camp fire, hit one of our favorite family camping spots and bring the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars along.
And if you’re more of an order-in kind of family, these spots make our favorite restaurant s’mores treats in town! (In the name of good journalism we ate our way through dozens of contenders to pick the very best.) Try the Summer S’more Bars at M Street Kitchen, the Make Your Own S’mores at Luna Park, order a dozen of the S’more Cookies at Cookie Good to feed a crowd, or feed your emo soul when you wake up with a S’Morrissey Donut from Donut Friend.
photo credit: M Street Kitchen
Parents, where are your favorite campfire locations for roasting marshmallows? Tell us in the comments below.