Is your Huntington Beach library card gathering dust? You’re missing out on free movies, music, and audiobooks that could save you hundreds a month.

In this episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach, Lane Stone dives into the "digital goldmine" hidden in your wallet. Plus, with the rainy Christmas weather hitting the coast, we’re sharing a curated list of the best spots in HB to grab a warm bowl of ramen or a cozy latte. We also take a trip back to 1834 to uncover a mysterious ship that returned to the HB Pier 150 years later.

In This Episode:

• The Digital Library: How to use Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla for free.
• Rainy Day Eats: From the "Gold Standard" of ramen at HiroNori to comfort food at Mama’s.
• HB History: The story of the Brig Pilgrim and its foggy return in 1987.
• Giving Back: Meet Nala, the Adoptable Pet of the Month, and a shoutout to our local World Junior Surf Champ, Bailey Turner.

Resources Mentioned:

• Library Apps: Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, The Palace Project
• Where to Eat:
  • Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails
  • HiroNori Craft Ramen
  • Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai
  • Sweet Elle Cafe
  • Bluegold & LSXO
  • Riip Beer & Pizzeria
• Community: OC Animal Care Adoption

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlockinghb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockinghb
Sackin-Stone Team: https://sackinstoneteam.com

LANE STONE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laneinoc

Welcome to this week’s episode of Unlocking Huntington Beach.
Lane Stone covers everything you need to know heading into peak holiday season. From classic Christmas light traditions and seasonal events to drones in the wetlands, a DUI checkpoint, and easy ways to give back locally, this episode is your full HB rundown.

We kick things off with holiday lights and can’t-miss seasonal events. From the iconic Cruise of Lights in Huntington Harbour to some of the best Christmas light neighborhoods across Orange County, we break down where to go, what’s worth it, and how to plan it without losing your mind.

If you want the exact addresses, the Sackin-Stone Team created a Best Christmas Lights Orange County Google Map with 130+ hand-picked locations. It includes synced light shows, themed houses, and full neighborhoods that go all in. The map will be updated throughout the season so you can plan ahead. View the map here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mZQLpuHr5wWaGNNB9

We also hit other holiday staples like the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, the Snoopy House in Costa Mesa, and Tanaka Farms’ Festival of Lights. If you’re building a light route for the week or the weekend, that map makes it easy to hit multiple stops without backtracking or guessing.

Next, we spotlight ways to give back right here in Huntington Beach. The Huntington Beach Fire Department’s Spark of Love Toy Drive is underway, and we share how and where to donate, plus what types of gifts are needed most this year.

We wrap with the biggest local headlines. The Circuit shuttle is officially ending, a City Hall lawsuit has been dismissed, a DUI checkpoint is scheduled this week, and mosquito-control drones are being deployed in the Bolsa Chica wetlands to reduce breeding grounds without disrupting the ecosystem.

In this episode, we cover:

Holiday Lights & Seasonal Events
The 63rd Annual Cruise of Lights in Huntington Harbour, must-see Christmas light displays across Orange County, drive-through favorites, and iconic holiday events happening now through Christmas.
Full list of addresses available on the Best Christmas Lights Orange County map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mZQLpuHr5wWaGNNB9

Community & Giving Back
How to support the Spark of Love Toy Drive with the Huntington Beach Fire Department and help local families this holiday season.

In the News
The Circuit Shuttle ending December 31, the dismissal of Huntington Beach’s sanctuary law lawsuit, an upcoming DUI checkpoint, and new mosquito-control drone technology being used in Huntington Beach wetlands.

FOLLOW US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlockinghb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockinghb
Sackin-Stone Team: https://sackinstoneteam.com

LANE STONE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laneinoc

This week on Unlocking Huntington Beach, Langston is joined by special co-host Amber Doherty to give you the ultimate guide to the holiday season in HB!

Whether you are looking for family-friendly fun like the Cookie Crawl and Winterfest, or planning a night out for New Year's Eve, we break down exactly where to go. We also cover some major local business news—including a sad goodbye to a Pacific City staple and a warm welcome to some new "dirty soda" and sandwich spots—and wrap up with an update on the city's new Mayor.

Tune in to find out where to see snow in Huntington Beach, where to catch Elvis this Christmas, and the best spots to view the 68th Annual Boat Parade!

In this episode, we cover:

• Holiday Events: Pacific City Cookie Crawl, Winterfest at Bella Terra, and Rockin' Christmas at Old World.
• Best Decor: Why you need to visit Cruisers and Matter of Craft this month.
• Boat Parade: The best public viewing spots for the Huntington Harbour Boat Parade.
• NYE 2025: Party options at The Bungalow, Paséa Hotel & Spa, and the Downtown Bar Crawl.
• Local Business News: Closures and new openings (Old Crow, Kickstand Soda Shop, Mendocino Farms).
• City Update: Meet the new Mayor of Huntington Beach.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Holiday Overview
• 00:30 - Cookie Crawl & Grinch Movie Night at Pacific City
• 01:19 - Winterfest: Snow comes to Bella Terra
• 02:00 - Elvis, Holidays, & Wiener Dog Races at Old World
• 02:50 - Best Holiday Vibes: Cruisers & Matter of Craft
• 04:20 - 68th Annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
• 05:14 - New Year's Eve Events (Bungalow, Paséa, Bar Crawl)
• 08:10 - Business News: Old Crow Closing & New Openings
• 10:30 - City News: New Mayor Announcement
• 11:33 - Outro & Socials

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Pacific City & The Bungalow
• Bella Terra
• Old World Huntington Beach
• Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill
• Matter of Craft
• Paséa Hotel & Spa
• Kickstand Soda Shop
• Mendocino Farms

Special Guest:

• Amber: @amber_d_inoc

Music by local musician Justin Keenis.

FOLLOW US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlockinghb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unlockinghb
Sackin-Stone Team: https://sackinstoneteam.com

LANE STONE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laneinoc