Holiday streets

Sunset, Dec, 1994 by Steven R. Lorton, Betsy Reynolds Bateson, Lora J. Finnegan, Daniel Gregory, Jeanie Puleston Fleming, David Lansing, Roseann Hanson, Jeff Phillips

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, two blocks northwest of the Esplanade, is the site of a Las Posadas procession (6:30 P.M. December 14) and candlelight tours of park museums and historic homes decorated in the Mexican and American styles of the 1800s. These tours are popular; call early. For ticket information and a complete schedule of all events, call (619) 220-5422.

To reach San Diego's Old Town from Interstate 5, exit east on Old Town Avenue and follow the signs to parking.

KING STREET Honolulu, Hawaii

When it comes to Christmas, Honolulu has seen it all--from flocked palm trees to surfing Santas. Perhaps that's why, in a city where the closest thing to a white Christmas is shaved ice in a paper cup, Honolulu City Lights is a favorite local celebration.

For most of December, otherwise drab government buildings are bedecked with one of the West's most spectacular displays of downtown municipal holiday lighting. The heart of the extravaganza is a mile or so of King Street between Bishop and Alapai streets.

A big hit with local families, City Lights also appeals to visitors, who can make an afternoon visit to some of the state's most important historic sites along King, finish their Christmas shopping, then relax over a cool drink or early dinner before walking back to see the district in a decidedly different light. The holiday lighting display is turned on every evening from 6:30 to midnight from December 2 through January 1, and special evening entertainment is scheduled at Honolulu Hale (city hall) on most evenings.

How early you start your King Street walk depends on how many historic sites you want to visit while they're open. The most impressive is Iolani Palace (corner of King and Richards streets). Tour reservations are suggested (call 808/522-0823 for details and reservations), but the gift shop is open from 8:30 to 3:30 Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Buildings at the Mission Houses Museum (at Punchbowl Street) date back to 1821. You can wander through on your own or make tour reservations by calling 531-0481. Look for koa wood boxes and collectible dolls in the gift shop. Hours are 9 to 4 Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 Sundays.

As you head west down King, the next building is the 1820 Kawaiahao Church. You may want to cross the street to Honolulu Hale for a look at the lighted trees in the courtyard (through December 26), decorated by city government employees. It's open until 10 P.M. but gets crowded in the evening.

After tours and shopping, you'll still have time to kill before the lights go on; head west down King to the edge of the commercial district, where several restaurants (reservations are recommended) stay open most evenings. Try the Centre Court, downstairs at 1088 Bishop Street (539-3115) for a cool drink and pupus (appetizers) or a full dinner (Mondays through Fridays only). Cafe Che Pasta (524-0004), in the Bishop Square complex across the street, is a good bet for light snacks, but its kitchen closes as early as 6:30 (open for dinner Tuesdays through Fridays). Yong Sing (531-1366), at 1055 Alakea Street, is a local institution known more for its dim sum lunch (until 2) than its dinner, both served in a barn of a dining room.