You won’t get a white Christmas in Los Angeles. At least, not a natural one. You can go to the Grove or the Americana, where they will make it “snow” nightly for a few minutes. You can go to Pershing Square or L.A. Live to ice skate outdoors. And if that’s your thing, great!

Most Christmas events in Los Angeles involve artificial creations and they all have a certain allure to them. They are also the thing L.A. haters love to jump on every time they get the chance. To the outside world, all things L.A. are facades, illusions.

But I revel in the Christmas parts of Los Angeles that don’t require payment and occur naturally. Of course, that all starts with the weather.

No Snow, No Problem

No, we don’t get a white Christmas. Instead, we get brisk days and nights cold enough to keep you indoors in your favorite robe — maybe a robe you just got as a present.

I’m writing this in that week between Christmas and New Year’s. Today, I woke up at 6:30 am and started my morning routine. December means the living room has things moved around to make space for the tree, wrapping paper, toys, etc. There’s no room to work out inside so I take it outside.

I step outside and go for a walk to Echo Park lake. I’m wearing sweatpants, a workout shirt, and a light hoodie. My hands are cold and stiff as I start to walk along my neighborhood.

At the park, the sun is out and shining on the lake. The geese and ducks are out of the water, grazing all around. They walk confidently knowing people are no threat to them.

By the time I’ve gone around the lake and take the big hill toward home, the cold is not a factor. I’m warm warm and energized, ready for the day ahead.

What Traffic?

Between December 22nd and New Year’s Day, driving around Los Angeles is not the usual nightmare we’ve all learned to accept. The transplants are not around as they go home to stay with family and the people who are here are not driving per their usual routines.

The result is a freeway system that actually works as intended when you need to go long distances and streets that are pleasant to drive through. You can even park right outside the spot you’re visiting, whether that’s a relative’s home or a breakfast or lunch spot you’ve been meaning to try.

So crack open your moonroof and windows and hit the road. You might rediscover why Los Angeles is the center of car culture. For me, this is a great time to jump on the Arroyo Seco Parkway and drive it end-to-end from downtown to Pasadena.

Personal Walls Come Down — Slightly

People in Los Angeles, like in most big cities, are guarded. You can’t blame them, really. As an Angeleno growing up in the late 80s and 90s, I remember a much darker city.

It’s difficult to get a greeting from strangers in Los Angeles. I try my best when I’m out walking throughout the city to greet people when we cross paths but I also expect to not have my greeting answered a majority of the time.

The last few weeks of the year, however, things change. We still mind our surroundings and stay alert but the walls are lowered just enough to be more open to a smile and a polite “good morning” from a complete stranger.

Find Snow or Run to the Water

One last great thing about Christmas in Los Angeles: Snow is a choice. Say you want to spend a bit of time in the snow, that’s cool. Hop in the car and head up to Big Bear. In particularly cold years, you can go to the lower edges of the Angeles Forest and find snow as well.

This is one of the few places where “let’s head out to the snow” is a common phrase.

And if you prefer to stay away from snow altogether, throw on a light jacket and head out to Venice beach to walk along the boardwalk instead. Christmas time by the beach. It doesn’t get more Los Angeles than that.