Shown in pictures taken yesterday at California beaches are a couple walking hand in hand, kids sledding on bodyboards down a sand berm, and people enjoying the Pacific Ocean.

• It happens every year right around Rose Parade time. Millions of tourists visit in the dead of winter when the weather turns absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous in California.
• It happens every year. You wake up on a winter day and say, “Oh no, I must be getting sick. I feel hot.” You can go through the entire day not realizing it's in the 70s or 80s outside. You're not sick–it's the weather!
• It happens every year as the New Year begins. Millions of visiting tourists think California is the greatest place on Earth! Some pack their bags and move here permanently because of those beautiful, warm winter days that come each year when tourism is at its height.

Will tourists continue to come to California? Absolutely! You can use five toes to count on it.

Things to Do in a California Winter:

• Have a picnic.
• Go whale watching (probably should take a jacket, just in case it gets cold.)
• Take a hot air balloon ride.
• Visit the desert before it gets too hot.