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Hot Blocks 1 Main Street, Vista

WEST OF SANTA FE DRIVE, shabby old Main Street meanders into a curvy, tree-lined model of urban redevelopment. Here, city planners have laid out Vista Village, which more than anything else resembles a European town——a parade of colorful storefronts streaming out from a central plaza anchored by the gorgeous Krikorian Metroplex. There are plenty of opportunities for sidewalk dining; the Backstreet Brewery offers outdoor firepits. At night, the entire block is awash with neon, and even ordinary service businesses like hair and nail salons, an optometry shop and a beauty supply shop seem as hip and happening as the always-crowded Starbucks and Coldstone Creamery. Among the chic restaurants: Steak Escape, Japanese Café and El Callejon, a deliciously unique Mexican restaurant known for tantalizing sauces.

Merry, Merry

Five best bets to get into the holiday spirit:

TWINKLE, TWINKLE: Of all the public light displays around the county, the one you don’t want to miss is the Garden of Lights at Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. Trees and bushes are festooned with more than 90,000 lights; visitors also may roast marshmallows over an open fire, check in with Santa and make various crafts. Dates: December 9-11, 15-23 and 26-30. Info: 760-436-3036 or qbgardens.com.

MARCHING ORDERS: Veteran parade-watchers swear by the La Jolla Holiday Parade & Festival, which this year takes place December 4. The fun starts at 1:30 p.m., with the multicultural theme “World Wide Wonder.” Info: ljparade.com.

BAH, HUMBUG! What more appropriate setting than the historic old back-country town of Julian to catch a live stage production of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol? The play is presented three weekends in December at the Julian Town Hall. Info: 760-765-2119 or julianca.com.

SATURDAY IN THE PARK: The annual December Nights festival returns to Balboa Park the first weekend of the month, with music, food and entertainment—not to mention carnival rides, a petting zoo and games for the kids. One don’t-miss highlight: the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages. Info: balboapark.org.

CRUISING THE LIGHTS FANTASTIC: Several neighborhoods around the county are known for their lavish Christmas light displays. Try Ellingham Street in Rancho Peñasquitos, Garrison Street (north of Chatsworth Boulevard) in Point Loma, Starlight Circle in Santee and Marisa Lane in Encinitas.

THIS MONTH IN SAN DIEGO HISTORY > DECEMBER 1834

Hail to the Chief

ON DECEMBER 21, 1834, a former Spanish soldier named Juan Maria Osuna was elected San Diego’s first mayor. San Diego had just been given official “pueblo” status by the government of California, and Osuna, after leaving the military, had become a farmer, raising grain in what is now Rose Canyon. He had been one of the driving forces in getting San Diego city status. Osuna’s opponent in the mayoral election was Pio Pico, who later was the last Mexican governor of California.

Mayor Osuna was known for carrying a gold-knobbed “staff of office” given to him by the commandant of the Presidio, who had sworn him in. He served until U.S. troops raised the American flag in the Old Town Plaza on July 29, 1846; he fled to the San Luis Rey Mission, where he became administrator. Osuna died on March 5, 1851, at 66. He was laid to rest in the El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town, at the foot of Presidio Hill. The family plot is still there.

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