The Mission Inn

Michael and I have been wanting to go to the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights in Riverside ever since we saw it featured on one of those "most amazing lights" Christmas specials. We can't believe we've lived in Southern California all our lives and have never been here! We invited Jed and Katie and Gracie to join us for a night of Mexican food and Christmas cheer!

The Mission Inn is decorated with more than 4 million lights! We went last Thursday night and just beat the week of rain that started Friday!

The tree in the hotel lobby is so beautiful.

All throughout the courtyards Santa's elves are busy at work making toys.

This one took a little break to pose with Gracie and Wes.

We ate dinner at Las Campanas Mexican Cantina and the ambiance just couldn't be beat! We were surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights and two toasty heat lamps. The food was really good and the Mission Inn margarita was gone way too fast.

Wes and Gracie have become fast friends.

We stopped to watch the ice skaters...

...and visit with Santa's reindeer.

We capped the night off with a carriage ride around the Mission Inn. What a great way to see all the lights and displays! We were too nice and snuggly under a blanket to take pictures, but it was really beautiful!

We even got to pet Daisy after our ride. We had such a fun night, and were so glad we got to share it with family! Might have to add this to our annual Christmas traditions list!