Mark Your Calendar

California's most popular and fun events can require some advance planning to get into. Go to your calendar right now and make a note of these activities which require a lot of advance planning:

• Bracebridge Dinners at Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel are held in December. Start planning in October.
• Pageant of the Masters happens early July through early September in Laguna Beach, but the best seats sell out by January for performances starting in July
• Yosemite High Sierra Camp reservations are by lottery. It's too late for 2012, but apply starting in September for 2013 dates.
• Polar Express Train runs in Sacramento and it sells out fast. Check their website for information about when to get tickets.
• Hearst Castle Night Tours run in spring and fall and sell out two weeks or more in advance, especially when the Castle is also decorated for the holidays.
• California State Park camping six months in advance, especially for summer.