PHOTOS: Vintage Woodies Parade in Malibu

A line of vintage Woodies paraded through Malibu on Sunday in the ninth annual Malibu Woodie Christmas Parade.

The vehicles traveled from Paradise Cove to the Malibu Inn parking lot. A Woodie, also spelled "Woody," is a wood-paneled vehicle that is a symbol of the surf culture.

John Zambetti, who organizes the parade each year, said this year was special because a mule team guided the parade around Serra Retreat.

"Every year, we get more and more cars and more and more decorations," said Zambetti, who owns a 1941 Ford Woodie.

"To me it is about the California Christmas traditions. Everybody knows the horse drawn sleighs in the snow, but the reality is that the first Christmas was in the desert," he said. "We kind of try to create our own little traditions here."

John Mazza, a Malibu Planning Commissioner, also took part in the parade with his 1946 Ford.

"That's the classic. That's what you usually see in car ads," Mazza said.

He said he purchased his first "Woodie" in high school for $125.

"Surfers back in the 50s and the 60s you lived in the back. You just put a mattress in the back and took out the second seat. You just cruised around and stayed at surf spots," Mazza said.

Steve McGowan, who was visiting his sister and rode along as a passenger, said the cars drive remarkably well for their age.

"It was wonderful to see you are not the only crazy person out there who spends all their time and money on Woodies. It was a very nice trip down the coast and through Serra Retreat," he said.