Outlets At San Clemente To Host Christmas Tree Arrival Event

SAN CLEMENTE, CA —Though the official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Outlets at San Clemente will not take place until Nov. 20, locals can kick of the holiday season next week by attending the Christmas Tree Arrival event at the mall.

At 6 a.m. Tuesday, the "tallest tree in Orange County" is scheduled to arrive at the mall, located at 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, after a 670-plus mile journey from Mt. Shasta. The 100-foot tree will then be hoisted by a crane and installed in the mall's Center Court.

According to the mall, complimentary hot chocolate will be available during the installation, and coffee and breakfast items will be available once the tree is in position. There even will be a visit from Santa Claus.

For safety's sake, mall officials said many of the tree's branches are removed during its transportation from Mt. Shasta to San Clemente. The branches are then reinstalled during a two-week period.

To get the tree ready for its November lighting, officials said over 1,000 branches will be added, more than 18,000 multicolored lights strung and over 10,000 bows will be placed by hand.

More details about the ceremony and the the Outlets at San Clemente - a Spanish-style village overlooking the Pacific Ocean that houses an assortment of local and well-known stores and a variety of restaurants - is available on the mall's website.