Thursday, December 15, 2011

Fun Thursday - Let There Be (Christmas) Light!

Lights, Lights...Oh Christmas Lights.

No...This is Not our house.
We are the opposite...almost minimalist with our Christmas lights.

Our block is (almost) being frowned up because 1/2 of our block takes the minimalist approach where as the other 1/2 is much more elaborate.  One has 5 Christmas blow ups.

Overall though, we enjoy Christmas Lights (watching). We are getting more and more excited as school draws to a close.  We can stay up longer and go Christmas Lights hunting.  We drive around different blocks, different areas, even different cities on occasions.
Bring a thermos of hot cocoa and turn up the Christmas music! 

Santa Clarita - Map for Santa Clarita Neighborhood Light Displays


LOS ANGELES COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD LIGHT DISPLAYS

Pasadena
Call the Pasadena Chamber (626-795-9311) before venturing out.

Christmas Tree Lane, Altadena
From the 210, take the Arroyo Blvd. Exit toward Windsor Avenue. Turn left onto N. Arroyo Blvd. N. Arroyo Blvd. becomes Windsor Ave. Turn right onto W. Woodbury Rd. Turn left onto Santa Rosa Ave, which is Christmas Tree Lane. (535/J6)

Turn off your headlights and drive through three very long blocks of large trees sweeping over the street, highly decorated with colored lights. I've been told this is very worth the drive.

Christmas Tree Lane ends at Altadena Dr. Take a right on Altadena Dr. and turn right on Allen Avenue. Proceed to Mendocino Lane, turn left.
MAP IT!

Balian House, Altadena
Home to the famous ice cream manufacturer, this estate sits on 3.5 acres and is decorated with 10,000 colored lights and numerous holiday depictions. Although there were rumors in 2010 that this home was dark, we have received on-the-ground confirmation that the homeowners are setting up the lights this week! (December 7, 2011)


Take N. Allen Ave SOUTH until it stops at E. California Blvd. Turn left on E. California Blvd. to S. San Gabriel Blvd. Turn right on S. San Gabriel Blvd. to W. Huntington Dr. Turn right on W. Huntington Drive. and continue to St. Albans Road. Turn right on Saint Albans Road, which is Christmas Tree Lane. (536/C6)
MAP IT!

Christmas Tree Lane, San Marino
This is the sister street to Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena. Said to be even more spectacular than the Altadena display of lights, this street is backlit with estate homes, whose homeowners have gone all out for the holidays. Meander the streets of San Marino and enjoy the sites, then continue on to Old Pasadena for a respite. There you will find a cup of hot cocoa or a full meal nestled amidst the season's decorations. (596/B1)

Return to W. Huntington Dr. and turn left. Turn left again on S. San Gabriel Blvd. Turn left on E. California Blvd. Turn right on S. Fair Oaks Ave. and continue into Old Pasadena.
MAP IT!

Christmas Tree Lane, Long Beach
Daisy Avenue between Willow Street & Pacific Coast Highway
562-570-4450
From Mid-December. Celebrating Daisy Avenues 23 lighted and decorated Christmas trees. Musical entertainment is featured on weekends.
MAP IT!

Canals of Naples, Long Beach
562-433-9595
Cruise the enchanting canals of Naples in an authentic gondola while viewing the intricately decorated homes along the waterfront. This attraction begins to book in July for the holidays. Book a night at the romantic Seal Beach Inn or aboard the Queen Mary for a quiet retreat. (826/B3)
MAP IT!

Block-long Light Tunnel, Reseda
The tunnels straddle the sidewalk on both sides of the street and extend almost the entire block. Please Park on Valerio near the school and enjoy the walk through the tunnels.
MAP IT!

Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills
Lubao Avenue
and Oxnard Street
818-347-4737
An eight-square-block area becomes a celebration of lights and figures. The 5 south to the 405 south to the 101 west, exit Winetka, make a right and then an immediate right onto Martha Street. Come during the week, as weekends are very busy. Most amazing, elaborate displays you've ever seen. (560/E1-2)
MAP IT!


ORANGE COUNTY
COMMUNITY LIGHT DISPLAYS & CELEBRATIONS


Old Towne Orange
714-538-3581
Considered the antique capitol of Southern California, this little town is an absolute delight to the eye at Christmas. Adorned with holiday ribbons, wreaths and twinkling lights, the shopkeepers have directed their attention to exquisite displays in their shop windows. Christmas carolers can be found strolling the streets until a few days before Christmas. For a great holiday light display of private homes, follow Cambridge St. from the Plaza.
MAP IT!

Disneyland Resort
714-781-4565 (Recorded Information) or 714-781-7290
The Disneyland Resort is traditionally sprinkled with extra pixie dust during the holidays to become a winter wonderland, "The Merriest Place on Earth." The diverse offerings at the parks include the "Believe-in Holiday Magic" fireworks show with falling snow, a Christmas fantasy parade, the ever-popular Electrical Parade (a procession of nearly a half million twinkling lights), thousands of dazzling decorations and lights throughout the Resort. "It's a Small World" has been transformed into an enchanting Christmas atmosphere. With over 300,000 glittery lights decorating the exterior, 300 animated "Children of the World" sing favorite Christmas songs.
MAP IT!

Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
714-220-5200
Magically transformed for the holidays into "Knott's Merry Farm," brimming with the season's brightest shopping, dining and entertainment.
MAP IT!

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point
949-240-2000
With over 35,000 red lights on a 50-foot Noble Fir, you can't miss this Christmas tree as you approach the property. There are more than 300,000 lights spread around the estate and two nutcrackers stand in the lobby to greet visitors as they enter. At the bottom of the grand staircase, you'll find a seven foot tall Gingerbread House, complete with cuckoo clock. (971/F5 Orange County)
MAP IT!

Cruise of Lights, Huntington Beach
714-840-7542
Forty-five minute narrated boat cruises glide past the homes along Huntington Harbor. Boats, docks and homes twinkle in stunning light displays as they vie to win trophies.
MAP IT!

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
949-675-0551
http://www.christmasparadeboats.com/

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