Carlsbad, CA–Christmas in San Diego may not be snowy or white, but the twinkling Christmas lights displays bring cameras, adults and kids to many San Diego neighborhoods. They also bring sparkles of light to what many are seeing as a dreary economy this year.
Here is the short (and very incomplete) list of fabulous Christmas lights displays in homes and communities throughout San Diego County:
900 block of North Main Street in downtown Carlsbad. Lights and Christmas music.
La Costa in South Carlsbad: Drive residential streets to see some spectacular Christmas lights after sunset.12/01-31.
Chula Vista:
Whitney Street/Mankato, between First and Second Ave, of H Street and 1st Ave. December 12-26.
EastLake Greens Community off Otay Lakes Road and EastLake Parkway. December 16-31.
Clairmont:
Lana Drive and Jamar off Mt. Abernathy Drive. December 13-27.
4760 Norwalk Avenue off Clairemont Mesa Blvd/Morago Avenue. December 1-January 1.
Coronado
Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Avenue: Check out both the exterior display along with Christmas tree in the lobby. Drive through Coronado Village and enjoy the creative Christmas lighting and decor.
Del Mar Fairgrounds Holiday of Lights: Call 858-755-1161 for fees which generally range from $14 to $19 per vehicle depending on number of passengers.. Off Jimmy Durante Blvd and Via De La Valle. 11/26-01/03.
Downtown San Diego
Gaslamp for the Holidays. Park and walk San Diego’s illuminated streets in the Gaslamp area 11/27-01/01.
San Diego Bay Boat Parade of Lights 12/13 and 12/20 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Starts with fireworks. Decorated boats depart Shelter Island, parade through the San Diego Harbor, and end up at the ferry landing in Coronado.
Downtown San Diego Tour of Lights. Offices, hotel lobbies and store fronts are decked out and decorated for the holidays. 11/27 – 01/01.
San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells in Balboa Park. 12/11-12 to 01/02 (closed 12/24 and 12/25) Snow at San Diego Zoo’s entrance, handbell performances, ice carvers and nightly tree-lighting ceremony.
Victoria Mansion/The Forward House, 108 Ivy Street, at corner of First and Ivy. 11/26 – 12/31
East San Diego:
1523 48th Street off Federal Blvd and 48th Street. December 5-27.
4641 Craigie Street off Hwy 94 and 47th Street.December 1-31.
El Cajon:
Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Drive Light Show) Solomon Avenue/Pageen Place. December 4-26.
1838 El Pico Drive off Hacienda Drive. December 1-31.
San Diego Botanic Garden “Garden of Lights.” 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Beautiful light display 12/10 – 12/20 (closed 12/2/4 and 12/25). Adults $12 and children 3-12 $4. Varied activities each night.
Lakeside:
Anderson Farms and Victoria’s Gardens, 12150 Woodside Avenue. 11/27-12/24.
La Jolla
La Jolla has some of the most expensive real estate in San Diego, but downtown La Jolla is also home to competitive Christmas decorating among storefronts. Enjoy the creative decor and vote for your favorites!
La Mesa:
Bobs Christmas Wonderland, 7171 Cornell Avenue, La Mesa. Viewers and visitors are asked to bring one canned food item (or more) to be donated to the Salvation Army. December 18-31.
5475 Heidi Street, off Lake Murray Blvd and Marengo.
67761 Jackson Drive, off Cowles Mountain Blvd.
Lemon Grove:
680 Meadowbrook Drive, off Jamacha Road, south of Lemon Grove. December 15-23.
Oceanside
On December 12, head over to Oceanside Harbor and enjoy the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. Boats decked with lights circle Oceanside Harbor. A great tradition sponsored by the Oceanside Yacht Club.
Poway:
12631 Stoutwood Street, off Twin Peaks Road and Deerwood Street. December 1-January 4.
Hickory Court, Hickory Street, off Twin Peaks Road and Silverset Street. December 11 to January 1.
Rancho Penasquitos:
Ovieda Street, off Black Mountain Road. Also known as Christmas Card Lane. December 13-31.
San Carlos:
Block of 7900 and 8000 Hillandale Drive, off Mission Gorge and Deerfield. December 1-31.
8500 block of Harwell Drive--near Cowles Mountain and Grossmont College. December 24: Sunset to midnight.
1639 Knob Hill, off Nordahl Road between Tam O Shanter and Augusta Drive. December 11-23.
660 Elm Tree Lane, off Borden and Mulberry Rose Ranch Road. 11/23-01/01.
Santee:
Wethersfield Road, near Sunwoodie Road
Lake Country Drive, off Mast Blvd.
Starlight Circle (Sunbrust Santee area), Tomel Court, all off Magnolia. 12/20-26.
Tierrasanta
5306 Belardo Drive off Via Valarta and Via Playo de Cortes. Dial 89.7 FM on radio to hear synchronized music. 11/28-12/27.
11626 Papagallo Court off Colina Dorado and Calle De Vida. 12.6-01/02.
10927 Baroque Lane. 12/04- 28
Vista:
Bonita Drive off Olive Avenue
Via Vastago off Olive, Bonita Drive and North Melrose Drive.
1505 Romo Drive, corner of Lupine Hills and Roma Drive in Shadowridge. 11/28-12/31
If you know of any other neighborhoods, streets or homes with great Christmas lights displays, please email me: roberta@sandiegopreviews.com Would llove to add to the list–especially with photos!
Drive slowly, carefully and bring a camera. —Roberta Murphy
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