Here are some of the Most Dazzling San Diego Holiday lights

By Jennifer Liebthal

It is that time of year again.. grab a hot chocolate and get ready to smile as you drive through these fabulous San Diego neighbors which light up the night with their holiday displays!

NOTE - This not a comprehensive list but rather some of the more well known holiday light displays. Though the listings are of neighborhoods that traditionally "light up," dates and displays are subject to change. Full map of locations at bottom of page. BOLD highlight is verified lights for this year.

Downtown San Diego Christmas Lights

SOUTH PARK

28th Street - Matthias residence in a North Park yard packed with light-up geese, penguins, Santas, reindeer and more than 40 Christmas trees, all of them flashing in time to pre-recorded Christmas tunes, . Map

The Forward House in Bankers Hill. Come by to experience the sights and sounds of the season at 108 Ivy St. (1st & Ivy). Built in 1905 for S.D. Mayor John Forward Sr, adorned with lights every season since 1998.
Nov 23 - Dec 31, 5 – 10 pm. MAP
Online: Here

South Park’s Luminaria Season. Trees, lamp posts, roofs and courtyards all decorated with lights. Along 30th St. and Fern St. from Juniper to Grape to Beech.
MAP

San Diego Coastal Christmas Lights

OCEAN BEACH

4729 Newport Ave, The Olson family's gift to the community, their home's lights are synchronized to Music (FM 89.7). Even though this is only a few homes it is a very impressive synchronization of lights. Well worth a visit!
Monday - Thursday, and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 6 to 11 p.m. Map

PACIFIC BEACH

The Christmas House. On Gresham near Law Street. This Christmas Display features 18,000 + lights, over 220 different objects, figures, movable objects, etc. 65 + extension cords.
NOTE - The house will not be illuminated this year but keep this one on your list.
Online: The Christmas House Pacific Beach Facebook

POINT LOMA

3616 Garrison Street. There are many homes with lights on this street but this year 3652 and 3616 Garrison are the crowning jewels! The amount of displays at 3616 Garrison is impressive. Don’t forget to take second to check out the views of the city at the corner of Garrison and Liggett, they are spectacular!
Lights go on at dusk and off at 10 p.m. through December. MAP
Online: Facebook Page

San Diego Central Christmas Lights

Clairemont | Mira Mesa | Scripps Ranch | Sera Mesa-Mission Valley | Tierrasanta

CLAIREMONT

Clairemont Christmas Park. Lana Dr. & Jamar - off Mt. Abernathy Ave. During the holiday season, this Clairemont community puts on a wonderful holiday light display for all to see. Walk or drive through and enjoy the 40+ decorated homes displaying your favorite Christmas and holiday characters. This tradition started in 1977 and people have been know to purchase homes in this community just so they can be part of this annual Christmas holiday event. Map

4760 Norwalk Ave. - off Clairemont Mesa Blvd./Moraga Ave. Map

5404 Mt. Burnham Dr. A computerized light show with 96 channels synced to music on 98.5 FM. Displays include North Pole village, train and animated figures display in garage.
Dec. 10-27, 6-10 pm. MAP
Online: Here

SCRIPPS RANCH

Merry-tage Court. Stonebridge Pkwy & Merritage Ct. The entire street lit up with themes including Star Wars, Minions, Disney, Cars and more. MAP

TIERRASANTA

Belardo Lights in Tierrasanta - 5306 Belardo Drive. This home light display is not only an amazing light display but the owners use the opportunity to raise money for children with disabilities. The many lighting displays will include the following additions this year.. Candy Canes and Stars, Musical Notes, Candles, animated Snow Girl and songs synchronized to music from FM 89.7.
Now through Dec 27, 6 - 10pm MAP
Online: belardolights.com

East County Christmas Lights

EL CAJON

Jingle Bell Hill (aka Pepper Drive Lights) - Solomon Ave./Pageen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 and Bradley. Features dozens of homes decked out for the holidays.
There are about 75 homes on the 3 blocks 0f streets that decorate each year. It can take an hour by car to inch your way through. Of note is the group on one street that has Santa and his sleigh on one house and then a reindeer on each roof of the next 6 homes, all connected! There is also a house dubbed Nightmare Before Christmas (here) at 11456 Pegeen Place complete with Jack, Sally, Zero, the Mayor & Oogie Boogie. Check out the livestream of the neighborhood lights here. MAP
Online: http://jinglebellhill.com/

1838 El Pico Drive. - off Hacienda Drive A most impressive 20 foot twinkling star on a tower 100 feet off the ground which overlooks El Cajon valley (25 square miles). Starting 12/14 all other decorations are lit including the tower which becomes a giant Christmas tree of 10,000 lights 80 feet high, a 55 foot long and 7 feet high train with smoking rising 30 feet up into the trees. All decorations including 40,000 automated lights creating a winter wonderland are automated
11/25/2018 Star only Dusk to 11PM, 12/14/2018 Balance of Christmas Lights Dusk to 10 PM, ends 12/31/2018 MAP
Online: Here

1552 Cajon Greens Pl. (not verified in 2019) Thousands of lights, music and yard decorations synchronized to 97.7, plus projector with movies for the kids. MAP

LAKESIDE

Tinsel Town 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr. 20+ houses
MAP
Online: Facebook Tinsel Town

LA MESA

Holiday Hill 8045 Stadler Street (not verified in 2019)- Fairchild residence as featured in the Union-Tribune. Map

SANTEE

Starlight Circle (Sunburst Santee area), Tomel Court - off Magnolia. 75 homes lit up in an easy to walk circle with many of the displays follow a theme, from “Star Wars” and “Sesame Street,” to characters from Disney movies and scenes from Santa’s workshop. Cotton candy, kettle corn, and hot cocoa should be available on the west side of the Circle and there will be golf cart rides/tours available on the east side for a nominal fee.
Map
Online: Facebook Starlight Circle

SPRING VALLEY

Enchanted Village at Noah Homes: 12526 Campo Rd. Walk at dusk, surrounded by brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, live performers, “snow”, interactive exhibits and more to entertain guests of all ages on this beautiful 8-acre community. A brand new festival of trees and lights in San Diego.
Dec. 14-16 & 21-23, 4-8pm. Tickets Required $9.99-$14.99; Elves with credentials and children under 3 are free. MAP
Online: www.EnchantedVillage.org.

South Bay Christmas Lights

Coronado | Chula Vista | Paradise Hills

CHULA VISTA

Christmas Circle - Whitney St./Mankato. For over 60+ years homes in this neighborhood have decorated for the holidays. There are over 55 homes. Suggest to park and walk as cars are back up for blocks on most nights.
Dec. 11 through Dec. 26, 5 to 10 pm Map
Online: Yelp Christmas Circle

North County Inland Christmas Lights

Carmel Mountain Ranch | Poway | Ramona | Rancho Peñasquitos | San Marcos

CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH

Fairway Village, west side of Stoney Gate Pl. 100+ homes decorated in thousands of colorful twinkling Christmas lights and displays.
Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 5:30-10:30 pm. Map
Online info: fairwayvillagenews.com

POWAY

The Griswolds. 12631 Stoutwood Street - off Twin Peaks Road & Deerwood Street. With over 12 thousands lights this house is not to be missed. The neighborhood has also stepped up with light displays that range from fixed lights to lights that move to music.
Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 5:30-10 pm weekdays, 11 pm weekends Map
Online: HERE

Candy Cane Lane - Hickory Court, Hickory Street (includes Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct). 15-20 homes on a cul de-sac is transformed into a twinkling wonderland. Some homeowners set up bonfires and little stands on their driveways selling hot cocoa, cookies and popcorn as visitors stroll through the area.
Dec. 3 through Jan.1, 5 to 10 pm . Map
Online: www.facebook.com/powayccl

RAMONA

“Happy Lights Ramona” 23542 Bassett Way. Eith 30,000+ lights animated to music on 106.9 FM using 996 computer channels to control the lights.
5:30-10 pm. MAP
Online: www.facebook.com/HappyLights.Ramona/

RANCHO PENASQUITOS

"Christmas Card Lane" Oviedo Street - off Black Mtn. Rd. includes Twin Trails, Carmel Mtn. Rd.,Ellingham St., Renato St., Oviedo St., Twin Trails Dr., Barrymore St., Totherham Ave., Talca Ave., Talca Ct., Allenbrook Way, Davenport Ave., Amber Sky Ln. With its own Wikipedia page this display is no joke and one of the most popular in San Diego. School and scouting organizations often sell baked goods and hot chocolate and members of the local school bands play Christmas carols, while other organizations will rent horse-drawn carriages, double decker buses, or limousines and sing carols while driving around the neighborhood.
Map
Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Card_Lane

SAN MARCOS

Christmas on Knob Hill 1639 Knob Hill. Off Nordahl Rd. Between Tam O’ Shanter Dr. & Augusta Dr. 31st year of decorating. 100,000+ lights plus themed displays.
Nov. 22-Dec. 30, 5-9 pm. Visit with Santa Dec. 14-23, 6:30-7:30 pm. MAP
Online: christmasonknobhill.com and Facebook @christmasonknobhill

North County Coastal Christmas Lights

Encinitas | Carlsbad | Oceanside | Vista

CARLSBAD

Santas Mailbox, 6646 Elegant Tern Pl. For a truly charming experience, take your little ones to mail their very own letter to Santa at his real mailbox in Carlsbad. Santa actually writes back a free personalized letter to each kiddo (include your home address for a response)! “Christmas village, and a little vignette with snow friends. in the middle is the alleyway with the twinkling lights overhead, and then there is the sparkle castle, the Santa on the roof, the inflatable that snows inside, as well as giant candy canes. On the right is the angry birds inflatable and tree, a 6 foot tall camel, a banner with our family caricature, and in the back window are giant nutcrackers 4 feet tall with giant wreaths on either side. In the front of the house are the two wrapped trees and a big lighted Christmas village in a tank right on the sidewalk. The mailbox always has a tin of candy canes and there will be a community holiday party December 14th, 6PM-9PM.”
Dec. 5th-25th, 6-10 p.m. nightly. Map
Online: californiachristmaslights.com

The “Carlsbad Christmas House” 7607 Romeria St. The “Carlsbad Christmas House” where it snows! Walk around to see Surfin’ Santa, Snoopy & Friends ice skating, Island of Misfit Toys, animals frolicking in the waterfall, animated window display, and more. Food drive donations accepted.
Dec. 2-31, 5-10 pm (closed rain days). MAP
Online: CarlsbadChristmasHouse.com

3520 Corte Ramon (not verified in 2019) Different theme each year. Lights and characters coordinated to music. MAP

FALLBROOK

Reche Road just West of Green Canyon. Over 100,000 lights that are choreographed to music. There even are snow machines to add to the effect. Tune your car radio to 90.5FM. Also includes a food-drive, please bring canned or non-perishable food items (a collection bin is on site) that directly benefits the Fallbrook Food Pantry.
5:15pm - 8pm Map
Online: https://www.facebook.com/Schreiberland/

OCEANSIDE

1615 Quiet Hills Dr. (not verified in 2019) Lights synchronized to over 10 songs on 87.9 FM. MAP
Online: christmasonquiethills.com

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

"December Nights" will hit Balboa Park on Dec. 7 and 8. The park will be decked out in lights as well as holiday music, vendors, and food.

"Jungle Bells" welcomes the holidays to San Diego Zoo from Dec. 14 - Jan. 6. The park will run daily light shows and entertainment with zoo staff and animals.

"San Diego Bay Parade of Lights" brings out boats dressed in hundreds of lights to the bay, as they parade on the water Dec. 9 and 16.

"Garden of Lights" at San Diego Botanic Gardens showers the garden in more than 125,000 lights, and hosts marshmallow roasting, a musical light show, and more.

"Christmas Celebration" at SeaWorld San Diego runs from Nov. 17 to Jan. 6, bringing a 40-foot Christmas tree, Santa’s village, and delicious foods to the theme park.

“Skating by the Sea” returns to Hotel del Coronado for the 14th year. This spectacular ice rink is located seaside on Windsor Lawn and features stunning views of the Pacific and Coronado beach. The Del’s iconic Victorian Building, adorned with thousands of white lights, provides a magical backdrop as holiday music fills the air and guests enjoy hot chocolate and libations. Tree in the lobby is beautifully decorated plus 100,000 lights illuminate the resort from Nov. 30 to Jan. 1.

San Diego Holiday and Christmas Light Displays 2019