Jessica Chenoweth 
Nothing says the holidays quite like checking out the neighborhood Christmas lights. Here are some of the best places to see the lights this year in San Diego:
BANKERS HILL
2141 Albatross St Colorfully lighted house with Santa, elves, snowmen, nutcrackers and more. Dec. 1–Jan. 1.
POINT LOMA
Garrison St. & ChatsworthGarrison St. & Chatsworth Off Rosecrans. “Garrison Street Lights.” Dec. 1–31
CLAIREMONT
Lana Dr. & Jamar off Mt. Abernathy Ave “Clairemont Christmas Park.” Circular street with 40+ decorated homes. Dec. 2–25.4234 Mount Herbert Ave Beautifully decorated home. Dec. 1-25.
SCRIPPS RANCH
Stonebridge Pkwy. & Merritage Ct “Merry-tage Court.” Entire street lit up with themes including Star Wars, Minions, Disney, Frozen, Cars, The Grinch and more. Dec. 1–31.
10883 Sunset Ridge Dr Decorated house with lights, inflatables and animated decorations. Nov. 25–Dec. 31.
TIERRASANTA
5306 Belardo Dr Tierrasanta Off Via Valarta at Via Playa De Cortes. Over 100,000 lights and decorations all sequenced and animated to music at 106.1 FM. Nov. 25–Dec. 27. www.belardolights.com
ALLIED GARDENS
5439 Brunswick Ave Enjoy a spectacular 6,000 pixel music light show with 10+ songs sequenced to holiday and pop music. Nov. 24–Jan. 6.
EL CAJON
741 Sharon Way Beautifully decorated home. Dec. 1–Jan. 7.
1552 Cajon Greens Pl
Thousands of lights plus yard decorations. Nov. 24–Jan. 2.
11456 Pegeen Pl “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme, complete with Jack, Sally, Zero, the Mayor & Oogie Boogie. Santa may make a surprise visit through Christmas Eve. Nov. 25–Jan. 3.
Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights) Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 2–25.
1838 El Pico Dr Off Hacienda Dr., Fletcher Hills. The 58th year decorating the 18-ft. star sitting on top of an 80-ft. twinkling tree of over 4,000 lights overlooking El Cajon Valley. Also experience over 80,000 programmed lights, a 55-ft. automated train and a view into Santa’s Workshop. Dec. 6–31.
LA MESA
6266 De Camp Dr Magical lights and music display featuring a 22-ft. tree of twinkling lights with synchronized music that you can tune into on your car radio. Dec. 1- 25.
LAKESIDE
10248 Paseo Palmas Dr “Tinsel Town.” 20+ decorated houses. Dec. 7–25.
LEMON GROVE
2034 Ensenada St “Santa’s Toy Shop.” Nov. 26–Jan. 1.
SAN CARLOS
6296 Lake Arrowhead Dr See Santa jumping down the chimney while his reindeer wait nearby, six animated window scenes, toy soldiers, a snowman nativity scene and more. Dec. 1–Jan. 5.
6715 Tuxedo Rd A joyous Christmas winter wonderland with a photo booth and an animated musical tree synchronized to holiday music. Nov. 26–Dec. 25.
SANTEE
Starlight Circle/Sunburst Santee Tomel Court, off North Magnolia Ave. 75 homes lit up in an easy-to-drive circle. Dec. 15–25.
9325 Pebble Beach Dr Full light display on home and yard set to music. Dec. 1–31.
8575 Shanes Way The sights and sounds of Christmas with a 25-ft. tree of light and more. Thousands of lights dance to over 30 Christmas songs on 91.3 FM. Dec. 1–31.
9435 Saint Andrews Dr The Santee gingerbread house with over 18,000 LED lights. Take your picture in the sleigh. Nov. 27–Jan. 1.. Click here to see video of light display.
Lights at the Lakes Drive through 35+ light displays set to music. Fri.–Sun., Dec. 1–23, 6–8 pm. $19.99–$29.99/car. Santee Lakes, enter at 9120 Carlton Oaks Dr. www.santeelakes.com
SPRING VALLEY
4037 N. Bonita St Lights, music, penguins, Snoopy, Mickey, Minnie and Santa in the window. Dec. 10–Jan. 3.
1333 Darby St “Gingerbread Lane.” Dec. 1–Jan. 1.
CHULA VISTA
Whitney St./Mankato. “Christmas Circle.” Circle between First and Second Ave. off H St. & 1st Ave. 66th year of decorating 55+ homes. Dec. 9–26.
751 Nolan Ave “A Night at Disney” theme. Dec. 1–Jan. 1.
PARADISE HILLS
2160 Reo Dr Lights, inflatables and decorations. Nov. 23–Dec. 31.
6134 Chadwick Ave Lights and inflatables. Nov. 26–Jan. 1.
CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH
Fairway Village, east and west sides of Stoney Gate Pl. 100+ homes decorated in “Holiday Magic.” Dec. 16–Jan. 1.
ESCONDIDO
3160 Crane Ave “Eureka Lights.” Over 16,000 lights synchronized to music on 89.9 FM. Nov. 25 – Dec 31. Vote for the song you›d like to see next on www.eurekalights.net.
POWAY
Hickory St., Hickory Ct., Butterwood Ct., Rockrose Ct. Off Twin Peaks Rd. & Silverset St. “Candy Cane Lane.” Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up. Dec. 1–25.
RANCHO PEÑASQUITOS
Oviedo St. off Black Mountain Rd. “Christmas Card Lane.” Enter off Twin Trails Dr. & Carmel Mountain Rd. or park at Sunset Hills Elementary and walk. Dec. 1–31.
SAN MARCOS
2516 Rockdale Pl. “Griswold Family Christmas.” Over 25,000 lights dancing to 30 minutes of music, a fully automated show with 8 songs and entire cul-de-sac of decorations. Nov. 27–Jan. 1.
260 Buena Creek Rd. Light show and occasional hot cocoa for donations to help adopt families for Christmas.
251 Glendale Ave. A classic look with warm white lights, garland and Christmas tunes on 89.9 FM. Dec. 1–25.
CARLSBAD
3520 Corte Ramon Lights and characters coordinated to music, different theme each year. Accepting food donations for local food shelters. Click here for video of light display.
7607 Romeria St. The “Carlsbad Christmas House” where it snows. Park and walk around to see Surfin’ Santa, the Miniature Village, giant Santa, Snoopy & Friends ice skating, Island of Misfit Toys and animals frolicking in the waterfall. Food drive donations welcome. Dec. 3–26. www.carlsbadchristmashouse.com
6646 Elegant Tern Pl. Cozy lights and inflatables with a full-size Santa’s Mailbox. Santa writes back a personalized letter to each child. Dec. 1–Jan. 1.
2695 Medford Ct. Amazing 25-song light show with both traditional lights and new pixel technology. Toy donations accepted. Nov. 27–Dec. 31.
6774 Vermarine Ct. Over 10,000 lights synchronized to music. Dec. 1–31.
3920 Rockfield Ct. Musical light show with 20,000+ lights and show selector where visitors can pick from over 20 songs. Nov. 25–Jan. 1.
OCEANSIDE
5279 Willow Walk Rd. Over 40,000 digital lights, 30-minute light show synchronized to music with 20-ft. tree, mega board & arches. Dec. 1–31. Santa and food drive for San Diego Food Bank on Dec. 9, 5:15–8:15 pm.
3715 Oceanic Way Walk or drive-thru experience with 7,000+ lights synced to your favorite Christmas songs. Dec 2-31.
2329 Snead Dr. Lights, nativity scene, animated elves and Santa Village light display. Walk up to see Christmas scene in garage. Dec. 5–31.
5592 Thoroughbred St. Experience the JOY of Christmas with twinkling lights, festive music, singing reindeer, a “s-ELF-ie” picture station and falling snow (6–8 pm). Tune in to 95.1 FM. Dec. 1–27.
5596 Quarter Horse Cir. Christmas-themed light show with over 10,000 RGB LED pixel lights synchronized to your favorite classic Christmas songs with singing snowman and lightbulb characters. Tune in to 97.1 FM. Dec. 1–31.
