Hopefully by now your Christmas lights at home are up and blinking. For some of us this means a twinkling tree, a colorful yard, and a few mistletoe branches strategically placed here and there. Yet, for other folks, it’s an event. They make of their streets and homes a sight to see, creating, for the rest of us, one more fun thing to do during the holidays – cruising for Christmas lights.

There are two locations really close by to do this, free of charge, from the comfort of your own car…I say you go in your pajamas, why not!

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena was officially turned on for the holidays last week. This is a stretch, from Woodbury Avenue to Altadena Drive on Santa Rosa Ave, where 134 deodar trees are decorated every Christmas with about 10,000 large multicolor bulbs. There’s history to this event (You can read all about it here). It doesn’t take very long to drive up and down the stretch, and it is fun, the kids love it, and it could make for a great holiday photo.

Not very far away, in Hastings Ranch, there is a community that goes all out with their Christmas decorations. Four blocks of neighbors have organized for it, each block placing large markers outside each home – either a candy cane, a drummer boy, a star, or a skating polar bear. Drive up Michillinda Avenue to Denair Street and make a left. Drive slowly so you can appreciate the details and continue through to Daveric Drive and Cartwright. It won’t take you very long, but it is quite enjoyable.

There’s a third location – the Balian House at 1960 Mendocino Lane in Altadena – which a lot of people talk about. It is a large private residence that historically has been impressively illuminated for the holidays. We drove by it last weekend but the lights were not up yet. Perhaps you’ll have better luck when you try. If you do, send us a picture!

Enjoy the holidays everybody. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Dena Burroughs photo