Tis the season to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays! While most of us in Southern California aren’t going to get much of an “authentic” feel during the holiday season, with temperatures in the 70′s and 80’s and palm trees swaying, we simply do what we can to get into the spirit. Luckily, many of our neighbors have created some holiday cheer to help us spread the joy with our friends and families.
El Segundo Candy Cane Lane
Since 1949, Candy Cane Lane has been an El Segundo holiday tradition. This block of houses includes a huge array of decorations including a visit from Santa on his sleigh sometime between 7:00 and 9:00 pm nightly. Visitors are encouraged to donate canned food for needy families in El Segundo. The event runs until December 23rd.
Location: 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue, look for the Candy Cane Lane sign. The street is closed to cars, however, nearby parking is not difficult.
Woodland Hills Candy Cane Lane
The Woodland Hills candy cane lane is located at the intersection of Lubao and Oxnard Streets near Pierce College. This eight square block area has been maintaining this holiday tradition of decorating with lights, characters, and artificial snow since 1952. Santa has been seen roaming around on occasion. Residents request visitors arrive before 10:00 pm weekdays and 11:00 pm weekends and many turn their lights off after that hour to discourage late night neighborhood traffic. Be warned: the traffic getting onto Oxnard backs up. Runs through New Year’s Day. It begins on the 2nd Saturday of December and lasts through the end of the year.
Location: Lubao and Oxnard Streets
Altadena Christmas Tree Lane
This year Altadena Christmas Tree Lane is celebrating its 90th anniversary. This neighborhood boasts the oldest large-scale Christmas lighting spectacle in the US. This has earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. It runs from dusk to 10:00 pm weekdays and until midnight weekends and holidays through January 2nd.
Location: Santa Rosa Avenue between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive
Brea Eagle Hills Christmas Lights
Running through New Year’s Day, this Brea Eagle Hills neighborhood goes all out with 100 homes decked out with lights, decorations, live music, a live nativity scene, and horse-drawn carriages. Some residents even decorate the interior of their homes and allow visitors to peek inside.
Location: Entrance is either via East Birch and South Starflower Streets or East Lambert Road and Sunflower Street.
South Torrance Sleepy Hollow
This South Torrance neighborhood is fairly remote, located in the Seaside section of Torrance quite a distance from the freeways. Many consider the trek to be worth it to check out the nearly 40-year-old tradition. It’s a cute neighborhood with non-uniform blocks allowing for some “old country” feel as you turn the bends. It is also recommend you park and walk. Runs through New Year’s Day.
Location: Entrance is near the intersection of Anza Avenue and Calle Mayor.
San Marino Majestic Pines on St. Albans
St. Albans Drive decorates its massive pine trees for the Christmas season and it really is a site best taken in by walking. The effect makes you feel as if you are a miniature character in some fun, surreal, Christmas spectacle.
Location: St. Albans Drive at Huntington Drive.
WHAT: Candy Cane Lanes And Holiday Lights
WHEN: Multiple cities
WHERE: Check each neighborhood
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