San Diego’s Map of Christmas Lights

We’re back with San Diego County’s most comprehensive and accurate list of twinkling neighborhoods and glittering festivities! New this year: an interactive map feature that “illuminates” nearby light displays based on the zip code entered. For added fun, be sure to take along our Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt (see p. 21).

San Diego Central

Jungle Bells. The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, festive music, roaming entertainers, awe-inspiring views of wildlife and more. Dec. 8–Jan. 2 (except Dec. 24). Included with admission. San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr. Tickets: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells

FREE December Nights. Holiday festival with lights, music, family zone and delicious food. Today, 3–11 & tomorrow, 11 am–11 pm. Balboa Park. www.sandiego.gov/december-nights

CLAIREMONT, 92111, 92117

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, 92131

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, 92124

5306 Belardo Dr. 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

East County

ALLIED GARDENS, 92120

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, 92019, 92020, 92021

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, 91942

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, 92040

10248 Paseo Palmas Dr. “Tinsel Town.” 20+ decorated houses. Dec. 7–25.

LEMON GROVE, 91945

2034 Ensenada St. “Santa’s Toy Shop.” Nov. 26–Jan. 1.

SAN CARLOS 92119

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, 92071

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.

4234

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

Enchanted Village at Noah Homes

SPRING VALLEY, 91977

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.

Enchanted Village at Noah Homes. Walk through acres of brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, over a million lights, interactive displays and more. Dec. 15–22, 5–8 pm. All proceeds benefit Noah Homes. 12526 Campo Rd., Spring Valley. www.enchantedvillage.org

San Diego Coastal

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Brightly illuminated boats decorated to the theme “Christmas Traditions Around the World.” Starts off Shelter Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Dec. 10 & 17, 5:30 pm. www.sdparadeoflights.org

Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights. More than 100 decorated vessels take to the water. Starts at SeaWorld with fireworks and ends at The Mission Bay Beach Club. Dec. 9, 5:30 pm. www.discovermissionbay.org

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration. Music activated tunnel of lights, snowfall, 30-ft. twinkling Christmas tree, fireworks and more. Nov. 17–Jan. 7. Included with admission. Interstate 5, exit SeaWorld Dr. www.seaworldsandiego.com

Winter Wonder at Belmont Park. Over one million lights, festive activities, familyfriendly entertainment and more. Through Dec. 31. 3146 Mission Blvd. www.belmontpark.com

Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour. Sing-along caroling with elf conductors while viewing festive holiday sights. Dec. 1–23 & 26–30. 4010 Twiggs St. www.trolleytours.com

POINT LOMA, 92106

Garrison St. & Chatsworth. Off Rosecrans. “Garrison Street Lights.” Dec. 1–31.

North County Inland

CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH, 92128

Fairway Village, east and west sides of Stoney Gate Pl. 100+ homes decorated in “Holiday Magic.” Dec. 16–Jan. 1.

ESCONDIDO 92025

Wild Holidays at the Safari Park. Embark on a joyous holiday expedition, and travel through places that glow and twinkle with seasonal cheer. Dec. 2–3, 9–10, 16–23 & 25–31. Included with admission. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido. https://sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays

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, 92064

Hickory Ct., Hickory St., 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, 92129

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, 92078

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.

251 Glendale Ave. A classic look with warm white lights, garland and Christmas tunes on 89.9 FM. Dec. 1–25.

VISTA, 92084

Jingle Terrace Live Experience. A spectacular walkthrough holiday light show with festive displays, photo ops and more. Select dates Dec. 8–23, 5:30–9 pm. Free. Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Dr. www.moonlightstage.com

2695 Medford Ct., Carlsbad

North County Coastal

Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular. Twelve days of holiday fun with twinkling lights, ice skating, Frosty’s Fun Zone and more. Dec. 14–17, 21–26 & 29–30, 4–9 pm. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets: www.coastalchristmasdelmar.com

Holidays at LEGOLAND. Holiday light show with falling “snow,” 30-ft. LEGO Christmas tree and more. Select dates Nov. 18–Jan. 7. Included with admission. One LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad. www.legoland.com

“Lightscape.” This one-mile walking trail features a California poppy-inspired display, an illuminated laser sky, playful fiber optic flowers and a bespoke floral display. Through Jan. 1, 5–10 pm. (Closed Dec. 24–25). $16–$32; under 3 free. San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. www.sdbg.org

CARLSBAD, 92009, 92011, 92024

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, 92056, 92057

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.

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.

South Bay

Holidays at the Del. The Del will razzle-dazzle with breathtaking lights and festive décor in emerald green, shimmering silver and gold, delicate pearls and velvet. Through Jan. 1. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. www.hoteldel.com

“All That Jazz” Light Show Spectacular. Experience the magic as The Del’s historic pine trees are draped in a spectacular light show with festive holiday music and snow flurries. Nov. 17–Jan, 7. Nightly shows every 30 minutes, 5–9 pm. Free. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. www.hoteldel.com

CHULA VISTA, 91910, 91911, 91914, 91915

A Very Furry Christmas. Sesame Place is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with thousands of twinkling, colorful lights around the park with Santa Claus, parades, a tree maze and more. Select dates through Jan. 7. Included with admission. 2052 Entertainment Cir., 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, 92139

2160 Reo Dr. Lights, inflatables and decorations. Nov. 23–Dec. 31.

6134 Chadwick Ave. Lights and inflatables. Nov. 26–Jan. 1.

Downtown San Diego

The Forward House in Bankers Hill. Celebrating the 25th annual holiday display at the home built in1905 for San Diego Mayor John Forward, Sr.; it is known as “Griswold’s Christmas House.” Walk by to enjoy holiday lights and Christmas music. 108 Ivy St. (1st & Ivy, 6 Blocks W. of Balboa Park). Nov. 24–Dec. 31, 5–10 pm. Meet Santa on Dec. 2, 5:30–8 pm. www.AmericanSecurityMortgage.net

Sights and Sounds of Christmas. Visit the Mormon Battalion at Old Town San Diego and enjoy more than 130,000 lights and nativity scenes. Free. Nov. 24–Jan. 1, 5–11 pm. 2510 Juan St. San Diego.

BANKERS HILL, 92101

2141 Albatross St. Colorfully lighted house with Santa, elves, snowmen, nutcrackers and more. Dec. 1–Jan. 1.