If you're looking for a little extra cheer this holiday season, check out one (or all) of our top 12 best Christmas light displays in Southern California. Just be sure to bring a light sweater as you get ready to relax under the glow of the Christmas spirit.
See also: The Best Christmas Light Displays in California, The Best Christmas Towns in California
The Best Christmas Light Displays in Southern California
Christmas Tree Lanes. There are actually two (2) Christmas Tree Lanes that you should consider visiting. The first is the Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena. This lane features 3 full blocks of sweeping, beautifully decorated trees that you drive through, but be sure to turn off your lights to get the full effect! The second is the Christmas Tree Lane in San Marino, which is a street that is adorned with lavishly decorated estate homes. You can drive down this street or stroll along the sidewalks viewing the beautifully decorated homes.
LA Zoo Lights. The LA Zoo takes full advantage of the holiday season to light up in holiday lights! The Zoo’s already exciting environment is lit up in thousands of LED lights which feature gorgeous displays of characters, snowflakes, light tunnels, 3D shows and more.
LEGOLAND. What kid wouldn’t want to visit LEGOLAND at Christmastime? The already fun theme park resort features some of the coolest holiday decorations around, including; real snow and snow play areas, thousands of Christmas lights, goodies, nightly fireworks and the celebration of the lighting of the world’s largest Christmas Tree made from LEGOs.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Light Displays. Here is a unique spin on your typical Christmas light display! The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade allows you to hop a ride on a beautifully decorated vessel and view the lavishly decorated homes and businesses along the bay and harbor.
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. You knew Beverly Hills had to make the list right? You have got to check out Beverly Hills’ most famous street all dressed in lights. The Regent Beverly Wilshire (any Pretty Woman Fans out there?) is adorned with thousands of lights and gorgeous decor. While the hotel itself is stunning, the street is decorated with red ribbons, twinkle lights and poinsettias throughout.
Petco Park. The Home of the Padres turns into a Winter Wonderland complete with live reindeer, Santa and his elves a Polar Express Train a fun Candyland, music, thousands of lights and more.
San Diego Botanic Garden. The San Diego Botanic Garden is decorated with over 100,000 lights along with horsedrawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting and even a Santa!
Seaworld. The world famous aquatic park is light up nightly with over a million lights, which includes the 320-foot
Sleepy Hollow Christmas Lights Extravaganza. Follow the stream of brake lights overflowing from Robert Road for a trek through this visual overload. Starting in early December, seemingly every tree, house and lawn becomes blanketed in an electric bill-dizzying degree. The display runs every night from 6 to 10pm, starting in early December up until New Year's Day.
The Westlake Village. The Westlake Village Inn in brings thousands of lights to brighten up this charming inn that is located on 17 acres. Between the lights, the countless Christmas Trees and their weekly live entertainment shows, it really does feel like a Winter Wonderland.
Upper Hastings Ranch. The sloping grid of ranch-style homes in Upper Hastings Ranch is a scenic spot in its own right, but its legacy rests in the decades-old holiday display coordinated among homeowners. Each block of the Pasadena neighborhood decorates according to a different theme; one street might be lined with light-up candy canes while another is flanked by an army of inflatable Santas. After the official lighting in early December, you can cruise around the twinkling foothill community until the new year.
Venice Canals. The Venice canals are an idyllic slice of LA living made all the more charming by the Christmas lights that line its bridges each year. Leave your car a few blocks away to avoid the narrow, one-way Dell Avenue, and take a stroll through the shimmering neighborhood.
Do you have a list of your own favorite Christmas light displays in Southern California? Add your favorite locations to our list in the comments below.
