CA Tour O'Lights: Holiday Homes To See Before New Year's Day

CALIFORNIA — The holiday light displays created by Californians aren't to be outdone this holiday season.

As part of Patch's annual Holiday Tour O' Lights, we've rounded up a few of the submissions we've received so far from residents across the state. From a lighted tour through a winter wonderland and a nativity scene to a massive village of hand-carved figures, there's no shortage of creativity in this year's displays.

For many families, building elaborate light displays has become a decades-old tradition. Others create their light pieces in tribute to loved ones who have passed.

Here are a handful of displays to check out before the end of the year:

Southern California

39588 Saba Ct., Murrieta

This year, holiday decorating became more than an effort to craft a twinkling winter wonderland for passersby. With an emphasis on blues and purples, a Murrieta resident dedicated their light display to honor their mother, who recently passed away, and their father, whose health is in decline.

The lights at 39588 Saba Ct. in Murrieta went on the day after Thanksgiving and each night, stay illuminated between 5:30 and 10 p.m.

"I added purple and blue lights together for my parents," the resident told Patch.

44811 Shale Cir, Temecula

The Smith Family has lit their home every Christmas season for the past 20 years. Their spectacular walk-through display — which is synched to music — has been featured on national television three times, the family told Patch.

On the walk-through path, snow falls every five minutes as visitors make their way from Snowman Mountain to a reindeer farm.

"You make your entrance through Snowman Mountain and visit: Candyland, the Winter Village, Santa’s Workshop, Elf Town and the reindeer farm," the family said.

43125 Corte Almonte, Temecula

Visit the Tapley family's home if you're in the mood for another illuminated walk-through. Traverse over a sparkling river and under a tunnel of lights.

Along the way, visitors can read poems and see decorations depicting the birth of Jesus Christ, according to Mike Tapley. You may also spot Snoopy and a few other Peanuts.

32801 Rovato St., Temecula

For Shawn Wilkinson, his custom-made holiday wood village, which is displayed in an open garage each Christmas season, just keeps on evolving. As for the rest of the home, the Wilkinsons have doused it entirely in holiday lights each year. Passersby will see a home enveloped in blue this season.

"We have been decorating like this for over a decade and have become a Christmas tradition for many people who look forward to bringing their families by year after year," he told Patch.

Wilkinson says he hopes to draw as many people as possible this year to pay a visit to his festive home.

33250 Camino Rubano, Temecula

Susan and Mark Brosnan submitted photos of their spectacular display titled Classic Christmas for Patch's 2024 Holiday Tour O'Lights.

Light-seekers can find the twinkling Temecula home at 33250 Camino Rubano, where dozens of holiday characters — from Frosty the Snowman to the Grinch — are on display.

Visitors will also spot Jack Skellington, the Peanut Gallery, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and more. Susan told Patch that theres's also a singing snowman, musical bells, a gingerbread land and a life-sized Santa.
The light display runs each night from 5 to 10 p.m.

33149 Janda Ct., Temecula

David Skalka says this year, his family's home will take you on a trip to the North Pole right in Temecula.

"Our light show will convince you that it’s snowing while our inflatable display will take you to the North Pole!" Skalka told Patch, adding "If you love cats and dogs, this one is for you, too."

Los Angeles County

821 Dickson St., Marina Del Rey

If you’re looking for a dazzling display of holiday spirit, look no further than the Moses family’s home. What began as a simple gesture of comfort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago has become a yearly tradition.

After the storm devastated Ocean Springs, Mississippi in August of 2005, Karen Moses' family was displaced. Shortly after, she welcomed her 15-year-old niece into her home to live for a time.

Just before Halloween, Moses decided to try and lift her niece's spirits by decorating her home to the nines. Moses said the festive display brought joy to everyone who saw it, and a neighbor’s enthusiastic comment—"I can’t wait to see what you do for Christmas!"—inspired her to go even bigger for December that year.

"And so it began," she said.

9127 Cresta Dr., Beverlywood

Amid twinkling stars, inflatable snowmen and blinking string lights, there's something unique about Tim Green's display on Cresta Drive in the Beverlywood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

At 9127 Cresta Dr., rectangular, glowing lanterns hang gracefully from the trees like luminous ornaments, their warm light contrasting beautifully with an enchanting wash of purple that illuminates the house. Twinkling icicle lights also add a touch of shimmering winter charm to the display.
Be sure to visit this tranquil wonderland, courtesy of the Green family.

25022 Spadra Ln., Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo resident Kate Meier told Patch that their home won first place this year in the city's Holiday Home Lighting Contest for "Most creative use of lights.

"The display features over 200,000 lights and a photo-op sleigh with Santa," she said.

27241 Cordero, Mission Viejo

11972 Aspen View Court, San Diego

From 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays and 5 to 10 p.m. from Friday to Monday, visitors are invited to experience Christmas Town at 11972 Aspen View Court, San Diego. The home was. submitted by Jen for Patch's annual Tour O' Lights.

This display is the creation of Jen's two teenagers, whose hard work and imagination have turned their family’s yard into a must-see holiday destination in San Diego.

Northern California

5851 Cherry St., Newark

Otto Pfaeffle has turned Christmas decorations into an art form at this Newark home, at 35851 Cherry St.

"This is my first year going this big for Christmas," Pfaeffle said in an email to Patch. "My gingerbread houses were made from old children’s playhouses that were either being given away or sold for $20. I cleaned them up and painted them." He made new half-doors for the playhouses, along with adding fake candy and lights.

6276 Lafayette Ave.

Here in Newark, your neighbors recommend checking out the lights at 6276 Lafayette Ave. where 60+ minions are on display. The lights are on with minion music playing Mon-Thurs 5-9, Fri-Sun 5-10.

211 Poshard St., Pleasant Hill

Some families make a tradition of driving through neighborhoods to see festive Christmas lights.

Here in Pleasant Hill, Don Ortolan takes great pride in his front yard display, "All done by hand."

418 Aragon Blvd., San Mateo

Michael Lindberg delights in his holiday decorations.

Seemingly every inch of his front yard is covered in lights, inflatables, and whimsical decorations. And the crowd favorite, according to Lindberg, is Santa coming out of an outhouse!

9631 Rancho Hills Dr., Gilroy

Some families make a tradition of driving through neighborhoods to see festive Christmas lights. This home in Gilroy is a real treat, and to get the full effect, you need to get out of your car to walk through the holiday arches.

The interactive display also includes two buttons — one turns on a turn on a Frosty the snowman and the other one is for snow.

1485 Woodland Ave., Menlo Park

Here in Menlo Park, Alexander Striffler-Hernandez recommends checking out the lights on Woodland Avenue.

48 Vallejo St., Petaluma

The photo above was sent to Patch by Nicholas Morilla. The display includes plenty of Christmas light, deer and nutcrackers.

1143 St. Anthony Lane, Petaluma

On Anthony Lane you'll find "Magical Wonderland" sent to Patch by Steph Melin. The home includes brightly colored lights and festive inflatables.

7964 Gunshot Court, Dublin

The light display is named, "Adrienne's Joy. There are a lot of lights up on the house, in the yard and in the trees. This year, it is a variety of Christmas displays and a happy T-Rex. A lot of people already drive or walk by the house to see every night."

8629 Diamond Crest Ct., Elk Grove

In Elk Grove, Katherene Pugmire is encouraging locals to check out her home display at 8629 Diamond Crest Ct. The home stays lit every night except during windy weather, Pugmire told Patch.

"We just love displaying different Christmas inflatables and seeing people smile as they walk by," Pugmire said.

1909 Alicante St., Davis

Over in Davis, head over to Amanda Joe's home at 1909 Alicante St. for a touch of Disney magic this holiday season. This display brings the enchantment of beloved Disney characters to life. Perfect for fans of all ages, this quaint home is a delightful stop to soak in some holiday cheer.

15 Molina Ct., San Ramon

For nearly four decades, the Fairbanks family has brought a spectacular light display with synchronized music to their block in San Ramon.

It all began with their father’s hand-bent rebar forms wrapped in incandescent bulbs 38 years ago. Today, the animated LED light display is recreated each year at 15 Molina Ct.

This year also marks a special milestone as the family has finally completed their father’s vision. Read more about it here.