San Diego Tour O' Lights: Check Out Casa Del Pico Winter Wonderland

SAN DIEGO, CA — This December marks 59 years since the Smith family in El Cajon Valley began their annual tradition of lighting a 20-foot star atop a towering 85-foot Christmas "light tree" outside the home.

The star can be seen from all of El Cajon Valley, just east of San Diego.

Walt Smith contributed photos to Patch's annual California Tour O' Lights and shared his home address in San Diego, inviting visitors to marvel at his dazzling display of over 85,000 lights synchronized with computer animation. There's also a train that moves through a Winter Wonderland on its way from the North Pole loaded with presents.

"If visitors listen closely they can hear the sounds of the engine and train passing by," Smith told Patch.

Visit "Casa del Pico Winter Wonderland" at 1838 El Pico Dr. El Cajon, Calif.

The massive star has been illuminated each year for the past six decades the Sunday after Thanksgiving with the rest of the decorations going up on Dec. 6 through Dec. 31. The lights are on from dusk until 10 p.m. each night.

"Enjoy our family tradition and Merry Christmas to all," Smith said.

Enjoy the Smith family's video tour below:

Can the holiday lights on your home be seen from space? Does it look like the Las Vegas strip?

If you've spent days or weeks painstakingly hanging strands of lights on your house, palm trees and shrubs, or hauling multiple figurines out to your lawn — Patch wants to hear from you.

This month, we're compiling a Patch California tour o' lights, where readers can explore the best holiday light displays in Southern California.

We aim to have the list up as soon as possible — so email photos and a description of your winter wonderland to Kat Schuster at kat.schuster@patch.com.

A few details:

• If you’re including a video, please upload it to YouTube and send us the link so we can embed it (make sure it's marked “public”). We also request that the homeowner submit their own yard or a close relative.
• We’ll keep updating the list for your neighborhood and county throughout December.
• Once you've provided the information — and submitted a photo or two or a video (after you uploaded it to YouTube) — you will be entered and included in our roundup.
• Pro-tip: If you haven't photographed your light display before, a good time to take photos is at dusk.
• IMPORTANT: By submitting a photo, you're allowing Patch to publish it for this feature and future stories. Photos should be original and taken by the person submitting the photo.
• So, be sure to check back for updates and sign up for your local Patch.com newsletters as well!
• Please copy and paste the following information into an email, along with photos or videos, and follow these guidelines:
• Include the exact address of the yard display and your phone number (not for publication) in case we need to get in touch with you.
• Let us know the dates when your holiday display goes live and when it shuts off for the evening.
• Does your winter wonderland have a name? Be sure to include it, or we can help you make one up.
• Tell us what makes your twinkly lights special. Will you be planning anything special for your display, like Santa or other holiday characters, FM frequencies for your synchronized light show, walk-throughs, popcorn machines, etc.?
• Does your display have a Facebook page or website? Be sure to include the links.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you. Remember, email Kat Schuster (kat.schuster@patch.com) to submit photos of your holiday lights.