CA Ranks #1 As Most Christmassy State In The USA: List

CALIFORNIA — It's official. When it comes to the states with the most festively-named locales, California takes the "frosted" cake. A recent ranking from Kuhl.com places California first nationally in both categories: festive events and the number of Christmas-named places.

"California is the most Christmassy state," a spokesperson for the report states. With 70 festive place names, many on the nose with "Christmas" in the title, and a total score of 479, the Golden State leads the nation in holiday geography. Seven of the top 10 most Christmassy states are located west ofthe Mississippi River.

1. California
2. Orgeon
3. Alaska
4. North Carolina
5. Idaho
6. Texas
7. Washington
8. Arkansas
9. Virginia
10. Montana

So is a festively named place decidedly festive?

Not exactly.

Take a look at Christmas Tree Cove. It's a beach in Rancho Palos Verdes, the cove surrounding a kelp forest. Unless scuba divers or the state fish, the Garibaldi, are decorating, there's not much celebration happening here.

California is definitely heavy on Christmas-themed locations, according to the survey. You can find them in the mountains, in the middle of the desert, or a lone rock off the coast. For a dataset, our surveyors used holiday-related keywords from the U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System

"From Christmas Tree Cove along the coast to Christmas Canyon in the desert, the Golden State's diverse landscapes have inspired an equally diverse collection of holiday names. Christmas Rock, Christmas Prairie, and Christmas Hill round out a portfolio that spans beaches, valleys, and mountain summits," they said. "The state's sheer size and geographic variety give it a natural advantage, but California's lead is decisive nonetheless."

The top locations in California with Christmas in the name are:

1. Christmas Tree Cove, Rancho Palos Verdes.
2. Christmas Rock, off the coast of Punta Gorda.
3. Christmas Canyon, in the Mojave Desert.
4. Christmas Prairie, near Arcata.
5. Christmas Hill, a park in Gilroy.

"California's sheer size gives it the edge in total festive places, but smaller states like Arizona and Nevada punch above their weight with intensely Christmas-themed locations," according to the report. In all 50 states, specific festive location names recur, reflecting the universal appeal of winter imagery in American placenames.

• Snow Creek: 29 times
• Snow Hill: 23 times
• Snow Lake: 22 times
• Holly Creek: 20 times
• Frost Creek: 15 times
• Holly Springs: 13 tiems.

If you're looking for the most festive locations to celebrate the holidays, consider these options:

Need more California Christmas Inspiration?

• Big Bear Lake is known for being a classic mountain escape and cozy winter vibes.
• Disneyland is known for its magical and festive decorations and celebrations.
• Ferndale is famous for its tallest living Christmas treeand decorations, along with its Christmas town.
• Ladera Ranch, visit this Orange County neighborhoodfor residents' elaborate holiday decorations.
• Nevada City, to see quaint Victorian Christmas celebrations, carriage rides and more.
• Newport Beach is famous for the Christmas Boat Parade and coastal holiday experience.
• Queen Mary, Long Beach, Christmas and festive wonderland events, along with and maritime fun.
• Palm Springs, a warm-weather Christmas in the California desert.
• Solvang, known for its Danish Julefestcelebrations, festive decor, and a top Christmas town in the Golden State.
• Wine Country, from Livermore and Paso Robles to Napa, Sonoma,and Temecula Valley, no one does Christmas like wine country towns.

"Whether it's a Snow Creek in the Sierra Nevada, a Holly Branch in the Appalachians, or a North Pole in the Alaskan interior, these place names reflect a collective appreciation for the imagery of winter and the holidays," according to the report. "Some were named for practical reasons—snow that never melted, holly trees that grew wild—while others seem to have been chosen purely for the joy of it."

So, Merry Christmas to all the holiday lovers in California. If we missed your favorite festive place, please let us know in the comments below!