Literally, my only complaint is how busy it gets (especially for parking) and hard to walk on the sidewalks it is. But just being able to walk down with family or friends and admire all the beautiful lighting and decorated homes is such a vibe! read more

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Crowded and it's really only one block that's decorated. The surrounding blocks are normal. Highly recommend coming earlier in the evening to avoid the super crowds and park a couple blocks over to walk. I can't believe they let people sell the lighted balloons here, like Christmas in the Park. It's $20 / balloon, fyi you can buy 10 of those balloons on Amazon for the same price. But tis the season? Almost every house on the ONE block is super decorated and babies/kids love it. It's a good little stop by. read more

Stopped by Eucalyptus Ave. for a spontaneous visit and it was great. I've heard of the festive holiday decorations in San Carlos, but didn't visit before. Luckily, we went early enough (around 5:30pm) and were able to grab a convenient parking spot. It was lovely walking around and enjoying the decorated homes and beautiful holiday lights. It was fairly crowded when we went, but wasn't too bad. Definitely a great place to visit with friends/family. I'd recommend dressing warm as it was chilly. read more

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To get into the Christmas spirit, we decided to walk through some areas with nice Christmas lights and decorations. Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos is one of those famous streets. Even on a weekday evening, there were groups of families walking through to see the beautiful Christmas displays. The night we visited, it was really cold and chilly! So be sure to bundle up if you get a chance to visit Christmas Tree Lane! read more

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Come next year if you want to get in the holiday spirit! About three blocks of houses with lights. Some are cute and some are simply amazing !! A few sell hot cocoa. They don't shut the street from car traffic, but they do limit it to one way. You walk on the sidewalk but there's enough room to go around people. Incredibly crowded. Pro tip: Find parking a few blocks away and walk. Like on Arroyo. Park BEFORE the car line starts or you will be stuck. read more

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Always one of our favorite traditions to walk the couple of block of Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos. Almost every house is decorated and some to the limit. It's a fun and festive way to start the holidays! Beautiful read more

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Christmas tree Lane is a tourist attraction in San Carlos. All these houses are decorated and decked out with Christmas lights, trees, decorations, and a bunch of extra extravaganza. There were a lot of people here parents kids, grandchildren, tourist people were walking, taking pictures of the houses, and it was really nice and beautiful when it was all lit up read more

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Great place to get in the holiday season. Highly recommend coming on a weekday to avoid large crowds and standstill traffic. Eucalyptus lane is one way driving, but recommend parking -2 blocks away and walking. Lights usually come on the beginning of December. For additional info, check here! https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/community/eucalyptus_ave_holiday_lights.php read more

This is one of my favorite places to go to every year to look at Christmas lights. It's a bit crowded though and traffic can be a pain. Need to park a few blocks away and walk. A few houses had zero lights which is a bummer. However, overall it's always a lovely walk down the street and admire all the hard work they did to put nice lights up. There's a house that sells hot chocolate. Which I love! $3 for a cup with whipped cream. Delicious to drink and nice to warm me up as we walk down. A house had a little station for kids to write letters to Santa and they even have a little mailbox to slip them in. One house had a full on dj. It was lit! read more

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If you're looking for a charming holiday experience, the Christmas tree lane in San Carlos is a must-visit! While the street is shorter compared to larger displays like Willow Glen, it has a cozy, "short and sweet" charm that makes it special. We visited on a weekday. A few houses really stood out, especially the first or the last ones--they went all out! One even had a brand-new Jeep beautifully decorated as a reindeer sleigh, which was simply gorgeous and creative. This was the spotlight for us! Some homes, however, were a bit over-the-top with the lights, which didn't always work in their favor. The real fun lies in bundling up in warm clothes and taking a stroll through the street to soak in the festive spirit. It's a delightful way to spend an evening and get into the holiday mood. Highly recommended if you're in the area--just search "Christmas decor street San Carlos," and you'll find it! read more

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Amazing!!! Short but worth it. So amazing how the home owners spent their time to decorate their homes with all those decorations. Plan to get there early so you can find a parking spot nearby. Worse case scenario, there is a parking lot on Arroyo Avenue but it's quite a walk. read more

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A family friendly atmosphere and second to none decorated homes , a crown jewel in Silicon Valley and San Mateo county California, a must when Redwood City , Palo Alto and surrounding communities!!!! read more

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This year, we came on Christmas Day and it was more crowded than expected, so I guess everyone else had the same idea as us! A few blocks on Eucalyptus Avenue are blocked off, which is great for pedestrians because there's no need to worry about cars. Not only are the houses beautifully decorated, but some homeowners even decorate their cars and trees! I saw a mix of baubles, inflatables, lights, ornaments, and projections. Side notes: 1.) Limited street parking: We came around 5:30pm and were able to find a spot but by the time we left there were a lot of cars circling around. *Verdict: Family friendly spot to enjoy the holiday spirit with loved ones. Thanks to the wonderful homeowners who spend the time and effort to put on this dazzling showcase for the public! read more

Nice Christmas Tree Lane in Eucalyptus Ave in Bay Area in December 2025. They have the street decorated every year . read more

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Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos is the best place in the Bay Area to see Xmas lights and decorations (in 2023). I am impressed with how many neighbors are participating on the block and how large some of the displays are. Where do they store all of this stuff in the off-season? It can get crowded with so many people that the sidewalks are spilling over into the car traffic. It is not a great choice to visit if you are sick (so please stay home). In the 1980s and 1990s, both Redwood City and Palo Alto used to have elaborate Xmas decorations in specific streets (which were also named "Christmas Tree Lane"). Over the years San Carlos has shown up, and the other cities stopped participating. read more

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I drove in heavy traffic to near Eucalyptus Ave, San Carlos to see the Christmas lights. About 5 houses didn't turn on their Christmas lights so that was a bummer. The others I saw were ok. Better to park on the side streets and walk. I like Christmas In the Park in SJ a lot better. read more

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Behold, a spectral review for the Christmases yet to unfold! I am the ghost from Christmas past, and my otherworldly advice beckons you to visit Christmas Tree Lane. In the year 2023, I ventured forth, and lo and behold, it surpassed all my festive expectations. While Christmas Tree Lane may teem with Santa's diligent workers, fear not the quest for parking, for the nearby streets offer ample spaces. Embark on a brief stroll until you reach Eucalyptus Ave, where the spectacle unfolds--ITS LIT! When you see the entire street ablaze with lights from pinnacle to pavement, you have found your destination. During my spectral sojourn, I encountered Santa himself, glimpsed a DJ booth, a Hello Kitty display, and a charming hot chocolate stand. It is the perfect place for kids and family. Oh and its free, so you don't have to be a Grinch this year! So... as the ghost of Christmas past from the year 2023, I implore you to venture to Christmas Tree Lane and seek out the jolly old man in red. read more

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This year is my first visit to Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos! I was hyped to see all the lights and thought it would be a fun photo op spot. I came on Saturday 12/23/23 with my family around 7pm. We were coming from San Mateo and took 101S down. I highly recommend starting to look for parking on Brittan Ave before you hit Burton Park to avoid the traffic gridlock. We easily found street parking on Aster Road and just walked a little less than 10 minutes to Eucalyptus Ave. The blocks were lit for sure! My favorite house was the one with the Hello Kitty and corgi decor. Some houses went all out with many inflatables, super flashy lights, and spots on their driveways for photos. It definitely felt festive! However, be aware of the crowds!! It was very hard to walk down the sidewalk with many people stopping for photos. I saw people bring their dogs but personally I wouldn't recommend it -- it's really crowded and they may get stepped on. It might also be hard to push a stroller through but I saw people do it. You can also drive down Eucalyptus but I also wouldn't recommend it -- you'll be moving at a snail pace and likely wouldn't be able to see the details of the houses with the crowds of people blocking the front of the houses. Highly recommend parking a few blocks away and walking over! We made it a couple of blocks down the lane, took photos, and decided that was a good enough experience. I'll probably still come back in the future but earlier in the holiday season or maybe around 5pm to catch the lights as the sun starts to set. Happy Holidays! read more

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One of my favorite Bay Area activities during the holidays... and it's free! At the time of this review this will now have been my 4th annual visit. I've gone to other areas between SJ and the Peninsula, and this is still my favorite one to check out. The houses in the main area go all out with lights, ornaments, statues, props... you name it. Some of my favorites include the house that has the Hello Kitty statues and rainbow arch... another has a jeep getting pulled by reindeer. Recently there was a house that had a gondola cutout, and another house with a Mr and Mrs Clause at the door. The neighborhood becomes bright with lights - some are very elegant with fiber optic Christmas trees. Others have a light show where the entire house is covered in lights. I also like how some houses decorate their front yard trees with a ton of ornaments and lights - if the holiday season vomited, this is what I think it would look like (in a good way). You can check the pictures for reference. There are some houses that set up cute photo ops or let kids write letters to Santa. Occasionally you'll see a house prominently displaying the infamous leg lamp from a Christmas Story. A few notes: - Decorations are up from Dec 1 - 25th ; typically houses on Eucalyptus Ave (the main block) start taking down decorations on the 26th. - The houses are lit daily from 5-10 pm. - The main area is on Eucalyptus Ave - I recommend parking outside the area and walking in. The walk is flat and you can appreciate the decor better rather than driving through. - Some houses past Eucalyptus Ave will join in on the decor as well - at the end of the main area we always like seeing the "Peanuts" gang house. - I like to come here on the weekday when foot/car traffic is light; 101 traffic should die down a little after 7 pm, and even if you get here at 8 pm it's still plenty of time to explore before the 10 pm shut off. Whether you're an adult or kid, I think it's a fun night activity during the holiday season. Thank you to the folks living on Eucalyptus Ave who put in the effort to decorate their houses, and inspire others in the area to decorate as well. It really brightens up the neighborhood and is a fun night walk with some holiday spirit. read more

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I have no clue when or how this tradition started...but it's now famous! Very will known to locals in the Bay Area and even others in the surrounding area. What makes it more impressive - This is not an officially sanctioned event of any kind...just a neighborhood that loves to celebrate the Christmas Spirit! During the month of December Eucalyptus Ave. is very festive, the folks that live decorate their yards and put up Christmas decorations that embody the the holiday spirit and bring joy to the waves of adoring public that traverse through this San Carlos neighborhood. Having said that, Eucalyptus Ave. can get very crowded. I found it best to park somewhere and walk the streets providing one the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy the details and efforts of the resident designers! Some of the displays the houses put up are Immaculate...literally able to rival a macy's display. Be warned, the traffic flowing through the street does get backed up. If you never made it out here...I'd say it something worth checking out...best of all its FREE $0.99!! The city of San Carlos even has a page dedicated to it! https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/residents/eucalyptus-holiday-celebrations read more

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Despite having lived in San Mateo for a good number of years in the past, I had only visited this Christmas Tree Lane once before. This year on Christmas Day, after we all had dinner, I decided to bring both sets of parents down here to check it out, as none of them had been to this Christmas Tree Lane. I would highly recommend NOT trying to drive through, as there are massive queues of cars that are trying to slowly nudge in, but in reality, are barely moving. Pro tip: Just park 2-3 blocks away and walk in. There is plenty of street parking available, and you'll get much further, much faster, with much more visibility to the beautiful homes on foot than you will stuck in a car. Most of the homes (especially on the ones on the block coming in from Orange Ave) are extremely beautiful, and extravagantly decorated. The sheer amount of lighting and details that these homeowners go to is quite amazing. It is extremely crowded, especially when you go on or near Christmas. And sometimes it's tough to even get a good shot of the homes, given the thick crowd of people constantly vying for the best positions. If you haven't had a chance to check out this particular Christmas Tree Lane, it's highly recommended! But showing up a few days prior to Christmas is definitely strongly suggested, as it will definitely help ease the amount of crowding you'll have to deal with. Big thank you to all of these homeowners who are all literally bursting with Christmas Joy! read more

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Bring your patience, lots of it! My visit took place Christmas Eve Eve and I arrived to the area before it got pitch black, around 5pm. Luckily, a friend advised to park a few blocks away and walk. After a few turns here and there, I realized I'm going against the flow of traffic, which was great when parking was found easily as cars were coming in droves. Started walking towards the epicenter of Christmas Tree Lane and by then, people were out in masses. Strollers everywhere going every direction, so were people. This is on top of cars driving onto Eucalpytus Ave. Signs weren't really seen until you're at the intersection and by then, there's no turning back. Many homes went all out and some even sold hot chocolate and snacks. There was even a live band in someone's driveway with a guy playing the tuba and everything! My favorite was the Peanuts/Snoopy home and the Hello Kitty home (I lost count of how many Hello Kittys were on the property). After about 45 minutes, I've exhausted my patience and needed to leave ASAP. To be honest, I couldn't really enjoy or see each home to its finest detail due to the amount of people, strollers, dogs, and cars especially since everything was going in every which way. After getting bumped by many strollers and its owners not paying attention, I almost screamed but I give props to the lit up stroller because everyone can clearly see it and walk around it. After analyzing my experience, improvements can definitely be made in regards to posted signs, and if people were just more mindful. If I come again in the future, I'll probably come after 9pm. Thank you residents of Eucalyptus Ave for providing this holiday treat. #46/2023 read more

Visited on a whim this past weekend, as I was in the area and had some time to kill. And I'm glad I ended up here. This is a wonderful holiday light show on Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos. It only spans a couple blocks, but I value quality over quantity, and this light show and display was phenomenal and impressive. Almost every house had something different to offer and something new to see. One block had every single house participating and most of them went all out, so it seemed like a fully lit outdoor spectacle for the entire block. Homes had lights strategically placed (some even connecting with adjacent dwellings), decor arranged in an entertaining fashion (including on rooftops), and even moving props and music, some with cool themes including Star Wars, Hello Kitty, puppies, elves, and more. What's more, the cars and trees in the front lawns of several homes were uniquely and elaborately decorated with lights, ornaments, and props as well. Parking a block away (on Brittan) was easy to find on an early Sunday evening, and though there was a bit of foot traffic, I was able to comfortably walk through the light show and enjoy the bright and colorful scenes without delay. I liked that they seemed pretty organized, and set up blockades on Cordilleras Ave to make sure traffic was only one-way for those viewing from their vehicles. Enter Eucalyptus from Orange Ave if driving through this event. Cars drove slowly enough that it still felt safe for couples and families walking along the attraction. Walking is definitely the better way to go with this one as there's so much to take in, and better up close. Tip for getting here: On google maps, enter "SC Christmas Tree Lane", otherwise, it will lead to locations of events in other bay area cities that go by the same name ("Christmas Tree Lane" is pretty common). read more

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A really unique holiday light experience in an incredibly well decorated neighborhood! Have gone two years in a row and the houses did not disappoint. Recommend parking one or two streets over and walking to avoid congestion. read more

If you are looking for some Christmas cheer, this is definitely the place to go. The lights on these houses are amazing. The pictures don't do it justice. This is a must place to visit during the holidays. Tips: plan to park far away and walk there. I parked two blocks down. Do no drive through street, you will get stuck in a traffic jam. Only one car fits in the lane and there's a lot of pedestrian traffic. Plan to be around crowds, specially around the houses that went all out. There is tons of photo opportunities; however, due to large crowds your photo might not be as aesthetic as you would like. read more

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It was a beautiful time this year at Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos. We got here around 5 pm and it was still packed! But parking is definitely a lot more manageable. Basically you will do a circle at Eucalyptus avenue. Most people have their Christmas lights and designs up. Feel free to take pictures, and also take pictures of friends/family, but watch out around you because other people are taking photos as well. One family had the 49ers game on in the front with their excellent Christmas display on... Pretty cool. Due to the crowds I would put on some masks just to be safe. Until next year! read more

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Headed over on Dec 26th at 7pm and barely any of the houses are lit up. Just 2-3. Probably nice before but lights are pretty much out on Dec 26th. read more

Be still my twinkling light heart! This neighborhood is a dream!!!! Perfect for all ages! I was shocked and in awe of all the detail and decor. It appeared the entire neighborhood participated to some degree! Coming from a place where the other "Christmas Tree Land" is, and the lack there of; this was absolutely magnificent! Next time, I will definitely get out and walk as I saw others doing. Being in the car is not near what is deserved of this type of magic. Holiday beauty at its finest. read more

Such a fun excursion during the holidays! The houses go all out, and the neighboring streets get into the spirit as well. Expect traffic on the street if you are driving, which is fine anyways so that you can drive slowly and fully take in the experience. read more

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We went to see the Christmas lights, and the houses were beautifully decorated. However, it was difficult to walk because there were too many people around. Despite the crowd, it was a lovely experience overall! read more

Christmas Tree Lane - Christmas lights - Festivals Near Me - San Carlos, California

Quick tip: come early from 6-7pm before it gets super crowded. This is my second year visiting this area for Christmas Lights. This year they even sell hot chocolate with marshmallow and some other Christmas treats for fund raising. We arrived at around 7pm and found a nice street parking spot. There were already many people walking around but it was still "squeezable". Most people following the Covid-19 preventive protocol like wearing masks and social distancing, only some people didn't. It took us about 45 minutes walking and taking photos to finish the 2 blocks of beautiful houses. When we got back to our car at around 8pm, we noticed that more and more people were coming. There was some impatient drivers keep pushing on their honk to release anger. Cars could not move forward because people crossing the streets all the time. read more

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First time here. I've been missing out. It's absolutely beautiful. Please be safe there will be a lot of people and vehicles. It saids the official starting time is 5pm, but when I got there at 5:15pm, it was already absolutely packed with people. Tip: park a few blocks away and walk there while enjoying the other Christmas decorated houses as well on the way there. read more

Christmas Tree Lane - This tree is my favorite. - Festivals Near Me - San Carlos, California

I finally go to visit Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos! Last year I went, but all of the lights were already taken down. This year, I finally got to see it all! It was beautiful and magical! Decorations are usually up December 1-26th from 5pm-9:30pm (according to their instagram). DEFINITELY park a few blocks down and walk through the neighborhoods. The traffic was crazy and cars were barely moving! Also, have some cash in hand because there is a little hot cocoa stand and some balloon lights! It was definitely crowded and most people wore a mask, but there was no way to social distance. It probably took my boyfriend and I about 30-45 minutes to finish looking at all the beautiful houses. Out of all the Christmas Tree Lanes I've seen, this one is one of my favorites. read more

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Had a string of bad luck with businesses recently so I'm so happy I can give a 5 star review! This place is great, I've been here twice and both times I left feeling festive and jolly, the houses do a great job decorating and they even have people directing traffic and portable restrooms for the visitors, can you say well organized? and on top of that it's all free! there can be a lot of people here at times but honestly the traffic moves at a good pace, really can't recommend this place enough! read more

You ready for a side of COVID? Then is probably the place to go. I love this spot and come every single year, and decided to come here again as my daughter is getting a little older to appreciate it. First the cars. There is probably twice as many cars as usual. People wiling to dent their cars to get ahead of one car. It's nuts. Second, the walking people. This place can get really packed on a usual year, but you would think it would be better this year due to COVID. Nope. Hundreds of people should to shoulder, with almost no one giving two craps about social distancing. I understand we need some holiday cheer, but this place is an outbreak location waiting to happen. Probably should be shut down this year. read more

This year was tough and unlike any other. This meant having to get creative and find some holiday experiences around the Bay that were safe to do. I first saw Christmas Tree Lane advertised on the news and thought this would be a great experience to visit. While I don't reside on this side of the Bay, it was about a 35 minute drive from the East Bay and over the San Mateo Bridge. As we got closer to the neighborhood, you'll come to a halting stop as there's a long line of cars trying to drive in from multiple directions. You're pretty much slower than a snail at this point. However, we understood given the circumstances. We saw several cars park around the area and walk to the main street. After sitting in the car for nearly 45 minutes, we decided to park in a less popular area to avoid any crowds, put on our masks, and walked over to Christmas Tree Lane. Walking over, most people exercised safety by wearing a mask, but there were a few couples that did not. Unfortunately, not everyone was maintaining a 6ft social distance from other groups when taking photos so keep this in mind if you take this option. The houses were all brightly lit with colorful lights and fun decorations. Each house had their own flair. It was amazing to see some houses just completely decked out in lights! There were some houses with lots of beautiful ornaments on their trees and inflatables that people could pose with for a photo op. It was a lot faster to walk through the neighborhood and take photos than waiting in our car. TRUST. The street is only a one-way street for the event. The cars driving through drove slowly for pedestrians, took photos, and was in awe of the décor. Some of the local residents sat outside their homes to observe all of the visitors. I was a bit surprised the street was a bit short and was expecting a longer row of homes to walk through; not all houses were actively lit the night we visited. I noticed some other houses around the neighborhood were decorated and all; it might be nice to expand Christmas Tree Lane to the other connecting streets someday *hint hint*! We spent about 25-30 minutes walking around and taking photos. All in all it was nice to get out of the house to do something festive. Thank you to the neighborhood for continuing to keep holiday spirits merry and bright! read more

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If you're looking for some festive Christmas lights in the peninsula, find Eucalyptus Ave and you'll find a street lit up. It's easier to park a block away and walk versus drive through because pedestrians will block your view of the intricacies of the homes. People were respectful of distance or wore masks this Dec 2022 time. There are trash bin areas to place your trash to not clutter this beautiful neighborhood. Dogs on leash is strongly recommended or, if small, carried securely in your arms or in a pet carrier. A couple of the homes have owners on their front lawn either having a party even with live music or having a hot chocolate sale. Gotta love some hot chocolate on a stroll down the neighborhood. Christmas tree lane on Eucalyptus Ave is a lovely stroll to enjoy the festive lights. read more

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Lovely experience! It's one street with houses done up elegantly to full-on glitz and glam. Very family-friendly, cops stationed outside to ensure safety as well. Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of Christmas lights. FYI, one way into the street is closed so you can either walk, or drive in only one direction. read more

Christmas Tree Lane - Festivals Near Me - San Carlos, California

Came on a Wednesday night a little before 9pm hoping there would be fewer people but failed. Was originally planning to drive through but after waiting about an hour in line and still being 2 blocks away, we decided to find parking and walk it. Maybe it's because it's the week of Christmas. Maybe because it's the covid era and everyone has nothing better to do and wanted to go somewhere to lift their spirits. The displays are impressive and some are downright creative. It's also nice that it's all on one block. Because Christmas decorations are few and far between in the Bay Area, going to neighborhoods like these is the only way to see this type of display. However, it's hard to truly enjoy the experience with the crowds and traffic, especially in this covid year. Driving through would not be as nice as walking it since the parked cars on the street partially obstruct the view. Not to mention, it would be stressful to be the driver with all the pedestrians and children darting around. Because of covid, many cars opted to drive through. But people in the cars would hang out their windows or pop through the sunroof to get a better view - often maskless and within 6 feet of pedestrians walking by. As a pedestrian, it's crowded and you're often passing large groups, some not wearing their mask correctly, many going completely maskless. There were two vendors selling bacon hot dogs so people would take off their masks to eat. With the number of people and the cars driving down the middle of the street, it's difficult to maintain your distance. read more

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Glad to see this still going. It was great to have that feel this yr of feeling like the city didn't butt in. The location is perfect walking distance from my house and a lot of things. There's a park close by too. You can walk through or drive. If you don't like big crowds I just wouldn't to close to Christmas but other then it's a pretty easy drive through. The decorated houses are amazing. It's like you're journeyed into the North Pole. They stay up for awhile too. I noticed them on till the New Year. read more