Whether you stay in the car and do a “drive-by” or get out to stroll, appreciating the hard work of those who put up holiday light displays is a fun winter tradition. Here are our picks for light-peeping this year.
Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane is a must-see for East Bay families. The magic starts Sunday, December 2nd. Get a preview here >
Oakland Zoo’s Zoo Lights event is on every evening from 5:30 to 9 pm except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The light show is set to music in the field, and the entire Zoo is decked out in holiday bling.
Lake Merritt, which stays lit year-round as Oaklanders know, offers a caroling tour on a “water sleigh” ride at 6 pm for the next few Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, leaving from the Boating Center. $6 per person.
Fourth Street in Berkeley is beautifully lit, making even a 6 pm rice and beans dinner at Tacubaya feel special.
Tilden Park Carousel’s Christmas Fantasy in the Woods is another must-do each holiday season. Take a couple of spins on the carousel and admire the display of lights and decorated trees. It runs from 5:30 to 8:30 PM until December 23rd. Bundle up; it’s dark and cold up there at night!
Worth the drive {outside the 510}
Niles Canyon Railroad Train of Lights runs now and sells out fast. Here’s what you get. Buy your tickets in advance. Locating the purchase link is very challenging on the Railroad’s website, so I’m going to go ahead and link you right there.
Candy Cane Lane in San Carlos is the consensus from my South Bay correspondents. The street name is Eucalyptus Lane and you can drive or walk by. Google Maps says it’s forty minutes from Berkeley.
Vasona Park in Los Gatos is a well-loved light and music show among South Bay families. The 2012 Fantasy of Lights show begins November 23 November 25 and will run through December 31, 6 – 10pm nightly. Admission is $10 or $15 per vehicle and the soundtrack pipes into your car radio. Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road (near University Avenue), Los Gatos
photos: Vasona Park pirate ship courtesy Santa Clara County; carousel
Thanks for the tips, but as a life long Oakland girl turned Mom, you can’t leave out Picardy Street in East Oakland. Right below Mills College between 55th and Seminary has been lighting up the Holidays for as long as I can remember. Drive by or stroll the block, family friendly and in a safe neighborhood. Hit it up on your way to Zoo lights!
Thanks, Kaila! We appreciate the addition!
So when does this start? I drove out there last night and all I did was waste and hour and 1/4 tank of gas. There were only 2 houses with super mediocre lights…
I felt so lame- I was getting the kids all charged up and then NOTHING. Hope you can shed some “light”. Thanks so much!!!!
Oh my gosh, Rebecca, I’m so sorry to hear that. Are you talking about Alameda? I haven’t been personally this year, but all the sources I checked indicate it’s currently open, including comments on their Facebook page from folks who have already been this year. https://www.facebook.com/christmastreelane?ref=ts&fref=ts
Also, don’t forget the lights at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland! At the top of Piedmont Ave — they have a nice display around the circle, it starts 12/1 and there is even a radio station with holiday music you can listen to!