Across the Golden State, the holiday season offers up a festive twist: entertainment you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your own car. This long enjoyed tradition of driving around to see twinkling lights—and plenty of California’s holiday light displays are well worth a detour—was sparked by elaborate light displays of private homes, but it’s grown into a much bigger phenomenon. So load your household into the car for these fun holiday memories-in-the-making, many of which continue into the new year.
Dec. 10–26: Christmas Tree Lane, Oxnard
Drive along F & G Streets in the Ventura County town of Oxnard to see its annual displays—then, cruise past the Plaza Park, with its pagoda and the tallest Christmas tree in Ventura County.
Nov. 24–Dec. 24: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru, Santa Cruz
On the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in November and on Thursdays through Sundays in December, drive the half-mile route through the fairgrounds to see displays of Santa, reindeer, and snowmen, as well as lighted tunnels and giant twinkling Christmas trees. Admission starts at $20.
Dec. 5–30: Annual Fantasy of Lights Drive-Thru, Los Gatos
First launched in 1999, this drive-thru of holiday lights in Santa Clara County covers 1.5 miles by Vasona Lake, enhanced by a radio soundtrack of music. The lineup of more than 50 LED-lit animated displays and tunnels includes a 90-foot tree, Santa, penguins, dinosaurs, and even pirates. Admission starts at $30 per car.
Nov. 29–Jan. 1: Christmas in the Park—Drive-Thru Light Show, San Jose
This San Jose tradition dates back to the 1950s when a holiday display was set up in front of a local mortuary and then city hall. It’s expanded over the decades and will be car-oriented this year, based in the 14-acre History Park. See creative displays and hundreds of decorated Christmas trees alongside the park’s 32 original and reproduction homes, businesses, and landmarks of Santa Clara Valley. Admission $30–$35 per car.
Make a getaway out of it by taking advantage of a great hotel deal: You can book a $99 Holiday Special rate at the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Campbell, Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose, and Springhill Suites by Marriott San Jose (valid for stays between Dec. 14–Jan. 8).
Nov. 17–Dec. 31: Magic of Lights, Indio
The Empire Polo Club in Greater Palm Springs—famously the home of April’s Coachella Music & Arts Festival—dazzles with holiday energy this time of year. Take a spin around the polo grounds that are now decked out with dozens of LED-light displays, including life-sized dinosaurs, a Monster Truck, and a giant Barbie, as well as illuminated canopies and digital animation. Admission starts at $25 per car.
Dec. 1–31: Fabulous Forties, Sacramento
Drive through one of the great original holiday lights neighborhoods: the East Sacramento area known as the Fabulous Forties, which shimmers from 38th through 47th Streets, between J St. and Folsom Blvd.
Park and Ride
This event isn’t technically a drive-thru experience, but it does allow you to ride around to see the sights.
Nov. 24–Dec. 30: Hikari Festival of Lights, Irvine
Park your car at Tanaka Farms for this annual celebration in Orange County (“Hikari” is Japanese for “shine”). Grab a hot cocoa then take the hay-ride-style wagon around the giant field of lights, delivering you to a festival area with walk-through light displays, petting-zoo animals, food vendors, and Santa photo ops. During the day, Tanaka Farms is also a great place to pick strawberries or other seasonal produce. Admission $25–$35 per adult, $15–$25 per child (children 2 and under free), and $10 per car for parking.
