One of the highlights each December is to go to various neighborhoods in Ventura County and catch all the very cool light displays that our neighbors and friends have created in our neighborhoods. So I thought I would start a list of where you can go to see Christmas lights this year.
CAMARILLO
The top spot for viewing Christmas lights in Camarillo is on Gemini Street in Camarillo. The homes on Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street in Camarillo are annually lit up and decorated with cartoon characters, trains, Santas, snowmen, and plenty of lights and other decorations to celebrate the holiday season. You can choose to drive it or to walk it. To get there take Arneill Street North past Ponderosa to Dunnigan. Turn right on Dunnigan and Gemini is the 4th street on your right.
CAMARILLO
The top spot for viewing Christmas lights in Camarillo is on Gemini Street in Camarillo. The homes on Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street in Camarillo are annually lit up and decorated with cartoon characters, trains, Santas, snowmen, and plenty of lights and other decorations to celebrate the holiday season. You can choose to drive it or to walk it. To get there take Arneill Street North past Ponderosa to Dunnigan. Turn right on Dunnigan and Gemini is the 4th street on your right.
OXNARD
At Plaza Park: There will be a Winter Fantasy Music & Light Show in Plaza Park, 500 South C Street, running from November 30 to January 2. Shows run every 15 minutes from 5PM to 10PM. Enjoy your favorite holiday jingles synchronized with over 30,000 colorful lights, animated characters and decorated trees.
Christmas Tree Lane: Every holiday season, one of Ventura County's biggest residential light displays lights up the historic section of Downtown Oxnard on F and G streets between 5th and Palm. Christmas Tree Lane opens Sunday December 9th at 6PM. Come see the "Colors of Christmas" at the largest Residential Christmas Display in Ventura County. For details click here.
Christmas Tree Lane Visitor Tips:
- Decorations are on from 6PM though 10PM every night.
- Visitors are asked not to walk in private yards or driveways, unless allowed by residents.
- Visitors can walk the route (the best way to fully take it all in) by parking on adjacent side streets and making the 10 block loop. Warm attire is recommended.
- Trash receptacles are provided by the City of Oxnard at most intersections.
- Portable restrooms have been available since 2007 at 3rd and F Streets.
- Visitors in vehicles are asked to keep headlights on for safety reasons. Old timers to Ventura’s Candy Cane Lane remember the rule of turning off your headlights off, but with three cross streets on Christmas Tree Lane and signicantly more visitors headlights must be on for everyone’s safety.
- In 2008 guided weeknight Trolley Tours were added that included a loop through downtown’s Heritage Square and Plaza Park’s Christmas displays of Ventura County’s tallest Christmas tree (over 110 feet) and 30,000 computer-synchronized lights on the historic Plaza Park Pagoda Bandstand. Trolley Tour information can be found at www.DowntownOxnard.org.
- Please respect the privacy of all residents. Please keep children attended with adults at all times, do not allow them to touch or climb on any exhibits - this is for their own safety!
- Please be courteous when the crowds are larger on weekends and the sidewalks are congested.
- For the 2012 holiday season, Christmas Tree Lane will be showing off its colors from December 9 to December 25.
VENTURA
For the month of December, California-Style Sleigh Rides are offered at Ventura Harbor Village on the good ship Dreamer for a holiday sleigh ride – California style! Sail the waters of the Ventura Keys and the Ventura Harbor from and enjoy the sparkling Christmas lights adorning shoreline homes and casting picturesque reflections in the nighttime waters. Nightly thru 12/31. Cruise are nighty from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call (805) 642-7753 or show up. Each cruise offers a full bar, sodas and seasonal concoctions such as “reindeer milk” (an adult beverage with a secret recipe) and hot chocolate. Cruises cost $20 for adults and $10 for children 2-12 years old. For more info: Call (805) 642-7753 or visit www.venturaboatrentals.com for more information.
Please comment if you have another area to add to our list of lights on display.
Please comment if you have another area to add to our list of lights on display.
