Free holiday community light displays continue through year’s end

For those who haven’t had their fill of Christmas festivities, numerous free light displays will remain operational until the end of December throughout San Diego County.

For best results in observing holiday Christmas light displays from cars or on foot, visitors are advised to go on less-crowded weeknights, to drive slowly through residential streets, to park legally without blocking driveways, and to remain on sidewalks when viewing displays.

Displays include:

— Jingle Bell Hill, Pepper Drive and Lindenwood to Solomon Avenue off Highway 67 and Bradley Avenue in El Cajon: This series of over 200 home holiday light displays with various themes and characters dazzles every year with comic book characters and nativity scenes.

— Starlight Circle Santee: Located off Magnolia Avenue and Tomel Court, over 75 houses participate in this neighborhood Christmas tradition on a circular route. Residents go all-out with creative, coordinated light shows, often with themes like “Toy Story” or “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

— South Park: Luminaria, along 30th and Fern streets from Juniper Street to Grape Street to Beech Street: This neighborhood’s festival of lights features buildings, lamp posts and courtyards covered in decorative lights.

— The Griswolds’ Christmas Lights, 12631 Stoutwood St. in Poway: Inspired by the huge display of Christmas lights in the 1989 film, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” almost 15,000 Christmas lights adorn the outside of a family home, including a giant inflatable reindeer, which stands on the roof, while handmade Christmas displays illuminate the lawn and front porch.

— 5306 Belardo Drive in Tierrasanta: This light show has been running for two decades and continues to grow each year with over 100,000 lights set to the holiday radio soundtrack on 106.1 FM.

— Hotel Del Coronado: More than 1 million lights are strung throughout the grounds. The displays include snowflakes, sparkles, treats and hot chocolate.

— City News Service