This season is a fun time of year—getting together with friends and family whether it is for Christmas or Hanukah or another celebration—with holiday parties, a lighter work load due to the end of year, shopping for gifts for loved ones and getting extra rest. This is also the time of year for enjoying the plentiful decorations that compliment our city.
San Jose is a destination point for holiday celebrations. Our city is known for its traditions of Christmas in the Park, skating under the palms, and the beautifully decorated Fairmont Hotel. In addition, there are the many neighborhoods that go all out to decorate for the holidays.
I like to take the opportunity to drive around the neighborhoods and look at all the decorations and lights. Some homes are decorated with the intensity of Chevy Chase’s home in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but without all the chaos. There are many streets in Willow Glen and the Rose Garden where house after house have Christmas trees on their front yards. This has become a tradition over the decades and is growing in other neighborhoods as well.
I would like to share three favorite locations that I enjoy visiting each year:
Cherry Ave/Glen Eyrie Ave:
Five home owners got together and combined forces. Each home has a huge reindeer, including Rudolph. One home has Santa suspended in the air so it looks like he is flying. The sleigh is connected to the reindeers by lights on a string.
Cherry Ave/Robsheal Dr:
An actual live Santa sits on the porch in the evenings for photo ops. The display includes lights on the roof and many scenes on the lawn. This family takes donations for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. With lights on the roof and displays galore they must have a massive PG&E bill. However, be aware that they take their lights down on December 26 every year.
Minnesota Ave /Newport Ave:
This beautiful historic Victorian is lit up each year. The attention to detail with lights is breathtaking.
Please take this opportunity to share homes or neighborhoods that you enjoy visiting.