Cameras, Action, Lights

Dorothy Ralph and Randy Gates might live in different parts of Orange County, but they have a lot in common: They both do the holidays in a big way.

For Ralph, decorating means 8-foot lighted angels--106 of them--looking over the 40 waterfront homes in her Huntington Harbour neighborhood.

She dreamed up the display, got the homeowners’ association to finance it, arranged to have the plastic angels manufactured and even helped drill holes in the wings for installation of the tiny lights.

Then, she got her neighbors around the horseshoe-shaped Coral Cay Lagoon to drape their homes with white icicle lights that sparkle across the water.

For Gates, who lives in Villa Park, creating his extravaganza takes three weekends and a few weeknights.

Locomotives and railroad cars on three separate train layouts crisscross the frontyard, passing animated swans that are part of a “Nutcracker” display that also includes an evil, seven-headed Mouse King.

Snowmen, a sleigh, a team of reindeer and even a ‘90s display complete with computers and a fax machine are illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights.

There’s snow, music, candy canes for the children and a Gates tradition--a wishing well for visitors. Gates and his family collect the pennies, dimes and quarters that several thousands visitors toss in each year and donate the money to local groups.

And there are many more people like Ralph and Gates out there, people who worked through the wind and rain in recent weeks to put up elaborate outdoor decorations for the rest of us to see.

So let’s go see ‘em.

To take our sixth annual tour of some of the brightest visions in Orange County, grab your map book--our list is keyed to the Thomas Bros. guide map pages--warm up the car, load up the kids and maybe a thermos or two of coffee and hot chocolate and follow along:

(There’s a caveat this year: Wet weather has dampened the ardor of some holiday decorators, so some of this year’s neighborhood displays might not be as bright as in years past.)

Waterworlds

The Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is one of the county’s premier holiday attractions, so be warned: Organizers say that unless you have a house on the bay, or have a really good friend who does, you should plan to arrive in the Newport Harbor area by 3 p.m. to find a waterfront viewing place.

The parade, which starts Wednesday and runs through Dec. 23, features 150 bedecked boats that cruise the harbor each night beginning at 6:30. They pass the American Legion Hall about 7:30. You can get a seat on the outdoor patio there for $5 or a patio seat and a hot meal for $10. Proceeds benefit veterans’ programs. Tickets are available at the door. Parking is limited. Information: (714) 673-5070.

For those who prefer to stand at water’s edge to watch the boats go by, one of the best viewing spots is Balboa Island’s south-facing beach, along South Bay Front.

To get there, take Pacific Coast Highway to either Balboa Boulevard or, farther south, Jamboree Road. Turn south, toward the ocean, on either street. On Balboa Boulevard, cruise down the Balboa Peninsula until you find a place to stand on the bay side. On Jamboree, drive down to the intersection with Bayside Drive, park where you can along Bayside, and walk across the bridge to Balboa Island. (Map 919, A-1 and 2 through D-1 and 2.)

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Dana Point’s boat parade, tonight, Friday and Dec. 20 is open to all decorated boats. There’s no entry fee, says Linda Cognito, who is taking sign-ups at Dana Wharf Sport Fishing, (714) 496-5794.

There’s no problem for the yachtless: The same company takes paying passengers for a ride in the parade, joining the 50 to 60 other boats. Although the parade starts at 7:30 p.m., would-be boat riders should arrive by 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

Landlubbers can view the parade from the grassy area on Dana Point Harbor Drive at the back part of the Harbor.

To get to the harbor, take Pacific Coast Highway to Street of the Golden Lantern and turn south toward the ocean. Street of the Golden Lantern ends at Dana Point Harbor Drive. (Map 971, H-6 and 7.)

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In Huntington Beach, the annual Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights begins Monday and runs through Dec. 23. Tour boats take passengers through the water-oriented community’s series of artificial “lagoons” to get a waterside view of the lavishly decorated homes.

One highlight is Coral Cay Lagoon, where Dorothy Ralph’s angels cast their reflections in the glassy water.

Huntington Harbour’s lights and decorations also can be viewed from land. Ralph says the best place to spot the angels from land is the Admiralty Drive bridge that connects Pacific Coast Highway with the community’s Admiralty Island.

Tickets for the boat tours, sponsored by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, are $10 for adults and $5 for children on Fridays and Sundays (Saturdays are sold out) and $8.50 for adults and $5 for children Mondays through Thursdays.

The parade starts tomorrow with a family-night special price of $8 for adults and $4.50 for children. Tour boats leave hourly beginning at 5:30 with the final departure at 8:30 each evening.

To get there, take Warner Avenue west to Pacific Coast Highway, then go north several blocks to Coral Cay Lane, the first of several streets that lead into Huntington Harbour. The Admiralty Lane bridge is about half a mile farther north on Pacific Coast Highway. (Map 827, A-6 and 7, and B-6 and 7; Map 857, A-1 and B-1; 826, J-7)

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Our final boat parade isn’t on the coast, it’s miles inland at Yorba Linda’s Eastlake Shores planned community, where residents launch their decorated pedal boats at 6:30 tonight and Sunday for a roughly two-hour circumnavigation of the artificial lake.

Viewers can watch the parade from the streets that meander along the lakeside.

As a bonus, the lake’s placid waters reflect the lights that decorate the community’s 120 homes, even when the boats aren’t parading.

To get there, take the Riverside Freeway to Imperial Highway, head north to Esperanza Road, turn east to Fairmont Boulevard north to Paseo de las Palomas. Turn east to Village Center Drive and you’ll be on the boundary of Eastlake Shores. Hours for viewing the reflected lights are 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. (Map 740, F-5.)

Coastal Orange County

A Huntington Beach scene away from the water is the 60-foot star pine that residents of Tahiti Circle decorate each year. An illuminated star crowns the tree and bright strands of lights cascade down its branches.

To get there, take Pacific Coast Highway to Brookhurst Street and turn north. Head up Brookhurst to Bushard Street, turn left, and take Bushard to Banning Avenue. Turn left on Banning and then left again onto Malibu Lane. Tahiti Circle is the third left. Hours, dusk until 10 p.m., through Dec. 25. (Map 888, D-4.)

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Farther south is the gated community of Harbor Ridge in the hills above Corona del Mar. The Harbor Ridge Women’s Club turns the guardhouse at the community’s entrance into a winter cottage with lights, faux snow and garlands. There’s a life-size sleigh with a Santa and his reindeer, decorated trees, a train, topiary and a series of 4-foot candlesticks.

To get there, take MacArthur Boulevard to San Joaquin Hills Road or San Miguel Drive. From San Joaquin, head south to Spyglass Hill Road and turn left; from San Miguel, head north to Spyglass and turn right. From either direction, follow Spyglass up the hill to the Harbor Ridge entrance. Hours are dusk ‘til midnight, Dec. 25. (Map 889, H-7.)

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For a Southwestern flavor, cruise by the home of Joan Sue Betson at 1311 Galaxy Drive, Newport Beach. For 30 years, her family has lined the front of the house with about 400 luminaria on Dec. 24 “to light the Christ child into our home,” Betson said.

The candles, set in sand inside brown paper bags, are lit about 5 p.m. and often are still burning at midnight. She suggests turning off headlights for a better view.

To get there take Pacific Coast Highway to Dover Drive and turn north. Drive up Dover to Mariners Drive and turn east. Follow Mariners to Galaxy. Turn south on Galaxy and follow it along the edge of Upper Newport Bay until you see the luminaria. (Map 889, C-5.)

South County

Luminaria fans can get a another night out on Dec. 23 when Meadowbrook Circle in Lake Forest will be aglow with hundreds of candles flickering inside gold-toned paper bags.

To get there, take Interstate 5 to Lake Forest Drive and go east on Lake Forest to Rockfield Boulevard. Turn right on Rockfield, then left on Ridge Route Drive. Take Ridge Route to Elrond Lane and turn right. Meadowbrook Circle will be the first left off of Elrond. Hours, 6 p.m. ‘til the candles burn out somewhere around 9 p.m. (Map 891, F-5.)

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The Mission Viejo Activities Committee has made viewing lights easy by printing a list of the winners of the city’s annual decorating contest. You can pick up the list, along with directions, beginning tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Santa’s Workshop in the Four Corners area at La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive.

Even easier than driving in your car is taking a bus tour of the winning homes. The tours are new this year and are set for 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 21. The 75-minute tour costs $3 and tickets are on sale at Santa’s Workshop, open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Dec. 25.

Photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Claus are also offered at the workshop, and costumed characters such as Frosty and Rudolph entertain those waiting in line. Free hot chocolate is served. The Four Corners area offers other sights: a community tree, a Nativity scene and a Hanukkah scene. Information: (714) 830-7066.

To get there, take Interstate 5 to La Paz Road and head east to Chrisanta. (Map 922, B-1.)

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Just across Interstate 5 in Laguna Hills is the hilltop community of Nellie Gail Ranch, where scores of lavish homes sport equally lavish holiday trimmings. The best way to see it is to drive along central Nellie Gail Road and duck up and down the streets that branch off of it. It’s a good idea to bring along a map of the area, though, because it’s labyrinth.

To get to Nellie Gail Road, take the 5 to Oso Parkway and head east about a quarter of a mile to Cabot Road. Turn right and drive north on Cabot to Nellie Gail Road. Turn left and head up the hill. Hours throughout Nellie Gail are 6-10 p.m., through Dec. 25. (Map 922 A-3 through 6 and Map 921 H-5 and 6 and J-3 through 7.)

Central County

Orange’s Old Towne historic district is centered around the plaza, at Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street, with its Santa, snowman and Nativity scene and street decorations from another era. The Old Towne Preservation Assn. holds an annual contest for best-decorated homes in the mile-square area and the 400 block of south Grand Avenue is always a contender.

To get there from the Costa Mesa Freeway, take Chapman Avenue west about a mile to Grand, then turn south and follow the glow to the 400 block.

From the Garden Grove Freeway, take the Glassell Street offramp, go north on Glassell to La Veta Avenue, turn east for two short blocks to Grand and drive north. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m, through Dec. 25. (Map 799, G-5.)

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Another destination in Orange is the 500 block of North Waverly Street. Many homes on the long cul-de-sac are decked in lights and most also feature Christmas characters.

To get there from the Orange plaza traffic circle, head east on Chapman for about half a mile to Cambridge Street. Turn north on Cambridge, go another half-mile to Walnut Avenue and turn east. North Waverly is the first left off Walnut. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m., through Dec. 25. (Map 799, H-3.)

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Back on Chapman, be sure to check out Tuscany Designs at 932 E. Champan Ave. The old Spanish-style house, in Orange’s commercial district between Cambridge and Tustin streets, is decked out with 7,000 lights this year. Hours are 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Jan. 1. (Map 799, J-4)

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Randy Gates’ Villa Park extravaganza is not far away. He’s at 10691 Dorothy Circle and the action is going on from 5 to 10 p.m. each night. The motorized Nutcracker characters are new this year--the ninth year Gates has mounted his breathtakingly elaborate display.

To get there, take Tustin Street to Collins Avenue, go east on Collins to Wanda Road and turn left. Go to Lincoln Street and turn right, turn right again on Providence Drive, make a quick left onto Aberdeen Lane and Dorothy Circle will be the next street on the left. Gates starts taking down the complex display on Dec. 27. (Map 800, B-1)

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Residents of Cowan Hills in the eastern part of Orange have been inspiring each other to decorate their homes for several years. More than a dozen homes on Cobblestone Drive and Blackberry Cove are smothered in lights. Some are more elaborate, extending the lights to every bush and tree and walkway and adding lighted figures. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

To get there, take Chapman Avenue east to Newport Boulevard and head south on Newport to Canyon View Avenue. Turn west on Canyon View and left onto Oak Tree Lane, then north a short block on Oak Tree to Cobblestone. (Map 800, G-4)

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In Tustin, the West Main Street area of vintage homes offers another look at old-fashioned Christmases. A variety of manger scenes and holiday figures adorn the 300, 400 and 500 blocks.

To get there from the intersection of Newport Avenue and Main Street, drive west on Main to the 300 block. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1. (Map 830, A-3 and B-3)

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Tustin’s Basswood Circle boasts a new reindeer and sleigh in the neighborhood where residents for years have been decorating with rooftop and yard scenes that include trains and gingerbread men and houses dripping with icicle lights. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

To get there from Newport and Walnut avenues, take Walnut Avenue east to Raintree Lane, turn south and go two blocks to Basswood, which is on the left. (Map 830, C-7)

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Visitors often need to wear their dark glasses when walking through the holiday wonderland that is the Dahlia tract in Fountain Valley. The 75-home tract bordered by Heil and Edinger avenues and Brookhurst and Bushard streets has been lighting up for years.

Lavish decorations, including scores of animated figures and awe-inspiring light displays, lure so many people that the Police Department often sets up barricades and only people on foot are allowed into the development in the evenings.

To get there, find Mile Square Regional Park. From Edinger Avenue and Brookhurst Street, go south on Brookhurst about one-third mile to Thistle Avenue, the entrance to the tract. If the barricades are up, park your car along Brookhurst or at the park and walk back. Hours are 5-10 p.m. through Dec. 25. (Map 828, D-6 & E-6.)

North County

The Simpsons are at it again over on Minerva Place in Anaheim.

The street has just three houses, but the residents--all relatives--don’t let that stop them from putting on a world-class display.

Matt Simpson, a physical education teacher, is the decorator whose weekends and evenings for the last month of the year are spent decking the halls, walls, lawns, roofs and trees.

He’s got giant animated cutouts of those other Simpsons--Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa--on the roofs, and an illuminated creche filling one frontyard. An animated ski lift wows viewers and this year Simpson has added a 15-foot motorized Ferris wheel. A live Santa will be on hand Dec. 19-24, from 8-9 p.m., to greet visitors and hand out candy canes.

To get there, take Ball Road to Nutwood Street, go north on Nutwood to Beacon Avenue and turn left. Then turn left onto Minerva Avenue when Beacon ends. Minerva Place is the first left after that. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. (Map 768, E-7.)

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La Palma’s Dallas Drive is a pocket version of Central Orange County’s Dahlia tract--a pioneer in neighborhood decorating. There are about a dozen homes on the cul-de-sac all draped in tens of thousands of lights. Recorded music serenades visitors while animated Christmas characters strut their stuff.

Tonight--and tonight only--is the community’s annual party, and residents will be gathered around bonfires, watching what have become annual visits to the community by a classic car club and a group of Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts. The groups parade in and out of the long cul-de-sac, greeting residents and showing off brightly decorated cars and bikes.

To get there, take the Artesia Freeway to the Orangethorpe Avenue offramp, go half a block west to Walker Avenue, turn south and drive about a mile to Houston Avenue. Turn west onto Houston; Dallas Drive is the first cross street. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1. (Map 767, D-2.)

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The Eagle Hills neighborhood in Brea blazes with lighting displays that draw hundreds of visitors each night during the holiday season. There are dozens of decorated homes in the neighborhood, so plan on spending some time wandering along the streets.

To get there, take the Orange Freeway to Birch Street, turn east and follow to Flower Hill, about halfway between Kraemer Boulevard and South Valencia Avenue. Enter the tract by turning north onto Flower Hill. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. through Dec. 25. (Map 709, F-7)

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A few miles east, in Yorba Linda, the 42 homes of Windemere Village are decked out in myriad lights and scores of wooden cutouts of Christmas characters. Many houses have themed displays--such as Candyland and a Scottish Holiday House. The neighborhood’s common area features a life-size Nativity scene lighted by a star.

To get there, take Rose Drive (which becomes Tustin Avenue in Orange) to Buena Vista Avenue; turn east. At Windemere Drive turn north into the tract. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. through Dec. 25. (Map 739, H-5)

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Finally, there’s East Carnation Way in Anaheim Hills. Several dozen homes are brightly lighted and many also offer elaborate scenes featuring cutouts of traditional and cartoon characters.

To get there, head east on the Riverside Freeway to Weir Canyon Road and take Weir Canyon south to Monte Vista Road and turn right. Drive past Sycamore Park and take the first left, onto Kennedy Road. Carnation Way is the first right off Kennedy. Hours: dusk until 10 p.m. (Map 741, A-7)