Lights: A Tour of the County’s Best and Brightest

Proud of yourself, are you? You dragged the tree into the house all by yourself (well, maybe with a little help from the family) and got all the decorations up without breaking too many bulbs.

OK. Now go out and do it 599 more times.

That’s what Roxanne Purzycki and her dozen or so helpers do every year at this time. They decorate all 600-plus trees in the streets and frontyards of their Huntington Beach neighborhood.

It’s a tradition that Purzycki started 11 years ago. She’s decorated in wind, rain and the final days of a pregnancy (her fourth child was born Dec. 27, 1993).

Purzycki said she was inspired by a street in a neighboring tract and decided to start decking out her neighborhood’s trees “because it looks so good.”

Early each December, Purzycki loads several thousand feet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and wide red ribbon into a rusty red wagon and--usually with a child in tow--pulls it through the streets from tree to tree.

The trunks are wrapped in shiny foil and spirals of ribbon topped with giant red bows. The effort turns the Dutch Haven tract just off Bolsa Chica Street and Edinger Avenue--with its combination of Hawaiian and musical street names (Oahu and Minuet, Waikiki and Waltz)--into one big candy-cane lane.

The parents of her children’s neighborhood friends help.

Purzycki said her crew distributes fliers and envelopes to each of the 400 or so homes in the tract around Thanksgiving each year, soliciting contributions to pay for the decor. Almost everyone chips in, she said, “and if someone is on vacation or has moved, we just do it [for them]. It’s not a thing we do for profit.”

This year there’s more participation than ever, and residents of a nearby apartment complex are joining in.

In neighborhoods all over Orange County, such holiday spirit takes on a life its own, compelling neighbors to spend days--sometimes weeks--decorating homes, yards, trees, lampposts--just about anything that doesn’t move out of the way.

Most do it to please themselves. The Kelly and Porras families of Rancho Santa Margarita are so wrapped up in decorating that even a cross-town move isn’t a deterrent.

The longtime neighbors, spark plugs of holiday decorating in their old Rancho Santa Margarita development, moved across town to new homes on a new street just before last Christmas.

Santa’s house and its animated figures went with them. So did the motorized ice skaters on a pond, painted wooden cut-outs of characters such as Winnie the Pooh and thousands and thousands of holiday lights that had helped make their old neighborhood on Via Lantana a seasonal standout.

Now that spirit infuses their new neighborhood on El Corzo.

Kendall Kelly and Cindy Porras saw to that by hosting a meeting of all the homeowners on the block earlier this year and showing home videos of the holiday scene in their old neighborhood.

“We thought some people would join in and some wouldn’t, but we were surprised by the response. Everyone is really participating,” Kelly said.

Lighting schemes differ from house to house, but the unifying theme on El Corzo is a continuous fence of candy canes linked with strings of shimmering icicles.

There are scores of magnificently decorated homes, streets, even entire neighborhoods between Dutch Haven in Huntington Beach and El Corzo in Rancho Santa Margarita. Our seventh annual tour will guide you to some of the best and brightest. It doesn’t require much--the basics are a vehicle, the kids (if you have ‘em) and a map book--the list is keyed to the Thomas Guide map pages.

Let’s go:

Coastal Orange County

Dutch Haven is the neighborhood that Purzycki and friends dress up each year. The candy-cane trees aren’t lighted, so it is best to drive through in the late afternoon or early evening, before sunset.

To get there, take Edinger Avenue to Fantasia Lane (just west of Bolsa Chica Street) and turn south. The rest of the streets in the tract are off the “U” formed by Fantasia, Scenario and Waikiki lanes. (Map 827, C-6)

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Another Huntington Beach scene that evokes the holidays in a big way is the 60-foot star pine decorated by residents of Tahiti Circle. Strands of lights cascade from the branches, and the tree is crowned by an illuminated star.

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 Bushard and left onto Malibu Lane. Tahiti Circle is the third right. Hours, dusk to 10 p.m., through Christmas. (Map 888, D-4)

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After years of traditional decor, the gated community of Harbor Ridge in the hills above Corona del Mar has gone modern. The Harbor Ridge Women’s Club decorates the community’s entrance each year, and this year the traditional theme of Christmas cottages, snow, colored lights and Santa has been replaced with strings of white lights, a contemporary tree and lighted reindeer.

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 to midnight, through Christmas. (Map. 889, H-7)

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For a Dec. 24 treat, head to the Newport Beach home of Joan Sue Betson at 1311 Galaxy Drive. For the past 31 Christmas Eves, her family has lined the front of the house with about 400 luminaria. The candles, set in sand in brown paper bags, are lighted 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 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.) 949-646-5790

North County

Minerva Place in Anaheim has just three houses, but the residents--all relatives--don’t let that get in the way.

Matt Simpson, a physical education teacher, is the decorator, and he spends weekends and evenings the entire month before Christmas decking the halls, walls, lawns, roofs and trees on Minerva. He and his father-in-law strung 40,000 lights this year.

Simpson put giant cutouts of the other Simpsons--Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa--on the roofs, and an illuminated Christmas creche fills one frontyard. An animated ski lift and a 15-foot motorized Ferris wheel help round out the display. A carousel, also motorized, is new this year. Santa will be on hand through Christmas Eve to greet visitors and hand out candy canes.

To get there, take Ball Road to Nutwood Avenue, go north on Nutwood to Beacon Avenue and turn left. 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 Christmas decorating. There are about a dozen homes on the cul-de-sac, draped in tens of thousands of lights. Recorded Christmas music serenade animated Christmas characters.

To get there, take the Riverside 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 New Year’s. (Map 767, D-2.)

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Brea’s Eagle Hills neighborhood blazes with light. Several of the two dozen or more decorated homes are so bright you can easily read the small print in your map book by the glow. A Santa will be in the neighborhood tonight and Christmas Eve, handing out candy canes.

To get there, take the 57 Freeway to Birch Street, turn east 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 Christmas. (Map 709, F-7.)

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Yorba Linda’s Eastlake Shores community is built around a man-made lake whose placid waters make a spectacular reflecting pool that magnifies the lights that decorate the community’s 120 homes.

To get there, take the 91 Freeway to Imperial Highway, head north to Esperanza, turn east to Fairmont Boulevard north to Pas de las Palomas. Turn east to Village Center Drive and you are on the boundary of Eastlake Shores. Hours for viewing the reflected lights are 6-10 p.m. through New Year’s Eve. (Map 740, F-5.)

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The 42 homes of Windemere Village, another Yorba Linda neighborhood that goes all out, are dressed in myriad lights, their yards filled with 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 Christmas star. An addition this year that adds to the Scottish theme is a big sign on Rod and Isbelle Anderson’s home that spells out “Nullaig Chridheil,” or “Merry Christmas” in Gaelic.

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

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On East Carnation Way in Anaheim Hills, several dozen homes are brightly lighted, many with elaborate Christmas scenes featuring cutouts of traditional and cartoon characters.

To get there, head east on the 91 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 Drive. Carnation Way is the first right off Kennedy. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. (Map 741, A-7.)

Central County

Orange’s Old Towne historic district plaza, at Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street, features Santa, a snowman, a 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. Neighbors there not only string thousands of lights, but also line the long block with luminaria on Christmas Eve, from dusk until they burn out.

To get there from the 55 Freeway, take Chapman Avenue west about a mile to Grand, then turn south and follow the glow to the 400 block.

From the 22 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 Christmas. (Map 799, G-5.)

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The 500 block of North Waverly Street in Orange is another bright spot. 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, head east on Chapman for about half a mile to Cambridge Street. Turn north on Cambridge, go another half-mile to Walnut Street and turn east. Waverly is the first left off Walnut. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. through Christmas. (Map 799, H-3.)

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Residents of Cowan Hills in the eastern part of Orange have been inspiring one another to decorate their homes for several years. More than a dozen homes on Cobblestone Drive and Blackberry Cove are decked out with 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 to Oak Tree Lane, then go 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. 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 & B-3.)

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Neighbors on Tustin’s Basswood Circle decorate with rooftop and yard scenes that include trains and gingerbread men and houses dripping with icicle lights. New this year is a winter scene with reindeer figures. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

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

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Visitors often come back night after night to walk 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 awesome light displays, lure so many people that the Police Department often sets up barricades and allows only people on foot into the development in the evenings.

To get there, find Mile Square Park. From the corner of 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 Mile Square Park and walk back.

Hours are 5-10 p.m. through Christmas. (Map 826, D-6 & E-6.)

South County

Seeing Christmas lights and sights in Mission Viejo has been made easy by the city’s activities committee, which publishes a list of the winners of the community’s annual decorating contest. You can pick up the list, along with directions, at the community library, 24851 Chrisanta Drive, or the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

Photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Claus are offered at the Santa’s workshop at La Paz Road and Chrisanta. Information: (949) 830-7066.

To get there, take the Interstate 5 Freeway to Alicia Parkway and head east into Mission Viejo to the intersection of Alicia and Chrisanta. (Map 922, B-1.)

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In nearby Laguna Hills, the hilltop community of Nellie Gail Ranch boasts scores of lavish homes sporting equally lavish holiday trimmings. Drive along Nellie Gail Road and duck up and down the streets that branch off it. The best bet is to bring a map of the area, because the streets twist and turn.

To get to Nellie Gail Road, take the 5 Freeway 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 are 6-10 p.m. through Christmas. (Map 922 A-3 through 6 and Map 921 H-5 & 6 and J-3 through 7.)

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We wind up the dry part of the tour on El Corzo in Rancho Santa Margarita, where the Porras and Kelly clans have infected the neighbors with holiday decorating fever.

To get there, take Santa Margarita Parkway to Melinda Road and turn east, heading toward the Foothill Transportation Corridor. (You can get to Santa Margarita Parkway on the corridor or via a number of major streets including El Toro Road and Alicia and Marguerite parkways). Head up Melinda to Las Fieras and turn right; El Corzo will be the first left you can make. (Map 892, H-2.)

Winter Waterlands

If driving around and looking at brightly lighted homes isn’t your thing--or if there just aren’t enough of them to fill you up--try one or more of the county’s boat parades:

The Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is one of the county’s premier holiday attractions, so unless you have a house on the bay, or a really good friend who does, plan to arrive in the Newport Harbor area by 4 p.m. to find a waterfront viewing spot.

The parade, which started Thursday and runs through Wednesday, features 150 bedecked boats that cruise the harbor each night beginning at 6:30 p.m. They pass the American Legion Hall about 7:30 p.m. You can get a seat and a hot meal there for $10. Proceeds benefit veterans’ programs. Tickets are available at the door, but parties of 10 or more are asked to make reservations. Parking is limited. Information: (949) 673-5070.

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

To get there, take Pacific Coast Highway to either Balboa Boulevard or, father 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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Tonight’s the last night for Dana Point’s boat parade. The parade is open to all decorated boats, and there’s no entry fee. If you want your entry judged, sign up through Dana Wharf Sport Fishing, (949) 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. While 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 younger than 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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The annual Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights in Huntington Beach started Monday and runs through Tuesday. Tour boats take passengers through the water-oriented community’s series of man-made lagoons to get a waterside view of the lavishly decorated homes.

Huntington Harbour’s lights and decorations also can be viewed from land. The Admiralty Drive bridge that connects Pacific Coast Highway with the community’s Admiralty Island is a good spot.

Tickets for the boat tours, sponsored by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, are $10 for adults and $5 for children on Sunday (tonight’s tours are sold out) and $8.50 for adults and $5 for children Monday and Tuesday.

Tour boats leave hourly beginning at 5:30 with the final departure at 8:30 each evening. Information: (714) 840-7542.

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 Harbor. 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.)