Outside, in a Blaze of Glory

Nearly 200 people stopped by Hugh Yancey’s front yard in Mission Viejo last Christmas Eve. Some were young; some not. Some were looking for Santa, who is known to hang out there; some were looking for Christmas itself.

Chances are they found what they wanted.

At the Yancey house on Cataluna Street, more than 10,000 white lights blaze like a beacon, wrapped around the trunks of 30-foot-tall trees and outlining the two-story house, a 12-foot-tall revolving Ferris wheel and a musical merry-go-round with teddy bear riders.

An illuminated reindeer prances on the snowy lawn and Santa’s up on the rooftop--along with a star and several 4-foot-tall teddy bears balancing red and white umbrellas. A working miniature train circles the yard while a giant stuffed panda swings from a tree.

And there’s more.

“I always run out of time,” laments Yancey, who has been decorating the outside of his house big time for 20 years. He starts in mid-October by trimming the foliage out of the his trees--the better to light them--and spends several hours a day working on the project up to Christmas Eve. He has to quit then, he says, because he plays Santa Claus from 6 to 8 p.m.

Over the years, Yancey’s dealt with theft, wind, rain, fire and $500-a-month electric bills. Every year he says he’s not going to do it again. Every year he does it.

Why?

Because, he explains as if talking to someone a few bulbs short of a string of lights, it makes people happy: from small children who missed Santa at the mall to senior citizens’ homes that have made his yard a regular “Drive by Christmas” stop for years.

Yancey just wishes he lived on a corner so that more people could find his house, which is tucked into an area of mostly undecorated homes.

But don’t worry.

We’ll take you there on our eighth annual tour of Orange County’s holiday lights, which also stops at decked-out streets and neighborhoods from Fullerton to Rancho Santa Margarita, and takes in boat parades from coastal Dana Point to inland Yorba Linda. All you need are wheels and a map book--the driving tour is keyed to pages of the Thomas Guide. So grab your coats, a cup of cocoa, some canned goods for one neighborhood’s food drive, and come along:

South County

* We start the tour on El Corzo in Rancho Santa Margarita, where neighbors light their homes according to personal whim but tie it together by linking each front yard with a continuous “fence” of icicle-draped candy canes. There are Christmas character cutouts, an animated angel on one roof and a large-scale model train winding through an elaborate layout in one yard.

The neighbors encourage visitors to bring nonperishable food items for a food drive sponsored by a local high school--a collection barrel is part of El Corzo’s decor.

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 surface 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)

* 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 wind through the streets that branch off of it. Best bet is to bring a map of the area, because the streets twist and turn.

To get to Nellie Gail Road, take Interstate 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 Christmas. (Map 922 A-3 through 6 and Map 921 H-5 and 6 and J-3 through 7)

* Seeing the Christmas lights and sights in Mission Viejo is 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, starting tonight at Santa’s Workshop at the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive. Photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Claus are also offered there. Information: (949) 830-7066.

To get there, take Interstate 5 to La Paz and head east into Mission Viejo to its intersection with Chrisanta. (Map 922, A-2)

* The Yanceys’ Christmas extravaganza (his seasonal decorating tip--”staple everything down, including the snow”) is at 24272 Cataluna in Mission Viejo. The home has won decorating awards from the planned community’s activities committee in 15 of the last 16 years.

To get there from La Paz, continue east to Marguerite Parkway and turn north. Head up Marguerite and just past Jeronimo turn west onto Pueblonuevo Drive. Follow Pueblonuevo to Cataluna, the second right you can make. (Map 892, C-7)

* While you’re in the area, check out Gitano, a past winner in the community’s “best street category.” To get there take Jeronimo Road east, cross Marguerite Parkway and turn right on Silleros, left on Cascabel, right on Ramona and left onto Gitano. (Map 892, F-7)

Coastal Area

* An antique sled from the 1800s and a 3-D animated train join Christmas past and present at the Balboa Island home of Jim and Tracy Breedlove, 201 Agate Ave. The train on the second story balcony appears to circle a real Christmas tree; three grapevine reindeer command the front yard. The house sports three stars on the roof and a 7-foot-tall red wreath. An area between houses becomes Candy Cane Lane fit for a king with giant, 8-foot-tall candy canes.

To get there from Pacific Coast Highway, turn toward the ocean on Jamboree Road and go over the bridge onto the island. Turn right on Park Avenue and follow the signs to the Balboa ferry. You can see the house from Park and Agate avenues. (Map 919, C-1)

* On Christmas Eve, head over to the Newport Beach home of Joan Sue Betson at 1311 Galaxy Drive. For the past 32 years, her family has lighted the walks in front of the house with about 500 luminaria on the night before Christmas. The candles, set in sand inside brown paper bags, are lighted about 5 p.m. and often are still burning at midnight.

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)

* The Harbor Ridge Women’s Club annually decorates the entrance to that gated community in the hills above Corona del Mar. This year the theme is modern: strings of white lights, a contemporary tree and lighted reindeer figures.

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

* And then there’s Dutch Haven, the Huntington Beach neighborhood that Roxanne Purzycki and friends dress up each year, wrapping 600 street trees in foil and red ribbons so they resemble giant candy canes. The 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 of the “U” formed by Fantasia, Scenario and Waikiki lanes. (Map 827, C-6)

Central County

* Linda Way in Los Alamitos is a street of lights. All nine homes are decorated--one house boasts more than 10,000 lights. There are also several Santa scenes, one of them animated.

To get to Linda Way, which is on the north edge of the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center, take the 405 Freeway to Seal Beach Boulevard and turn north. Head up Seal Beach to Farquhar Avenue (Seal Beach Boulevard turns into Los Alamitos Boulevard at about that point) and turn right onto Farquhar to Rochelle Street. Turn left onto Rochelle, left again at Denwood Avenue and then make a quick left onto Linda Way. (Map 797, A-3)

* The Dahlia tract in Fountain Valley remains one of Orange County’s top winter wonderlands. 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 only people on foot are allowed 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 to 10 p.m. through Christmas. (Map 828, D-6 and E-6)

* Orange’s Old Towne 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 usually a contender. Neighbors there will also line the block with luminaria Dec. 19 and on Christmas Eve, both nights from dusk until the candles 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)

* 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)

* 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 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 north a short block on Oak Tree to Cobblestone. (Map 800, G-4)

* 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)

* On Basswood Circle in Tustin, an annual favorite of dedicated decoration buffs, the neighbors kicked it up a notch this year. Inspired by neighborhood sparkplug Trish Grencik, whose 13 children and grandchildren are coming home for the holidays, every house on the street has added at least one new element to the already elaborate rooftop and yard scenes.

The Grenciks transformed the face of their three-car garage into a living room interior scene, with red-brick walls, a giant fireplace and mantle hung with stockings for each member of the family--and the two dogs. There’s also a giant snowman in the front yard, part of an outdoor scene.

Hours are 5:30 to 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)

North County

On East Carnation Way in Anaheim Hills, 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 until 10 p.m. (Map 741, A-7)

* Eastlake Shores in Yorba Linda is an inland waterfront community, built around a man-made lake that makes a spectacular reflecting pool for the lights decorating the homes there.

The community’s annual paddle-boat parade will be held tonight and Sunday, starting at 6:30 each evening. About 40 decorated boats participate. There is seating available on the banks of the canals.

To get there, take the 91 Freeway to Imperial Highway, head north to Esperanza, turn east to Fairmont Boulevard and then north to Paseo 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 to 10 p.m. through New Year’s Eve. (Map 740, F-5)

* 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, complete with a kilted Scottish Santa playing golf. The neighborhood’s common area features a life-size Nativity scene lit by a Christmas 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 Christmas. (Map 739, H-5)

* Brea’s Eagle Hills neighborhood also blazes with light. A Santa will be greeting passers by in the neighborhood on several evenings, including Christmas Eve.

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)

* A well-kept secret in Fullerton has been the annual lighting of the luminaria in the Sunny Ranch neighborhood off Harbor Boulevard. This year, neighbors on half a dozen streets will line curbs and driveways with the candle-lit bags for three hours tonight and Sunday, starting at 6 each evening. To get there, take Harbor to La Entrada (about halfway between Bastanchury Road and Imperial Highway) and turn west into the tract, then follow the luminaria. (Map 738, G-2)

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

Matt Simpson is the decorator, and he spends weekends and evenings the month before Christmas decking the halls and anything else on Minerva that doesn’t move. The physical education teacher and his father-in-law string about 40,000 lights each year.

Simpson also puts giant cutouts of the other Simpsons--Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa--on the roofs. An illuminated creche fills one front yard. An animated ski lift, a carousel and a 15-foot motorized Ferris wheel round out the display. Santa will be on hand from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-24 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 to 10 p.m. (Map 768, E-7)

* La Palma’s Dallas Drive is a cul-de-sac whose homes are draped in tens of thousands of lights. Recorded Christmas music serenades visitors while animated characters strut their stuff.

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)

Winter Waterlands

* Tired of driving around looking at houses? Try the view at sea level. You can take a guided boat tour past spectacular lighting displays, watch decked-out boats ranging from kayaks to yachts cruise by or join a boat parade. The county offers several ways to combine water and winter wonderlands.

* The Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is one of the county’s premier holiday attractions, and that means you need to arrive in Newport Harbor by 4 p.m. locals say, to find a waterfront spot.

The parade, which starts Friday 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 p.m. You can get a patio seat and a hot dinner there for $12 adults and $10 children. Proceeds benefit veterans’ programs. Tickets are available at the door, but parties of 20 or more are asked to make reservations. Parking is limited. Information: (949) 673-5070.

The Boy Scout Sea Base, 1931 W. Coast Highway, rents out lawn seating for $2, but the seats sell out fast. Reservations: (949) 642-5031).

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 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)

* Dana Point’s boat parade continues tonight, Friday and Saturday. Open to all decorated boats, the parade starts at 7:30 p.m. To be eligible for judging, boats must be registered with Dana Wharf Sportfishing, (949) 496-5794. There is no entry fee.

No boat? No problem. Sign up for a boat that meets and joins the parade for $15 adults and $10 children. Plan to arrive at 6:45 p.m. eservations are made through Dana Wharf Sportfishing.

Those who would rather watch the 60- to 75-boat parade with feet planted firmly on the ground can do so 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)

* A little reflection goes a long way when it comes to Christmas lights, and the annual Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights in Huntington Beach is just the ticket. Tour boats take passengers through the water-oriented community’s series of manufactured lagoons for a different angle on the elaborately decorated homes.

Tours start Tuesday and run through Dec. 22. Boats leave at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 adults; $6 children, Monday-Thursday; $10 adults and $6 children Friday-Sunday. Tuesday is family night with prices at $8 adults; $5 children.

For those who want to cruise in high style, a buffet cruise on a luxury yacht is offered every night. The two-hour cruises begin at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $48. All proceeds benefit the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s children’s music program. Information: (714) 840-7542.

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

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)