Celebrate the holidays with a walk down Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda, CA.
‣ Hey there, welcome back to my blog! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. I can hardly believe that we’re a mere four days from Christmas and ten days from the end of 2021. I feel like the holidays creep up on me every year, but this year it has felt particularly sudden, perhaps because I’ve been away at college in St. Louis.
When I got back to the Bay Area, I really enjoyed exploring Christmas Tree Lane. It’s a block of 55 houses that have put up festive Christmas decorations every year since 1938, with the exception of World War II. Here are some things to know if you decide to visit!
Location & Parking
Christmas Tree Lane is located on the 3200 block of Thompson Avenue in Alameda, CA. You can plug that address into your GPS and find free street parking nearby. There is not much space to park on Thompson Avenue itself; we found a spot near the intersection of Fairview Avenue and Cornell Drive.
When to Visit
Though there is no official start date, residents try to “open” on December 1st each year, according to SF Gate. The lights turn on at about 5:30pm each night.
What to See
Holiday lights, of course! There is a wide variety of festive displays, from illuminated sleighs and reindeers to menorahs to snowflakes. Some of the residents set up hot chocolate stands and bake sales or pass out candy canes. It makes for a very cheerful, happy atmosphere.
People tend to walk down the street on one side, then cross the street and walk down the other side so they can experience and admire all of the houses. It can get crowded with everyone lingering, taking photos, sipping hot chocolate, etc., so be patient as you explore!
Final Thoughts
This is a really nice way to spend an evening during the holiday season! After checking out the Christmas lights, you can enjoy dinner in Alameda or nearby Berkeley or Oakland. Some of my favorite spots to get food in Berkeley include Gather, Flacos, and Cha-Ya.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a happy holiday season. Stay safe and be well!
