Searching for the best holiday lights in SLO County? Check out these spectacular spots
Seeking some holiday cheer on these cold winter nights?
The Tribune has set out again in search of the best holiday lights in San Luis Obispo County.
From fabulous decorations at private homes to massive displays at public places such as San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza and Paso Robles’ Downtown City Park, the county is full of bright lights and yuletide wonder.
So hop in the car with some Christmas cookies, turn up the holiday tunes and witness the winter wonderlands across the county.
Here’s your guide to festive decorations at local homes and businesses, based on past submissions from readers and previous Tribune coverage:
Atascadero
Where: 2720 Ferrocarril Road
When: Open nightly in December
The Boydstons’ home is decked out in fun, fanciful Christmas displays, including elaborate light displays, inflatable decorations, a snow machine and Santa’s sleigh.
This year, there’s a recreation of the Grinch’s lair where families can take pictures with Cindy Lou Who and the mean green guy himself.
On Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., the Boydstons host Cookies and Cocoa events where you can buy popcorn, cookies, hot cocoa, fudge and other treats.
Cambria
Where: Cambria Historical Museum, 2251 Center St.
When: Nightly in December
The Cambria Historical Society has a long-standing tradition of stringing lights up the Port Orford cypress, known as Cambria’s official Christmas tree. Planted in 1903, the evergreen is now three stories tall and decorated with 500-foot-long strands of crystal fairy lights.
“The garlands glow every night, merry and bright,” Consuelo Macedo told the Tribune.
Nipomo
Where: Willow Road and Hetrick Avenue
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 to 19
Members of Santa Maria’s Power of God Christian Center started Willow Lights in Nipomo as a tribute to late pastor Salvador Ortiz Jr.
The Christmas celebration includes a barn full of holiday gifts and delicious bites from Central Coast vendors.
Visitors can also view animated lights or sip on some hot cocoa while taking a train ride on the Willow Express. Faux snowstorms are conjured up every 30 minutes.
Paso Robles
Where: 4850 Tower Road
When: 5 to 11 p.m. daily
Andrew Bittle’s house is covered in thousands of Christmas lights this holiday season. There’s also a giant inflatable nutcracker and what could be the biggest blow-up Grinch in the county, he told The Tribune.
The home’s front yard also features glowing penguins wrapped in scarves, hanging candy canes and snowmen. There’s a massive Merry Christmas sign on the roof.
Where: Downtown City Park, Spring and 12th Streets
When: Nightly through Jan. 7
As part of a cherished tradition, the city of Paso Robles decorates the park with a stunning light display during the holiday season.
According to the city’s website, Downtown City Park sparkles with colorful orbs hanging from sycamore trees and icicle lights shimmering from old oaks. Hundreds of multicolored lights cover a giant pine in the park.
San Luis Obispo
Where: 1902 Chorro St.
When: Nightly through Dec. 31
For the 11th year, Wayne and Leslie Terry have adorned their home at the corner of Chorro and Upham streets with lights synchronized to Christmas music. Drivers can tune their car radios to 89.1 FM to get the full experience.
There’s also a speaker playing holiday songs for cyclists and pedestrians until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.
This year, the residence has “close to 60,000 lights programmed to music,” Leslie Terry told The Tribune.
The property has a Joy sign in the window, a giant snowman in the front yard and a trail of glowing Christmas candy.
Where: Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Road
When: Through December
San Luis Obispo’s Madonna Inn has gone all out for the holidays, with frosted Christmas trees, pink gingerbread houses, and jolly Santa decorations scattered throughout the hotel property.
Where: 1619 Pereira Drive
When: Nightly
Marty Henderson has been decorating his home with thousands of holiday lights for more than 30 years.
In 2021, he told the Tribune that it takes him an average of 11 days to install the dazzling displays.
You can see his newest eye-catching creation now.
Where: Buckley Springs Storage, 901 Buckley Road
When: 5 to 10 p.m. daily
Buckley Springs Storage is back for its fourth year of donning its facility in more than 5,000 holiday lights. On the property, there’s a bright three-piece train, a lit-up wooden tree, several shining elves and a storage unit just for Santa.
“We have an awesome holiday display at our property, and everyone is welcome to check it out,” said Buckley Springs Storage worker Vince Fortunato.
Where: Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St.
When: Nightly
San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza features an animated light tunnel, a fully decorated 20-foot-tall tree and other festive displays.
In the evenings, there’s a music-synced light show that includes the tunnel and other holiday lights around the plaza, according to the city’s website.
Templeton
Where: 1428 Laura Court
When: 5 to 10 p.m. daily
This holiday display features more than 3,000 lights.
There’s a two-story-tall Christmas tree, a candy cane path and a giant candy cane on the garage roof, homeowner David Landers told The Tribune.
