Looking for best holiday lights in SLO County? Check out these stunning spots
Searching for some holiday cheer during the darkest, longest nights of the year?
This year, The Tribune went looking for the best holiday light displays in San Luis Obispo County.
From dazzling decorations at private residences to vibrant displays at public spaces including San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza and Paso Robles’ Downtown City Park, the county contains several pockets packed with luminous lights and yuletide magic.
So grab some hot cocoa, crank up some holiday music and drive around these spectacular spots in SLO County.
Here’s your guide to festive lights at local homes and businesses, based on submissions from readers and previous Tribune coverage:
Where can I find holiday lights in Atascadero?
Where: 2720 Ferrocarril Road
When: Open nightly in December
The Boydston family has once again decked out their home for the holidays.
This year, the residence has recreated the Grinch’s lair from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Families can take photos with Cindy Lou Who and the green meanie himself.
On Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m., the Boydstons host Cookies and Cocoa events where you can snack on popcorn, cookies, hot cocoa and cotton candy while romping through snow and walking the trail of Christmas lights. Santa Claus and the Grinch will also be around for photo opportunities.
Experience Christmas cheer in Cambria
Where: Cambria Historical Museum, 2251 Center St.
When: Nightly beginning Thursday, Dec. 4.
The Cambria Historical Society has a long-running tradition of stringing lights up the Port Orford cypress, known as Cambria’s official Christmas tree. Planted more than a century ago in 1903, the evergreen is now three stories tall and decorated annually with 500-foot-long strands of crystal fairy lights.
Santa Claus will light Cambria’s Christmas tree around 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Families can stick around for pictures in the parlor with the Jolly Old Elf after the ceremony.
Where: Cambria Christmas Market, Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive in Cambria
When: 5 to 9 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Closed Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 24 and 25.
The Cambria Christmas Market is returning for its 14th year. At this outdoor festival, you can take in more than three million twinkling holiday lights, taste traditional German snacks, buy gifts from artisan vendors and snap photos with Father Christmas.
Tickets for the European-style holiday market start at $27.64; children 5 and under are free.
Stroll through a winter wonderland in Paso Robles
Where: Downtown City Park, Spring and 12th Streets
When: Nightly through Jan. 7
Each December, the city of Paso Robles turns into a winter wonderland with a shimmering display of holiday lights.
From the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of January, Downtown City Park shines 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, according to the city’s website.
“Locals say the park transforms into a place of joy and holiday spirit during this time,” the city said.
Where: Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East
When: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, plus some other select nights in December
Sensorio in Paso Robles features a sprawling outdoor light spectacle with more than 127,000 glowing bulbs. Solar-powered exhibits blend light and music to create an immersive sensory experience.
During Christmastime, guests can shop at a holiday craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 13, and visit with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 18; Monday, Dec. 22, and Tuesday, Dec. 23. The venue will host a special Nutcracker performance on Dec. 18.
Admission to Sensorio starts at $35.04.
See holiday lights, visit Santa in San Luis Obispo
Where: 1902 Chorro St.
When: 5:15 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:15 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
For the 12th year, Wayne and Leslie Terry have brightened the corner of Chorro and Upham streets with thousands of lights synchronized to Christmas music.
This year, the Terrys are playing more than 30 holiday songs ranging from old-school Christmas classics to humorous contemporary bops, Leslie Terry said.
Drivers can tune their car radios to 89.1 FM to get the full experience, while bicyclists and pedestrians can listen to the music playing from a speaker at the house.
The property has a giant snowman in the front yard and dozens of glowing animals dressed in holiday apparel, including a Tyrannosaurus rex in a Santa hat, a parrot with a scarf and a cow in a snowflake sweater.
Where: Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Road
When: Through December
San Luis Obispo’s Madonna Inn has converted into a winter wonderland for the holidays. This year’s festive theme is “White Christmas,” Lyndsey Goldwyn, the director of marketing at the inn told The Tribune.
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House is covered in gleaming baubles, shining lights, glowing candlesticks and frosted Christmas trees. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by statues of Father Christmas and a polar bear.
Where: 1619 Pereira Drive
When: Nightly
Marty Henderson has been decorating his home with thousands of holiday lights for more than three decades.
In 2021, he told the Tribune that it takes him an average of 11 days to install the dazzling displays.
This year, Henderson has transformed his home into a frosty mountain resort. You can see Mr. and Mrs. Claus donning ski goggles and elves holding up snowboards, ready to hit the slopes beside inflatable polar bears and penguins.
Where: Buckley Springs Storage, 901 Buckley Road
When: 5 to 10 p.m. daily
For the sixth consecutive year, Buckley Springs Storage has turned its facility into a winter wonderland with more than 5,000 holiday lights.
On the property, you’ll find a luminous three-piece Christmas Express train, a lit-up wooden tree, several shining elves, gingerbread men and a storage unit just for Santa Claus.
“We welcome everyone to drive by and check it out!”, a representative from the storage facility told The Tribune in an email.
Where: Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St.
When: Nightly
San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza is celebrating the holidays with a giant decorated tree, walk-through ornaments, an animated light tunnel and a sit-in sleigh, according to Amy Moe, operations coordinator for Downtown SLO.
Every 30 minutes each evening, there’s a music-synced light and snow show that incorporates the sparkling tunnel and other holiday lights around the plaza.
Families can also visit Santa’s House or ride the Classic Carousel from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 24.
Kiddos can visit with Santa and pose for photos, as well as drop off letters at the mailbox outside of Santa’s House. Photos are $10 to $20. Carousel rides cost $4, or three rides for $10.
This year, the nearby San Luis Obispo Creek walk will glitter with overhead pathway lights, along with a radiant holiday pattern projection on the Warden Bridge, Moe told The Tribune.
See Christmas tree, candy cane path in Templeton
Where: 1428 Laura Court
When: 5 to 10 p.m. daily
This stunning holiday display features more than 3,000 lights, homeowner David Landers told The Tribune.
The festive decorations range from a two-story-tall Christmas tree to a candy cane path and icicle lights.
