Mike Martin and his family were looking for their next home in the East Bay when a listing came open on Thompson Avenue, Alameda’s “Christmas Tree Lane.”
Martin had long been taking his kids to the residential street, which has been going all-out on Christmas decorations since 1938.
“We were like, ‘Oh my goodness, are we up for this?’” he said.
As it turns out, they were.
Twenty years later, Martin’s decorative toy factory — the “Wrap-O-Matic,” which shuttles toy parts to be assembled and then wrapped in a magic box and ready for Santa’s delivery — is an Alameda Christmas Tree Lane staple.
This neighborhood is among a handful in the Bay Area that will be lit up all month long for the holiday season, welcoming those looking to get into the Christmas spirit to come on by.
“Being able to share this with thousands of people that come through the street is really special,” Martin said.
It takes a village to keep the Christmas spirit alive on these festive streets, and that includes those who visit to enjoy the experience. Read on for some helpful suggestions, and depending on the night you drop by, you may even get to meet Santa Claus.
Just remember: Drive slowly and expect traffic along the holiday-themed streets.
Thompson Avenue
Martin and his neighbors decorate their houses independently, but he said they do get together to make sure they all turn on their lights on the same day.
He said they also coordinate with Santa, who sits in his red sleigh in the road’s median every night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. until Dec. 23.
While greeting families and handing out candy canes, Santa said his elves are “hard at work” at the North Pole.
“Those elves pulled together,” he said. “We’ve got Christmas in the bag.”
But he won’t be there to hand out candy canes on Christmas Eve. “Of course, the 24th, he is too busy,” Martin said.
Martin said the street’s business ramps up significantly as Christmas Day nears, so come soon if you’re hoping for a quieter visit — or delay until the week before the holiday to join in on the busiest, most festive time of year.
Hermit Way and Hartley Drive
As far as Mark Gibbons knows, the two streets that comprise Santa Rosa’s Christmas Tree Lane have been in the holiday spirit since they were first built in the ’50s.
“When you purchase a house on these two streets here, you’ll typically find the previous person’s decorations for outside,” Gibbons said.
When he moved in, he found a bunch of deer and a large Santa wooden cutout, the former of which they still have and display today.
But the real event is Gibbons’ commitment to playing Santa — after he moved to the area and realized that the former Santa had moved on to other commitments.
“My father in the UK has for many, many years portrayed Santa at Christmastime, and so I just thought: ‘Why not take on the mantle of doing it and bring it back?’” he said.
This year, Gibbons said he’ll be out as Santa on Dec. 19 and 20.
Crippsmas Place in Fremont
Candy canes will be handed out nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. until Dec. 27. A full schedule of events, including appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus, is available here. Carolers are welcome.
Deacon Dave’s in Livermore
This year’s theme is “Storyland Christmas.” The display is open weeknights 6 to 9 p.m. and weekends 6 to 10 p.m. There are no public restrooms.
Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos
One-way traffic is in place on Eucalyptus Avenue between Dec. 2 and Dec. 26.
Overflow parking is available every weekend in December at Arroyo School at 1710 Arroyo Ave. Security will be present on the street.
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