Decorations just keep getting bigger

By SALLY CAPPON
South Coast Beacon

Deck the walls with … icicles? Snowmen? Reindeer on the roof?

Holiday decorations abound in Santa Barbara. On the Eastside, Westside, all around the town — nearly every block has some visible evidence of holiday spirit.

No more simply hanging a string of colored lights around the eaves and calling it quits. White icicles are de rigueur. Fat snowmen and bears are this year’s biggie. So are lit reindeer and white trees.

Some people go all out. Prize for the most decorated house in Santa Barbara undoubtedly goes to 1820 Anacapa St., which has lights and action — bring your own cameras. There is a train, Santa, reindeer, a flag and you get St. Barbara and letters to Santa to boot.

Not far away, at the corner of Garden and Mission streets, Santa Barbara’s favorite front-lawn pooch is decked out with a halo and angelic garb, courtesy of its whimsical owner, Annette Carrel. It’s best seen during daylight hours.

Also near downtown, the Century 21 office at 1635 State St. is wearing icicles, candles, wreaths, candy canes, trees, reindeer — even snowflakes on the roof.

A home at 519 Brinkerhoff Ave. (an area returned to mostly residential status after its heyday as an antique shop mecca) has colored lights etching architectural details of the historic 1800s-era Queen Anne.

On the Westside, check out Mountain Avenue between Portesuello Avenue and Carrillo Street, and in the same area, Upper West Valerio Street around Harding School.

These things tend to be infectious. Areas of Goleta go all out; others are dark.

Here’s a suggested route for the kiddies to get the most bling for your buck. Start at Cathedral Oaks Road and North Kellogg Avenue and head west. Cathedral Oaks isn’t quite as decorated in the past — no light-bedecked boat this year but enough to elicit “oohs.’’

Past Fairview Avenue, where Cathedral Oaks narrows to one lane, take a short detour left onto Santa Margarita Drive. Go about 100 feet and turn right into Magdalena Place, a tiny cul-de-sac with two beautifully decorated homes at the end.

Return to Cathedral Oaks Road for one of the most delightful homes at 6236 Cathedral Oaks, with a fat snowman, reindeer, trees and icicles — and sign, “Free Candy Canes.’’

Continue west past Glen Annie Road and Dos Pueblos High School toward perhaps the most decorated street — King Daniel Lane, an English country lane turned into a lit fairyland with more deer, trees, icicles — even luminaries.

Following Cathedral Oaks to its terminus at Calle Real, you can turn right on Calle Real toward Rancho Embarcadero, always a visual delight with decorations dotting hillsides and the winding canyon. Turn right on Vereda del Ciervo and follow it to the end. It’s 1.5 winding miles, but your patience will be rewarded with a thoroughly decorated home in the 1000 block.

This is a time of year for the senses, for childlike wonder, to pause and look. All too soon it will again be dark. Happy touring.