BBright Christmas lights, friends, family and Christmas cheer come to San Carlos every holiday season. Every year, Eucalyptus Street attracts thousands of visitors across December, with houses fully decorated and decked out in a variety of elaborate Christmas lights and decorations.
For some families, walking down Eucalyptus is an annual tradition and provides an opportunity for family members to bond over the Christmas spirit.
“…There’s always new things every year that they put up, because we come every year,” said San Carlos resident and longtime visitor Chiara Portner.
Eucalyptus is also a fun and festive activity for teenagers, often going with their friend groups and making a whole night out of it. Whether it’s taking pictures of the lights or each other, and laughing and admiring the lights, it allows teenagers to bond with their friends during this time of year that focuses on togetherness. For some students, it has been a tradition since childhood, ultimately returning every year.
“I enjoy going down Eucalyptus Street because it’s been like her tradition every year in my family since I was little. So I think there’s like a sense of nostalgia surrounding it, but also I just . . . enjoy seeing all the lights. It really gets me into the Christmas spirit,” reflected senior Lily Logan when asked why she enjoyed visiting Eucalyptus Street.
While this is a long-standing annual tradition for some, there are newcomers each year hoping to take part in the festivities with family and friends. New visitors always leave warmed with the sense of community Eucalyptus Street brings.
“I think it’s a place for people to come together to see something fun. It’s super family oriented. Feel safe . . . the streets . . . partially closed down. I think it’s a great way to draw people and honestly, outside the community as well, right? . . . if you look on your social media . . . this, is it on the peninsula? It’s what everybody calls out,” explained first-time visitor Rosie Macdanie.
This street strongly appeals to families not only because it is festive but also because it is safe and has activities for little kids, like writing letters to Santa.. The top of Eucalyptus is mostly closed off, allowing only one car down the street at a time, and with numerous police cars in the vicinity. There is also a community-wide social understanding of being safe, watching where one is going and being wary of young children. Senior Claire Pitstick lives less than a block away from Eucalyptus and has been every year with family and friends.
“It’s super close. There’s people selling hot chocolate, there’s music, there’s a lot of small events going on down there. You can write letters to Santa Claus. So there’s just so many fun things happening. [San Carlos residents] make little floaties, little things on their trucks and stuff when they go down the street,” explained Pitstick.
According to Olivia Ryu, who lives on Eucalyptus Street and decorates her property for the event, the tradition began 20 years ago when one owner started decorating, inspiring neighboring residents to follow and eventually decorate extensively as well.
“So we, the people on the street, kind of as an uncoordinated tradition, start decorating the day after Thanksgiving, and so we’re all out on the streets together. The kids play. The parents are talking. We’re all having our coffees. Sometimes we share…if somebody needs to go to Home Depot and get some more lights, we kind of say, ‘Hey, does anybody else need anything?’ explained Ryu.
Through the bright lights and community, this street gives residents the opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime. The street and all its festivities is emblematic of the extensive, family-oriented San Carlos community, reminding us that joy and Christmas cheer can be spread by anyone, anywhere.
