lakeside

Looking for Frugal Fun for Winter Holidays? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays!

Abby H.

This is one of our family traditions, even since Bubs was a baby. My brother and I grew up doing this, too. I’m not sure if winter holiday light displays on residential properties are big in other parts of the country, but here in Southern California, it’s serious business. Some of these houses put the Griswold’s to shame.

Here are our family’s favorite neighborhoods to visit:

East County:

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr., Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays! They have a Facebook page too!
  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Through December 26th, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular!  Starlight Circle even has a Facebook page! Starlight Circle has gotten so popular in recent years that the neighboring high school has opened its parking lot. You can park your car and walk through.

There are some neighborhoods that we have added to our list this year. Most of them have been around for years, but we have not visited them yet.

  •  Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos 9190 Oviedo St, San Diego, CA 92129
  • Christmas Park in Clairemont Jamar Dr & Lana Dr, San Diego, CA 92117
  • Merry-tage Court in Scripps Ranch Merritage Ct & Stonebridge Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131

And if you are looking for some family fun beyond a car ride and light peeping, Groupon has a few deals on Holiday light events, including Jingle Jets: USS Midway Museum’s Dazzling Holiday Light Display and San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Cruise on Luxury Yacht Peregrine.

San Diego County Fall Fire Station Open Houses!

Abby H.

As someone who grew up in San Diego County, I know that it’s always fire season.

Teaching our kids fire safety is key. It’s more than stop, drop, and roll. I was so excited when I saw a PeachJar flyer about upcoming local fire station open houses. These are a great way for kids (and families) to learn more about fire safety and check out the local fire station.

Most of these dates coincide with National Fire Prevention Week (October 5-12, 2025).

Lakeside Fire Protection District (Station 2):
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 12216 Lakeside Ave. Lakeside, CA 92040

City of Santee Fire Station 4:
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 8950 Cottonwood Ave, Santee, CA 92071

City of Carlsbad Public Safety Open House:
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: City of Carlsbad Safety Training Center- 5750 Orion St, Carlsbad, CA 92010
This event will feature live demonstrations and tours with the police, fire, and public works departments.

City of Coronado Fire and Police Departments
When: and Where: Sunday, October 5, at their Public Safety Open House. The free event kicks off National Fire Prevention Week and takes place between 11 am and 2 pm around the main Fire Station (6th Street) and the Police Department (7th Street) on D Avenue.

Poway Fire Open House
Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The location is the Poway Fire training tower- 12335 Crosthwaite Cir, Poway, CA 92064
Activities will include CPR training, a fire safety trailer, and information on defensible space.

City of Chula Vista Fire Station 5:
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 AM – 2 PM
Where: 341 Orange Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Deer Springs Fire Protection District (Station 3):
When: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: 10308 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido, CA 92026

 

Talk Back: If you know of any other Fire Station or public safety open houses in San Diego County, please leave a comment!

2 Free Donuts for Dads!

Abby H.

Hey dads! Do you like donuts? If you nodded your head or screamed out, “HELL YES!” This awesome deal is for you!

If you’ve read my past Birthday Freebie posts (the 2022 one can be found here), you’ve seen that I’ve posted birthday freebies from Birthday Club Hub, which works with businesses in eight states to disseminate birthday freebies and other freebies throughout the year to club members (BTW- it’s free to join).

Mary’s Donuts is part of the Birthday Club Hub, and they send out a free offer for moms.

Score 2 free regular donuts on June 19, 2022 at either their Santee or Lakeside Location. Simply show the email to the cashier/friendly donut seller- and don’t forget your kiddos!

Free Donuts from Mary’s Donuts For Moms!

Abby H.

Hey moms! Do you like donuts? If you nodded your head or screamed out, “HELL YES!” This awesome deal is for you!

If you’ve read my past Birthday Freebie posts (the 2021 one can be found here), you’ve seen that I’ve posted birthday freebies from Birthday Club Hub, which works with businesses in eight states to disseminate birthday freebies and other freebies throughout the year to club members (BTW- it’s free to join).

Mary’s Donuts is part of the Birthday Club Hub, and they send out a free offer for moms.

Score a free donut on May 9, 2021 at either their Santee or Lakeside Location. Simply show the email to the cashier/friendly donut seller.

I’ll report back if I find any more Mother’s Day Freebies. And I’ll post a photo of my free donut on Instagram for sure.

 

Looking for Frugal Fun for Christmas? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays!

Abby H.2 Comments

file2901261162927.jpgIt’s back… We’ve already been through a few areas, and Henry is itching for a big cuppa Cocoa from Starbucks and a ride in Miss Sally (my car) to go check out all the lights in ONE NIGHT!

We love looking at holiday light displays, and I’ve noticed more neighbors than in past years are putting up lights all over east county! If you want to get out and check out the sites (and lights), here are our favorites:

EL CAJON, 92021

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm. There is usually a Nightmare before Christmas house, but we didn’t see it the other night. Henry was bummed.

LAKESIDE, 92040

  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr. Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays!

SANTEE, 92071

  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Through December 26th, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular! You can park and walk through. There are neighbors selling cocoa, coffee, popcorn, and cotton candy. If you walk, take money with you! Starlight Circle even has a facebook page!
  • 9773 Roe Dr. 27,000 Christmas lights dance to 10 songs over 128 computer channels. Food Bank and St. Jude donations accepted. Dec. 3-Jan. 2. Sun-Th, 6-10 pm and Fri & Sat, 6-11 pm.www.DBChristmas.com It is very impressive!
  • I haven’t been by to see if it’s up this year, but in years past…. If you love South Park, after you stop by Roe, cruise down Lake Canyon Drive (in the 9400 block, East of Carlton Hills Blvd) and check out the Woodland Critter Christmas Display.

 

We pack the kids into the car after dark with cocoa and snacks and head out for a drive. It’s a fun way to spend time together, and it’s pretty frugal!

What holiday traditions do you want to share with your kids?

 

Looking for Frugal Fun for Christmas? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays

Abby H.

One of the family traditions I want to carry over from when I was little is driving around to look at Holiday light displays. And for those of us in San Diego, we’re in luck!

IMG_0895.jpg
Bitty Bird, Excited to see the Sesame Street decorated house at Starlight Circle!

Here are our favorites, addresses and info courtesy of San Diego Family Magazine.

Here is a link to the original PDF so you can print it off and take it with you!  It’s got addresses and more info.

We’ve already visited most of these east county locations:

EL CAJON, 92021

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm. Our favorite is the Nightmare Before Christmas House!

LAKESIDE, 92040

  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr. Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays!

SANTEE, 92071

  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Dec. 17-26, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular! You can park and walk through. There are neighbors selling cocoa, coffee, popcorn, and cotton candy. If you walk, take money with you! Starlight Circle even has a facebook page!
  • 9773 Roe Dr. 27,000 Christmas lights dance to 10 songs over 128 computer channels. Food Bank and St. Jude donations accepted. Dec. 3-Jan. 2. Sun-Th, 6-10 pm and Fri & Sat, 6-11 pm.www.DBChristmas.com It is very impressive!
  • IMG_0879.jpgIf you love South Park, after you stop by Roe, cruise down Lake Canyon Drive (in the 9400 block, East of Carlton Hills Blvd) and check out the Woodland Critter Christmas Display.

 

We pack the kids into the car after dark with snacks and head out for a drive. It’s a fun way to spend time together, and it’s pretty frugal!

What holiday traditions do you want to share with your kids?