For years, Christmas Tree Lane, also known as the “Mile of Christmas Trees”, has dazzled us with its simple and pure Christmas magic. Come the second week of December, thousands of lights are strung on over 100 magnificent Deodar Cedar trees to continuously dazzle residents and guests. Located on both sides of Santa Rosa Avenue from Altadena Drive to Woodbury Road, Christmas Tree Lane is a lovely drive-by spectacle or evening promenade.
In the late 1880s, Altadena’s founder, John P. Woodbury, originally planned to build a large estate for himself with a long tree-lined driveway. It’s said that he was inspired during a trip to Italy when he saw the most beautiful trees he had ever seen: grand Deodar Cedars (also known as Himalayan Cedars). After some arboreal consulting to see if these deodars can survive and thrive in Southern California, they were planted in a nursery before being transplanted along Santa Rosa Avenue. Unfortunately for Mr. Woodbury, the plans for his estate never came into fruition, but fortunately for us, the trees had been planned and are here to stay.
In 1920, Fredrick Nash–yes, the very same Nash of Nash’s and a very involved citizen in the community and Kiwanis–proposed putting lights up on these beautiful trees. At first a small operation with only a portion of the lane lit, Christmas Tree Lane is now one of the area’s oldest holiday traditions and an official California landmark.
We hope your holiday season is warm and bright! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!
Altadena is home to many historic homes and gems!
For more information about the Christmas Tree Lane Association, the volunteers who continue this tradition, check out their website here.
Information on the Historical Marker for Christmas Tree Lane here. Reference retrieved 23 December 2018.