Sequim may not be bright enough to see from space, but locals still hold a lot of holiday spirit each December.
This year, the Sequim Gazette staff drove through the Sequim-Dungeness area considering close to 100 homes and businesses for a Christmas lights driving guide.
Displays range from tastefully done to minimalist strands to huge projections of glowing red and green lights.
We decided to keep the drive fairly straight-forward, with annual hot-spots like Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s campus and 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn, the Old Dungeness Schoolhouse, Sequim’s downtown and Fifth Avenue.
We chose some areas that either packed a lot in a little space or filled a large spot, because we wanted you to feel the drive was worth it.
For those looking for a lengthy drive, explore bright developments like Sun Meadows and Sunland or take a turn to the hills and drive around Happy Valley looking for lights among the trees.
While we’re certain our neighbors to the west and east have some great Christmas lights, we kept the guide within the Sequim area only.
So buckle up, drive safely, and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Driving guide
Several downtown Sequim residences are decked out in holiday glory:
• On the east end, see a pair of eye-catching residences on the 800 block of East Alder Street, as well as one at the intersection of East Spruce and North Dunlap Avenue.
• Moving west, check out the 200 blocks of West Hammond and West Prairie Street, about three blocks south of the downtown core. Trek north on Fourth Avenue for a nice display on West Alder Street. Turn left (west) on Fir Street, where there are dazzling displays on the 700 and 900 blocks.
South of Sequim, check out these spots:
• About 1 mile up South Third Avenue, turn to the left on West Stephens Place and look for the lights near the turnaround. Be kind to neighbors and please keep your high beams off.
• From the 300 block to the 4000 block of Happy Valley Road, turn left or right from South Third Avenue and look for some bright homes behind trees along this stretch.
A bit north of Sequim are some eye-grabbers:
• Going west from Sequim-Dungeness Way onto Old Olympic Highway, about 1 mile from Hardy’s Market, turn right onto Elizabeth Lane and the first house on the left has a lighted display with projections, inflatables and an assortment of lights and decorations along the fence and the house.
• From Old Olympic Highway, turn left onto North Kendall Road and make another left onto West Sylvester Court for a lawn full of friendly inflatables and Christmas lights.
• Check out a pair of impressive light shows along West Hendrickson Road, from Sherwood Assisted Living west toward Ledford Place and West Oak Court. Loop back around to Fifth Avenue and check out the lit cherry trees and, off to the east, lights adorning the Jamestown Family Health Clinic.
• Get back on Old Olympic Highway, then turn right onto Cays Road; the first house on the left with a white gate has a variety of Christmas lights wrapped around the house and the property, a manger scene and more.
• Finish your light tour with a trek north to the Old Dungeness Schoolhouse at the end of Towne Road or, for the adventurous, out east to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Blyn Campus and 7 Cedars Casino.
