It’s that time of year again! The transition between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be wrenching. At least it always is for me. I find it shocking that Christmas decorations go up in the stores before Halloween. Way before I’ve put away the fake pumpkins, ghouls and cemetery trappings, my neighbors have already outlined their shrubs in lights. “Wait, you guys!,” I want to yell. “I’m not ready!”

So if you’re like me, and go kicking and screaming into the holiday season, driving through one of the many Peninsula neighborhoods decked with lights might be just the prescription you need to put you in the Holiday Cheer Zone. Check out these precious streets filled with lights and maybe you too will hum some holiday tunes, string an extra set of lights across your balcony and feel the spirit.

Foster City

There are many holiday decorations that can be viewed only from the Foster City Lagoon. That’s right, you can’t drive, you have to float. There used to be Elegant Lagoon Cruises, but they closed. So to see this wonderful display of lights, you have to chum-up someone with a boat.

Los Gatos

Vasona Lake Park Fantasy of Lights takes place in Vasona Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. This is a 1.5 mile drive through a wonderland of holiday lights. You will be instructed to tune your radio to a special station so you can experience T.H.E., Total Holiday Emersion.This year there’s a Dinosaur Den, Santa Shooting Hoops, penguins, animated displays, a 90-foot Christmas tree twinkling with countless lights and a tunnel. There is a $10 per car admission fee. The Vasona Lake Fantasy of Lights runs through December 30. It’s a great way to getinto the holiday spirit. www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/.

Palo Alto

A tradition since 1940, “Christmas Tree Lane” is on the 1700 to 1800 blocks of Fulton Street between Embarcadero Road and Seale. Don’t miss the tree lighting ceremony on December 16th at 5pm, in front of the reindeer at 1881 Fulton. Palo Alto is celebrating 66 years of this local holiday tradition. Performing at the opening will be the Music in Motion Singers from Palo Alto’s Duveneck and Escondido Elementary Schools. After December 16th, Christmas Tree Lane will run from 5pm until 11pm and will last through New Year’s Eve.

Redwood City

When I was a child, I begged my parents to drive to “Candy Cane Lane.” It’s really called Dewey Avenue and runs between Carson Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Go early as the closer it gets to the holidays, the more crowded the fabulous little street becomes.

San Bruno

Take a left on Santa Lucia (going north on El Camino) and go straight up the hill. You’ll find the lights!

San Carlos

Don’t miss the 1900 block of Eucalyptus Street. Eucalyptus runs parallel to Brittan and you may access it from Orange Avenue. This is more than an incredibly decorated street; it’s practically a neighborhood happening. Looks to me like the residents enjoy this as much as the parade of cars passing through. You might want to park and walk the street with your children.

San Mateo

The Fiesta Gardens area always gets into the holiday spirit. This little jewel of a neighborhood is located between Route 92 and Highway 101 off Delaware, not far from Trader Joe’s. The main street is Bermuda Drive and the main cross street is Ginnever Street.

South San Francisco

On 280, exit West Borough Blvd. and travel East toward the hills. When you cross over El Camino, West Borough becomes Chestnut Street. Continue driving to Woodside Court. Please note that Woodside Court is not a through street, so it is recommended that you bring a warm jacket, park outside the court and walk in.

Tory Hartmann is an author, freelance writer and businesswoman who grew up on the Peninsula and raised two boys in San Mateo. Her novel, Strange Bedfellows, will be published in 2012 by the Sand Hill Review Press.