A popular holiday activity in Pasadena is a stop off at the Balian House which brings us to day 210 of 365 Things To Do In Pasadena!
Photo Courtesy of vampiress144
Balian House is actually located in Altadena and can be combined with Christmas tree lane by turning right on Altadena to Allen. Turn right on Allen and then left on Mendocino.
Like a community castle, the 1922 Mediterranean-style mansion owned by ice-cream magnate George Balian, at the fork of Mendocino Lane and Glenview Terrace, sits majestically aglow with thousands of lights, drawing busloads of visitors, pushcart vendors and strolling carolers.
For many, many years the Balian family has decorated their mansion and the 3.5 acre of land that surrounds it. In fact, they started the lighting display back in 1955! Park and join the throngs enjoying the sights.
The family started with 10,000 colored lights and now the 10,000 lights cover just the front walkway alone. There are many scenes like Santa Claus with his reindeers, elves, a nativity scene, and many others. Many of the scenes have movement. Live groups sing Christmas carols. In previous years, there were photo opportunities with Santa Claus and hot chocolate or coffee was available for free. Have not had a chance to visit this year, so am not sure if Santa is there now. 
I spent part of my growing up years in Altadena–Altadena Dr. west of Lincoln–and the mansion was a yearly Christmas adventure that continued even after we moved to Temple City and eventually to Running Springs in the San Bernardino mountains. It continued with my own children while living in the San Bernardino area and the mountains again but sadly stopped in 1996 when we moved to Arizona. How I wish we could take our grandchildren to see it now! My husband suggested googling it this morning, which then bright me to this site, and how happy I was to see that if still continues! I first saw the wonder in 1961 as a four-year-old little girl.
Thanks, Balians for keeping my memories of my favorite time of year alive.
Robin F.
READ MORE: Holiday Light Displays around Pasadena
Have you been to Balian House? Send in your photos to info at PasadenaViews and we will post them here. Enjoy!
LOCATION:
Balian House
1960 Mendocino Lane
Altadena, CA
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[...] load us into the station wagon (no minivans or SUV’s in those days) and drive us to see the Balian Mansion all lit up with phenomenal light displays! Balian Mansion photo courtesy of [...]
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It has been 27 years since we moved to Nashville,Tennessee. We still miss the lights of Balians, & Christmas tree lane. Also the lights in Hastings Ranch.
Hi Walter, thanks for stopping by our site. Hope you can make it back one of these holidays for a visit!
so many good memorys of my home town, Pasadena and Altadena. I remember things such as going to the Altadena Water Gardens to buy my tropical fish near the top of Lincoln Ave. and Altadena Dr. I loved hiking the trails all through the San Gabriel mountains and almost literaly walking into a U.F.O. while hiking up to Heniger Flats to spend the night at the camp sight back in the late sixties. So many good memories, I miss a lot of those times,and so it goes.
Ken, thanks for stopping by… hope to have you back in Pasadena soon.
[...] warmly as winter nights in the ‘Dena can get a little chilly. Altadena is also home to the Balian House, another great Christmas [...]
How late (time-wise, in the evening) do the lights stay on?
The Balian house is lit up pretty late. Not sure at exactly what time it goes dark, but if you get there before 11 pm, you should be fine.
Very cool! I lived a block west of the Bailin House (1796 E. Mendocino) from 1963 to 1968 when I was a kid. I can still remember it looking like the whole place was on fire every Christmas from the orange glow as it looked from down the block.