Gawking at Holiday lights is almost as traditional as a visit to Santa Claus. In spite of (or perhaps because of) a lack of snow in the area, residents appear to have as much Christmas spirit as those shoveling their white Christmas.

In the spirit of this tradition, several options for a fantastic day trip (or in some cases, night trip) are available in the area.

For something nostalgic, head to Nevada City on Dec. 8, 15, 19 or 22 for a Victorian Christmas or to Grass Valley on Dec. 3, 10 or 17 for a Cornish Christmas.

Each year Nevada City transforms itself on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and Sundays 1:30-6 p.m. to offer visitors a glimpse into the past. The streets of the small town are closed off to vehicles. Costumed characters fill the street to provide the ambiance. Victorian singers, bagpipers, a living nativity scene, a walking Christmas tree and visits with Santa Claus are among the attractions.

This is the 37th year for the Cornish Christmas, held in Grass Valley. From 5-9 p.m. Friday evenings the historic mining town celebrates its Cornish roots by closing off the streets to motorized traffic and filling it instead with costumed carolers and street performers, carriages, food and craft vendors and cloggers.

Nevada City and Grass Valley are located off Hwy 49, north of Auburn. Admission is free to both events and shuttle service is available. For more information on the Victorian Christmas, call 800-655-6569 or visit www.ncgold.com/ Events/Winter/Victorian.html For more information on the Cornish Christmas, call 530-272-8315 or visit www.nc-gold.com/Events/Winter/Cornish.html.

If the family tradition is getting in the car and roaming the streets in search of holiday lights, Holiday cheer is literally right around the corner.

Some of the best spots to view the lights are Folsom Lake Estates in Granite Bay, Dovewood Court in Orangevale and Pebble Creek in Rocklin. With the skies darkening by 5 p.m., any evening is the right evening to cruise around and view the lights - if you can avoid the traffic that is.

To view the lights without the hassle of traffic, a couple of other opportunities are available.

Lakeshore Pacific Limousine in Granite Bay offers a Limousine Christmas Light Tour through some of the area's most extraordinarily decorated neighboorhoods, including Dovewood Court, Folsom Lakes Estates and Pebble Creek. Three-hour tours include the old Victorians of the Fabulous 40s neighborhood in downtown Sacramento. All tours include champagne, apple cider, virtual fireplace, and Christmas music (or bring your own) to get into the holiday spirit. Tours are 2-3 hours long, available Sunday through Thursday and can accommodate 8-22 people. Prices start at $188. For more information call 791-1833.

Sacramento Parks and Recreation offers their Sacramento D'Lights Tour on December 14 as part of their City Safari Tours. The evening starts at 4 p.m. with a light early dinner at Marie Callender's. As the sun sets, trip-goers travel in a full-sized motorcoach to view the neighborhood lights. Cost is $29 per person. Though the deadline was Dec. 1, those interested can call 277-6006 for availability.