Bear House Update, Christmas 2009

There are many people who really get into the holiday spirit in Marin, and of all places in the county I think that Marinwood, the small community sandwiched between Novato and San Rafael, has the most decorated holiday houses per capita!

It's only natural then that one of our favorite Christmas houses happens to be located in Marinwood: the Nisja's Bear house, which has been delighting Marin and Bay Area families for 30 years.

We make it a point to visit the Bear House a few times every season, since it's always fun to see and there's so much going on there that sometimes you need multiple viewings just to take it all in. The children, natually, can never get enough. For those of you who haven't yet seen the Bear House, it's definitely worth the trip from anywhere in Marin, or the North Bay for that matter. (We're lucky that's it's just over the hill from our house.)

The Bear House, as it's name implies is a Christmas fantasy land set up in a front yard, with an emphasis on teddy bears and trains. Bears of all sort play roles in the numerous lighted displays, and several model railway layouts with large-scale trains wind their way around Christmas trees, decorations, and, of course, bears. Our favorite is the bear that blows bubbles from a little lighted house. You'll find him on the lawn near the front door. We've even been there when Santa Claus himself has paid a visit.

The Nisja's Bear House is located at 383 Quietwood Drive, between Las Gallinas Avenue and Miller Creek Road, in Marinwood. Visiting hours are weekdays from 6 to 9 pm and weekends from 6 to 10 pm. You can make a whole evening of holiday houses in Marinwood with the Bear House, Linda's Snow Village around the corner on Miller Creek Road, and the Mickey Mouse House up the road on Blackstone Drive, all of which are well worth a visit this Christmas season. We'll highlight these holiday displays on their own in coming days.

While you're in the neighborhood, make sure you check out some of the other fantastic Christmas displays, including the Mickey Mouse House on Blackstone Drive, and the back-for-this-season only Marinwood Christmas House around the corner on Adobestone.