Horse-Drawn Tours of Novato's Holiday Lights

Want to tour Novato's spectacular holiday lights the old fashioned way this winter? Book a trip via horse-drawn carriage or wagon from Gary Sello and Indian Valley Carriage. Novato residents have probably seen Gary and his team cruising the streets at Christmas time, especially near the famous Rombeiro Christmas House on Devonshire Drive.

50-minute tours start at Center Road and Wilson Avenue (across from Miss Sandie's School) at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 pm, and include a pass by the Rombeiro house, or maybe even a stop to tour the inside, depending on schedule and how busy the house is. Gary's carriage seats six average size adults, and his large covered wagon seats twelve. The wagon also has rain protection, although tours will be canceled in the event of heavy rain or wind. Reservations are required, and tours do sell out during the holiday season, so reserve your spot early!

We've ridden in the covered wagon before, and it's spacious and comfortable with plenty of room, and a lot of fun. So get together your friends and family and book a tour before they're sold out. (By the way, babies, infants, and small children riding on laps don't count toward the total number of riders.)

Carriage tours are $150 and are available from December 6, 8–11, 13, and 15–30. Wagon tours cost $300 and are available on December 6–9, 13–16, 20–25, and 27–30. On December 7 and 14, Gary's carriage will be giving free rides in downtown Novato between 5 and 8 pm, and there will be an 8:30 pm holiday lights tour from Center Road and Wilson Avenue to the Rombeiro Christmas House and back.

Make sure you bring jackets, blankets, and whatever food and drink you might want. (We usually see riders toting wine glasses when we run into one of Gary's carriage tours around town.) It will definitely be an experience you won't soon forget, and who knows—you might find a new holiday tradition for you and your family.

To make reservations for a tour call (415) 309-8618. For additional information and to see pictures of the carriages, visit www.indianvalleycarriage.com. You can also read about our ride with Gary in his wagon here.