Don't Say We Didn't Warn You: The Holiday Edition

We've found that several L.A. newcomers have found this site, so I do this as a public service announcement: Please, please, don't attempt a drive through the Department of Water and Power's Griffith Park Christmas lights display.

Unless you really enjoy being stuck in traffic. (And maybe that's why you moved to Los Angeles). Because if you're not forzen on the 5 just trying to get on the Los Feliz offramp, you'll be paralyzed on Los Feliz. And if you're not at a standstill on Los Feliz, you'll be creeping through Griffith Park -- unable to turn around.

But I know, it's easy to get caught up in the long lines: Clearly the DWP display must be awesome, if people are waiting hours in their car just to drive through, yes?

Uh, not quite. The lights are pretty elementary -- even Santos agrees. Yes, Maria and I braved the traffic one year -- but on a Tuesday, post-Christmas, when the line was shorter. Do yourself a favor and park at the zoo, then walk -- yes, walk -- down the pathway. (Two years ago we brought along our little nephew, who lost his favorite marble. And proceeded to complain that he'd "lost his marbles.") It's more festive anyway, and you'll get a better appreciation for the displays then you would from being cramped and drunk on car fumes.

If you must go, the 9th annual Griffith Park Light Festival runs November 24th through December 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.