Each December, the Hill Section sparkles with more than just holiday lights - it glows with the warmth of community, celebration, and tradition. Nestled among its scenic streets and architecturally stunning homes, a beloved tradition unfolds - one that brings neighbors together, showcases the beauty of local design, and uplifts families across the South Bay.

 

From December 5–7, 2025, the 33rd Annual Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour invites guests to explore three beautifully curated South Bay homes, each transformed for the season by talented local designers. For more than 30 years, the tour delights 2,500 attendees and raises over $140K benefiting Sandpipers’ philanthropic programs. The event offers seasonal inspiration while reflecting the heart and generosity of the community.

 

For longtime Hill Section resident and Sandpiper Life Member Angela Bennett, the tour is personal. Her home has been featured twice, in 2009 and 2017. “When I first joined Sandpipers, my first committee was the Holiday Homes Tour,” she shares. “It was a full circle moment returning as a featured homeowner years later and being able to give back to the community in such a big way.”

 

The Holiday Homes Tour is the cornerstone fundraiser for Sandpipers, a 100% volunteer-run organization founded in 1931. What began with seven women delivering baskets of essentials to their neighbors during the Great Depression has grown into a dynamic network of over 800+ members.

 

Proceeds from the tour support an array of philanthropic programs—including college scholarships, emergency financial assistance, back-to-school shopping, and holiday baskets. The Holiday Baskets Program is Sandpiper’s longest running program providing over 100 families with toys, clothing, household items, and food scripts a $800+ value.

 

Angela recalls the emotional experience of delivering Holiday Baskets: “Participating in Sandpipers Holiday Baskets program is one of the most rewarding and emotional experiences. Delivering carloads of toys, clothes, and home goods for the holiday season—it’s Sandpipers’ oldest program and still one of the most powerful.”

 

 

 

The tour also includes a bustling Holiday Marketplace where over 25 local artisans feature jewelry, luxurious housewares, clothing, sweet treats, and other gifts, plus a café featuring drinks and bites from local businesses, with 25% of all sales supporting Sandpipers. It’s a festive, feel-good shopping experience that brings together neighbors, small businesses, and volunteers in a shared spirit of giving.

 

 

 

Angela and her fellow Sandpipers make the tour an annual tradition. “We make a whole day of it – gathering with friends in our festive looks touring all of the houses,” she says. “Each home is so unique and has a different story. It’s a great day to spend with friends—and 100% of the funds raised go directly back into Sandpipers’ philanthropy programs.”

 

This year another Hill Section Home will be added to the Sandpiper holiday tradition. So, whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, the Holiday Homes Tour is your invitation to experience the heart of the Hill Section this holiday season.