We love Christmas time and taking pictures with Santa is always on our list of things to do. We share some of our favorite spots that range from free to experiences. Make sure to check out our tips too!
1. Del Mar Highlands Town Center
- Location: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA
- Why it’s great: Santa’s coming to town! If you are looking for a spot to take your children to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Del Mar Highlands has got you covered. The best part is that it is free! You can take your holiday photos in Santa’s sleigh by Jimbo’s. In addition to Santa, there are lots of fun photo spots throughout the Del Mar Highlands Town Center including the Surfing Snowman by Jimbo’s, Surfboard Tree by Pop Jet Fountain and Delmer the Penguin in the Upper Plaza by Cinepolis. It is all part of their TistheSeaSun festivities.
- Cost: Free
- Details: https://delmarhighlandstowncenter.com/events/category/santa-visits/
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/santa-free-shows-and-seasonal-favorites-holidays-at-del-mar-highlands/
2. LEGOLAND California Resort
- Location: 1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA
- Why it’s great: Our families love LEGOLAND and it gets extra magical during the holiday season. Kids can meet LEGO Santa and even write him a letter at the North Pole. Our families love taking “elfie” photos with him. There are lots of fun holiday photo opps throughout the park including a larger-than-life LEGO wreath. We also enjoy taking in the special seasonal shows.
- Cost: Theme park admission
- Details:https://www.legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays/#decoy
- Family Entourage’s Tips:
3. Fairmont Grand Del Mar Social Club
- Location: 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA
- Why it’s great: The Fairmont Grand Del Mar has an amazing outdoor set up with their Social Club. You can either stay at the hotel or just drop in for the festivities including photos with Santa. Guests and locals alike can enjoy the fire pits and cabana experiences. From wood fired pizza and drinks to s’mores after skating, we love that we can refuel or those that don’t want to skate can still enjoy the evening from the fire pit. In addition to skating, the Fairmont’s outdoor activities also include family friendly activities such as games and live music. This is a great spot to meet up with family or friends!
- Cost: Food & beverage consumption required for events
- Details: https://www.granddelmar.com/dine/grand-social/
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/winter-activities-crafty-new-year-countdown/
4. Hotel Del Coronado
- Location: 1500 Orange Ave. Coronado, CA
- Why it’s great: Why not take photos with Santa and ice skate by the ocean?! The Hotel Del Coronado Skating by the Sea brings the best of both together with an ice rink right next to the sea. After ice skating, make sure to check out the FREE lightshow. The grove of towering Norfolk Island Pines on the Founders Lawn is the scene of a dynamic light show orchestrated to music, a brilliant ethereal experience that captivates guests with a finale of snow flurries. Showcased is the Norfolk Pine originally made famous in 1904 as the world’s first electrically lit outdoor Christmas tree. The complimentary 11-minute show takes place every 30 minutes from 5-9pm nightly. Open to the public (no reservations needed). Make sure to schedule a time with Santa for photos too while you are there.
- Cost: $32 (fees may apply)
- Details: https://hoteldel.com/experience/holidays/
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/countdown-to-christmas-family-activities/
5. The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch
- Location: 5976 Village Way, San Diego, CA
- Why it’s great: The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch in Carmel Valley hosts an elegant Santa experience in a cozy, charming outdoor setting. The holiday photo ops are available in their beautifully decorated plaza, which adds a warm, upscale touch to your Santa photo session.
- Cost: Free
- Details: https://phrvillage.com/happenings/photos-with-santa/
6. Westfield UTC
- Location: 4545 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92037
- Santa Experience: Westfield UTC is a popular shopping mall that hosts an annual Santa photo experience. It features a beautifully decorated set for families to take professional photos with Santa. They offer both traditional photo packages and digital options, and there’s typically an online reservation system to avoid long wait times.
- Cost: photo packages vary
- Details: https://www.westfield.com/united-states/utc/events-detail/photos-with-santa
7. Seaport Village
- Location: 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Santa Experience: A surfin’ santa selfie is a must if you live in SoCal! You can take your own photos with Santa in a cozy, festive setting. While there, you can also enjoy the twinkling lights and beautiful holiday decorations along the bay. After meeting Santa, you can stroll along the waterfront, grab a bite to eat, or enjoy the carousel.
- Cost: FREE
- Details: https://www.seaportvillage.com/holidays-by-the-bay-2024
8. Carlsbad Forum
- Location: Carlsbad Forum Mall
- Santa Experience: Starting December 7, each Saturday and Sunday through December 22, families will have the opportunity to visit with Santa in the Garden Area near YETI from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visits with Santa are complimentary, but don’t forget your camera to capture the memories!
- Cost: Free
- Details: https://theforumcarlsbad.com/events/the-forum-carlsbad-santa-visits-the-forum
9. Pendry Hotel Breakfast with Santa
- Location: 550 J Street San Diego, CA
- Santa Experience: No need to wear your ‘holiday best’ for this brunch! Join Pendry San Diego for a festive holiday brunch…in your PJs! Enjoy brunch favorites, a visit from Santa and a pair of complimentary children’s holiday pajamas from chic pajama partner P.J. Salvage – perfect for photos with Santa.
- Cost: $55/child
- Details: https://www.pendry.com/san-diego/experiences/seasonal-happenings/
10. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
- Location: 750 Depot Street Campo, CAia 91906
- Santa Experience: It is hard to not be joyful as you take your seat aboard the train. The coach class train cars are 1920’s vintage commuter cars decked out with tinsel, light and candy canes galore. The Robert Peary Charter car was used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 34 times from 1934-36. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by elves who are sure to make just about any Scrooge joyful. We loved learning that the elves were volunteers from local high schools. The elves pass out hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies. Not to be missed is the conductor who punches everyone’s tickets.
- Cost: $15-$50+
- Details: https://www.psrm.org/npl/
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/4337-2/
Other Favorites
Tanaka Farms Hikari Lights in Irvine
- Location: 4 University Drive, Irvine, California
- Santa Experience: The holiday season is a great time to explore how other cultures celebrate. Hikari Light Festival at Tanaka Farms is one of our favorite holiday traditions. Hikari means “shine” in Japanese and this holiday season Tanaka Farms shines with over a million twinkling lights. Wagon Rides through the “Land of a Thousand Lanterns” to walking the Gingerbread Forest. So much fun to be had experiencing Christmas through the lens of another culture. There are lots of other fun activities including visits and photos with Santa, craft station, games, petting zoo and live music. We highly recommend making reservations in advance. We love strolling through the lights. There are plenty of fun photo spots too.
- Cost: $15-30 + parking
- Details: https://www.tanakafarms.com/hikari
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/hikari-light-festival-at-tanaka-farms/
Skypark Santa’s Village
- Location:
- Santa Experience: Head up to Lake Arrowhead this week and literally feel transported to Santa’s Village where the 15-acre SkyPark is nestled. These North Woods provide loads of family fun from toy making in Santa’s workshop, to archery, biking, face painting, ice skating and both musical, and magic, shows. One-on-one time with Santa at his house is an absolute highlight at SkyPark Santa’s Village. The kids love all the entertainment, games, and the overall atmosphere of feeling like they were in the North Pole. The weather can be cold (and sometimes snow) which all adds to the experience. We love to indulge on cookies and hot chocolate and watched the character parade leading to the lighting of the Christmas tree just once dark.
- Cost: $39-59
- Details: https://skyparksantasvillage.com
- Family Entourage’s Tips: https://familyentourage.com/family-holiday-entertaining/
