If you’ve got a real Santa enthusiast in your family, you might want to know where else to find the Bearded One. Here are a few opportunities. We’ll update this list throughout the month.
Bay Street Santa Photos (Emeryville)
Saturday, December 6, from 11 am to 5 pm, classic Santa photos will be taken. Prices and details >
Gourmet Ghetto (Berkeley)
Santa will be greeting children at the Kid Dynamo children’s shop on Vine Street from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday, December 7th.
Santa on Solano (Berkeley/Albany)
Free photo with Santa as well as snacks and live entertainment from 12-4 on Saturday and Sunday from now until Christmas at Chloe’s Closet, across the street from Safeway on Solano.
Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland
From December 5th-December 23rd Santa will visit with children at Fairyland on Fri, Sat, and Sundays from 5 pm to 6 pm. Fairyland is open noon to 7 pm, weather permitting, on these dates. There is also a light parade each day at 6.15 pm. More details at Fairyland website.
San Pablo Park at rec center building (Berkeley)
Little ones age 0-5 are welcome to meet Santa and receive a small gift from 11 am to 1 pm on December 19th. Call 981-6640 for more info.
Play Cafe (Oakland)
For the price of regular admission to Play Cafe, your child can interact with Santa and you can take as many photos as you like. Santa hours will be on Tuesday, December 9th, Tuesday the 16th, and Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is $12 and you can play as long as you like.
Christmas Tree Lane (Alameda)
Santa will be on the block from Dec 7 to Dec 23 from 6:30-8PM every night (weather permitting).
(Read more about Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda.)
Fourth Street in Berkeley
Vintage-styled Santa will sit in his sleigh where you can join him for a photo opp (free) from noon to 4 pm across the street from Peet’s on December 13th.
Santa and Train Show (San Leandro)
At the Historical Railway Society, Santa will make an appearance – possibly in his train enthusiast outfit? – on December 13. More details >
Breakfast with Santa (Piedmont)
For $10, breakfast is available at the Piedmont Community Hall and Santa will be there – with elves! Saturday, December 13. More details >
South Shore Center in Alameda
Santa will be available for paid photos at The Little Ice Rink (in the parking lot near Petco). Monday thru Friday from 3pm-7pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11am-5:30 pm through December 24th. Find all the dates and times here.
Hilltop Mall (Richmond)
Santa’s hours in the mall until December 24 are: Monday-Friday, 12-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12-6 p.m. and Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Zoo Lights at the SF Zoo (San Francisco)
On December 19, the Zoo Lights at the SF Zoo will include Santa Claus, food trucks and lots of festivities. More details >
You can also meet Santa at a benefit for the Oakland Dog Owners Group on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 11-3 at Brotzeit Beer Garden in Oakland. Have your pic taken with Santa, and then have brunch at Brotzeit, right on the water! Dogs and kids welcomed and encouraged. Complete details here: http://odogparks.org/