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.
Santa on Solano (Berkeley/Albany)
Free photo with Santa as well as snacks and live entertainment from 12-4 on December 14th and 15th and the 21st and 22nd – Whole Health Apothecary – 1229 Solano Avenue at Talbot
Tilden Park Christmas Fantasy Carousel (Berkeley)
The carousel is open from 5.30 to 8.30 every night until December 23rd from 5:30-8:30. Santa makes appearances every night (except Wednesdays) from 6 to 8 pm. (Directions to Tilden Park Carousel.) Entrance to the event and visits with Santa are free. $2 for one ride, or a book of 7 ride tickets for $10.
Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland
Starting December 14th-December 23rd Santa will visit with children at Fairyland daily 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 20th. Call 981-6640 for more info.
Dunsmuir Hellman House (Oakland)
Each Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, this historic estate in Oakland is offering a Holiday Tradition program, a tour of the mansion, brunch with Santa, and crafts. Tickets and prices.
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 Thursday, December 12th, Tuesday the 17th, and Monday 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 21-22.
Orinda Theater Square
Holiday Family Fun Day on the Square brings Santa Claus and kid-friendly activities from 4:15 to 7 pm at which time the tree will be lit.
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
Oakland Zoo
Kids can visit Santa’s Tent in the Rides Area during the Oakland Zoo Lights event (recommended!) and have their photo taken with him (free) after regular admission to the zoo. Santa will be in Flamingo Plaza (just inside the entrance to the zoo). December 1-24, daily from 10am-4pm.
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 14th.
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.
Whole Foods (Berkeley)
Santa is hanging out with the City of Berkeley Fire Department on Saturday December 14th and will be escorted to Whole Foods Berkeley on a fire engine at 2pm on Saturday, December 14th.
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/