Christmas in San Diego is a wonderful time of the year, brimming with a festive spirit. It’s the perfect time to plan some holiday outings with your kids to share the joys of the yuletide season and experience the magical adventure for the whole family. And, of course, it’s time to get that face-to-face encounter with the father of Christmas — the jolly ol’ Saint Nick. Whether it be a photo opportunity or a jolly breakfast with the man in the red suit, there are a lot of holiday events and the best places to see Santa in San Diego that will keep you busy this Christmas season!
Kids everywhere want to visit with Santa this holiday season. And if you’re looking for the best places to see Santa in San Diego, we’ve got you covered! From malls and parks to an entire Christmas village and drive-worthy experiences, we’ve made a list of events and activities around San Diego where you can snag a holiday photo for the album (some will even pose with your pet) have a sumptuous breakfast with Santa, or even a close encounter where kids can crawl up on his lap and deliver their Christmas wishes to the big man in person!
500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego, CA, 92109
Phone Number: (619) 222-4732
November 14, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Schedule:
Monday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Bring your family together for the eye-catching spectacle, priceless traditions, and fun-filled surprises of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration. The holidays are meant to be merry and bright, and that’s precisely what you’ll find as this particular event returns with more wondrous moments than ever. See dazzling new Christmas shows or meet Santa and Rudolph. Feel the snow falling and watch the sky light up with holiday fireworks.
Find photo-perfect moments across acres of beautiful decorations, including a towering 30-foot sparkling Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights. Savor delicious candy-topped hot chocolate and other treats for all ages. It’s also a chance to experience the wonders of SeaWorld in a spectacular new way, from thrilling rides against a sparkling backdrop to animal presentations with a festive twist. For more information, please visit their website.
415 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone Number: (619) 579-9932
November 18, 2022 – January 7, 2023
Schedule:
Monday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Time Varies)
(Closed on Christmas Day)
Kris Kringle has arrived. Parkway Plaza is putting on its Santa hat and rolling. Santa welcomes people of all ages and abilities to visit during dedicated hours. Santa will be at this East County mall daily through New Year. A Series of events are happening for the holiday season in San Diego, including Breakfast With Santa, Soothing Santa, Story Time, Pet Photo with Santa, and more. There is no better time to whisper those last-minute wish list gifts in his ear before the big night.
Parkway Plaza also hosts a fun interactive storytime event in the JCPenney Play Town. Bring the kids out to enjoy a holiday story told by the San Diego Literacy Foundation. Also, visit the Salvation Army Angel Tree near Walmart, behind Wetzel’s Pretzels, and pick a tag or two to purchase the listed items for families in need this holiday season. For more information, please visit their website.
1905 Calle Barcelons, Ste. 200, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone Number: (760) 479-0166
November 25 – December 23, 2022
Schedule:
Monday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
This holiday season, you can stop by to see Santa at The Forum Carlsbad. Find St. Nick in the Garden Area between YETI and Allbirds, and bring your camera. Visits are complimentary. Guests can also enjoy holiday characters and strolling carolers. Kids can drop wish lists and letters to Santa in a special mailbox outside Geppetto’s.
The elves at The Forum will ensure the letters are delivered to the North Pole. For more information, please visit their website.
Photos with Santa 2022 – At Seaport Village
849 West Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA, 92101
Phone Number: (619) 530-0704
November 25 – December 24, 2022
Schedule:
Saturday – Sunday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Capture the magic of the holiday season in a photo with Santa in San Diego. Santa is located in the Lighthouse District next to Ben and Jerry’s East. No appointment is necessary, and no personal cell photos permitted. USB Drive will be ready in just minutes.
For more information, please visit their website.
15263 Lawson Valley Rd., Jamul, CA 91935
Phone Number: (619) 873 5411
November 26 – December 18, 2022
Schedule:
Saturday – Sunday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Skip the lines and spend quality time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in their treehouse. In addition to the professional photo session with Santa, kids will have time to chat about what’s on their wish lists, tour the tree house, sit by the fireplace, and even sit in the big man’s chair.
After your time with Santa, take a tour of his Treehouse. Hang out by the fireplace, Sit in Santa’s Chair, take photos, etc. You might even get a surprise visit from Mrs. Claus. Claim your spot at this popular event—offered by reservation only. For more information, please visit their website.
100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA, 92101
Phone Number: (619) 795-5000
December 1–23, 2022
Schedule:
Saturday – Sunday | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Holiday Market at Petco Park is returning for the third year to Gallagher Square. The famous market will be bigger and better this year with even more food, beverage, and artisan vendors. This year’s market will feature various events like the magical Christmas lighting displays, local artisan shops, seasonal food and drink, the best places to see Santa, and other holiday characters families in San Diego will enjoy this Christmas season.
For the best experience possible, they are limiting the number of guests entering the park each hour. If your desired quantity is unavailable, that is because that entry time has low or no inventory available. Please note that you must enter the event during your designated hour. However, there is no time limit on the experience, and you may stay as long as you would like. For more information, please visit their website.
1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Phone Number: (619) 564-3333
December 2–30, 2022
Schedule:
Friday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Hilton San Diego Bayfront is excited to continue its memorable family activities and events, outdoor holiday movies, daily trips to Coronado Island on the Coronado Beach Bus, places to see Santa, and more will be available for hotel guests this Christmas season in San Diego. Holiday happenings include 12 Days of Bliss Spa Special, Holiday Cookies in the Hotel Lobby, and Life-Sized Gingerbread House.
They will also have a series of events every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including Write a Letter to Santa, Photos with Santa, Breakfast with Santa, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, Stocking and Ornament Decorating, Naughty or Nice Happy Hour, and more. For more information, please visit their website.
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA, 92014
Phone Number: (858) 755-1161
December 8, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Schedule:
Saturday – Sunday | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gather your family and friends and prepare to make some Holiday memories at the Snow N Glow Holiday Festival in Del Mar. Home to the spectacular San Diego County Fair, world-class thoroughbred horse racing and Del Mar National Horse Show, a walk of over a million lights, all the way to Santa Claus, and many additional holiday events of all shapes and sizes this Christmas season.
Come by and enjoy an evening of s’mores, hot cocoa, face painting, visits from Santa, live music, tasty treats, festive food, and snow tubing. For more information, please visit their website.
Price Education Center
2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
Phone Number: (619) 231-1515
December 9, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Schedule:
December 3–4, and December 24
Weekends | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
December 9–23 and December 25
Daily | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
One of the best places to see Santa, the Jungle Bells events in San Diego Zoo, has all the Christmas fixings you might be looking for. Holiday photos with Dr. Harry Lion, Churchill Polar Bear, and Sydney Koala, a juggling Jack Frost, live holiday music, acrobatic elves, strolling Holiday Troubadours, and photo opportunities with Santa. Specifically, you’ll find Santa (and his factory) in the Lost Forest—at the Price Education Center.
The Zoo lights up the night until 8 p.m. (*except December 24) with fantastic entertainment featuring the spectacular show Aurora. Bring the family and enjoy some tasty treats and the warmth of the holidays. For more information, please visit their website.
12222 Poway Rd., # 18-19, Poway, CA 92064
Phone Number: (858) 208-0640
December 17, 2022
Schedule:
Saturday | 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa is coming to My Gym and wants you to join the gang. Kids of all ages will have a blast playing games, exciting activities, getting treats, and meeting Santa. You won’t want to miss this party. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Join My Gym Poway for a day full of laughter, surprises, activity, and great friends. For more information, please visit their website.
Finding Santa This Holiday Season in San Diego
Visits with Santa are at the heart of every family’s holiday traditions. And if you haven’t brought the kids to see Santa yet, there’s still plenty of time leading to Christmas day. The Big Man will be available at locations across San Diego, waiting for your little ones who hope to give him the lowdown on their Christmas wish list. Whether it’s your child’s first time seeing Santa or they have been several times, these events and places to see Santa in San Diego are perfect for everyone to take a photo, have breakfast, or chill with the man in the red suit!
San Diego offers so many opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of resources, or browse through our things to do in San Diego with kids. Still looking for more activities for kids in San Diego? No problem! Check out our comprehensive listing of places to go in the region and our highly recommended seasonal blog posts.
Best Places to See Santa in the Sacramento Area
Best Places to See Santa in San Jose this Holiday Season
Best Places to See Santa in San Francisco
Best Places to See Santa in Los Angeles
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