Where to See Santa
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Where to See Santa
December 2006
I just took my son for his santa picture and was disappointed in our local Santa. He
didn't smile in the photos and had to ask for a re-take. Then, when I wished him Merry
Christmas, he didn't respond. I tried four times to wish him a Merry Christmas and
literally got no response. Next year i'd like to take my son to a santa who is a little
more gregarious and plays the part. Is there a santa around you could recommend?
Thank you - and Merry Christmas!
The past couple of years we have driven to Walnut Creek's
Broadway Plaza where there is a wonderful Santa with a real
beard and just the nicest man. We got some great pictures with
him and I'd definitely recommend that place. It is near the
back entrance (i.e. plaza entrance) of Build-A-Bear.
JOJ
I live in El Cerrito and have driven to the Broadway Plaza Shopping center in Walnut
Creek for the past 3 years. Santa seems to be quite happy there (same one the past 2
years) and will interract gently w/ little ones, if needed. He even took cues from me
about how to talk to my young kids. The photo staff seem capable and willing to re-
shoot. It was probably almost $20 for 4- 3x5s.
Also want that JOLLY old elf!
Dec. 2005
Has anyone been to a mall that they may have seen an African
American Santa? Or if there is any place where my kids can take
a picture with an African American Santa?
There was a wonderful santa at the evening puppet performances of A Nutcracker in the Children's Fairyland last year. He also happened to be African American. You could call them to see if he is there again this year.
lou
I don't know about this year, but last year at Fairyland they had
an African American Santa. You could call.
Annie
Last year we went to Children's Fairyland at Christmas, and the
Santa there was African American. He was great...and the park was
decorated for the holidays. Call them and ask if he'll be doing
it again.
Katie
Hilltop Mall, Richmond
chris
Try Children's Fairyland---my friend Ron is an African-American
Santa there this time of year. But call to find out which
days/which times Santa's there!
Kristine
Children's Fairyland has the most wonderful Santa every year who happens to be African American. They also have special week called, ''Fairy Winterland'' where the park is open into the evening with special activities celebrating diverse holiday celebrations and it's magical to see the lights in the park at night. Very special for the little ones.
Check out www.fairyland.org and click on the schedule to find out exactly when Santa will be there.
Dec. 2004
My son is wanting very much to visit Santa this Christmas and
is specifically asking to see a Black Santa. Can anyone help
me in letting me know where (in a mall, church, community
center, etc) in the Bay Area we can find a Black Santa?
Thank you!
I don't know about this year because we haven't been yet, but I remember there being a Black Santa at Fairyland.
Call First!
We saw a black Santa Claus at Hilltop Mall.
Laura
We were at Fairyland this weekend and there is a Black Santa
there.
HTH,
Annie
Dec. 2003
Where to find Black Santa in Oakland/Berkeley?
m
There was an African-American Santa at Bay Street in
Emeryville when we were there a couple of weeks ago.
I was just at Bay Street Emeryville last weekend, and the Santa was a man of
(dark) color. Black? Or perhaps Pac Islander? Don't know. I didn't like
the set-up, though...the area where he sat was small, very bland (not enough
Christmas decor), and seemed all about getting a good picture rather than
introducing the child to Santa. Santa was nice enough, but could have done
more to engage my very shy child.
Also, Hilltop Richmond sometimes has Black Santa's. They did in 2000, but not
in 2002--maybe you could call? Maybe they have different guys, depending on
the day. It's a bit further than Oakland/Berkeley, but they have a great Xmas
area. They even have a fun talking moose. We'll go back there rather than do
Emery Bay again. Christine
Hilltop Mall has a big Santa house (castle?)in the middle of
the mall with a santa you can sit with or get a picture with
(they charge for the picture only). Most of the time the Santa
is Black or Latino. We just went and my kids loved it.
rebecca
Nov. 2003
Where's a good place to see Santa during the holidays? The last posting
I could find on the subjuect was from 1996, so I'm hoping there are
some new Santa options.
Searching for Santa
We are going to Smith Family Farm,
http://www.smithfamilyfarm.com/, in Brentwood. We have never
been there to see Santa, but we had soooo much fun there for
their Harvest Festival and pumpkin patch that we believe the
planned ''Santa's Village'' will be fun too.
LC
I took my little one to the Macy's in downtown San Francisco
last year. Cute picture, nice setup...They have a whole floor
filled with Xmas decorations that's fun for kids to wander
around as well.
love Xmas!
anonymous
Corte Madera Village mall is great for seeing Santa. I'm
definately going back this year. Santa is in a little decorated
house in the middle of the mall, and they are very nice (each
Santa there has their own beard and good costumes). Santa's
helpers are nice too- you can buy the standard computer pic they
take, OR they also let me use my own camera (so I didn't spend
any money!).
I hear that the City of Albany Community Center will be having a
Holiday Extravaganza on December 19th 2:00-5:00. Santa will be
there and your child can get a picture taken with him. Crafts
for kids.
cp
I saw while driving by on the freeway that the newish Emerybay
shopping area (the one near Ikea with a big Barnes and Noble
right there) is having Santa. Couldn't really read the sign as I
was actually trying to drive, so I don't have details. So drive
by and check it out.
Hilary
Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek has a popular and
beautiful Santa every year. Look for him after Thanksgiving.
anon
It's been several years since our kids have wanted to visit Santa, but for
a very low-key, mellow Santa visit, I'd recommend McAlau's department
store in Montclair (Oakland). He hangs out on a plush ''throne'' in the
kids' department with an elf assistant who will take a picture and give a
balloon. It's very sweet but rarely crowded.
For more of a production, there's a Santa at Bayfair Mall, surrounded by
many elves, a little house-thing, reindeer, etc etc. There's generally a lot
more excitement, long lines, etc. It feels like more of a big deal.
Personally, we liked the very low key McAlau's version. It's good for a
shy kid.
Then there are fancier, more upscale Santa productions at Walnut
Creek's Broadway Plaza or the malls in Marin.
Ho ho ho
We go to the Broadway Mall in Walnut Creek, where they have a
pretty authentic, traditional Santa.
Laurel Coates
You can find Santa in about any mall, but in our opinion, our
favorite Santa is at Newpark Mall; he wears Birkenstocks,
stockings, has a real beard and is a nice guy.
Kathy
Dec. 1996
From: Ken
Subject: Santa at Fairlyand
We saw Santa at Fairyland last weekend. It was very low key.
He's set up in the little chapel, and I think the posted hours
are 12-2 and 2:30-4:30, but as with everything else there he
wasn't right on time. They'll take a picture for $4.00 I
think. Last Saturday at 12:20 we had to wait for one person.
There has been some publicity since then, but I'm sure the lines
will be far shorter than those at a mall. Each kid gets issued
a medium-sized candy cane.
The puppet show is not holday-themed (Gulliver's Travels)
but the kids performance is a version of scrooge where scrooge
gets shown Hannakuh, Kwanza, Los Pasados (spellings approximate)
and Christmas celebrations.
Ken
From: Trish
Another Santa to visit is at McCoulou's department store in Montclair.
He's quite a likable, low-key guy and the kids get a coloring book and a
balloon. Pictures with Santa are $4.00.
While you're in Montclair, head south on Rt 13 to Lincoln Avenue and check
out the amazing lights, music, and views at the Mormon Temple. It's an
incredible display.
Happy Holidays!
Trish
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