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Top Places to See Santa in San Francisco

Meet Santa amid dazzling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas
Meet Santa amid dazzling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas
12/3/23 - By Sandra Lee

Photos with Santa in San Francisco come in all places and styles at iconic Bay Area landmarks, from Ghirardelli Square to Filoli Gardens. From the South Bay to the North Bay (and everywhere in between), there are endless places to meet Santa in San Francisco with families, kids, and pets. Take a classic photo or sit down with the big man in red for breakfast with plates piled high with pancakes and orange juice. 

And let's not forget about Mrs. Claus, the lady behind the big red suit making everything happen. There are holiday events in the Bay Area where you can decorate cookies and sip tea with her. Scroll below for the most unique spots in the Bay Area to see Santa in San Francisco. 

For more holiday festivities in San Francisco and the Bay Area, check out our Christmas Activities Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids, which includes the Must Do Christmas Events and Holiday Events in San Francisco, where to see the best SF holiday lights, and Polar Express train rides near San Francisco that will make the holiday season even more magical. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Snap a photo with Santa at iconic San Francisco locales. Photo courtesy of Christmas in the Park
Snap a photo with Santa at iconic San Francisco locales. Photo courtesy of Christmas in the Park

Pictures with Santa in San Francisco and the Bay Area

Selfies with Santa at Alexander Square

San Ramon - Saturdays & Sundays, November 24 - December 23
Free
Santa's calendar has him landing at Alexander Square with time for selfies with families. Parents can take photos for the Santa chats, kids can tell Santa what they want for Christmas, and take in all the holiday cheer.  READ MORE

Macy's Holiday Celebrations

San Francisco - November 24 - December 24, 2023
Free
Santa is coming to San Francisco! This free event is held at Union Square's Macy's, giving families a chance to meet the big man and snap a picture. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland

Santa Cruz - Select dates from November 24 - December 24, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season at the beach in Santa Cruz with rides, games, arcades, decorations, a 3-story tall Christmas tree, photos with Santa, pedal carts, and more. The Beach Boardwalk activities include holiday movies from 5-7 p.m., fire pit rentals with holiday s'mores, and tons of holiday shopping. READ MORE

Christmas in the Park

San Jose - November 24 - December 24, 2023
Christmas in the Park is a popular holiday event in downtown San Jose. Held for over 40 years, the park turns into a holiday extravaganza with musical and animated exhibits, colorful lights, and a 50 ft. Christmas tree. The forest of trees are decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses to highlight all that the city has to offer.  READ MORE

Enchant Christmas

San Jose - November 24 - December 31, 2023
Get ready for the biggest light show coming to San Jose for the holidays. Enchant features over 4 million sparkling lights creating an immersive story-themed maze that families can walk through. Additional activities include ice skating, entertainment, dining, holiday shopping, and, of course, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  READ MORE

WinterFest at Great America

Santa Clara - Select dates from November 24 - December 31, 2023
Festive food, shopping, special rides, holiday activities, lights, and live entertainment —the park is transformed into a holiday festival. Ice skate in front of the Carousel Columbia, sip on hot chocolate, send letters to the North Pole, and bake cookies in Mrs. Claus' kitchen.  READ MORE

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy - November 24 - December 31, 2023
Gilroy Gardens transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland for the holidays. Fake snow, holiday lights, activities for kids, ice skating, visits with Santa Claus, plus some new experiences for 2023 like the North Pole Light Tunnel and Holiday Feasts in Snowflake Square.  READ MORE

Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge

Manteca - Select dates from November 24, 2023 - January 8, 2024
Enter a winter wonderland at Great Wolf Lodge's annual holiday celebration, Snowland. The lodge is decked out in holiday cheer, with all the favorites like trivia, bingo, and dance parties ongoing.  The immersive experience is filled with seasonal must-dos like visits with Santa Claus, gingerbread house making, and more.  READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Marin Country Mart

Larkspur - Saturdays, December 2 - 16, 2023
Free
Annual photos with Santa are at Marin Country Mart for select Saturdays through December. RSVP is recommended.  READ MORE

Santa on Solano 2023

Berkeley - Saturdays & Sundays, December 2 - 17
Free
Get a free photo (or two) with Santa in Solano for the first three weekends in December. Popcorn and treats are available.  READ MORE

Santa Days at Filoli

Woodside - Select dates from December 2 - 23, 2023
Meet Santa in the beautiful garden at Filoli for Santa Days. Get a photo with the busy man himself, and enjoy a hot drink and holiday treat in the Woodland Court. Afterward, take a stroll through the garden and the house and see all the twinkling lights and holiday decor.  READ MORE

Santa Meet & Greet

St. Helena - Thursday, December 7
Free
Santa Claus is at Central Valley ready to take photos with the whole family. Bring your cameras and wish list to meet the man in the red suit.  READ MORE

Santa Visits the Square

San Francisco - Friday, December 8, 2023
Free
Santa is hanging out at Ghiradelli Square and ready to meet families this holiday season. Take photos with the man in the red suit, check out the many restaurants around, and enjoy a sweet treat at Ghiradelli Chocolate.  READ MORE

Christmas Parade 2023

Napa - Saturday, December 9
Free
Downtown Napa is hosting its annual holiday parade, where families can see decorative floats, lights, and much more.  Santa is also making an appearance after the parade for pictures.  READ MORE

Hello Penngrove: Pictures with Santa

Penngrove - Saturday & Sunday, December 9 & 10
Free
Santa is here and ready to take pictures! Bring your camera (or phone), or opt to take a professional photo if you'd like.  READ MORE

Free Selfies with Santa

Oakland - Saturdays & Sundays, December 9 - 24
Free
Jack London Square is inviting Santa to take selfies with families and well-behaved pets. Bring your camera (phones work too!) and take a photo with the big man himself.  READ MORE

Holiday Celebration in Alameda

Alameda - Sunday, December 10
Free
Take photos with Santa and the Grinch at Alameda Landing. Elves, carolers, face paitning, and balloon art are also there for kids to enjoy.  READ MORE

Tiburon Holiday Festival

Tiburon - Sunday, December 10, 2023
Free
A holiday festival for all ages, Tiburon transforms into a winter wonderland with tons of activities for families. Enjoy gingerbread house decorating, face painting, popcorn by The Belvedere, Christmas Tree lighting, carolers, and a visit from Santa!  READ MORE

Children's Santa Cruises on the Potomac- SOLD OUT

Oakland - Sundays, December 10 & 17
Meet Santa aboard the USS Potomac in Oakland on a 1-hour cruise! Weather-permitting route includes the Oakland Estuary, Bay Bridge, and return to Jack London Square.  Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and water are available on board, as well as a visit and pictures with Santa.  READ MORE

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa

Oakland - Saturday, December 23
The 3rd annual Cookies & Cocoa with Santa event is happening at Kids Play Zone in West Oakland. Kids can meet Santa and take some pictures, then run around and play at the family-owned indoor playground. READ MORE
Enjoy tea with Mrs. Claus. Photo courtesy of Sip Tea Room
Enjoy tea with Mrs. Claus. Photo courtesy of Sip Tea Room

Breakfast with Santa in San Francisco and the Bay Area

Tilden Merry Go Round Breakfast with Santa

Berkeley - Select dates from November 25 - December 23, 2023
Have a buffet-style breakfast of eggs, pancakes, pastries, fruit, and more with the big man himself. Then, enjoy unlimited rides, character visits, games, Christmas movies, and a special gift from Santa with family and friends.  READ MORE

Brunch with Santa at Pinstripes

San Mateo - Saturday & Sundays, December 2 - 17, 2023
It's brunch time with Santa Claus at Pinstripes. Families can enjoy a brunch buffet including the signature waffle station, made-to-order omelets, and even a chocolate fountain.  Santa is available to take pictures with guests, and there is even a special wrapped gift at each table to make the holidays even brighter.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa Program at Costeaux French Bakery

Healdsburg - Saturdays, December 2 - 23, 2023 Free
Head over to the Costeaux French Bakery every Saturday in December and get a fresh pastry, croissant, or other breakfast item. From 9-11 a.m., Santa is onsite where kids can tell him what they want for Christmas and take a photo.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa in Alameda

Alameda - Saturday, December 9, 2023
The Alameda Recreation and Park District organizes a magical holiday morning with breakfast, arts and crafts, and photo ops with Santa. Santa reads one of his favorite Christmas stories at 11:15 a.m. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at the Westin St. Francis

San Francisco - Saturday & Sunday, December 9 & 10, 2023
Enjoy a yummy breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fruit (with mimosas for the adults) at the beautiful Westin St. Francis. Santa Claus will be there meeting with families, listening to wish lists, and snapping pictures.  Kids can engage in holiday crafts while waiting and during the event.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Neiman Marcus

San Francisco - Sunday, December 10, 2023
Santa has worked up an appetite and invites the whole family to a delicious breakfast of eggs, breakfast potatoes, assorted pastries, bacon, brioche french toast, and even mimosas and coffee for the adults.  Get a picture with the big man himself in a photo booth, and watch Santa's helpers make dazzling balloons for the kids.  READ MORE

Tea with Mrs. Claus

San Francisco - Friday & Saturday, December 15 & 16, 2023
Join Mrs. Claus in the tea room to enjoy a holiday feast with hot chocolate, freshly baked gingerbread men, and tons of fun for the kids. Hear Mrs. Claus read stories and sing holiday songs, and be sure to snap a photo with her as she walks around sipping tea with all her new young friends.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at the Dream Inn

Santa Cruz- Saturday, December 16
For 5 years running, Breakfast with Santa at the Dreamm Inn has been a family favorite. Families can enjoy full ocean views, a delicious breakfast buffet, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, face painting, storytime, and a special visit with Santa.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at the View

Santa Cruz- Saturday, December 9
Take in the beautiful views of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay while having breakfast with Santa. The View Restaurant is hosting Santa with pictures, holiday-themed signature cocktails, and fork-to-farm offerings.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Silverado Resort

Napa- Saturdays Through December 23
Every Saturday through Christmas Eve, head over to The Grill at the Silverado Resort for breakfast with Santa Claus himself. Enjoy either a la carte items or a buffet with tasty favorites like muffins, yogurt, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, and more. Santa is available to take pictures, hear wish lists, and meet families. READ MORE

Lunch with Santa at the SF Zoo

San Francisco-Saturday, December 9
Santa loves the zoo and is stopping by for an afternoon snack. Join Santa for a full lunch buffet at the San Francisco Zoo and snap a picture with the man in the red suit. Suitable for all ages.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Great Wolf Lodge Northern California
The View at the Chaminade Resort & Spa