Where to Find Santa Photos in San Diego (2021)
Santa is everywhere this year just waiting for your visit and to take photos with you. You'll find him at hotels, theme parks, malls and he's popping up at a few other surprising places too. Some require advanced reservations to be made online, where noted. Some of these fill up quickly so make your plans and get it on the calendar before it fills up with other Christmas fun!
Make sure you read through the Santa at Shopping Centers info below because you'll find more than just regular Santa Photos. There are Sensory Friendly Santa Photos, Santa Paws Photos, Breakfast with Santa, Fairytale story times and even find the hidden elf for prizes.
Jump to Santa Photos:
in Fun Locations, at Hotels, at Theme Parks, at Shopping Centers
Quick List! Click the name for details!
FREE Santa Photos! Nov. 27 & 28 from 1-5 only
SEAPORT VILLAGE (downtown/embarcadero)
Nov. 27 - Dec. 24
Santa photos, Surfin' Santa, Breakfast with Santa
Nov 29 - Dec. 24
Reservations required, fills up quickly! (SOLD OUT!)
VILLAGE WALK AT EASTLAKE (Chula Vista)
Dec. 4 from 12-3
Free Santa Photos! BYO Camera
Dec. 4 from 1-4:30. Tree lighting, Santa, crafts & activities.
MISSION BAY BEACH CLUB (Mission Bay)
Dec. 10 at 1pm & Dec. 17 at 10am only
SAN DIEGO METRO KOA RESORT (Chula Vista)
Dec. 10-12, 17-19; for KOA guests only
Dec. 11 only
*not sure if they're doing photos this year. I'll update this when I find out.
Santa Photos, Ice skating, Light Show, Holiday Festival, Jingle S'mores, Christmas Tea & Gingerbread Houses
*not sure if they're doing Santa photos this year. I'll update this when I can confirm. But Belmont Park is still having their annual Winter Wonder, details are linked here.
Santa Photos, Christmas Celebration: Santa Cirque Show, Snowfall, Elmo's Christmas Wish Show, Sesame Street Christmas Village, Holiday Animal Shows, a walk-through musical light tunnel, Rudolphs' scavenger hunt & more!
starting Dec. 10
SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK (Escondido)
Nov. 26-28; Dec. 4-5, 11-2, 18-19, 20-25
Nov. 20 - Jan. 9, select nights
Santa Photos: Nov. 18 - Dec. 24
Santa's Mailbox, Winter Nights, Find Jingle the Elf, Santa Paws Photos, Gift Wrapping
WESTFIELD MISSION VALLEY MALL (Mission Valley)
Nov. 18 - Dec. 24