Santa Back In Dana Point This Holiday Season

DANA POINT, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Dana Point this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Dana Point, kids have several chances:

• The City of Dana Point's trolley will take Santa Claus on a tour of the community on Saturday, Dec. 3 to distribute pre-packaged treats to children 12 years and younger. Children can also bring a letter for Santa that will be collected, and if the letter comes with a mailing address, Santa will respond to them. For more information on Santa Trolley stops, visit the City of Dana Point's website.
• The City of Dana Point will host a tree lighting ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. There will be carolers and treats, and Santa arrives at 4:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
• The Pet Project Foundation will host its annual Santa Paws event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 18. Residents are invited to bring their pets to the Clock Courtyard to have their photo taken with Santa for a donation to support the nonprofit, which supports the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Orange County, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.