'Sea Of Santas' To Wash Over The Strand In South Bay City

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A “sea of Santas” will take over The Strand in Hermosa Beach this Saturday — for a good cause.

Mychal's Learning Place is hosting its 7th annual California Great Santa Stroll, Jillian Zalys, the nonprofit’s development and special events manager, said.

“Everyone is dressed up like Santa," Zalys said. “And every year it gets bigger and bigger."

This year, she said, about 1,800 people have registered for the 5K walk and fun run, but that number is close to reaching 2,000.

“My favorite thing, honestly, is just the sea of Santas. It’s really incredible,” Zalys, who will be attending the event for the fifth time, said. “It's really amazing to see how many people from the community come out to support our students.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit, which aims “to empower our students with developmental disabilities and work to provide job training and employment opportunities for them so they can live an independent life,” Zalys said.

Mychal's Learning Place, based in Hawthorne, has two social enterprises where students receive job training and employment opportunities, according to Zalys.

“We've started a print and embroidery shop and a cafe and bakery,” Zalys said.

The nonprofit also offers an after-school program and an adult program that run from Monday to Friday at the nonprofit's main location in Hawthorne, Zalys said.

The year's race will start at 9 a.m. with Santa leading the way at the Hermosa Beach Pier, then travel north on The Strand. Attendees will turn around at the Manhattan Beach Pier and head back to the Hermosa Beach Pier.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive at the pier by 8:30 a.m. to check in, Zalys said.

Check-in for the stroll opens at 8 a.m., when stage performances will also begin.

The event will feature a kid zone with photos with Santa, cookie decorating and caricature drawings, according to Zalys.

“It's just a really fun morning with the community,” Zalys said.

To register for the event, visit the Santa Stroll website here. People will also be able to register at the event on Saturday morning.