Where To See Santa In Rohnert Park This Christmas Season

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Rohnert Park and across Sonoma County 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 Sonoma County, kids have several chances:

Rohnert Park Public Safety Officer's Association Santa Sleigh

Community members are invited to bring their children to visit Santa Claus at several Santa Sleigh Toy Drive events across Rohnert Park throughout December.

Santa will visit several donation centers along his route. As he makes his stops, families can take photos with Santa and donate toys for children in need.

The next event will take place on Wednesday, where Santa will visit F and H section (see map below). Santa will leave the Rohnert Park Public Safety station around 5:30 p.m. and stop for photos at Hahn Elementary School around 6:30 p.m.

The city's Santa Sleigh Toy Drive Schedule can be found below.

12/2 - G Section

12/3 - Community Center Light Celebration

12/5 - D & E Section

12/7 - M & W Section

12/9 - A & B Section

12/12 - L & C Section

12/14 - R,S,J & K Section

12/16 - West Side & Double Tree Hotel

More information and additional maps can be found here.

Little Vineyards - 15188 Sonoma Hwy

Santa Claus is making a stop at Little Vineyards on Dec. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community members are invited to bring a camera and a Christmas list. Children of all ages are welcome.

The winery will also be accepting canned food for St. Leo's pantry on the day of the event. The holiday soiree is open to the public and does not require reservations. Purchases of wine by the glass or by the bottle will be available but tastings will not be available during the event.

Winter Festival - Downtown Cloverdale

Cloverdale's annual WinterFestival & Tree Lighting in downtown will take place on Dec. 2 and will include gingerbread cookie decorating, hot chocolate, cider, a holiday tree lighting and of course, Santa.

Santa will be downtown to listen to kids' holiday wish lists.

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. In Santa Rosa, there is a Macy's at 800 Santa Rosa Plz.

Santa is coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Seattle and New York City. In Santa Rosa, there is a Nordstrom Rack at the Coddingtown Mall.

JC Penney stores, including a location in Santa Rosa, is offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18. The store is located within the Coddingtown Mall at 800 Coddingtown Center.