Santa Claus is coming to town! Here’s when and where to visit St. Nick in SLO County
Santa Claus is coming to town — specifically, San Luis Obispo County.
In the weeks ahead of Christmas, the Jolly Old Elf will appear at several family-friendly events across the Central Coast.
Still need to mail your Christmas list? Or want to get the perfect picture of your child in Santa’s lap?
Check out these local holiday happenings featuring Kris Kringle in 2024:
Santa’s House at Mission Plaza
Youngsters can meet Santa, pose for photos and drop off letters at the mailbox outside of Santa’s House at Mission Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo.
After visiting with Father Christmas, children can ride the Classic Carousel, walk through animated lighted displays, take pictures in front of holiday decorations and experience a music-synced light show. Photos with Santa cost $10 to $20, and carousel rides are $5 to $8.
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, through Dec. 23; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 24
Where: Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo
Info: 805-541-0286 or downtownslo.com
Christmas at the Santa Margarita Ranch
Hop aboard the Jingle Bell Express and see holiday displays on the train ride to Santa’s village.
Once there, families can chat with Santa Claus and share your holiday wish lists. The village will also have craft stations where kids can write messages to send to St Nick.
Tickets are $40 apiece, or $25 for kids; children 2 and under are free.
When: Friday and Saturday, through Dec. 22
Where: Santa Margarita Ranch, 9000 Yerba Buena Ave., Santa Margarita
Info: christmasatthemargarita.com
Cambria Christmas Market
At this European-style holiday market, you can spot more than three million holiday lights, taste traditional German fare, buy gifts from artisan vendors and take pictures with Santa Claus.
Tickets cost $28 to $43; children 5 and under are free.
When: Wednesday through Sunday, through Dec. 31. It will be closed Dec. 9, 10, 24 and 25.
Where: Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive, Cambria
Info: 800-966-6490 or cambriachristmasmarket.com
Santa’s House at the Embarcadero
Santa Claus will be stopping by the Embarcadero in Morro Bay. Children can visit and take photos with St. Nick for free.
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday for the first two weekends of December
Where: Embarcadero and Front St., Morro Bay
Info: 805-772-4467
Breakfast with Santa
Morro Bay Recreation Services is hosting a breakfast with the big man himself at the Veterans Memorial Building in Morro Bay.
For $12, participants can enjoy a pancake breakfast and hot cocoa bar. Kids can visit Santa and enter the Elf Workshop, where there will be crafts, face painting and a gingerbread house building station.
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 209 Surf St., Morro Bay.
Info: 805-772-6278
Surfer Santa at the SLO Swim Center
A laid-back surfer Santa is coming to the SLO Swim Center. Attendees can take underwater photos with St. Nick for their holiday cards.
Visitors are encouraged to bring goggles and wear festive swimsuits. After taking pictures, you can warm up with hot cocoa while decorating holiday cookies and writing letters to Kris Kringle.
The event costs $5 per person. RSVP at sloswimcenter.org.
When: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: SLO Swim Center, 902 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo
Info: sloswimcenter.org
Holiday House in Paso Robles
Santa Claus will be in residence at the Holiday House at Downtown City Park in Paso Robles. Families and kids can meet and take pictures with Santa.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 15 through Dec. 24
Where: Downtown City Park, Spring Street and 12th Street, Paso Robles
Info: pasoroblesdowntown.org
