Yes, it’s lovely to have those annual photos with St. Nick, but they just keep getting more and more expensive, right? Especially when you have a camera built right into your phone. Well, here are some places where you can visit the Big Guy and take your own photos for 2025. Check whether you need to make reservations in advance. And ho ho ho to you.
Daily through Christmas Eve — Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s outdoor stores are offering the “Santa’s Wonderland” environment in all their stores, including the chance to get a free 4×6 photo with the big guy himself. Also, at 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 23, either Santa or Mrs. Claus will read stories to children, with the photos taking place afterward. Visit basspro.com/santa or cabelas.com/santa to make reservations (Walk-in accepted on a space-available basis). Note: Appointment times are released a week ahead of time, and when you’re there, you’ll have two minutes to get your family up with Santa for the picture. So don’t be tardy! Santa is there 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and on Christmas Eve. (You can also buy $25 photo packages if you want.) In Southern California, Bass Pro Shops are located at 71 Technology Drive, Irvine and 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga.
Daily through Christmas Eve — Hollywood: The Ovation Hollywood shopping center is offering free photos with St. Nick now through Christmas Eve. Head up to Level 3, and take a digital photo with Santa in his photo booth that will be sent to your email. If you want your own print, you can buy one for $5. Weekdays, Santa will be in session 3-7 p.m. and weekends from noon until 7 p.m. through Dec. 24. 6801 Hollywood Blvd. (at Highland Avenue). Parking is $7.50 an hour or $3 with validation. ovationhollywood.com/oh-what-fun-holidays-in-hollywood
Dec. 4 — Valencia: Take free photos with Santa sponsored by Prosperitas Financial. 5-8 p.m. Make a reservation for free photos and treats. There’s also a toy drive, so bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Corp’s Toys For Tots drive. 25060 Avenue Stanford Suite 100, Valencia. Make a reservation here: eventbrite.com/e/santa-is-coming-to-prosperitas-tickets-1962575601455
Dec. 5-6 — Fontana: Stop by the Jessie Turner Center on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5-7 p.m. for free pictures with Santa. At 15556 Summit Ave., Fontana. Also on Dec. 6 at the Heritage and Don Day Center, 14501 Live Oak Ave. in Fontana, from 10 a.m. to noon. fontanaca.gov/155/Events
Dec. 6-7 — Valencia: Take free photos with the Big Guy and enjoy a hot cocoa and cookie bar and treats from 3 to 5 p.m., sponsored by Racquel Wilder Realty and Jim Doty, JMJ Financial. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Pinnacle Estate Properties, 24051 Town Center Drive, Valencia. racquelwilderrealty.com/racquels-santa-clarita-community-events
Dec. 6 — Calabasas: This one’s for pets only! Bring your favorite pet to Wild Walnut Park from 9-11 a.m. for a holiday photo with Santa at the Santa Paws Photo Booth and take home a Polaroid-style instant photo keepsake. And wear those holiday costumes! Wild Walnut Park, 23050 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/special-events
Dec. 6-7 — Dana Point: Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is holding its annual Boat Rides with Santa event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rides are 20 minutes long. The event is free but reservations are required and a $5 donation is requested that benefits Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Check in 10 minutes early. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point danawharf.com/whale-watching/boat-ride-with-santa/
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 — Long Beach: Head over to the LBX Hangar to take free photos with Santa. Look for the photo booth outdoors, weather permitting. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays. LBX Hangar, 4150 McGowen St., Long Beach thelongbeachexchange.com/events/santaphotos-dec6
Dec. 7 — Santa Monica: Head to the Miracle on Main Street this year for free photos with Santa, holiday carolers, jazz, face painting and more. On the lawn of the California Heritage Museum. 2612 Main St., Santa Monica. mainstreetsm.com
Dec. 12-19 — Costa Mesa: Head to the historic Snoopy House, where generations have now enjoyed its modest charms. Santa is scheduled to be there nightly from 6 to 8 p.m. from Dec. 12 to Dec. 19, and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. there’s also a lights display, letters to Santa, live performances and more, weather permitting. For last-minute info, call 714-754-5300 or email cmrecinfo@costamesaca.gov. Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. costamesaca.gov/community/annual-events/snoopy-house-holiday-display
Dec. 13 — Running Springs: Head to Snow Valley resort from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free photos with Santa. Find him below the main chalet building. Snow Valley, 35100 CA Hwy. 18, Running Springs. bigbearmountainresort.com/things-to-do/events/santa-comes-to-valley
Dec. 13-14. — Various locations: PetSmart offers free pet photos with Santa at all its locations nationwide, 2-5 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14, posed in front of a holiday backdrop. This is open to dogs, cats, birds, small animals and reptiles sold at PetSmart, ferrets, rabbits, sugar glides and pot-bellied pigs. No venomous reptiles. (Sorry, you’ll have to leave that rattlesnake at home.) The store suggest dressing your pet in a costume and running it around to get it tired before the shoot. petsmart.com/santa-photo-days
Dec. 20 — Big Bear: Get free photos with Santa up at Snow Summit resort on the Coca-Cola deck, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Snow Summit, 880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake bigbearmountainresort.com/things-to-do/events/santa-comes-to-summit
It’s a good idea to make sure reservations, if required, are not sold out. And enjoy!