Visit with Santa Claus in Marin and Beyond

Pamela Fox | November 13, 2020

It goes without saying that every Holiday season Santa Claus is an extremely popular guy. He and his small army of little helpers will be making the rounds for photos and other holiday fun at various shopping centers and other locations in Marin County and beyond. (And of course you'll need to tell him what you want for Christmas, too!)

Here's our 2020 guide to photo ops with Santa and more. As with so many other events this year, COVID-19 will have an affect on visits with Santa. Where he appears, Santa will make sure maintain a safe social distance for photo ops and visiting. We'll keep adding to this list as we learn of more events, so check back often!

We make every effort to assure that all listings and hours are as accurate as possible, but occasionally Santa has to take a break to feed the reindeer or tidy up his beard, so make sure to stay on his "nice" list and call or check the venue's website before visiting.

Santa's Riverboat Cruise
Petaluma River, Petaluma
Saturday, November 28, 11 am–noon
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, gather the family and find a spot along the Petaluma River to give a shout out to Santa and Mrs. Claus as they sail by. They will miss greeting children with hugs but this year, Santa and Mrs. Claus’s biggest Christmas wish is that everyone stay healthy! The cruise starts at 11 am at Lind Marine on D Street by Steamer Landing Park and the tug will sail south on the Petaluma River past the Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma and continue to Shollenberger Park at about 11:30 am, where it will turn north and sail to the Turning Basin, arriving about noon. The tugboat will make a couple of loops in the Turning Basin where Santa and Mrs. Claus will give a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho” shoutout to local families! Event details
Saturdays With Santa
Bon Air Center, Greenbrae
Saturday, December 5, 12 & 19, noon–3 pm
Children are invited to write letters to Santa and place them in a special mailbox as the Man of the Season watches and waves from his cheerily decorated Santa House on the first three Saturdays of December. While waiting on “6ft. closer to Santa” floor markers, children of all ages will receive a Bon Air Santa Letter Kit, including stationery and boxed crayons to write, draw, and color their letter. While dropping their letters in Santa’s mailbox, families can take socially distanced photos with the Jolly Old Elf. Free! Event details
Sensitive Santa Event
All Children Academics, San Rafael
Saturday, December 5, 2–5 pm
Sensitive Santa will look different this year, but it won't dampen our spirits! Sign up for our holiday parade! See a sensory-friendly Santa on a horse-drawn carriage, get professional (and safe) photos, and receive a gift from us to you! With the challenge of COVID we are committed to provide a safe activity for our children with disabilities and their families. This is an inclusive event for children of all abilities and ages; siblings welcome. Free; $20 donation includes raffle entry. Event details.
Photos with Santa
Outside the Novato Gymnatics Center 950 7th Street
Sunday, December 6 (register online for a time slot)
Bring the kiddos during your time slot to have a socially distanced visit with Santa! Pre-registration required. Registration is $10 per family and includes a photo with Santa and a craft for each child to take home. Photos will be emailed after the event. Space is limited. Pre-register here. Use code PWS in the keyword/code slot to reveals times.
An Afternoon with Santa
Cavallo Point, Sausalito
Sunday, December 6, 3–5 pm
Bring the whole family into Santa’s Workshop as jolly old St. Nick himself makes his first appearance of the holiday season! Kids are invited for an afternoon of fun as they decorate gingerbread houses, ornaments and stockings, write letters to Santa before commemorating the occasion by taking a safe, socially distant photo with Santa Claus himself. Join us to share some holiday joy! Tickets include a photo with Santa (safe and socially distant!) and activities including gingerbread house decorating, ornament and stocking decorating, letters to Santa, art projects, and more! Tickets $30, includes admission for one child. Event details