32 Places to Take Photos With Santa in and Near Los Angeles (2026)
There is something about a toddler's wide-eyed stare, a big kid's carefully rehearsed wish list, and a baby who is not so sure about that beard that makes the annual Santa photo pure gold. Whether you want a classic mall visit, a Breakfast with Santa, a boat ride with the big guy, or a calm sensory-friendly session, there are plenty of places to take photos with Santa in and near Los Angeles.
We updated our guide for 2026 using each venue's official website. Only a handful of spots have posted 2026 details so far, so we listed those first, followed by the favorites that usually host Santa but have not announced this year's schedule yet.
Santa Photos With 2026 Dates Announced
28950 CA-18
Skyforest, CA 92385
Saturday, November 7, 2026, to Sunday, January 10, 2027
Thursday to Sunday
Visit Santa at his house in the San Bernardino Mountains, where snowy pines make the perfect backdrop. Santa visits are first come, first served at Santa's House or through a standby line, and they are not guaranteed, so arrive early. Breakfast with Santa and Tea with Mrs. Claus are separate tickets you must buy online in advance. Read more in our SkyPark at Santa's Village guide.
3525 W Carson St
Torrance, CA 90503
Expected to open Saturday, November 14, 2026
Main Level near Macy's Women (enter by Lucille's)
One of the first Santa sets to open in the South Bay. Hours, prices, and any pet or sensory nights have not been posted yet, so check the booking page as the season approaches.
3370 Sunset Valley Rd
Moorpark, CA 93021
Friday, November 27, to Thursday, December 24, 2026
Santa: weekends and November 27, 11 AM to 4 PM, through December 20
Snap your own photos with Santa on the farm, included with admission. Admission is $12 on weekdays at the gate and $16 online on weekends and November 27, and kids under 2 and parking are free. Weekend online tickets go on sale November 1.
30116 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
Saturdays and Sundays, December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20, 2026
8 to 10 AM
Enjoy breakfast with Santa on the farm, then stay for Holidays at the Farm. Tickets are $25 per child, $30 per adult, or $100 for a family four-pack, and reservations are required on the Gilchrist Farm ticket page. Holidays at the Farm runs weekends through December 20, 9 AM to 5 PM, and some wristband packages include a printed Santa photo.
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026
Set sail with Santa on a 20-minute ride aboard the Dana Pride. Kids can chat with Santa on board, though there is no direct contact. Tickets are $10.60 for adults and $7.42 for kids 12 and under, reservations are required, and proceeds benefit Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay.
Downtown Disney District
1550 Disneyland Dr
Anaheim, CA 92802
2026 dates: Please check the reservation page.
Santa stops by Naples' upstairs dining room for an Italian-style holiday breakfast. Kids 10 and under get a photo with Santa, a stuffed animal, and a personalized stocking. Reservations are prepaid for parties of 2 to 10, and prices on the booking page have varied, so confirm when you book.
Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd
Topanga, CA 90290
Returning in December 2026; date to be announced.
This cozy woodland faire includes photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, and holiday fun. An "It's a Wonderful Life" live radio play is a $25 add-on.
Santa Photos at Los Angeles Malls and Shopping Centers
These favorites host Santa every year but have not posted 2026 details yet. Most open in mid to late November and run through Christmas Eve, and many use online reservations.
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dates and times to be announced.
Santa's beachside residence near the Third Street Promenade is a Westside favorite, and the mall has hosted pet photo nights in past seasons.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Dates and times to be announced.
Century City's Holiday Village has offered reservations to visit Santa in his bungalow. Watch the events page for 2026 details.
189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dates and times to be announced.
The Grove's Santa's Workshop, with its giant tree and nightly snowfall nearby, is one of LA's most iconic Santa visits. Reservations are typically required.
8500 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Dates and times to be announced.
Beverly Center has offered complimentary Santa photos and dog photos with Santa. On select days in past seasons, families could also visit a Black Santa.
3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Dates and times to be announced.
Visit Santa in Center Court, with photo packages, online booking, and walk-ins welcome.
889 Americana Way
Glendale, CA 91210
Dates and times to be announced.
Santa's House is the centerpiece of The Americana's Winterland, with online booking and festive photo packages.
100 W Broadway
Glendale, CA 91210
Dates and times to be announced.
Glendale Galleria hosts Santa photos and has offered pet photo nights.
201 E Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
Dates and times to be announced.
Reservations are strongly recommended. A $20 booking deposit counts as a credit toward your photos, and walk-ins are taken when the schedule allows.
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Dates and times to be announced.
Santa usually sets up on Level 1 near Target, with online reservations.
14006 Riverside Dr
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Dates and times to be announced.
Fashion Square has hosted a "Santa Cares" sensory-friendly session plus fun theme nights like pajama and ugly-sweater nights.
24201 W Valencia Blvd
Valencia, CA 91355
Dates and times to be announced.
Formerly Westfield Valencia, this Santa Clarita mall has offered sensory-friendly photos with Santa.
400 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007
Dates and times to be announced.
Formerly Westfield Santa Anita, the mall books Santa visits online.
350 W Hillcrest Dr
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Dates and times to be announced.
The Oaks has hosted Santa Paws pet nights and sensory-friendly Santa Cares visits in past seasons.
500 Lakewood Center Mall
Lakewood, CA 90712
Dates and times to be announced.
Lakewood Center offers a Sensitive Santa session for kids who do best with a calmer visit.
239 Los Cerritos Center
Cerritos, CA 90703
Dates and times to be announced.
Choose from several photo packages, with free rescheduling up to 48 hours before your visit, and look for Santa Pet Nights.
1815 Hawthorne Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Dates and times to be announced.
A convenient South Bay stop for Santa photos, with pet nights offered in past seasons.
3333 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Dates and times to be announced.
South Coast Plaza has hosted two Santa sets, Santa's Village and The North Pole, and a free train ride with any Santa photo purchase.
401 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Dates and times to be announced.
Santa visits on the Atrium Lawn at this open-air Newport Beach center.
41 Hugus Alley
Pasadena, CA 91103
Dates and times to be announced.
Santa sets up in The Courtyard in Old Pasadena on weekends, first come, first served with no reservations.
Breakfasts, Beach Santas, and Special Santa Visits
Malibu City Hall
23825 Stuart Ranch Rd
Malibu, CA 90265
Dates and times to be announced.
The City of Malibu's festive breakfast requires registration and usually fills up fast.
Culver City Police Department
4040 Duquesne Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
Dates and times to be announced.
Sip cocoa with Culver City PD's wellness dog Cole and visit Santa on his sleigh. It has been free in past years, and visitor parking is on level 1 of the City Hall structure.
Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes Ballroom
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Dates and times to be announced.
Reservations: (866) 547-3066
Santa swaps the North Pole for ocean views at this festive holiday breakfast.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
Dates and times to be announced.
Watch Santa dive with the fish and look for Surfer Santa photos on weekends, included with admission.
Salt Creek Beach at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz Carlton Rd
Dana Point, CA 92629
Dates and times to be announced.
Surfers in Santa suits hang ten for a good cause, benefiting Surfers Healing. Bring beach chairs and cheer them on.
Manhattan Beach, CA
2026 dates: To be announced.
This private photography business pairs a Santa visit with a family portrait session on the beach. A 20-minute Holiday Mini Session is $200 for 20 images, booked online.
Tips for a Happy Santa Visit
Book ahead. Many malls take reservations, and weekend slots in December fill quickly.
Go early in the season. Lines are shorter in November and on weekday mornings.
Time it around naps. A fed, rested toddler is far more likely to smile, though a crying-baby photo is a classic too.
Ask about sensory-friendly sessions. Several malls offer quieter visits with dimmed lights and no lines.
Make a day of it. Pair your visit with the best Christmas and holiday events for LA families or the best places to see holiday lights in Los Angeles.
Takeaway
From mountain cabins at SkyPark at Santa's Village to farm breakfasts in Santa Clarita, boat rides in Dana Point, and classic mall sets across LA, there are plenty of places to take photos with Santa in 2026. Book early where you can, check each venue's page as dates are announced, and bring the wish lists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Photos With Santa in Los Angeles
1. When do Santa photos start in Los Angeles in 2026?
SkyPark at Santa's Village opens its holiday season November 7, 2026, and Del Amo Fashion Center expects Santa on November 14. Most malls start in mid to late November.
2. Where can I get free photos with Santa in LA?
At Underwood Family Farms, Santa visits are included with admission and you take your own photos. Beverly Center has offered complimentary Santa photos in past years.
3. Are there sensory-friendly Santa visits near Los Angeles?
Yes. Lakewood Center, Valencia Town Center, The Oaks, and Westfield Fashion Square have offered sensory-friendly Santa sessions.
4. Can I take my dog to see Santa?
Many malls, including Glendale Galleria, Los Cerritos Center, The Oaks, and Beverly Center, have hosted pet photo nights with Santa.
5. Where can we have breakfast with Santa near LA?
Gilchrist Farm in Santa Clarita hosts Breakfast with Santa on December weekends in 2026, and SkyPark at Santa's Village, Naples Ristorante at Downtown Disney, Terranea Resort, and the City of Malibu also offer Santa breakfasts.
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