SeeCalifornia.com

Imagine driving up a winding mountain road and coming around a bend where you see a whimsical village and parking lot filled with cars. Santa’s Village opened two months before Disneyland in the summer 1955 and was all the buzz. It contained some attractions and features seen in the Anaheim theme park approx. 65 miles away. There were rides, family entertainment, merchandise, food and an icon (Santa) in a suit that people could take photos with. While one theme park expanded and grew, the other faded away with changing times. Santa’s Village closed its three locations in 1988  at Skyforest (San Bernardino mountains,) Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County,) and Dundee, Illinois. Santa’s Village was a fun fantasy while it lasted and for those who experienced it, they are still talking about the place where it was Christmas all year long:

• Judy Karwelis: “I worked there the summer of 1958. I miss it. Still have cups and ornaments from our last visit there.”
• Barbara Zeitlin Patino:  “I had been going to Santa’s Village since I was a kid and I took my kids there as well. I was there during the closing and it made me very sad now that my  grandchildren will never be able to have the amazing memories my children and I have from the fun we had there. It was a magical place. So sorry it is gone forever. Maybe one day when I win the Lotto I will build another one.”
• Donna Roundy Tipps: “When going through some things my mother had saved for many years I came across this Santa’s Village guest pin. I’m sure it came from View-Master Vacation Series reels featuring Santa’s Village and the Lake Arrowhead area.”

Here’s another Santa memory seen on the side of the road on Highway I-101 in California.