historic park – Castles, Characters, and Crayons

Tucked high away in the mountains near Lake Arrowhead is the magical town of Santa’s Village. This charming park features outdoor adventures for the whole family, whimsical stores and restaurants, and most importantly of all, Santa Claus!

Nearly all of the attractions and entertainment are included with the cost of admission which can be purchased as a single day ticket or a season pass.

Here’s what we experienced on our visit as a family of 3!

We arrived around 9:30, knowing that the park didn’t open until 10am, to avoid waiting in the long line which forms at the entrance. A special Breakfast with Santa can be purchased for an additional fee, which grants you earlier access to the Village.

It’s very important to check the weather before your visit! The temperature was in the 30s during our visit with a light dusting of snow on the ground from the night before. While this made the mountains even more beautiful, it meant that we needed to wear many layers in order to stay warm and comfortable.

Included with the cost of our admission, we were able to enjoy: ice skating, a private meet and greet with Santa, a miniature train ride, a pedal car circuit, a balance bike circuit for our daughter, hiking through the beautiful woods, archery, and live show from children’s performers Kids Imagine Nation!

We also enjoyed a delicious lunch from one of the several restaurants within Santa’s Village, as well as delicious treats and coffee from the gingerbread house bakery!

A few important things to note. In order to reach Santa’s Village, you will have to drive up a steep and windy mountain road, so plan accordingly. We left before sunset to avoid driving down in the dark. Moreover, since most of the activities are outside, they may be closed if the weather isn’t cooperative. For example, on the day of our visit, the zip line was not available due to icy conditions.

Overall, we were very impressed with the friendly employees and the beautiful mountain setting. This picturesque park is the perfect spot for holiday photos and gathering with family to celebrate the season. We look forward to making this a new tradition and returning next winter!

If you’d like to follow along with our day, come watch our vlog on our YouTube channel: In a Magical Mood

Courtyard by Marriott in San Diego, Old Town

Recently, my husband and I took a quick getaway to San Diego. We stayed at a lovely hotel right next to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which we have visited in the past. This Courtyard by Marriott is really great for families who are interested in visiting the Old Town area, or who just want to stay nearby because it offers plenty of convenient restaurant options.

Small surface lot for guests to park, an underground parking lot is also available

The hotel features a small surface lot and larger parking garage underground, and costs $25 a night (which is very affordable compared to other hotels in the San Diego area). Free street parking may be found in the neighborhoods nearby, but you can also take a shuttle or rideshare from the airport for approximately $15.

The hotel offers a reasonably priced coffee bar which converts to a bistro bar in the afternoons. There is also a small outdoor pool and spa, which we didn’t visit on our trip.

Our room was clean and comfortable, with a very nice shower in the bathroom. A useful sized mini fridge and coffee maker were also included. Our room faced Old Town, but some rooms may face the freeway and have some road noise. Since it was just the two of us, we stayed in a room with a king sized bed, which we found very comfortable.

For us, the location of the hotel is very convenient. It is very close to the freeway, so it’s easy to drive to other attractions in the San Diego area. We also love that it’s only a couple blocks from Old Town, a state park featuring historical buildings from California’s past, many delicious Mexican restaurants, and beautiful shops from local craftsmen.

View of Old Town and surrounding neighborhoods from our room

I recommend this hotel for it’s convenient location and high quality atmosphere (without the high price).

Tag: historic park

Skypark at Santa’s Village: A Festive Way to get in the Holiday Spirit

Hotel Review: Courtyard by Marriott San Diego, Old Town