ALONG COMES MARY

Have you ever been to SkyPark at Santa’s Village? Although the recreation park and campground are open year-round, it’s magical for the holidays. SkyPark at Santa’s Village just opened on November 16th for their winter festivities; complete with the first snowfall of the season. I have such precious memories of our first October with a baby Mabel and taking her to the Pumpkins in the Pines festival. Fast forward three years later, and our girl was ready to roll. Complete with her list for Santa and even spending the night at their Skystream Resort. 

Christmastime at SkyPark at Santa’s Village 

Santa’s Village has evolved through the years. It’s located in Skyforest within the San Bernardino Mountains. Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are just a stone’s throw away. While it was once more of a theme park, its rebirth gave the attractions a makeover. There are no rides like a carousel but rather outdoor activities including bike riding, a climbing tower, archery, and even ax throwing. Mabel enjoyed the Construction Zone and Discovery Playscapes with a large Cat 777B truck and of course, the abundance of snow. 

We had never been in this much snow as a family. We lucked out that the snow all came in the day before our trip. The drives were easy but it was bitterly cold. We dodged ice on the ground as we walked and attempting the stroller through thick snow was an adventure.

Given the weather, some activities weren’t available like zip lining and Santa’s Toy Test Track. New this year is Adopt-A-Reindeer. An adorable interactive gift shop that’s similar to a Build-A-Bear workshop. They also have fun entertainment each weekend including magic and puppet shows.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry at SkyPark

To escape the cold, we snuggled up at Kringle’s. Santa’s very own coffee house with all of the favorites. It’s a great nook to grab a hot chocolate or one of their holiday drinks like a white peppermint mocha. For lunch, we checked out Billy’s BBQ House. The cozy cafe has sandwiches, rice bowls, and tri-tip samplers. We each got a rice bowl with meat and veggies. The prices are certainly what you would expect at a theme park. Our bowls were decent (the rice was very soggy) and the veggies tasted fresh.

For dinner, we were craving pizza. St. Nick’s Patio and Grille is right at the entrance/exit which makes it convenient. Each pizza has festive names like Snow Day and the Christmas Pie. We went with the latter which comes with tomatoes and basil (red and green. Get it?). I love that they offer a gluten-free crust option. The personal pizzas were far from gourmet but did hit the spot. 

Since all dining options are fast casual at SkyPark, I would love to see a sit-down restaurant added one day. Most theme parks have at least one option for a more traditional meal, and I think SkyPark would benefit greatly. On both of our visits, I’ve been exceptionally pleased with the park’s dining staff. I know they would deliver great service if SkyPark ever expands. 

Meeting the Big Guy

What’s a visit to Santa’s Village without Santa Claus? Given it’s the big guy’s busy season, we had a reservation to see him in his cottage. SkyPark offers an outstanding Santa experience for families. Each party gets a private visit in his home so there are no distractions or eyes are watching you with “hurry it up” looks. 

Mabel came prepared with not one but two lists. Both featured cutouts from her toy catalogs, one was her wishes, and the other was what she’d like her friends to get. How sweet is that? Santa was so engaging with Mabel. I was impressed at how up-to-date he is on the likes of Bluey, Spider-Man, and all of her favorites. Since she was wearing a Jack Skellington sweater, Santa discussed with her that it took a while for him to forgive Jack, given how he tried to steal Christmas from him, but that they’re good now. 

Pictures with Santa are taken by a professional photographer. We were given four shots to select from. We decided on two delivered to us digitally for $19.99. They have several choices including a printout in a 5×7 wooden frame. Given how costly pictures with Santa can be, SkyPark offers some very fair deals. 

Staying in Camp Christmas at the Airstream Resort

Just across the street is SkyPark Campground+RV. I’ve still not camped in a tent. And given it was 18 degrees overnight, I wasn’t about to start. Lucky for us, SkyPark launched the Airstream Resort in 2021. Six airstreams have been renovated for a fun glamping-esque stay. Each has its own theme and we stayed in the appropriately named Camp Christmas airstream. The accommodations may be vintage (over 50 years strong) but SkyPark has done an excellent job at restoring these beauties. 

Several folks have asked me, are they heated? And yes, they are. We had a faux fireplace that provided plenty of heat for our night. Camp Christmas has a Queen bed and pull-out twin that doubles as a daybed. The comforter on our Queen also helped keep us toasty. They did have extra blankets but had we been using the extra bed I’d recommend bringing heavy comforters.

We had a mini fridge and Keurig in our “room.” Across from us was an adorable school bus that’s been converted into a kitchen. Inside there’s a microwave, toaster, pots, pans, and utensils. I couldn’t find any plates or bowls so pack some paper plates and cups. The restrooms are also right nearby and I’ll admit: I was nervous. As much as I want to “rough it,” I usually do not. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. The facilities are clean with a shower, sink, mirror, and plenty of private space. The hot water was piping hot and showers shut off at five minutes. There’s also a laundry room.

Let it Snow 

After our day in the park and restful sleep in Camp Christmas, we enjoyed being laid-back on Sunday. With an 11 am check-out, we had the morning to wander and play in the snow. The campsite has loads of open space and mountains to explore. The snow was beginning to melt as the sun shined bright but we squeezed in many snow people. Mabel enjoyed seeing the snow and dirt turn to mud and having some snowball fights. 

SkyPark at Santa’s Village and the campground offer such unique getaways. A day at the park is always fun but staying over in an airstream (or camping) gives the total Santa’s Village experience. The atmosphere is festive and there are activities for all ages. Even if you’re not the usual camping type (ahem, like me), SkyPark is a true gem to Southern California. Plan a visit and learn more HERE.

(Disclosure: special thank you to SkyPark at Santa’s Village for hosting us on behalf of this story. All opinions are my own.)