San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Where and how to meet St. Nick this year.
Neither a pandemic nor Scrooge himself could keep children and their loved ones away from the timehonored tradition of posing for photos with Santa at the mall. But as the Bay Area navigates through this holiday season, practical and technological alterations will make this holiday shopping center ritual feel quite different in 2020.
With COVID19 cases surging in the region, sitting on Santa’s lap and whispering wishes for gifts into his ear won’t be happening this year. Still, various Bay Area shopping malls plan to host inperson and virtual visits with Santa to ensure the holiday spirit endures through these difficult times.
Alameda
The IRL options
Malls and attractions up and down the Bay Area are still offering the chance for families to chat and have their picture taken with the jolliest of them all, but with the nowfamiliar safety measures like wearing a face covering and social distancing.
Inperson programs are subject to change due to changing COVID19 restrictions. Find updates at the organizers’ websites.
San Francisco
Stonestown Galleria offers reserved photo sessions with Santa at Center Court 11 a. m. 7 p. m. MondaysSaturdays, and noon6 p. m. Sundays through Dec. 23. The special hours for its final day, Christmas Eve, are 9 a. m. 5 p. m.
South Shore Center in Alameda is doubling down on its sitdown step and repeat with Santa offerings. One can book traditional appointments for kids ( 27 p. m. MondaysThursdays; 11 a. m. 3 p. m. and 47 p. m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon3 p. m. and 3: 306 p. m. Sundays.) The shopping center also plans to host a pet photo night 47 p. m. Sunday, Dec. 13.
The inperson schedule for kids expands at the end of the month, with reservations available 11 a. m. 3 p. m. and 48 p. m. Dec. 2123. Reservations are available 9 a. m. 12: 30 p. m. and 14 p. m. on Christmas Eve. Unlike other services which can be paid upfront, South Shore Center takes a $ 20 deposit, which is put toward either a photo package or digital download option that’s chosen the day of the photo session.
Corte Madera
In the North Bay, Santa is taking reservations for pictures at the Village at Corte Madera. Appointment times are available noon3 p. m. and 48 p. m through Dec. 23. On Christmas Eve, Santa will be ready for his ( and his little friends’) closeup 9 a. m. 1 p. m. and 25 p. m.
Through Dec. 24. $ 19.99$ 49.99. The Village at Corte Madera, 1618 Redwood Hwy., Corte Madera. 4154960557. bit. ly/ santacortemadera
Milpitas
The Simon Property Group’s Great Mall in Milpitas is also taking appointments online. Appointments are available 17 p. m. MondaysSaturdays; 15 p. m. Sundays and 11 a. m. 4 p. m. on Christmas Eve.
Through Dec. 24. $ 19.99$ 49.99. Great Mall, 447 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas. 4089562033. bit. ly/ santa Milpitas
Santa Clara
Westfield Valley Fair is offering photo times with Santa 10 a. m. 8 p. m. MondaysSaturdays, and 11 a. m. 8 p. m. Sundays. The Christmas Eve schedule shifts to 9 a. m7 p. m. so Santa can check in with NORAD before making his rounds.
Stanford
Like the Great Mall, the Stanford Mall is run by the Simon Property Group and has reserved Santa photo sessions available through Dec. 24. Appointment times are noon7 p. m. MondaysSaturdays, 15 p. m. Sundays and 11 a. m4 p. m. on December 24.
Woodside
The historic Filoli estate plans to host Santa for socially distant pictures Saturdays through Dec. 19. The house is closed this year, but there’s still plenty to take in on the grounds, including the Clock Tower Shop and Filoli’s famed gardens.