Photos with Santa are a must for editor Monica’s daughters; this pic is from 2021. | Photo via Monica Garske + Photos with Santa
Of all the festive photo opportunities around our city this season, a classicsnapshot with Santa may be of highest importance for little ones and adults alike.
We’ve made a list — and you can check it twice — of places around town where you can visit Saint Nick and snag that holiday pic for the album. Now,say “nice list.” 📸
🌊 Seaport Village, 855 W. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero
Photos with Santa are available starting at 11 a.m. on select datesthrough Christmas Eve at the waterfront landmark — in the Lighthouse District next to Ben and Jerry’s. You don’t need an appointment and for $42, you’ll get your photos on a USB drive within minutes.
🎅 Parkway Plaza, 415 Fletcher Pkwy., El Cajon
Kris Kringlehas arrived. He’ll be at this East County mall daily through Christmas Eve, with most photo sessions starting at 11 a.m. Check the online calendar for special photo opportunities for pets and scan the QR code to book a reservation. Prices start at $39.95.
Santa and his elves at The Forum Carlsbad.
Photo via Northwood Retail
🎄 The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad
Starting Saturday, Dec. 3 — and running Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., through Dec. 18 — families can visit with Santa in the garden area between the YETI and Allbirds stores. It’s free, but bring your own camera to capture photos.
❄️ Westfield Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio N.
This Santa photo zone is next to AMC Theatre and runs daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., through Saturday, Dec. 24. Don’t miss pet photo nights on Monday, Dec. 12, and Monday, Dec. 19, and Pajama Party Tuesdays, where kids wearing PJs get a free crafting kit and a portion of photo sales benefits St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Reservations are encouraged; prices vary.
Blues Jam Night | Monday, Nov. 28 | 6-10 p.m. | Aztec Brewing Company, 2330 La Mirada Dr., Ste. 300, Vista | Free | Sing along to the classic blues + rock jam.
SPORTS | Monday, Nov. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego | $27.76 | The Oklahoma-based dream pop band performs with Sipper.
SD Tap Room Trivia | Monday, Nov. 28 | 8-10 p.m. | SD TapRoom, 1269 Garnet Ave, San Diego | Free | Test your knowledge for a chance to win prizes.
Lightscape | Monday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 5-8:30 p.m. | San Diego Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas | $18-$29 | The San Diego Botanic Garden transforms into a winter wonderland featuring more than 1 million twinkling, festive lights.
South Bay Open Air Market | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 3-7 p.m. | Chula Vista Golf Course Parking Lot, 4475 Bonita Rd., Bonita | Free | A gathering of local vendors offering fresh, local goodies.
Tone Stith | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $25 | The R&B singer comes to the Voodoo Room.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
62º | Mostly cloudy, with possible sprinkles | 25% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
Rise: 6:30 a.m.
Set: 4:43 p.m.
Tide
Low: 5:38 a.m. + 7:39 p.m.
High: 1:37 a.m. + 11:55 a.m.
Water Temperature: 59º
Arts
The Comic-Con Museum recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary and new,yet-to-be-announced exhibits and an Education Center are coming in 2023. The museum will temporarily close Wednesday, Jan. 4-Friday, Feb. 3, to install new exhibits — so you have until then to see current attractions like “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing.” 🕷️
Coming Soon
Uncle Tetsu — a global bakery chain known for its fluffy, soufflé-style Japanese cheesecakes — is expanding to San Diego, opening its first local store next month at 4609 Convoy St. The menu will offer whole cheesecakes in flavors like matcha, strawberry, and ube, plus tarts and other sweet treats. 🍰 (Eater San Diego)
San Diego Gymnastics will open its fifth location in January 2023 at 1144 Camino Del Rio North in Mission Valley (near Trader Joe’s). The 8,000-sqft facility will feature gymnastics equipment and a complete parkour course, and will offer classes for kids up to 17 years old. 🤸
Number
$2 million.That’s how much scratch Melanie Johnson won playing an Instant Prize Crosswords Scratchers ticket she bought at the Shinar Pizza Market in El Cajon. She was one of four lucky Californians who won a cumulative $24 million right before Thanksgiving. 💵 (Fox 5)
Festival
Chula Vista will host its annual Starlight Nights festival on Sunday, Dec. 4, 3:30-7:30 p.m. — with the tree lighting ceremony set for 6:15 p.m. on the plaza at the northwest corner of Memorial Park. The free community event also includes a holiday market, live music, and family-friendly activities. 🌟
The Port of San Diego will host South Bay Holiday — a free festival at the Aquatic Center on the National City Bayfront — on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The event runs 5-8 p.m. and will include festive treats, giveaways, activities, local craft vendors, and photos with Santa. More seasonal events here, too. 🎅
Get the outdoor enthusiast in your life a gift that delivers year-round. The Sportsman’s Box is a quarterly gear subscription of personalized boxes that match your loved ones’ customized profile of hunting and fishing interests. Bonus: Use code for 6AMCITY for 25% off your first shipment. 📦 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
SEASONAL
Saving money the cyber way
There’s still time to catch these deals. | Graphic provided by 6AM City
If you missed our Black Friday deals, you’re in luck because our online store Six & Main still has amazing savings just for you.
Shop up to 40% off gifts for the homebody, party host, pet lover, and adventurer in your life.
The 8-ft display — which you can crawl into for the cutest photo op — has been repainted and now there’s even a new mural behind it. Like good little San Diegans, my kids love the shark. Here’s a throwback of us in its mouth a few years ago.
Missed Friday’s newsletter? We just want to say thank you, San Diego.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.
