A trip to Santa’s Village is a holiday tradition for many Southern California families, but did you know that there is more to the park than just Yuletide cheer? Check out the top seven reasons to visit SkyPark at Santa’s Village outside of Christmastime:
1. GET INTO NATURE
Connecting with and getting back to nature is important for kids and adults. SkyPark at Santa’s Village is located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, high above the valley. The park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, whether you want to sit, stroll, hike, bike, or drive, there’s something for everyone. You can also explore the San Bernardino National Forest which covers 823,816 acres, most of which is federal land, and is home to 440 wildlife species and thousands of plant species.
2. BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT
It’s no secret that summers in Southern California can be HOT. SkyPark at Santa’s Village is a welcome refuge when the rest of the region is sweltering. The park is located on a coastal mountain range, at an elevation of 5,910 feet, so it tends to enjoy cooler temperatures than the valley and surrounding areas. The park is also in the middle of the San Bernardino forest, which means that there’s plenty of shade to go around. So grab an ice cream or shake (did we mention that SkyPark sells Dole Soft Serve in the summer?) and enjoy the mountain air!
3. GO MOUNTAIN BIKING
Whether you are a seasoned rider or are just curious about mountain biking, SkyPark Bike Park is the place for you! It’s a great place for the whole family to get into or lean into the sport. The Bike Park offers world-class trails, a decked-out professional bike shop, tracks for all ages and skills, and bike classes by certified instructors. Bring your own mountain bike or head to The Bike Shop to rent everything that you need! And don’t forget to ask about Demo Thursday specials.
4. CAMP ABOVE THE VALLEY
SkyPark at Santa’s Village features its own campground across the street, overlooking the San Bernardino Valley. This beautifully scenic campground won runner up (#2 spot) in USA Today’s 10 Best Vintage Airstream Hotel 2023! The Campground offers a variety of different sites to accommodate any size RV from sprinters to buses. Sites have full hookups, 50 amp power, water and waste disposal. All campers have access to the SkyPark Bath House, paid laundry, community fire pits, and free WiFi.
5. TRY THE FOOD
SkyPark offers six dining establishments where guests can get everything from down-home BBQ to craft brews to fresh-baked cookies. The Lunch Box offers custom sandwiches and ice cream. The Pedal Pub is a great place for a pint. There’s also St. Nick’s Patio & Grille, Billy’s BBQ House, Kringle’s Coffee & Gifts, and the world famous, life-sized Gingerbread House Bakery.
“There isn’t a single bakery in Southern California that I know of that serves guests out of a life-sized gingerbread house,” says Michelle Johnson, Creative Director and Co-Owner of SkyPark at Santa’s Village, “We work hard to live up to that magical expectation. Everything we serve here is baked on-site… Our food is an essential part of that magical memorable experience we strive to give our guests.”
6. SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS
SkyPark at Santa’s Village goes through four unique seasonal overlays every year, each with its own theme, decor, food, and activities:
Summer: A time for bright colors and sunshine-filled activities like Tunes in the Trees, Saturday Skate Nights, and the ever-popular Bike Fest.
Fall: Pumpkins in the Pines is a celebration of all things fall with themed food, costume contests, a park-wide pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating. Guests 13+ can also brave the haunted hiking trail: Fantom Forest. A Magical Meadowlands train ride is available for younger guests. And don’t miss Monster Mash Skate Night!
Winter: “The most wonderful time of the year.” Celebrate the holiday season with ice skating, a tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, and performances by Kids Imagine Nation. Guests have the option to add Breakfast with Santa or Tea with Mrs. Claus for even more magical memories. Post-Christmas, the park goes into “Winter Wonderland” mode where guests can enjoy lots of snow play and a unique scavenger hunt.
Spring: This special time of year features the return of the sunshine, which leads into an epic Easter egg hunt. Guests can also book Breakfast with the Easter Bunny.
7. MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY
The town of Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding community offer plenty of things for families to do. The unique town offers beautiful views, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink. Mackenzie’s Water Ski School is a great place to learn to water ski, or lean into water skiing. Enjoy the Mountain offers 4WD ATV adventures in the mountains. The Lake Arrowhead Brewing Company is a great place to try local craft beers and delicious rotating food truck faire.
