There’s nothing that says “California Christmas” like Santa Claus casually cruising by on a jet ski before making his way to the beach for a meet-and-greet with adoring fans.
The annual Bolsa Chica Christmas at the Beach gathering drew hundreds to the sand in Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, just one of the unique ways beachgoers celebrate the holidays on the coast.
Santa has a crowded jet ski with, from left to right, Christopher, Alani, Alba and Gianni Sachez onboard during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cash Morales checks the microscopes during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
A bounce house was part of the fun during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Alba Sanchez tries to blow bubbles while waiting in line to see Santa during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
The line for photos stretches down the bike path at the Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Callum Crawford, 6 months, of Huntington Beach out cools Santa during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Callum Crawford gets returned to his mother Sabrina Crawford after visiting Santa during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Santa arrives on a jet ski for the Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Santa comes ashore for the Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Santa is delivered to the Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Kristin Harriman (L) and Shannon Ashley pose with Santa and their dog Oliver during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Iva Vasseva and her son Daniel watch as Santa heads their way for the Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cash (3) and Chloe (1) Morales have different reactions to Santa on a jet ski during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
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Santa has a crowded jet ski with, from left to right, Christopher, Alani, Alba and Gianni Sachez onboard during a Christmas at the Beach event that was held by the Huntington Beach State Beach Lifeguard Association and Bolsa Chica State Beach. Santa arrived on his jet ski to the event which featured a bounce house, holiday karaoke, crafts and games on Saturday Dec. 7, 2024…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
The Bolsa Chica tradition dates back about a decade and has grown through the years, with crafts, a bounce house and games for the kids and karaoke and treats from Beach City Provisions, a concession stand on the sand, for the adults.
Lifeguards dressed up as Santa’s helpers for photo ops on the sand, while beachgoers also got into the giving spirit by doing a beach cleanup.
Educational booths were also set up to teach participants about preservation for the nearby wetlands and water quality.
“I’m glad we still have things like this,” said State Parks Superintendent Kevin Pearsall. “We can have events that appreciate the outdoors, the awesomeness of Southern California beaches and it’s great Santa gets to enjoy it as well.”
Crystal Cove, also part of the State Parks system, celebrated its traditional lighting of the beach tree on Saturday, now in its 28th year. The historic district was decked out in holiday ornaments and attendees took selfies by the adorned beach Christmas tree, offering a very Southern California backdrop for holiday cards.
There are still more ways to make your Santa meet-and-greet into a coastal getaway.
San Clemente will again host “Sunsets with Santa” on Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Take a stroll on the wooden pier from 3 to 5 p.m. for a chance to tell Santa your Christmas wishes next to an 18-foot holiday tree at the end of the pier, the perfect place to snap your holiday card with the sun dipping into the ocean.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is hosting its Lighting of the Bay through Jan. 5, with its Fire & Lights Festival from Thursdays to Sunday evenings. There’s more than 50 floating holiday displays and Christmas trees reflecting on the water, with the lights turning on at dusk.
There’s everything from a giant holiday-themed inflatable, slides and a snow-themed maze. Santa is on hand every Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 23 for holiday photo ops.
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