"It takes a very intense drive, 17 miles up the Rim of the World Scenic Byway into the San Bernardino Mountains, winding up the sides of mountains until it truly does feel like you're at the every edge of the sky. But, as they say, 'tis the season, and I was determined to find him and a hefty dose of holiday cheer."
"A Christmas amusement park with festive rides and shows, Santa's Village has a long history in California. In fact, the theme park is just six weeks older than Disneyland, opening on Memorial Day weekend 1955. Disneyland opened on July 17 of that year. Both parks are celebrating their 70th anniversaries this year. The difference between the two is that Santa's Village had a long closure - and it was nostalgic fans who essentially demanded the park be reopened."
Santa's Village sits in Lake Arrowhead high in the San Bernardino Mountains, reached by a 17-mile drive up the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Visitors pass under candy cane arches, are greeted by an elf, and encounter year-round festive rides and shows that evoke classic holiday imagery. The park opened on Memorial Day weekend 1955, six weeks before Disneyland, and is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The park offered real reindeer, fake snow, bobsleds, a toy shop, a life-sized doll house and a Christmas puppet show. The park closed for a long period and later reopened largely because of nostalgic fans.
Read at SFGATE
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