Most of the earlier threads were archived, not sure if anyone has explored this yet but wanted to share! This was my little brother's first explore with me, and we nearly got caught twice.

Up the windy roads and hidden amidst the trees of the San Bernardino forest sits the ruins of Santa's Village, one of a small franchise built in North America to spread Christmas cheer.

Opening more than a month before Disneyland, the 220-acre (0.89 km2) park was one of Southern California's biggest tourist attractions. It boasted kiddie rides, including a bobsled, monorail, and Ferris wheel; a petting zoo, live reindeer, and shops that included a bakery, candy kitchen, antique store, and toy shop.

Reduced attendance and revenue shortfalls caused Santa’s Village to close on March 1st, 1998. Eventually the land was bought to store logs for a local operations, but that was moved out and the park now stands idol.

On our trip, we ran into a man and a dog who said he was hoping to restore the park within the next six months to year, though when we took a look the park looked as though it wouldn't see the light of day for a minimum of two years if they were to start working tomorrow.

Today, the park still has rides in tact, mainly a large bumble bee ride that zips through the park and many of the buildings were locked, but peering inside we could see tables and gear still around since the 90s.

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Nice location and writeup! Need to pester a friend in that area for a trip.

Still, since you said you nearly got caught twice, and since you met someone with obvious designs for the location, perhaps posting full facial photos on this site isn't the best of ideas...

Posted by Clostridium Nice location and writeup! Need to pester a friend in that area for a trip. Still, since you said you nearly got caught twice, and since you met someone with obvious designs for the location, perhaps posting full facial photos on this site isn't the best of ideas...

Thanks! You should. I honestly doubt the place is going to be up and running again any time soon.

ACtually, he just said he wanted to put the place back together again. He didn't mention having any actual plans. I did more research and I doubt the guy even has rights to the land. They were filming a commercial in the front and using a low key camera. I highly doubt he could do anything about it, at first the guy spooked us thinking the land was bought but I don't think it has. There isn't even any equipment and the place isn't exactly locked up tight. I thought about it, but I'm not too worried. I'd be more so if I had given him our names or if he took note of the car, which I doubt he did (we were parked a ways a way with other cars).

Well, I'm just a paranoid guy who worries about a public website linking faces and a location. I recently ran into a caretaker at an abandonment where she begged me not to post any photos online since it could affect property negotiations that were taking place. Just a thought.

If you feel those photos are fine (I guess they're called selfies these days...), then more power to you. You have a good set of explores under your belt.

Posted by Clostridium Well, I'm just a paranoid guy who worries about a public website linking faces and a location. I recently ran into a caretaker at an abandonment where she begged me not to post any photos online since it could affect property negotiations that were taking place. Just a thought. If you feel those photos are fine (I guess they're called selfies these days...), then more power to you. You have a good set of explores under your belt.

No, it's better to be paranoid than under-paranoid. I should be more careful, I guess I like pressing my luck. That is some food for thought. I'll keep that in mind. Though, the land is really rough and I suspect they'd have to rip out the buildings and replace them in order to get new (and working) piping along with completely redoing the circuits for the rides. Even then, the park is built on really rough hill, I'm not sure how anyone would be able to fix the place up without having to start from scratch. I don't think taking photos of the place would cause much harm if they do end up having to redo everything, though you make a fair point.

Thanks! Nah, like I said I'm not too worried. And I really doubt the guy would remember our faces. We were more focused on giving his dog a lot of attention anyways. Haha thanks! Though, I do appreciate your advice and will take it as to improve myself as an explorer on my next exploring trips. It means a lot.

Posted by Clostridium Well, I'm just a paranoid guy who worries about a public website linking faces and a location. I recently ran into a caretaker at an abandonment where she begged me not to post any photos online since it could affect property negotiations that were taking place. Just a thought. If you feel those photos are fine (I guess they're called selfies these days...), then more power to you. You have a good set of explores under your belt.

I think your just paranoid.

No one cares if your trespassing at Santa's Village.. Like all the thousands of others do every year.

Shouldn't this be posted in the world forums?

Beautiful shots. I remember going there when I was very, very young. Sad to see that it has fallen by the wayside, but nice to see that it is still largely intact.

Posted by SurlySilverback Shouldn't this be posted in the world forums? Beautiful shots. I remember going there when I was very, very young. Sad to see that it has fallen by the wayside, but nice to see that it is still largely intact.

Ha, cute.

Thanks! It's funny, everyone I talk to remembers it. I think it closed when I was younger, my mom never took me (I mean I grew up beside Disneyland, such a spoiled child). I was shocked by how much is still there. They took down the ferris wheel and the bobsled ride, but the buildings are pretty much intact. And there's still documents and papers from 1998 when it closed.

Posted by cdracingzx6r No one cares if your trespassing at Santa's Village.. Like all the thousands of others do every year.

True. The last time I was at SV, the caretaker showed up looking less than offended or surprised. He basically just stood there with his hands in his pockets, watching us, and expecting his presence to scare us off.

So don't worry about the self-portrait, it's a nice family photo anyway.

Great pictures and write-up Flashy. I'll always love Santa's Village, mostly because it's located near some of my favorite vacation spots. I don't recall seeing the caution tape or ladder several months back; looks like they're finally getting serious about the remodel

Thanks to that selfie, there's probably a warrant for your arrest and the secret service might come knockin'! Flee the country while you still can!

Posted by Austtie True. The last time I was at SV, the caretaker showed up looking less than offended or surprised. He basically just stood there with his hands in his pockets, watching us, and expecting his presence to scare us off.

That's hilarious! Power to the man for at least trying. But did you get to wander the grounds?

Posted by Austtie So don't worry about the self-portrait, it's a nice family photo anyway. Great pictures and write-up Flashy. I'll always love Santa's Village, mostly because it's located near some of my favorite vacation spots. I don't recall seeing the caution tape or ladder several months back; looks like they're finally getting serious about the remodel

Thank you. I don't have many pictures of me with my family, it gives me something to look at on my wall now with an interesting story behind it.

Thanks you. Again! Really? You have to tell me about that later. Maybe, or tearing it down. I still don't know if I believe the guy when he said he's redoing it. But it does sound like from some articles I found that there is a lot of talk on wanting to remodel it. I'm just glad I got to check it out before anything happened to it!

Posted by Phobia Thanks to that selfie, there's probably a warrant for your arrest and the secret service might come knockin'! Flee the country while you still can!

Shit! If anyone needs me, I'll be escaping to Canada on a high speed chase! I'd go to Mexico, but Canada has free health care.

In my defense, I work for the government...

the legendarily competent agency known as the Department of Veteran's Affairs .

Apologies for the derail Flashyfashionfraud.

Posted by Clostridium In my defense, I work for the government... the legendarily competent agency known as the Department of Veteran's Affairs . Apologies for the derail Flashyfashionfraud.

Clostridium, it's completely okay. I'm not mad or anything, like I said any support from you guys is great. You're a bit paranoid but just trying to look out for me and I appreciate that.

Also, funny enough, I'm studying to be a forensic psychologist. So someday we both will be working for the government, so don't sweat.

Don't worry, Flashy. If a warrant does get put out for your arrest, I know a bounty hunter who could be convinced to bring you in nice and gentle.

Now would be an excellent time to offer me a bribe.

Posted by SurlySilverback Don't worry, Flashy. If a warrant does get put out for your arrest, I know a bounty hunter who could be convinced to bring you in nice and gentle. Now would be an excellent time to offer me a bribe.

Aw, I'm touched. Though I wouldn't go out without a fight. I'd sell you my soul but I already sold it to a taco truck in Santa Ana for a lifetime's worth of tacos. It was worth it.

Posted by cdracingzx6r I think your [sic] just paranoid. No one cares if your [sic] trespassing at Santa's Village.. Like all the thousands of others do every year.

I am with the Kawi guy, Clostridium. It's not like authorities open up a UER account and hunt us down. The world does not revolve around Flashyfraud's face (no offense, FfF). Besides, she's cute. I'm glad we saw her face

RE: FfF: That really is a lovely photo with your brother. I myself have a difficult teenage sister who does not like to take photos with anyone, so the few that we have together are very special to me.
You kids keep exploring together!

Posted by A Through Z Explorations I am with the Kawi guy, Clostridium. It's not like authorities open up a UER account and hunt us down. The world does not revolve around Flashyfraud's face (no offense, FfF). Besides, she's cute. I'm glad we saw her face RE: FfF: That really is a lovely photo with your brother. I myself have a difficult teenage sister who does not like to take photos with anyone, so the few that we have together are very special to me. You kids keep exploring together!

My face is not offended at all. Thanks for the compliment, I don't really get called cute or anything often at all. So it means a lot.

Thank you! REally, that's sad. My brother is 16, and he went through that stage about a year or so ago but since I moved away we became closer as family. I'm happy to hear those photos mean a lot to you, that says a lot about you as a brother. Not many siblings put up with each other enough to show how much they care, so good job!

Will do, captain!

Posted by Flashyfashionfraud My face is not offended at all. Thanks for the compliment, I don't really get called cute or anything often at all. So it means a lot. My brother is 16, and he went through that stage about a year or so ago but since I moved away we became closer as family. .....Not many siblings put up with each other enough to show how much they care, so good job!

HA! I have 3 sisters, the younger 2 are crazy about me. So you can already tell who the spoiled princesses are ;) The oldest one just cares about boys

Love and cherish your annoying and/or wonderful siblings, people, because they're the ones that are biologically programmed to love you when the world doesn't by no matter what.

This thread is seriously making me consider bringing my niece along on my next expedition. She would love the hell out of it, and she's certainly at that age where a little "constructive misbehaviour" would do her some good.

Posted by cdracingzx6r I think your just paranoid. No one cares if your trespassing at Santa's Village.. Like all the thousands of others do every year.

Actually, I was exploring there a couple months back and - of all days to arrive - there was a fancy white car parked smack dab in the middle of the park. My buddy and I evaded it for the majority of the explore - at least 45 min. - but, on our way out, were highly reprimanded by a woman who had some ownership stake in the place. Maybe just a bizarre happenstance.