Carpinteria, CA - It's happened. Think of the trips up or down the 101
Freeway and remember seeing the sign for Santa Claus, CA? How many of
you wave at the friendly Santa that sits off the highway on Santa Claus
Lane, glad to see his cherubic friendly face yet again. A reminder of
a childhood, a reminder of the days when these large giant icons used
to grace the vernacular landscape.
Remember the Santa Claus that used to wave at motorists
as they sped by on US101 in Santa Claus, CA near Carpinteria? After efforts
by preservationists and residents from the local communities that cared,
Santa was saved from a sure to be embarrassing fate (see Apache Tears in
Tucson) and is now intact at a site nearby.
Santa Claus during better times Carpinteria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Think of those trips up or down Highway 101 and the familiar face waiting near Carpinteria. For generations, Santa Claus Lane meant looking out the window for a giant Santa rising from a rooftop chimney. No need to check the calendar. Along this stretch of the California coast, Christmas lasted all year.
With his red suit, white beard, and cheerful expression, Santa became one of those landmarks that helped measure a road trip. Spot him again and everything seemed to be in its proper place. Perhaps there was time for a stop. Perhaps the family car kept going, leaving a quick wave through the window as the customary greeting.
Santa is now sitting in the back area waiting for a
new home
Carpinteria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The attraction grew from a small roadside juice stand in the late 1940s. What began as a refreshment stop developed into a Christmas-themed collection of shops, with Santa’s Candy Kitchen, Santa’s Toyland, and Santa’s Kitchen giving travelers reasons to leave the highway. Date shakes were another attraction, especially on a warm day when the North Pole seemed quite far away.
Santa wasn't the only oversized resident. Frosty the Snowman joined the rooftop scenery, while a miniature train added to the family appeal. The Reindeer Room supplied a holiday name for the grown-ups, too. It was an unmistakable piece of California roadside imagination, where a beach outing and a visit with Santa could fit into the same afternoon.
Time does fly by however and soon with the advent of the 1970s and 80s, some folks saw the themed land as tacky and contrasting with the beautiful beach front nearby. Santa's friend, a plaster snowman, was lost in a windstorm in the late 1990s which left Santa standing alone.
Santa Claus in the Chimney
Carpinteria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
But even Santa couldn't count on keeping his rooftop address forever. Plans to give the shopping strip a different look put the giant figure’s future in doubt. For motorists accustomed to seeing him on every trip, losing Santa meant more than changing a business sign. Another familiar piece of the journey was about to disappear.
The origins of this property dates back to 1948 when the location began an orange juice strand. Eventually the stand was renamed Santa Claus and the location expanded to several other shops including a toy store and candy store. The homey feel of the new Santa Claus themed shopping village attracted visitors from all over who were looking to grab a date shake, homemade pie, or ride in a Santa Claus themed train. Plus unlike other Christmas themed areas, Santa Claus was open year round!
Fortunately, this story took a better turn. In January 2003, Mike Barber and the Garden Acres Mutual Water Company helped arrange a new home in Nyeland Acres near Oxnard. Volunteers, craftspeople, and donations helped rescue and restore the displaced roadside resident. Santa traded his old rooftop for a spot beside another stretch of the 101.
The Santa Claus shopping village
Carpinteria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
His new assignment eventually included helping children in a more direct way. A community toy drive followed the move, and the Santa to the Sea running event began in 2008. The giant who once encouraged families to stop for refreshments became the starting landmark for runners helping support local holiday giving.
UPDATE: Well, some say nothing is forever. In 2000, a structural engineer inspected the building that Santa sat atop of and declared it unsafe. That was the beginning of the end, In Santa's case, the end of almost
60 years came during a weekend in early March, 2002 when the owner of
the historic property had this classic treasure removed. The Santa roadside icon has not been destroyed yet as the owner's have
granted time for him to find a new home. If you're interested, please
contact the Modern Committee
of the Los Angeles Conservancy, or send me a note and I will attempt
to make the appropriate contacts for you. Many thanks to Laura J. Funkhouser and David Sorensen for information
on Santa.
Santa Claus and Friends
Oxnard, CA Photo courtesy Roy Hooper
UPDATE: Santa Claus has been saved and now overlooks
Hwy 101 from a vacant lot. Many thanks to architectural historian Edward Cella for this information. 12-04
And what came of old Santa village? Well it is now a New England fishing village though the Santa Claus Lane name still survives.
UPDATE: Santa Claus is relocated about 20 miles south of it's original location,
and he has been treated with an extreme makeover. He's looking real good
and can be seen at the 101 freeway and Rice Rd. in Oxnard. Many thanks
to Roy Hooper for this update.
UPDATE: Santa survives at 2801 Ventura Boulevard in Nyeland Acres, near Oxnard. The old Christmas-themed lane has changed, but its best-known resident still gives travelers a familiar face to watch for. Good to see this roadside Santa escaped a permanent trip to the lost-treasures department. 10-26
Santa Claus during better times
Santa is now sitting in the back area waiting for a
new home
Santa Claus in the Chimney
Santa Claus and Friends
