Roadside Santa Claus
2801 Ventura Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93036
Get there with Google Maps by clicking HERE
Date Visited: (Many times, both locations and 100s of drive-bys)
If you’re on the 101 (“Ventura Highway” think the Eagles) between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, this roadside sight will be on the north side of the freeway, just east (south) of Oxnard. For whatever reason, the freeway here is commonly labeled “north/south” when, in fact, it is running virtually east/west.
This is another “rescued” Roadside Santa. You can see another rescue story on my site here. This particular Santa formerly rested atop a building, on a chimney in fact, on Santa Claus Lane just north of Carpinteria, CA.
Not only is this “attraction” a bit “odd and unusual” in it’s own right, sitting at the side of the road year-round. But the story of how it got here is pretty cool too.
This Santa originally rested atop a false chimney on a candy store on Santa Claus Lane between Carpinteria, California and Santa Barbara, California. Apparently, back in the 1950’s the thought that a year-round Christmas attraction located on the beach would be a great idea. And it was, for many years. I remember, about 25 years ago, taking my daughters up to “Santa Claus Lane” to take photos for a Christmas card. I don’t think we ever used them and now, who knows where these photos are. The plaque shows the original sculptor and date of the original completion.
As you can see by the plaque, times change and someone decided that year-round Christmas wasn’t as good an idea as once thought and Santa was “out of date. Eventually, the powers that be (whoever they are), came to the conclusion that a “Santa Claus Lane” on the beach had lost it’s novelty and attraction. Plus the Santa which had been sitting atop a faux chimney was in disrepair and the owners were planning on taking it down and/or destroying it. Eventually, even the street name was changed. Only a small section of roadway under the freeway (about 400 feet long) which connects the renamed Padaro Lane and Via Real remains “Santa Claus Lane.” The shopping area has been revamped to more traditional themed businesses. (I would like to include a photo of the way things used to be on Santa Claus Lane, but I have none and I do not believe in “borrowing” from another website. If you have such a photo and wish to donate or allow me to publish (with accredidation), let me know!)
The plaque makes reference to “Nyeland Acres”. That is the area where Santa (and a few other decorations) are now located. The good people of Oxnard saved Santa from certain demise. You’ll note in the photo above, Santa has on glasses. Just to let you know, in the summer time, he dons a pair of sunglasses!!! Not sure of the brand though. Once I hear that the glasses have been changed this year, I’ll try and go back up and insert another photo here!
At any rate, Santa now sits beside the roadway. It’s kind of a trick to get to, but you have to get on the frontage road on the exit past Santa if you’re traveling north (west). I’ve never gotten there traveling south (east) although I doubt it’s one of those “You can’t get there from here” sort of places.
Billy & Bo here do their best to guard this roadside Santa. Everything other than the actual Santa statue itself was added after the trip down here to Oxnard. I don’t know if there is any significance to the names here. If you have information on this kind of stuff… I’d love to hear from you.
My guess is that Bo & Billy are representing the familiar soldiers from The Nutcracker.
There is quite a bit to see here. Details everywhere! Not only do we have two reindeer serving as date guards (adornments?), one of them is Rudolf, of course.
I love the restoration done here. It seemed like this Santa was destined for the junkyyard, but was saved by the spirit and kindness of people.
Yes, it’s a little odd to have a year-round Santa, maybe even more so because this is Southern California and not the North Pole. But, when it gets right down to it, shouldn’t we all practice the spirit of giving 365 days a year (366 in Leap Year)? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people practiced giving can caring year ’round? My personal belief is that the world would be, could be a whole lot better!
Merry Christmas my friends, and to everyone and anyone who happens to read this message, every day of the year!
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Thanks again!
Joe
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