Santa asks sisters Cali Beutler, left, 10, and Summer Beutler, 7, of San Clemente if they help out around the house, and if they go to bed on time, while making sure they’re on the “nice list” during his appearance at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Clara Yoshimi, 6, of Irvine tells Santa what she wants for Christmas during his appearance at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Sisters Cali Beutler, right, 10, and Summer Beutler, 7, of San Clemente ride a sled together on a snowy hill outside the San Clemente Community Center during a downtown holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Michele Christner of Aliso Viejo holds her grandson, Indie Miller, 4 months, of San Clemente as they check out entries in the city’s gingerbread house competition, on display in the multipurpose room at the San Clemente Community Center, during a holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Summer Beutler, 10, of San Clemente plays a ring toss game in a room at the San Clemente Community during the city’s annual downtown holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Center(Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Lily Heard, 6, of San Clemente rides a sled in front of the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Sisters Emianna Leines, 10, Vivia Leines, 7, and Ellery Leines, 4, from left, of San Clemente get the chance to sit with Santa in a room at the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual downtown holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Dylan Avila, 7, of San Clemente decorates a Christmas cookie in the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Yarrow Quintana, 5, of San Clemente rides a sled in front of the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Jack Dunnicliffe, 5, of San Clemente chats with Santa during his appearance at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Shane Lavik, 4, of San Clemente tries to keep his sled straight as he rides down a snowy hill outside the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Santa asks sisters Cali Beutler, left, 10, and Summer Beutler, 7, of San Clemente if they help out around the house, and if they go to bed on time, while making sure they’re on the “nice list” during his appearance at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Dash Dolmage, 6, of San Clemente plays a bean bag toss game in a room at the San Clemente Community during the city’s annual downtown holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Center(Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Grace Meyerhoff, 5, of San Clemente checks her height on Santa’s measuring stick during a holiday celebration at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Local families play holiday-themed games and decorate cookies in the ballroom at the San Clemente Community Center during the annual downtown holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Emily Sychangeo, 6, of San Clemente takes a bite of a holiday cookie that she decorated with frosting and sprinkles during a holiday celebration at the San Clemente Community Center on Saturday evening, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Ellery Leines, 4, of San Clemente takes a turn riding down a hill covered with real snow in front of the San Clemente Community Center during the city’s annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente ushered in the season with its annual “Santa’s Village by the Sea” on Saturday, Dec. 7, beginning with a holiday hoopla at the Community Center featuring games, cookie decorating, visits with Santa and sledding on real snow (We can’t tell you how. Trust us … it’s magic!).
Later in the day, the city’s Christmas tree was lit and guests enjoyed carolers, train rides and holiday merriment along Avenida Del Mar.
