Does anyone here in California remember the old Santa's Village that used to be out in Scott's Valley (Santa Cruz Mts.)? My husband and I both remember that amusement park when we were kids. I have the most wonderful pictures of me at the "North Pole". I must have been around 6 or 7. When we drive over to Santa Cruz, they still have an exit to Santa's Village, and my girls always used to get excited. When we explain about the park, they are so disappointed that it is gone. Course, we make it sound like it was the best thing...but to us, it was the best...local park that is.
And in San Jose there used to be a park called Frontier Village. Last time I was there was when I was in 8th grade or so (1973)...It also has gone into yesterland.
So, any of you old timers like me that remember these parks?

I too remember Frontier Village.. I was born in '73, so it was a little bit later that I remember it (around '79, if I recall.)

I remember a train, and a fort where kids could play on, and we still have a picture of us in the stocks that said "Frontier Village" on it.

Yahoo! has a whole category on Frontier Village:

http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Amusement_and_Theme_Parks/Past_Amusement_Parks/Frontier_Village_Amusement_Park/

Originally posted by mrcoffee
I too remember Frontier Village.. I was born in '73, so it was a little bit later that I remember it (around '79, if I recall.)

I remember a train, and a fort where kids could play on, and we still have a picture of us in the stocks that said "Frontier Village" on it.

Yahoo! has a whole category on Frontier Village:

http://dir.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Amusement_and_Theme_Parks/Past_Amusement_Parks/Frontier_Village_Amusement_Park/

Thanks for the web site. Was fun looking around a park I hadn't been to in umteen years. Does anyone else remember?

I thought Santa's Village was in San Bernadino (?) I went there once... pretty sure I had my first funnel cake there. Too bad it's closed... quaint little kids park.

Yeah, for some reason I remember a Santa's Village in Wrightwood. But I was so young, I could be wrong.

There might have been. But the one I am referring to was in Scott's Valley, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The exit sign off Highway 17 still exists.

There was one just above Lake Arrowhead. It's still there but it's a ghost town. Very sad.

I drove into the parking lot about a year ago. You could still see the track for the Bumble Bee monorail. If you want to see a picture of the Bumble Bee, use this link:

http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/Santa.html

Why do they always hurt the ones we love?!

:crying:

Goodness. too funny. I thought for sure Santa's Villiage was on "rim of the world hwy" in Crestline, CA. (in the Mountains on the way to big bear, but past the BlueJay/ Arrowhead area.)

I remember it too, It had the "bumble bee" monorail.

Yup, I remember the one near Arrowhead...I wish I could find some old pictures! Now that would make a hilarious avatar!

I remember there was a really good cookie store there...sure wish it were still around so I could share it with my daughter now!

Anyone remember the rinky dink roller coaster at Santa's Village? I think I rode that atleast 10 times one day. We lived about 15 minutes away. DOn't forget cinderella's carriage Alice in Wonderlands funhouse, & the puppet shows. I did love the feeling of riding around in a giant bee. Ah, memories..... :crying:

Try this website for Frontier Village (http://www.frontiervillage.net/) . I went there all through the 70's. Great memories of the gun fights, catching trout, riding shotgun on the stagecoach, and the mine ride.
We would always stop by Santa's Village on the way back from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, now that makes me fell old.:D

Hey, old guys (and girls too!) who grew up in California - check out the MouseShoppe's CD-ROM of The "E" Ticket Magazine's early issues. It's got stories and pictures of Pacific Ocean Park (defunct park which CBS dumped their money into rather than to "Disney's Folly") and Marineland (precursor to Sea World near Palos Verdes) in addition to early photos of Knott's and Disneyland and their attractions.

Great stuff to refresh those old childhood memories or hallucinations .........

Originally posted by death from below
Try this website for Frontier Village (http://www.frontiervillage.net/) . I went there all through the 70's. Great memories of the gun fights, catching trout, riding shotgun on the stagecoach, and the mine ride.
We would always stop by Santa's Village on the way back from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, now that makes me fell old.:D

:crying: What a fantastic website. So sad to think the park is gone!

You can recapture ONE of the Santa's Village memories and ride one of the rides today!
Just head for the wonderful little Santa Ana Zoo (1st street right off 5) and ride the original Santa's Village Train. It's all shiny and terrific with a brand new station.
:D :D

What a great thread! I grew up in San Jose and have fond memories of going to Frontier Village and Santa's Villiage both many times as a child!

I have moved from the area now but often wish these whimsical little parks were still there to share with my own children when we visit.

Of course, after Frontier Village went away Great America was built or as it was first called Marriots Great America - it is still there but doesn't have quite the same feel as those fun little parks!

Thanks for the memories!

We went to Frontier Village a lot in the 60's and early '70s. The place was fun, especially the stage coach ride, the old gold mine ride, and the fishing pond.

Do you remember the Indian Village at Frontier Village? There was a mannequin of a Sioux-style sundance, complete with the pierced pectorals. Very grizzly. In real life, this dance is very beautiful and sacred.

There was also a Plains-style burial bundle in one of the trees. Also very grizzly.

Fortunately, I am now more educated about Native Americans, thanks to my husband's work and the Shoshone people.

We also went to Santa's Village a lot. Do you remember the Alice in Wonderland giant fiberglass mushrooms? The delicious gingerbread supposedly baked by Mrs. Claus?

I remember two impressions of Santa Claus Village (Arrowhead Flavor): danged little snow for Santa's Village (if I wasn't a teen, I was within a year n a half) and my mom buying spices - many, many spices - from the gift shop.

Santa might give stuff away, but his wife sure didn't! :p