Santas in the Sand: Manhattan Beach’s Beachside Holiday Photo Tradition Under the Pier
Santas in the Sand has turned a trip to see Santa into a Manhattan Beach holiday tradition. Operating under the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, this beach-themed experience trades the rushed mall line for a relaxed, personalized family portrait session captured by founder and photographer Mark DeJohn.
This is a paid partnership with Santas in the Sand., but our enthusiasm is 100 percent genuine. We are excited to share this with our community.
How Santas in the Sand Began
The idea goes back to the mid-1990s, when DeJohn was just starting out in photography. He had gone along with his sister to a local mall so her son could see Santa. Standing in that chaotic line, he watched bored, restless kids get hurried through a 20-second assembly-line photo with no personal touch. It didn’t seem fun for the children or the parents.
Shortly after, he was waiting at the Manhattan Beach Pier for a family portrait client when he noticed other photographers hauling small Christmas trees and big gift-wrapped boxes down to the sand. Nobody was bringing a Santa Claus. He went home that night and shared the idea with his brother and sister.
The final piece clicked 12 years ago, when DeJohn discovered the community of professional, real-bearded Santas. That is when Santas in the Sand launched.
A Tradition Families Count Down To
DeJohn knew the idea had become a true Manhattan Beach holiday tradition right after Christmas that very first year. Parents began reaching out to lock in their dates for the following year.
The response has stayed strong ever since. In DeJohn’s words, the business became more than a successful seasonal business. It became a core holiday memory that South Bay families now count down to every year.
What a Santas in the Sand Visit Looks Like
Santas in the Sand is a premier, beach-themed holiday experience with a different approach to a timeless tradition. Instead of a static line, families book a relaxed, premium portrait session captured through professional still photography.
Personalized Details Shared Ahead of Time
During online booking, parents share details about each child’s hobbies, interests, and milestones. The team of friendly, real-bearded Santas uses that information to create an interactive visit that feels personal, so children truly believe.
Patience for Every Child
Some kids arrive a little apprehensive, and some parents warn DeJohn ahead of time not to expect much. As a parent himself, he understands that anxiety.
The Santas are kind and gentle, and it usually takes only a couple of minutes for a nervous child to warm up. Before long, the once-scared child is reaching for Santa’s hand, walking along the sand, and talking about what they want for Christmas.
DeJohn says the best pictures happen during the most unexpected, candid moments. All it takes is for parents to trust the process, letting Santa’s patience and magic combine with his own patience and instinct behind the lens.
Giving Back to South Bay Schools
Community is built into the way Santas in the Sand operates. The business partners directly with neighborhood schools, and bookings give 10% back to participating school PTAs, including Pennekamp Elementary.
The Moments That Keep Him Going
DeJohn says parents often email or text days after a visit to share that their kids are still talking about Santa in the Sand and that they love their pictures. He has also watched the same children return year after year, running down the beach to slide into a hug with Santa.
For DeJohn, that mix of relief and joy on a parent’s face is exactly what he set out to create.
Community in the South Bay
Having photographed across the South Bay for years, DeJohn describes a distinct South Bay vibe. It shows up in the friendly interactions on the sand, the word-of-mouth referrals from loyal clients, and a spirit of caring and mutual respect shared by families across the coastal cities.
Advice for Anyone Starting Their Own Path
DeJohn encourages new business owners to be prepared to make mistakes and stay resilient, using each one as a lesson to build on. He also urges them not to be afraid to put themselves out there and dream big.
His last piece of advice is to thank every single person who had even the slightest role in helping along the way.
The Inspiration Behind the Camera
DeJohn’s deepest inspiration is his grandmother, who raised him and put a camera in his hands when he was 8 years old. She gave him a new way to see the world and connect with people, and her belief in his creativity taught him the value of preserving a memory.
Every time he stands under the pier and captures a child’s genuine smile or a family’s candid joy, he says he is carrying forward the legacy and heart she gave him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Santas in the Sand take place?
Santas in the Sand takes place under the Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach, California.
What is Santas in the Sand?
Santas in the Sand is a beach-themed holiday portrait experience where families have a relaxed session with a real-bearded Santa, captured through professional still photography by Mark DeJohn.
How do families book a Santas in the Sand visit?
Families book through the online booking process at SantaintheSand.com. Parents share details about each child’s hobbies, interests, and milestones so Santa can personalize the visit.
Does Santas in the Sand give back to the community?
Yes. Bookings give 10% back to participating local school PTAs, including Pennekamp Elementary.
How long has Santas in the Sand been running?
Santas in the Sand launched 12 years ago, after founder Mark DeJohn discovered the community of professional, real-bearded Santas.
Visit Santas in the Sand
Santas in the Sand
Under the Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach, CA
Website: www.SantaintheSand.com
Instagram: @santas_in_the_sand
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