Making reservations for Christmas in nearby Manteca?
Sounds a tad crazy but there are two venues that have become a must for a growing number of people to do just that.
One is already a Christmas tradition of sorts for young families.
The other is, believe it or not, a destination trip for the holidays.
Yes, we’re talking about Manteca in the middle of the Great Central Valley where the closest you get to Rudolph’s blinking red nose are the brake lights during the commute on the 120 Bypass.
And it is along the 120 Bypass that you will find two unexpected hot spots for Christmas fun.
The first one is at Bass Pro Shops.
Booking a photo session with Santa at Bass Pro Shops has become a Christmas tradition for a number of families. It’s little wonder why and that goes beyond the store’s trademark Winter Wonderland scene created next to the indoor boat displays.
As Santas go, Bass Pro’s is top tier.
The Yuletide trappings are nice, but their version of the jolly old guy right down to his boots - the traditional black Santa ones and not the hiking boots available on the second floor - are as authentic as your imagination pictures it.
Bass Pro has an effective hook, line and sinker approach to reeling in families with kids this time of year; free high quality 4x6 color photos of kids or family posing with Santa. They have also added a free shareable video. Of course, they do offer a couple of photo package options between $20 and $25 that more than a few opt for.
You need to book an appointment with Santa for a photo due to the demand.
Appointments are available to book online one week from the day you access the reservation system on the Bass Pro website. They are done in 15-minute increments to accommodate the two-minute photo sitting with Santa.
There are also free activities for kids.
Bass Pro also gives away free gifts daily while the supply lasts. The gift through Dec. 6 is a wooden ornament. From Dec. 9 through Dec. 24, it is a bass cookie cutter.
The other Christmas draw is just over a mile west of Bass Pro Shops at the Great Wolf Lodge with its 95,000 square-foot indoor waterpark even though the only winter-like weather you might encounter between the two is not snow nor simply brisk December air but fog.
Business is surprisingly brisk at the 500-room resort even during the holidays when family gatherings take center stage as the daily temperatures struggle to breach 50 degrees.
Perhaps because it always 82 degrees in the indoor water park with the water temperature two degrees higher.
Maybe it is the family-oriented venue that includes entertainment diversions, a number of dining and treat options, and theme rooms.
Or maybe it’s the daily visits with Santa now through Dec. 23 in the great lodge around the massive stone fireplace.
The lobby feature is also the setting for seasonal games including bingo, a holiday trivia game based on reasons for the season, and a scavenger hunt through Dec. 23 as well as seasonal crafts along with an evening dance party.
It is likely all that and how room packages with two days of water park privileges pencil out. A lot of people from throughout Northern California book holiday “staycations” at Great Wolf.
And yes, Great Wolf has a Black Friday deal.
On the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) using the promo code FRIDAY on the Great Wolf website, you can save up to 50 percent off any room types at the resort’s U.S. locations including Manteca.
The stay dates need to be booked between Nov. 29, 2024 and April 30, 2025.
