Rip off. It cost us $100 for the wife and I, and our two kids. Would have been $120 if the youngest was a few months older. Basically someone decorated their yard and let's you walk around. They have a barn with Santa. They take your picture. And I assume sell it to you on smugmug. I refused to even take the sheet advertising the location, so maybe I'm wrong. We did get free hot chocolate and like 5 cookies. That was nice. But I can do that myself for much less than the $100 for this joint. And we got to buy some frozen pizza and a hot dog. They were what you expect. They had a train, which was a lawn mower driving a bunch of large plastic water jugs around. And an area where you can ride their horses - but that's limited to 1 ticket per child. So even if your kid absolutely LOVES it, they can only go once. Or maybe this place will sell you another one - dunno, didn't ask. It's more expensive than those horses chained to a circle at the fair! There was also a carriage ride where we were told "it's a two horse open sleigh" as we sang jingle bells. Thanks for that! And none of the staff looked friendly. I think we got one smile. Everyone just looked angry. Maybe that was because it was like 28 degrees. Can't argue with that, it was freezing. I can't blame being ripped off for that! Anyways, rip off. But there's not much else to do - except create family holiday traditions for your family that revolve around spending all your money on presents. Hope you have fun in Penryn! read more

First I would like to say that my 2 kids did have fun here. But the staff was super Unfriendly and looked completely miserable! We went a few years back and the experience was a lot better it was more of a guided tour and mrs Santa clause read the night before Christmas around a fire while the kids drank cocoa. Now everything is kinda thrown together no more personable experience and mrs Santa is with Santa for pictures. My pictures were never posted on the promised website btw and when I wrote an email to inquire got no response. If I only had to pay for kids tickets for this id do it again but it's not worth 120$. read more

My family has been going here for four years now and it has become our tradition. My three kids love it! My oldest is ten now and he still had an amazing time. Yes, tickets are a bit pricey but they add more and more activities each year. First, the Santa and Mrs. Clause are great! You walk through the barn to a fantastic decorated area and they talk to the kids and then get a family picture taken. They have free cookies and coco, cookie decorating and snacks for purchase. My kids love the pony rides and new this year was the miniature ponies that they got to walk by themselves! They did a little Christmas play and the kids got to put costumes on and play different parts. They had a show where the characters dance. The carriage rides are my favorite part! They have a little train, petting zoo and game craft area. The whole place is lit up beautifully with Christmas lights. Just be sure to pack warm warm clothes, hats, gloves etc because it is all outside! Get your tickets early. They do it by time slot and it fills up quickly. Great family memories! read more

Santa's Secret Adventure - Enjoying cookies and hot coco by the fire pit - Ticket Sales Near Me - Penryn, California

First I'd like o say this adventure is absolutely magical ! Kids have a blast this beautiful ranch is decorated to the nines. We've come every year and will continue this fabulous tradition. The train was adorable , the maze was so fun for the kids, Christmas cookie making, Santa and his elves were so magical and I love being able to have a few pics with kids and family. Pics in the mall can't begin to compare to this experience. Can't wait till next year. read more

I agree with the other reviews: the kids love it, but price-wise, this is close to extortion. The price point is designed to wring every last cent out of the customers, many of whom keep coming back. So, from a business perspective, why not charge exorbitant fees? Some of the employees seemed unhappy (but it's hard to live up to Disneyland standards), but we also talked to several who were nice and seemed to be enjoying themselves. It is clear from several of the signs around the place, as well as some of the lyrics in the songs sung during the Toy Story play, that the owners are trying to get people back to the "true meaning of Christmas." For us, Christmas is a purely secular holiday, so this aspect was a turn off. (Hello . . . the name of this place is Santa's Secret Adventure!) The Toy Story play was just . . . odd. The ticket system has got to go. Let the kids ride a few times. Come on. I felt nickled and dimed. We lucked out with great weather and very low crowds. The lights were beautiful. Even though they were sad when they couldn't go on anything more than once, the kids had a great time. But because of the price, I'm on the fence about going again. read more

I've attended this event for the past 4 years and my grandkids love it. They've added mini ponies that the little ones can interact with which is great. Being an experienced horse owner I can definitely understand why they limit the carriage and pony rides. These are living beautiful creatures people that don't need to haul you around endless times. Sorry some people can't understand that. If your child would like to ride longer and is taking an interest in horses then find an instructor to give your child hour long lessons. Lesson usually start around $35 an hour. The big horses pulling the carriages are huge but that doesn't mean you get to pack everyone on the carriage just because there is room. Think people!!! There is a lot to do at this event. Cookie decorating, petting zoo, maze, train rides, games and crafts and of course Santa. Remember parents....the experience your child has at this event is within your control. If you're a Debbie downer your kids won't enjoy themselves. Be a good example for your children. Find your holiday spirit and stop complaining. Your children will grow up to be better people for it read more

I have brought my daughter for 4 year straight now and it's now a tradition. My daughter has the time of her life and there are so many different activities for her to do. The staff is super up beat and friendly and Santa Claus does an amazing time each year! The place is absolutely beautiful and decorations everywhere, you definitely feel the Christmas spirit! read more

First off, I've never written a review on a business until today. I had to create a Yelp account just so I could write this review. And my hope is that the owner of Santa's Secret Adventure does actually read their reviews and take them into consideration, because the "adventure" we went to last night versus the one we've witnessed in the past few years was greatly, greatly disappointing. And maybe one gal's review would be enough to convince the owner to make some changes to recapture what made this such a magical experience in years past. Okay here goes... Considering the price, which is substantial, this was an outrageous rip off this year! In the last few times we've gone, the Santa experience alone was much better, a magical and unique moment where there would be few if any other children in the room with your child, really giving it a believable "secret" feeling for the kids, but this year it was as jam packed as their little attic could hold. Kids coughing, getting impatient, etc. Totally normal stuff compared to the misery of a mall Santa excursion, but that won't put you back $90. AND this time the Santa didn't talk to the kids at all, it was primarily the teenage and rather tense photographer that did all the talking. "Smile! Um, smile better!" By the time my daughter got to the front of this line she was understandably nervous and didn't want to smile just yet. She had wanted to talk to Santa. But when she got shy they just got really impatient with her and ushered her away, without even snapping a shot! I don't care if she smiles or not, but jeez can't you at least a) let Santa talk to her and b) take a picture so we have something to show for the cost? (Since there were signs posted saying we couldn't take our own photos) I'm not going to go into all the other details that made this year just that much worse. After the Santa experience, my kid was immensely disappointed to the point where she didn't want to even to see the show or get hot cocoa. It boils down to the fact that they obviously oversold tickets leading to annoying crowds (the kind we were all trying to avoid by going out into Penryn) and that overall the staff seemed irritated and you could really tell they were sick of the holiday season and ready to go home.... which is absolutely understandable. If it hadn't cost a ridiculous amount of money and taken an hour to get there. There, rant complete. I'm going to put two stars because the last time I went it was great, and maybe they can chalk it up to one bad night. read more

I had read some reviews on Yelp about this Christmas activity and wasn't so sure that I had made the right choice in booking this "adventure" before reading the reviews. But Lo and Behold I've decided that people tend to only take the time to write a review if and when they aren't satisfied with a business... but I want to assure you that Santa's Secret Adventure was Magical and Mystical in a child's eyes! It was a wonderful experience for my 2 Granddaughters, one is 8 1/2 years old and the other is 16 months. From the decorating of sugar cookies, making a holiday craft, playing the games, the petting zoo, the horse drawn carriage ride, the train ride (very cute Christmas train, I might add ~ clever), the campfire, the ride on the Christmas ponies, and of course the visit to Santa Claus himself..... it was all so well thought out! Add lights and Christmas decorations galore and what a truly FUN night!!! The elves were on hand everywhere! It wasn't an inexpensive adventure but this way it is kept more private and then not so overcrowded. It was worth every penny and I know I will be telling everyone I know and as my Daughter said, "It will become a Christmas tradition" for our girls! Thank You to the owners and all of the wonderful "elves"! Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good night! read more

We attended SSA four years ago and while I still thought it was overpriced then, my kids had fun and we decided to attend again. The tickets for my family cost $198. An hour after the event began, the power went out and a lot of the events were closed. They had a "Toy Story" Christmas play that was truly awful...truly. awful. The staff couldn't tell me when or if we'd get to see Santa, we couldn't do over half the stuff that was promised in the ad so I asked someone at their snack shack about a refund and she said "It's PG&E's fault, it's our policy that we don't give refunds." I told that you can't just keep somebody's money and not provide the event they pay for. She said maybe I could reschedule and I had to explain that we don't live in California. She then asked for my phone number and said she'd call the owner and ask about refund and get right back to me and for me to not leave until she did. I waited for 45 minutes, no call and after 90 minutes with no power, we left. On the way out, "Mrs. Claus" had the nerve to say she hoped we had a great time. I think more than my kids disappointment of missing out (though after that "play", I think they were so disgusted, they were ok with leaving) was my surprise that a business could act with such low integrity. The power goes out, you blame PG&E and keep everybody's money....shameful. I have one friend who had to file a claim through her bank to get her money back and I have had to file a claim as well. read more