Christmas Day services, community events scheduled across San Diego County
Despite stormy weather, San Diego County residents will still have plenty of opportunities to celebrate Christmas in festive and spiritual ways.
From worship services to community meals and holiday celebrations, organizations across the region are opening their doors.
Scheduled Christmas Day religious services include:
— Church of the Resurrection, 1445 Conway Drive, Escondido: Mass at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in English, and at noon in Spanish;
— St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1450 S. Melrose Drive, Oceanside: Mass at 9:30 a.m.;
— St. Michael’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad: Mass beginning at 9:30 a.m.;
— St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Drive, Encinitas: Christmas worship service at 9:30 a.m.; and
— St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 334 14th St., Del Mar: Christmas service at 10 a.m.
Elsewhere in San Diego County:
— Beginning at 8 a.m., the eighth annual Shane Harris Community Christmas Day breakfast and gift giveaway will be held at Columbus Hall, 4425 Home Ave. Held to benefit for foster families, unsheltered youth and struggling families, the event will include two wrapped gifts, free breakfast for families and 15 tons of snow; and
— At 11 a.m., Serving Seniors will host a holiday dinner featuring entertainment, for older adults at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. John Conroy, a Serving Seniors client who was formerly homeless, will play piano, and others will also receive holiday gift bags with practical items.
In a statement, Harris said the holiday breakfast event exists because “Christmas morning can be incredibly lonely for families facing hardship.”
“This is about creating a home, a table, and a moment of joy for families who need it most,” he said. “Seeing this grow into a citywide tradition has been incredibly humbling.”
Meanwhile, administrative offices and some city of San Diego facilities will see limited closures on Christmas Eve, with most facilities closed on Christmas Day. All city administrative offices will be closed Thursday.
Police and Fire-Rescue services will operate on normal schedules. County animal shelters, family resource centers, health clinics, libraries and public offices will be closed Thursday, but law enforcement and emergency animal control services will continue operating.
County campgrounds and parks will remain open on the holiday. However, the following community facilities will be closed: Adams Park Pool; community centers in Fallbrook, Lakeside, Spring Valley and teen community centers; the 4S Ranch Recreation Office; Spring Valley Gymnasium; and Valley Center Community Hall.
On Christmas Day, the Metropolitan Transit System will offer free rides, as part of a promotion.
“Every fare-paying adult passenger can bring one guest along at no additional cost,” MTS officials said in a statement.
According to MTS, on Thursday:
— All trolley lines will operate every 30 minutes, while most bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule;
— No service will be available on Rapid Express Routes 280 or 290, and Rural Routes 888, 891, 892 and 894;
— MTS Access subscription passengers needing service must call ahead of time to arrange their transportation; and
— Holiday travelers may use direct connections to San Diego International Airport, via Route 992 adjacent to Santa Fe Depot or the San Diego Airport Flyer from the Old Town Transit Center.
