The Holiday Season in San Francisco

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

Some of you just sang the melody in your head and got a little bit more excited for the holiday season. Some of you rolled your eyes and thought about how seasonal depression doesn’t happen in the summer months. Regardless of which camp you fall into, there’s one thing that’s universal: the winter season in San Francisco is awesome.

You probably already know that you shouldn’t be counting on a white Christmas in the Bay Area, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the holiday and wintertime spirit all the same. Why is this? Well for one…

San Francisco gets a little bit more beautiful around the holidays.

The city decks its halls in the winter. Between light displays and holiday festivals, Zoo Lights, and boat parades in Fisherman’s Wharf, there are plenty of places to wander off and get yourself in the holiday spirit.

Bay Area locals know all of the tourist traps to avoid by now, but there are few diamonds in the rough of would-be touristy eye-rollers, too. From holiday light tours to cable cars, locals can enjoy a killer holiday date night or family night in the city.

Don’t skip on the holiday festivities in Union Square.

Forget Rockefeller Center, San Francisco has a holiday vibe all its own without the price of a coast-to-coast plane ticket. From ice skating, to live music, to gigantic Christmas trees and light displays, Union Square is the center of holiday fun in the city.

What’s more, it’s a great place to experience some of the multiculturalism that makes our city so great. From a variety of different seasonal foods to Hanukkah celebrations, you get a little taste of everything at Union Square.

The Arts

San Francisco (and the Bay Area as a whole) is rich with culture and the fine arts. You may or may not be interested in seeing the Nutcracker again this holiday season; if you are, you’re in luck because the world famous San Francisco Ballet performs it annually, but you’ve got options abound.

Holiday concerts performed by the San Francisco Symphony, musicals & live theater at any of the great venues around the city, and more all contribute to the long-standing winter and holiday traditions that make SF so amazing this time of year.

Holiday shopping for those that enjoy the novelty.

Most people are going on Amazon to fulfill their Christmas shopping list, but still plenty of shoppers love window browsing and the novelty and instant gratification of more traditional holiday shopping. If you fall into that category, San Francisco has options aplenty for you.
If you want to go traditional, head back to the Macy’s at Union Square, or check out Pier 39 if you can hang with the crowds and the tourists. You’ll find variety, trendy holiday sales & product lines, and more.

If you want something a bit more off the beaten path, hop down the Mission District, where San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork calls home. From the trendy and hip, to the culturally diverse, and more, the Mission District is chock full of boutiques, gift shops, retailers, and artisan shops to help you check off the important people on your Christmas list.

Did we miss anything you absolutely love about the Bay Area around the holiday season? Tell us in the comments, and share our blog on social media!