It’s that time of year again… the holiday season! Christmas will soon be around the corner, and another semseter will be done. To help celebrate the close of another semester and the coming of Chrsitmas, there are few activities everyone should do to have a authentic San Franciscan Christmas!
4) Cable Car Holiday Lights Tour: I know it sounds pretty cheesy and touristy to hop on a crowded cable car, but trust me, it is a fun experience. When I was 5 years old, whenver I went to San Francisco, I was obsessed with the idea of riding a cable car, my parents weren’t real thrilled with the idea since they usually reserved this activity for visitng relatives. However, my first cable car experience happened to be during Christmas time, and after a bout of whining on my part, and some waiting my parents and I were able to hop on one. It was even more magical due to the fact that instead of the car’s usual route just down the embarcadaro, it took it’s passengers on a littel tour of the holiday light decorations. I still love seeing all the lights that adorn the buildings. So weather you go with a younger sibling or with some friends, this is a fun, and uniquely San Franciscan way to get in the holiday spirit. Some routes go along Fisherman’s Wharf, and along Taylor and Jackson streets.
3) Check Out Macy’s in Union Square: Every year in the Macy’s in Union Square, the store front windows are intricately decorated with wreaths, elaborate manequins and… puppies in the window. Yep, you heard me, they have a display of adorable, playful puppies in the windows during christmas time. Most are even available for adoption. Forget the holiday decorations, it’s worth it to walk along the window fronts with your face pressed against the glass just to see the puppies! This is a fun treat, for anyone who loves dogs, and the site of these cute pups may even melt the heart of anti-dog lovers. In the east coast, and mainly New York City, puppies in the window are a common site, that’s how they advertise and sell their pets. Yet for some reason, you never see that here on the west coast, unless your outside of a PetCo. So this is a fun and free avtivity to take part in. You may even want to actually go into the store after, and check out their holiday gifts.
2) See the Christmas Tree in Union Square: After you check out the dogs in Macy’s (see how hard it is to resist taking home a new friend), head across the street to check out the 83 foot tall tree, which is decorated with more than 30,000 lights. The official tree lighting was on Novemeber 28th, but this tree will stay up for a while, and is a fun and dazzling sight to see. The Christmas tree is my favorite part of Christmas, there’s just something so magical and fun about a glittering and decorated tree. Often, during the day, gift fairs take place in the square, selling handmade gifts, jewelry, and mistltoe. Browse around, and hang out as much as you’d like, cause again it’s free.
1) Iceskating: For the skating enthusists, and the people who enjoy it but fall on their bums anyway (me) there are two options for you to go during November and December. There is a rink open in both Union Square and Embarcadaro Center. With this fun and festive activity, you can skate without having to trek to Tahoe, and enjoy 60 degree temperatures. This also makes a fun girls night, or double date activity. The rink in Embarcadaro Center is open until 11:15 pm, and is only ten bucks for admission. So skate away, and enjoy the views of the San Franacisc Bay and waterfront.