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Picking up from last week, planning a city play day, whether Detroit, San Francisco or anywhere, has been a holiday tradition in my home for years. Seeing the decorations, shopping for gifts, checking out the windows at Macy’s, and grabbing a hot toddy afterwards sets the season off right. San Francisco has a number of opportunities to ring in the holiday spirit in style, so check out these places decked out to celebrate along with you.
December 2nd: Winter Holiday Market
18th St. Kitchen, San Francisco
10AM – 2PM
18 Reasons (the food education nonprofit associated with the popular Bi-Rite Market) hosts a unique market of food-themed gifts from local vendors, like homemade chili oil and fruity earrings, Admission is free. Grab a hot beverage to enjoy while you shop. Free Please RSVP here.
December 9: Ferry Plaza Black Holiday Market
Ferry Plaza, Embarcadero & Market Sts. (Embarcadero)
9 AM – 2 PM
Celebrate Black-owned businesses with gifts for everyone on your list from locally owned shops like Belle Noire, Ice Body Skincare, That’s My Jam, and Evolution Hot Sauce. Sponsored by the nonprofit Foodwise, formally CUESA. Free!
Ongoing throughout the Holiday
Winter Wonderland at The Vault Garden
November 24th – January 10th
555 California St, San Francisco
Winter Wonderland is back near Union Square. Enjoy a fully tented, expansive outdoor space, with an all-new lounge and outdoor bar, and entrees such as vegetarian Butternut Squash Agnolotti and traditional Parker House rolls. Meet up with friends for one of their seasonally inspired cocktails and nibbles and gaze at the legendary 555 California Christmas tree filling the Bank of America Plaza with sparkle.
KAIYO (Rooftop)
701 3rd Street, 12th floor Hyatt Place Hotel, San Francisco
Starting November 28th
Santa is sure to drop in on Christmas Eve KAIYO Rooftop for a little tropical holiday wonderland – “Nikkei Navidad.” The roof gives him easy access and you can see it for a long way out. Draped in holiday lights and decor, this Peruvian meets Japanese cuisine-styled eatery has presents, a yuletide fire, and a great view of the City – 12 floors up (near Oracle Ballpark). No worries, you’ll stay warm and cozy with wind-blocking windows, heat lamps and complimentary blankets. Try the Holiday Stinger featuring Pisco, brandy, creme de menthe and amaro, and pick from a big selection of sushi (vegetarian and non veggie) and ceviche, plus appetizers and entrees to share. An unexpected fusion of unique flavors.
Let’s Glow SF
Stop by any time (5pm – 10 PM) to view high-tech projectors and lasers projecting large-scale art concepts across five iconic SF buildings, including the Ferry Building, and Salesforce Tower. See all the locations, a list of featured artists, and get a walking map here. Free!
December 1st: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Opening night)
6PM: Complimentary hot chocolate, ube hot chocolate, s’mores, ube s’mores, gluten-free chocolate cupcakes will be served. Lighted projections officially switch on at 7 PM.
December 2nd-10th: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Walk between installations, and then over to any of the holiday spots listed for a warm drink and more celebration! Along the Let’s Glow route, restaurants will offer special discounts. Copy and flash this badge to receive your special 2023 Let’s Glow SF Promotions!
Channukah in Union Square
Dec 7 – 15th
Lighting it up since 1975. The first lighting: Dec 7. Bill Graham Menorah Day is Dec 10th. Stop by anytime during the day or evening. Free.
Twelve Days of Holidays Cocktails: The St. Regis San Francisco
December 13th – December 24th
125 3rd St, San Francisco
An eclectic array of holiday cocktails awaits you at the gorgeous St. Regis San Francisco. On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail (pictured below). On the second day it was two Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz, and yahoo, there are still 10 more days to celebrate! What drink will be next?
– photo courtesy of The St. Regis San Francisco
Winter Walk: Union Square (Post – O’Farrell)
Friday, December 15th – Sunday, December 24th
M-W 12 – 7:00 pm, Thurs – Sun 10 am – 9 pm
Jingle, shop, and mingle at Union Square’s 10-day Winter Walk, a modern arctic adventure with giant glaciers, penguins, and polar bears. It’s a 2-block pedestrian-only street party, with a larger-than-life Ornament Trail, holiday marketplace, bar gardens with specialty cocktails, food trucks, Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs, live music including a salsa band and carolers, and did we say Santa? Free.
PLS on Post
545 Post St, San Francisco
Mon – Sun 4 PM – 10 PM
Short for Peace Love Soul on Post, the restaurant pays homage to San Francisco’s 1960s counterculture tradition, and a favorite for visiting musicians like Gwen Stefani and Pink. It’s located in the Hotel Zeppelin near the Union Square ice-skating rink. We stopped by to enjoy the festive atmosphere and Food Party! with their famous Peppermint Bark Shake. The Korean Style Smash burger was absolutely delicious. Enjoy a full menu with inventive twists, and more groovy milkshakes.
PLS on Post shares the recipe for DIY.
PLS on Post Peppermint Bark Shake
1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
1 scoop of chocolate ice cream
A few drops peppermint essence
2 teaspoons candy cane bits
2 oz whole milk
Garnish for glass: Chocolate frosting, holiday sprinkles
Garnish: Ghirardelli peppermint Bark, candy canes, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, cherry
Blend ice cream, peppermint essence, candy cane bits and milk. Decorate the side of the glass with frosting and sprinkles. Pour in shake. Top with garnish.
– courtesy of PLS on Post
Want to make an evening of it?
Bring your walking shoes and a warm coat. Take Bart to the Powell Station and follow this basic route. The circle is the beginning of the Winter Walk. Grab a shake at PLS on Post for the walk through Union Square shining brightly with an 86-foot holiday tree, skating rink and giant Menorah. Stop at a Let’s Glow restaurant for a Hot Toddy. Then onto to Pine Street and Mission for a few Let’s Glow SF installations. Dinner at The Vault and finish with a few more Let’s Glow stops (till 10 PM). BART runs to midnight but confirm with your station before heading out. Now that’s a Food Party!
– for a clearer view of this photo click here.
– photos by LSIC unless noted