Saturday, December 31, 2016

Favorite holiday activities in 2016

It is New Year's Eve as I write this.  This holiday season seemed to go so fast for some reason!  Here are some of our favorite holiday season activities:

We loved ice skating at Union Square ice skating rink, there is something so festive about being there and listening to the music, seeing the dazzling holiday decorations!

We enjoyed seeing The Snowman at the San Francisco symphony!

A visit to the Fairmont Hotel in Nob Hill is a tradition for us.  We recommend not visiting on the weekend, but instead going during the week.  They have a hot chocolate bar, with all kinds of toppings to put on the hot chocolate!  They also have really beautiful letterhead to write a letter to Santa!

The Carousel in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA is lit up for the holiday season and open selected nights.  We go each year and ride the carousel, get hot chocolate and look at the decorations.

The St. Francis Hotel in Union Square has 2 castles on display this year.  They do an annual children's tea that we haven't tried, but the restaurant serves a really nice cup of tea!

In Alameda, CA there is a place called Little Skate, it is an outdoor ice arena and they play really great holiday music.

We like to visit Santa!

Attending the Sound of Music Sing-a-long at the Castro Theater on Castro Street in San Francisco, CA.  Hearing the organ.


New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with children

There are a few places in the bay area that do a ball drop early, such as the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, CA.  Also, the San Jose Discovery Museum also has a ball drop.  We've participated in the one at the Lawrence hall of Science, and my son really enjoyed it!

The Castro Theater in San Francisco has a Sound of Music sing along on New Year's Day at 1PM and 7PM.  The 1PM time is more oriented toward children.  The Castro Theater is located at 429 Castro street in San Francisco.  Tickets are available at the box office at 12PM.

Playland Not At the Beach, in El Cerrito,  has a New Year's Eve party starting at 8PM.  It is $30.00 a person.  This is a great spot for those that love pinball machines!

Small Talk Family Cafe in Walnut Creek, CA has a party mostly for children 7 and under and their parents.  They have a puppet show and a family friendly buffet meal.  Get tickets early as it sells out fast.  The party was from 3:30- 5:00PM.


Saturday, December 24, 2016

Santa and Holiday Train Rides for Christmas and the Holidays

These are some of the holiday train rides in the greater San Francisco Bay area:

*Zoo Lights- It is super fun to go to the zoo at night!  See website for available open hours from December 2nd through January 1, 2017.
www.oaklandzoo.org.
(closed on December 24th and 25th.)

*Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights.  We had friends who rented the parlor car for a party with snacks and drinks.  It was super fun!
www.ncry.org
Niles Station,
37592 Niles Blvd. Fremont, CA
Sunol Station, 6 Kulkare Rd., Sunol, CA

Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train
(Daily through December 29th, closed December 24th and 25th.)
Napa Wine Train Station
1275 McKinstry St.
Napa, CA  (707) 253-2111
www.winetrain.com

Roaring Camp Holiday Lights Train
Santa Cruz
This 60 minute ride includes a sing-a-long and a visit with Santa.  It ends at the boardwalk.  Selected dates in December 3rd through December 23rd.
www.roaringcamp.com
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA
www.roaringcamp.com

Sugarpine Railroad
at Yosemite


Sacramento Hoiiday Train

Sierra Railroad Christmas
330 South Sierra Ave.
Oakdale, CA

Skunk Train
100 W. Laurel Street
Fort Bragg, CA

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Jamestown,CA
(209) 984-3953

train rides:  http://offmetro.com/sf/9795/holiday-train-rides-california/









Christmas concerts at the SF symphony- a favorite tradition, We love The Snowman

This year we went and saw The Snowman at the San Francisco Symphony in San Francisco, CA.  The music was beautiful.  They had a tasty hot chocolate bar we want to try next year!

San Francisco Symphony
The Snowman
Davis Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 864-6000

Happy Holidays!