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It's my first Christmas away from home, but my roommates are both traveling to visit their families and I'll be alone in the city. Are there any San Francisco traditions on how to spend Christmas? Any ideas for an alternative to staying at home? edit Forgot to add that I haven't allocated time off for traveling, as I just started a new job and decided to spend my accumulated vacation days a bit differently. So I'm actually looking for things I can reach within the city or the Bay Area in general. I also can't drive, which is the only reason a solitary road trip is out of the question =) |
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Here are a few things I found on the web, hope it helps Chanticleer Christmas: The San Francisco-based a capella singing group is a San Francisco area favorite, performing Gregorian chants and popular tunes in some of the area's prettiest venues, including historic Spanish missions in Santa Clara and Carmel. City Lights: The San Francisco skyline along the waterfront gets outlined in lights every holiday season. The best place to see them may be from Treasure Island (the one in the middle of the Bay Bridge). Black Nativity: The Lorraine Hansberry Theater offers a Gospel celebration inspired by the works of Langston Hughes, late November through December. Dickens Christmas Fair: A slice of the Old Country runs for five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Cow Palace with entertainment, food and drink and shopping. Carols in the Caves: Performer David Auerbach uses rare and unusual musical instruments to interpret Christmas standards in a new way. He performs in Napa Valley wine caves and other interesting spots. Some other random events & repeats from above, some have already passed, but is good to know for next year39th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ghirardelli Square Fri, November 25, 5:30 pm, 900 North Point at Larkin, San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.775.5500 Ghirardelli Square kicks off the holiday season with its 39th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The spectacular 50-foot Christmas tree will be lit with sparkling lights and adorned with red ribbons, ornaments, decorations and oversized Ghirardelli Chocolate bars. Enjoy the Ghirardelli Christmas carolers' performance and stop in for a visit with Saint Nick. If it gets too chilly for holiday revelers, they can warm up with Ghirardelli hot chocolates at the nearby Ghirardelli cafe. The Square's festivities begin at noon with a musical theatre performance, puppet shows and stilt walkers until the tree lighting ceremony. Holiday Festival: Great Dickens Christmas Fair Cow Palace Exhibition Hall, 2600 Geneva Ave at Santos St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.392.4400. Sat and Sun, Nov 29-Dec 30, 11am-8pm, Admission $16-$6 Impress your high school english teacher by visiting the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, where visitors are encouraged to dress as literary characters from Charles Dickens' novels. Visitors can sample an assortment of Christmas delicacies, holiday spirits and drink. Entertainers will also be on hand costumed as characters from the pages of A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. If you have Great Expectations, you won't be disappointed as you weave your way through this Dickens Christmas Fair while celebrating the late author. Holiday Festival: Celebration of Craftswomen Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center (Buchanan St. and Marina Blvd.), San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.383.3470; Nov 29-30, 10am-6pm. $5-$7 (kids free) A holiday gift and art crafts show presented by talented artisans celebrating the feminine spirit. This year marks the 25th anniversary as San Francisco's top holiday crafts show. Here you will find one-of-a-kind gifts for that aunt who has everything. More than 300 of the world's finest craftswomen will display their original handcrafted wares such as decorative ceramics and glass, sculpted wood and metals, art sculptures, photography, paintings and children's toys. Live music, gourmet specialty food and a silent auction and benefit raffle further entertain holiday shoppers. Holiday Festival of Lights Nov. 26th-Dec. 31st, ongoing. Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco CA Fisherman's Wharf may be a favorite tourist spot for your cousins from Cleveland, Ohio, but San Francisco locals know the holidays take place a t the Wharf from Nov. 26th-Dec. 31st. Bright lights outline the building and decorations line the inner and outer lagoons. Get an early start on your shopping with four major outlets: The Anchorage Shopping Center, The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39. Nearby, pick up world-famous sourdough bread from Boudin's (they ship worldwide). The Christmas tree beneath the Fisherman's Wharf sign is a great way entrance to the shops and restaurants on the Wharf. Holiday Festival: Marin Art and Garden Center Sat & Sun, Dec 6-7, 10am-4pm. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross CA; Tel. 415.925.9186 A weekend drive across the Golden Gate Bridge will not only provide beautiful scenic views but give Marin visitors a chance to stop at the Marin Art and Garden Center. On Saturday, on display is a baked goods sale that features holiday delicacies and treats. As visitors stroll and shop through the fair, they enjoy live theatre performances on the hour. Children take photo opportunities with St. Nick and shoppers buy fresh wreaths, ornaments and kissing balls available at the "fresh greens" sale. Macy's Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony Fri, November 28, 6pm. Union Square (at Geary & Powell Streets) San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.781.7880. Free. Macy's Union Square hosts its annual the "Day After Thanksgiving" holiday season kick-off with all-day festivities beginning at noon. The Square will feature artisans displaying their holiday crafts as well vendors selling their San Francisco souvenirs. There will be free entertainment throughout the day to entice shoppers and tourists to take a break from their Macy's shopping marathon. San Francisco shoppers and visitors can relax and over cappuccinos from Emporio Rulli Il Cafe atop Union Square. The day culminates with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony in the evening. |
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Use the time off for traveling Last year I decided not to venture home for Christmas, and I decided to take a Pacific North West road trip, and drive along the cost, take a ferry to Victoria Island B.C., and then stay in Vancouver for 3 days! Talk about random. My point being, is that sometimes using the time off we get for the Christmas/New Year holidays, on something completely unrelated is good good fun! Our Dec-Jan holidays usually last longer than a normal work vacation (1-2 weeks) - if time off requested is approved. Trip to Thailand is relativity cheap, besides the ticket ($800-2k). Great ideas! Sounds like a fun trip! Unfortunately, not very applicable to my situation, so I've edited my post a bit.
(28 Nov '09, 20:14)
Sharon ♦
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I have had to spend a lot of Christmases away from home, and so I am familiar with your dilemma. I have found that one way to enjoy this holiday is to give your time to others by way of service. I would suggest contacting a local soup kitchen, or any other charity that does outreach. It is very rewarding to help others, especially during the holidays. To get started, you might try Glide Memorial, or maybe St. Anthony's. |
