{"id":29311,"date":"2024-11-18T02:12:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T02:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=29311"},"modified":"2024-11-18T20:21:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T20:21:32","slug":"the-best-things-to-do-in-san-francisco-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/the-best-things-to-do-in-san-francisco-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things To Do in San Francisco in December"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

San Francisco is a city unlike any other, and no matter the time of year you choose to visit, you\u2019re sure to have an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to visit San Francisco in December, you\u2019ll often be rewarded with fewer crowds, cheaper hotel rates, and unparalleled holiday light displays. The temperatures do drop to the mid-50s, but as long as you come prepared with plenty of layers, you\u2019re sure to enjoy all that wintertime in San Francisco has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in San Francisco in December<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From holiday lights to chocolate made on the spot, there are plenty of things to warm your spirit in the cold of San Francisco in December. Explore SF foot or hop in a cable car to see the views of the entire city and the bay from the hilltops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some seasonal ideas to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inverted tree at Westfield San Francisco Centre<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Credit: Emma Webster<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Take a break from Christmas shopping to check out the bizarrely beautiful 50-foot inverted tree at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Adorned with crystals, the tree hangs in the Emporium Dome and stars in hundreds of Instagram photos each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to go: <\/strong>The tree is typically lit the first week of December. Check the Westfield SF Centre website<\/a> for information on this year’s dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Francisco City Hall lights<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Credit: Emma Webster<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

San Francisco\u2019s City Hall, located by the Civic Center, is known for its frequently changing light displays. In the summer, City Hall\u2019s lights turn red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, and rainbow colors splash across the building for Pride Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December, visit City Hall to see bright green and red ushering in the holiday season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to go: <\/strong>Holiday lights at City Hall typically shine beginning mid-December until the end of the year. Visit the San Francisco City Hall<\/a> website for the full scheduling of lightings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghirardelli Square at Fisherman\u2019s Wharf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ghirardelli<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With signature sundaes, local craft beer, and the famous marquee, a visit to Ghirardelli Square in Fisherman\u2019s Wharf<\/a> is great any time of year. But a trip in December promises a bit of extra excitement, thanks to a 50-foot Christmas tree in the middle of the square and visits from Santa. See chocolate made from scratch, shop locally made gifts, and, of course, stock up on incomparable chocolate delights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Fishermans\n\t\t\t\"Fisherman’s\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPerfect for the season: a stroll through SF history and a cruise to wind-swept island<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Fisherman's Wharf tours<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

When to go: <\/strong>Holiday decorations \u2014 including the giant Christmas tree \u2014 at Ghirardelli Square usually go up around the last week of November. Follow @ghirardellisquare on Instagram to stay updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macy\u2019s Great Tree and holiday window displays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Macy's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Macy\u2019s famous 83-foot tree lights up Union Square in San Francisco every season. The impressive Christmas tree is also accompanied by their holiday window displays, so you can admire (and photograph) both for a festive day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to go: <\/strong>The lighting usually begins the week before Thanksgiving, and the tree will twinkle all the way through the day after New Year\u2019s. Find out more on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopping and lights at Fourth Street in Berkeley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fourth Street in Berkeley lights up in December with sparkling tree-lined streets. Come for the holiday wonderland feel, and stay for the endless shopping all on one street, from big names like Madewell and Apple to local handmade goods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to go: <\/strong>Go on a December evening. You can check out the Fourth Street Shops<\/a> website in advance to see which stores are currently open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illuminate SF Festival of Light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting in late November, San Francisco\u2019s Festival of Light brightens the city with over 60 light art installations across the city. These dazzling installations are created by artists all over the world, and some are even up year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/g><\/g><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a>

A post shared by The best things to do in San Francisco (@onlyinsf)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n