The Real San Francisco explodes with joy during the Holidays By Julie Pitta Cities reveal their true character in the way they celebrate holidays. San Francisco is no exception. Part peacock, part bird of a different feather, San Francisco’s glorious plumage is on full display during the month of December. Count on San Franciscans to offer a unique spin on the holidays. Much of the city’s best is available free or for a nominal charge - good news for families on a budget. DOWNTOWN Brave the crowds and head to Union Square ; the city’s shopping district for some of the most spectacular windows displays this side of the North Pole. Macy’s windows feature holiday scenes with live puppies and kittens on-loan from the San Francisco SPCA. The furry creatures put on a lively show, all the better to win over prospective adopters. Saks Fifth Avenue uses animated dolls to dramatize the Night Before Christmas; the ornately decorated windows recall Christmases of old. The Macy’s Christmas Store boasts three floors of trees, decorated by theme featuring everything from trees with ornaments and trim in a single color to trees with decked out with family and sports memorabilia. All of it, of course, is for sale. Those with little ones beware: aisles are narrow and the shiny (and breakable) ornaments are irresistible to little hands. Street musicians and crafts booths add to the cheery scene. Presiding over it all are the giant Christmas tree and Hanukah Menorah in Union Square Park . After a touring the downtown stop for a hot chocolate at the Westin St. Francis , a turn of the century hotel that survived the 1906 earthquake. After a short rest, head to the Kristi Yamaguchi Ice Rink at the Justin Herman Plaza in Embarcadero Center . The rink named for the Bay Area ice skating champion opens each year during the holidays. It’s opened daily until 6 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $4 for children ages 8 and under. Skate rental is $3.50. Skating classes, group rates and private party bookings are available. GOLDEN GATE PARK San Francisco Parks and Recreation will hold the 75th annual lighting of the giant Redwood on December 2nd at McLaren Lodge , the picturesque log cabin at the park entrance (intersection of Stanyan and Fell streets). The lodge was once the home of San Francisco’s first park commissioner John McLaren. McLaren, a Scotsman who came to San Francisco in 1870, is credited with transforming acres of barren sand dunes into the lush landscape today we know as Golden Gate Park. The event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature entertainment from The Golden Gate Park Brass Band, The Young People’s Musical Theater Company, and a visit from Santa Claus, himself. The recently restored Conservatory of Flowers on John F. Kennedy Drive will feature winter-blooming flowers and plants adorned with holiday lights in a display being called Holiday Magic Under Glass . Adults pay $5 for admission; children under between 5 and 11 years of age pay $1.50. PERFORMANCES Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness) will play host to a variety of afternoon holiday performances sponsored by the San Francisco Symphony. On Sunday, December 5 at 11 am and 3 pm, the Symphony will present a performance of T’was the Night Before Christmas with puppets acting the parts, for children ages 3 to 10. After the show, kids will be treated to more entertainment, arts and crafts, refreshments and a free gift. Admission is $29. On Saturday, December 11 at 1 and 4 pm, the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf as well as Christmas carols and ends with an audience sing-along. Tickets range from $10 to $43 and can be purchased at www.sfsymphony.org . On Sunday, December 19 at 2 p.m. members of the Symphony and The Bay Brass will perform Wondrous Sounds of Christmas including an audience sing-along. Tickets range from $10 to $43. The San Francisco Ballet will stage 1 p.m. performances of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 18th as well as every Sunday, Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday from December 19th through December 30th. Friday performances from December 24th through December 31st will be held at 11 am and 5 pm. All performances will take place at The War Memorial Opera House at 301 Van Ness Avenue. Tickets range from $22 to $135 and can be reserved at www.sfballet.org . The San Francisco ballet’s version will be set in 1944 and will begin with real snow flurries. Before or after performances at Davies or the War Memorial, stroll over to Citizen Cake at 399 Grove Street for a slice of cake from one of the city’s best bakers. The acclaimed American Conservatory Theater will stage afternoon performances of the holiday standard A Christmas Carol . This is the theater company’s 27th year of performing the play. Ticket prices range from $11 to $68.Check www.act-sf.org for times and available seats. ONLY IN SAN FRANCISCO For the past 20-plus years, San Franciscans have been treated to a unique holiday confection whipped up by one of their own, Donnie Tinsley, a decorator who transforms his Noe Valley house into a winter wonderland that even Santa would be envious of. Tinsley, who lives in the 500 block of 28th Street, decorates his home with a burst of lights, giant candy canes and brightly colored packages, elves and even penguins. Some nights, Santa pays a visit. Carolers often videotape their performances outside the house. Channel 2 has used the house as a backdrop for its weather reports. Finally, Christmas at Sea , a festival at Maritime Park in Fisherman’s Wharf will be held Sunday, December 12 from 2 until 4 pm. Santa arrives in a rowboat to kick off a day a storytelling, music and crafts. The event is free. **** NOTEWORTHY WEBSITES: www.act-sf.org  ACT tickets and information. www.sfballet.org San Francisco Ballet and Nutcracker times, tickets. www.sfsymphony.org San Francisco Symphony tickets and schedule. www.sfvisitor.org San Francisco Visitor's Bureau for activities, calendar. A former writer for Forbes Magazine, Julie Pitta freelances for a variety of publications. Julie and husband, Fred, gave their daughter Olivia for a frequent flyer account for her six-month birthday. [Back to Top]   [Back to Index]