Winter in San Francisco means plenty of opportunities for ice skating, gift shopping at holiday markets, and sipping hot chocolate. But if you’re looking for an even more immersive holiday experience in the bay, these winter wonderland escapes will make your heart grow three sizes (no roast beast required). Here we’ve rounded up everything from SF pop-up holiday bars in the spirit of staycation, to magical train journeys, to luxurious private fire pits. Read on to get inspired.
1-3. “Escapes” in San Francisco
For those of us who simply seek a cozy refuge here in San Francisco, we’ll start off with these places closer to home:
Fairmont Hotel
Opening November 26th
You’d be remiss not to visit the Fairmont Hotel’s 2-story gingerbread house, which is created with thousands of gingerbread bricks and gallons of royal icing. The entire hotel lobby will be decked out with a towering Christmas tree, a fancy holiday model train, and more. Check out their holiday teas and gourmet meals to take the whole experience up a notch.
Miracle at PCH
Opening November 25th
Be transported to an over-the-top Christmas explosion outfitted with thousands of colorful lights, wrapping paper decorations, garlands, ornaments, bows, frills, glowing trees, Santa hats, and a huge stack of presents. This sparkling holiday pop-up bar is a San Francisco favorite this time of year, as it offers up the best in seasonal cocktails, festive photo ops, and holiday cheer.
Deck the Halls
Opening November 25th
After a successful run last year serving up flaming Krampus shots in a joyful space aglow with Christmas lights, Deck the Halls pop-up bar is upping the ante with three distinct locations on Union Street. All locations will serve food until 9pm from their own different seasonal menus, and there will be special selfie and photo op stations for guests to enjoy.
4-5. Holiday train journeys
Roaring Camp
Nov. 25-27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-23
Want to enjoy California’s beautiful redwood forests, without having to don hiking boots? The Roaring Camp steam trains will once again jingle through Santa Cruz and Bear Mountain with hot cocoa, decorations, and Santa visits.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-23
The Napa Valley Wine Train is rolling out some spectacular holiday journey packages that will make your 2022 celebrations absolutely unforgettable. Their all-new Santa Train Jolly Journeys offer splendid views of wine country accompanied by gourmet meals, holiday cookies, Santa visits, and more. A portion of proceeds will go towards the train’s nonprofit partner, Expressions of Hope Napa.
6. Merry Meritage in Napa
The beautiful Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa is hosting an absolutely spectacular winter village throughout the winter. Merry Meritage is a gorgeous sparkling winter escape in wine country, complete with an ice rink, fire pits and s’mores, VIP igloos, Santa story time, and much more.
7. Christmas in the Park in San Jose
Opening November 25th
Lake Cunningham Park will soon be decked out with 2 acres of sparkling holiday lights, decorated by San Jose schools, businesses and community groups. This includes Blinky’s Illuminated Holiday, a popular drive-through light display covering 2 acres.
8. Garden of D’Lights in Walnut Creek
Opening November 25th
Each year, the Ruth Bancroft Garden decks out the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5 acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful glowing gardens for 1-1.5 hours to discover countless photo ops and exciting displays.
9. Holidays at Filoli in Woodside
Opening November 19th
Holidays at Filoli is one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and lesser-known light displays, taking place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside. Thousands of glittering lights will adorn the garden’s trees, plants, and hedges for a must-see experience, and visitors can even reserve private fire pits or join a wreath making workshop, among other things.
10. Après Village in Palo Alto
This winter wonderland in Palo Alto is meant to simulate an alpine retreat. Some of the best attractions include semi-private chalets with roaring fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and blankets; a holiday sweet shop with house-made donut holes; and a giant snow globe and life-size sleigh for endless photo ops. And of course, don’t forget to take a spin on the outdoor synthetic ice rink from Friday-Sunday.
11. Great Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City
Opening November 19th
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair has returned even bigger and better after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Get lost in this fair inspired by Victorian London, complete with hundreds of costumed players as well as shops, stages, pubs, parties, and memorable performances. This year the fair introduces Vauxhall Gardens, a Victorian park-like setting with an ice rink, old-timey refreshments, and more.