With 2024 just around the corner, it’s never too soon to start planning the next year. Luckily, January in the Bay Area is packed with great things to do (despite the chilly weather). Whether you’re looking for the best places to enjoy a relaxing sauna or you want to explore exciting museum exhibitions, we’ve got plenty of things to do this January 2024 in San Francisco. Keep reading for the full list.
1. Classical concerts by candlelight
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You’ll enjoy works from Adele, Hans Zimmer, and more played by a talented string quartet in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. Below are a few we’re especially excited about, but you can always nab a gift card valid for any show if you’re not sure.
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
2. Save on a trip to the movies with the AMC Black Ticket
For the cinephile in your life, the AMC Black Ticket grants admission to any 2D movie at any time in participating AMC Theatres®. Take advantage of this discounted price for a movie ticket that never expires so you can save it for a rainy day or catch the next big blockbuster.
3. Catch the last of the Bay Area’s best holiday light displays
Bay Area light displays are on another level when it comes to their creativity, charm, and photo potential. You’d better start planning if you want to see them all before they’re gone!
- Garden of D’Lights in Walnut Creek (through Jan. 6) – This gorgeous garden in Walnut Creek will be decked out with lights, lasers, and special effects.
- Holidays at Filoli in Woodside (through Jan. 7) – One of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and lesser-known light displays, taking place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside.
- GLOW: Discover the Art of Light at the Exploratorium (through Jan. 28) – SF’s Exploratorium has brought back its popular exhibition of light art.
- Glowfari at Oakland Zoo (through Jan. 28) – A mile-long display of hand-painted animal lanterns is up at Oakland Zoo.
- Entwined in Golden Gate Park (through April 28 ) – Charles Gadeken’s crowd-favorite glowing forest is back in Golden Gate Park.
4. Escape to a magical winter wonderland
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).
- Merry Meritage (through Jan. 7) – The beautiful Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa is hosting an absolutely spectacular winter village for just a bit longer. Enjoy an ice rink, fire pits and s’mores, and VIP igloos.
- Après Village (through Jan. 28 – The Four Seasons in Palo Alto has created a gorgeous pop-up winter wonderland called Après Village, which is the ultimate holiday escape. Whether you’re looking for awesome photo ops, a festive party, amazing food, or fireside movies, this is definitely worth putting on your list!
- And more
5. Take stock of January free admission days at SF museums
We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but it’s no secret that living here costs a pretty penny. Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list will certainly help you get started.
- Jan. 1, 9 – SF Botanical Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Also free daily between 7:30-9 am for the general public
- Jan. 2 – de Young Museum & Legion of Honor
- Also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents
- Jan. 2 – Conservatory of Flowers
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Jan. 3 – GLBT Historical Society Museum
- Jan. 4 – SFMOMA
- For Bay Area residents only, 1:30-8 pm
- Jan. 5 – Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Jan. 7 – Asian Art Museum
- Jan. 13 – Museum of the African Diaspora
- Wednesdays – Museum of Craft and Design
- “Pay what you can” Wednesdays
- MWF before 10 am – Japanese Tea Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
6. Check out these museum exhibitions before they close
As we enter a new month in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Now’s a great time to take stock and plan ahead to see some of these wonderful displays before they’re gone.
- New Work: Fernando Palma Rodríguez at SFMOMA: closing January 28
- Wolfgang Tillmans: To look without fear at SFMOMA: closing March 3
- The de Young Open at the de Young: closing January 7
- Botticelli Drawings at the Legion of Honor: closing February 11
- Contemporary Indigenous Voices of California’s South Coast Range at the de Young: closing January 7
- Murakami: Monsterized at the Asian Art Museum: closing February 12
- Ruth Asawa: Untitled (S.272) at the Asian Art Museum: closing February 24
7. Experience this otherworldly light installation at Grace Cathedral
Reopening Jan. 19
Grace Cathedral and SF nonprofit Illuminate are bringing back the popular Grace Light installation, a 100-foot-tall shifting beam of light created by artist George Zisiadis and accompanied by an original musical score by Gabriel Gold. The free, site-specific installation took a hiatus during the holidays, so we can’t wait to see it back on the calendar starting in January.
8. Take a spin on these Bay Area ice skating rinks
Is it really wintertime without a day of ice skating at a charming local rink? See how much skill you’ve retained since last year by zooming (or hobbling) around one of the Bay Area’s most popular ice rinks.
Holiday ice rinks
- Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Rink in San Ramon – open through Jan. 7
- San Mateo on Ice in San Mateo – open through Jan. 7
- Merry Meritage rink in Napa – open through Jan. 7
- Union Square Ice Rink in SF – open through Jan. 15
- Walnut Creek on Ice in Walnut Creek – open through Jan. 15
- Apres Village synthetic ice rink in Palo Alto – open through Jan. 28
- Winter Lodge in Palo Alto – open through Apr. 7
Year-round ice rinks
- Yerba Buena Ice Skating in SF
- Oakland Ice Center in Oakland
- Nazareth Ice Oasis in San Mateo
- Snoopy’s Home Ice in Santa Rosa
9. Visit the elephant seals around California
January is the beginning of elephant seal breeding season on the coast of California, an exciting natural phenomenon that’s iconic to our state. Northern elephant seals inhabit the waters from Baja California, Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. They generally breed from December to March at Point Reyes, Año Nuevo, the Channel Islands, and Piedras Blancas.
10. Catch the magnolia bloom at SF Botanical Garden
Every year, the San Francisco Botanical Garden explodes into a beautiful spectrum of deep magentas and bright pinks. The “Magnificent Magnolias” event occurs in late January through March, so be sure to find a day soon to see these spectacular blossoms at their best.
11. Keep an eye out for gray whales migrating along the California coast
California’s coastline is the perfect spot to catch several whale migration seasons, and we can expect gray whales to appear between January and April. Even from land, you’re likely to see them spouting, slapping their tails (known as “lobtailing”) or even breaching. Read our guide for the best places to see them around the Bay Area.
12. Walk beneath a waterfall at SF’s inspiring Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 15. Consider honoring Dr. King with a visit to San Francisco’s magnificent waterfall memorial, which is the second-largest such memorial in the country. The 50-foot memorial features an enormous reflecting pool and a granite walkway behind the waterfall where visitors can contemplate inscribed quotations from Dr. King’s speeches.
13. Spend an evening at the California Academy of Sciences
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents.
Here’s what’s on the docket this month:
- Jan. 11 –NightLife Lounge: Listen to jazz music in a truly stunning venue: the aquarium while sipping on a drink.
- Jan. 18- NightLife of the Party: Dance the night away at this party that includes live performances from hip hop artists Aceyalone & L*Roneou.
- Jan. 25 – NightLife – While there’s no special theme, it’s still a unique party in the California Academy of Sciences, so it’s definitely going to be fun.
14. … or at the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco is an exciting place for discovery any time of the day, but these 18+ After Dark events are a must for some epic kid-free fun at their exhibits. After Dark happens each Thursday from 6-10 pm with a different theme every week, featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more.
15. Take a historic walking tour and explore new art installations at Fort Mason Center
When was the last time you paid a visit to San Francisco’s amazing Fort Mason Center? The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up.
- Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market (recurring Sundays, 9:30 am-1:30 pm) – The Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture (FMCAC) Farmer’s Market with over 35 vendors.
- Fort Mason Walking Tour (through January 27): Fort Mason has plenty of history behind it, and there’s no better way to learn about it than with a historic walking tour.
- FOG Design + Art 2024 (Jan 17-21) This art fair includes art and design galleries from all over the world that will be on view at Fort Mason. Plus, you can attend a programming series on the subject of art and design.
16. Warm up around these cozy fireplaces in SF
A homey, roaring fire is a hot commodity during winter (and basically any other season) in SF’s characteristic foggy weather. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite fireplaces in San Francisco, ranging from outdoor patios to neighborhood bars to fine dining restaurants.
17. Indulge in a piping hot bowl of ramen
A steaming bowl of ramen is perhaps the most comforting and filling food we can think of! San Francisco, with its plethora of delicious and authentic Asian food, is one of the best places to enjoy this amazing dish.
18. Sip your way through the best hot chocolate in the city
You don’t have to be a kid to know that hot chocolate is one of the most underrated drinks on any cafe’s menu. As we head into the fall and winter seasons, it’s a great time to compile some spots to visit next time you’re craving this delicious drink!
19. Enjoy a delightful snow day
San Francisco is a magical, beautiful, exciting place, with one caveat – there’s never any snow. Lucky for us, California is home to dozens of different climates, and it’s not so difficult to pack up the car for a drive out to the snowy mountains in the distance.
20. Take an unforgettable trip to Lake Tahoe
Winter has arrived in Tahoe, and the ski mountains are quickly reopening. Whether you’re visiting for a ski/snowboarding weekend, a quiet getaway in a cozy cabin, or just want to see a little snow, here are a few things to put on your list.
21. Warm up at these local saunas and hot tubs
San Francisco is known for its famously chilly weather but is luckily also home to some world-class saunas and spas. From Finland to Mexico, saunas have been used for thousands of years. Beloved for their health and therapeutic benefits, they are especially popular in colder climates. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spa day by yourself or to sweat it out with the whole squad, there’s a sauna for every occasion.
22. Go for a memorable day trip around the Bay Area
We love San Francisco for its countless activities to enjoy everywhere you go. But anytime there’s a long weekend or a free day, we’re quite well-located to check out some neighboring California gems. Be sure to put these day trips on your to-do list for the next time you want to get out of the City and into nature.
23. Add these natural wonders in NorCal to your 2024 bucket list
California is home to some of the most incredible nature spots in the world, from towering mountain ranges to pristine beaches to ancient redwood trees. Northern California, in particular, is beloved for its dramatic rocky beaches and mountainous terrain, making for some magnificent natural spectacles! This list of essential places to see in NorCal includes both small- and large-scale natural wonders, so there may be a few you haven’t heard of.
- Burney Falls in Shasta County
- Half Dome in Yosemite
- Cypress Tree Tunnel in Point Reyes
- And more
24. Indulge in a hot chocolate run through Golden Gate Park
On January 7, SF will have a uniquely sweet run dedicated to hot chocolate. The race includes a 5K, 10K, and 15K option for runners starting in Golden Gate Park. Participants than can join in on a post-run party with chocolate party favors.
25. Check out some of 2023’s best new restaurants
January is great for trying new things, and if you’re someone who loves good food, its the perfect time to check out some of the previous year’s biggest culinary additions. San Francisco welcomed Chotto Matte, a beautiful rooftop restaurant in fall 2023. Other highly anticipated restaurants included Dalida, which was received national recognition, Blue Whale and Pasta Supply Co. If you haven’t had a chance to try these new restaurants, this January is the perfect time.
26. Visit the de Young’s newest exhibition Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style
San Francisco is filled with world-class art museums, and we are constantly treated to new exiting exhibitions. The de Young’s newest exhibit, Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style gives a look into clothign worn by Bay Area woman throughout the years. The exhibition explores how style is part of one’s identity, all while giving viewers an intimate look at styles of the past. In the spirit of innovation, the exhibition includes an augmented reality experience allowing you to “try on” the iconic clothes. The exhibition opens January 20 and runs until August 11.
27. Play the world’s fastest growing sport at San Francisco’s newest courts
If you love pickleball, there’s a new sport that’s been taking the world by storm. Padel combines elements of tennis, squash, and pickleball, making it a very popular sport all over the world. Brand new padel courts were installed in Embarcadero and on Treasure Island, perfect for a weekend game. Plus, Park Padel plans to open indoor courts in mid-2024.
28. Go to the Napa Lighted Art Festival
Starting January 20 Napa will be illuminated with beautiful lighted art works. The festival includes massive sculptures and projections that will light up iconic buildings. The festival includes 10 sculptures and three projections on Napa buildings. Plus, you can meet the artists at a free community event on January 2oth starting at 4:30 pm.
By Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn