Christmas Outings & Trips
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Christmas Outings & Trips
Sept 2007
Due to a house remodel we didn't take a family vacation this summer.
So...my husband wants to go SOMEWHERE over Christmas (we usually never go
anywhere over Christmas and celebrate Chanukah at home and Christmas with
friends).
At first my husband thought The Big Island, but of course it's way more
money to go then then it is to go now, so we're thinking twice about that
(we are a family of 4). My husband and 12 yo son ski, so a winter type
place would be a possibility and hopefully my 16 yo son and I will
entertain ourselves otherwise...maybe.
So, what do you all recommend? Flying somewhere is OK but we should make
resrvations soon. The less we spend the better, but more importantly, we
need to stay someplace that has a kitchen, 2 rooms, something that will
please a 16 year old and a 12 year old (possible we could bring a friend
or two) and hopefully something fun for mom and dad. We're not huge
outdoors types, but we enjoy some hiking, walking, sight seeing, visiting,
etc.
Thanks in advance.
anon
I suggest Sea Ranch for Christmas. There are plenty of lovely house
rentals. A place on the bluff with full-time views of the ocean costs a
lot less than multiple air-fares + hotels.
The weather is really good there at Christmas...not foggy like it is in
the summer. There are lots of Bay Area families up there for the
holidays. Sea Ranch has a swimming pool you can use, too. AND there's a
video store in Gualala that's one of the best in the world...really. Try
BEACH RENTALS (on the web) - they always had lots of places and good
service when/if things go wrong.
skal
Have you ever considered Santa Fe, NM? New Mexican Christmases are full
of rich hispanic culture and crisp weather. I grew up there so nothing
says Christmas to me like Santa Fe. There are many ski resorts really
close too and it's pretty affordable. Southwest flies nonstop from
Oakland to Albuquerque and Santa Fe is only about 45 minutes north. Enjoy
your holiday!!
jrnygrrl
I highly recommend Disneyland on Christmas day. It is generally less
crowded and very festive. On the drive down you could spend a night at the
Madonna Inn. My husband and I just stayed there and it was very cool with
good television so it isn't just for honeymooners. Avoid the restaurants
there they are overpriced. You also might want to check out Hearst Castle.
I don't know what they do for Christmas in addition to decorating.
Cassandra
How about Monterey and Carmel? There is lots to do there including
Aquarium, Natural History Museum in Pacific Grove, great hiking at Point
Lobos and Andrew Molera State Park, wonderful beaches at Asilomar and
Carmel State Beach, and great walking along the water between Monterey and
Pacific Grove.
We just stayed at a wonderful cottage in Pacific Grove called the Andril
Cottages. It's great location right across the street from Asilomar
Conference Center so quick access to the water. Very nice folks, nice
cottages, fireplaces, etc. They are on the web.
Katy
December 2006
This is the first year I've lived in the bay area with kids for xmas, and
also my mother
will be visiting from england over the holidays. I'd love ideas for the most
''xmasy''
things to do for families; so far we have tickets for the Nutcracker at
Julia Morgan, but
are there other shows you'd recommend? (particularly for after xmas) Best
places for
seeing tree/lights? Fun shopping areas? Holiday markets? The less tacky, the
better : )
searching for xmas
This is a bit biased on my part, but my family grew up ''window shopping'' in the Union Square area. Some of
the stores and displays have changed over the years, but it's still kind of fun to look at the window displays
(kittens & puppies--adoptable--in the Macys windows, big xmas trees, hustle and bustle of people, etc). plus
you can go on the cable cars. we used to sing xmas carols w/ friends on the cable cars. For littler kids, I
love Fairyland at night. Christmas lights on, Santa usually visits, hot chocolate, treats, story time (but
COLD sometimes!). Various neighborhoods have Christmas-y things like Montclair's parade (already happened).
Plus there's the Nutcracker. Try Berkeley Ballet Theater, Cal Performances, or Ronn Guidi's ''Secret
Nutcracker'' at Holy Names College. Paramount also has Ron Guidi's Nutcracker (slightly different version). If
your kids are older or you can afford the extra $$, SF Ballet's nutcracker is great! If churchy things are ok
w/ you, find one in your neighborhood-many have caroling, Xmas eve services, etc. and MANY schools have xmas
programs that are open-check your local or favorite school. Oakland Library (oaklandlibrary.org) has a
calendar with pinata making for 6 yr +), story times, marionettes, and other holiday crafts. Other libraries
may do the same. Plus all the regular venues do something (the zoo has Santa on the weekends, Bay Area
Discovery museum has a performance, habitot, Oakland Museum (their Family day already passed, but keep it in
mind for next year, or throughout the year!). have fun!
janet
My family went to see David Hirata and Friends Magic Holiday at The Marsh in SF last weekend. It was a great
show -- our 9-year-old and 5-year-old loved it and we parents did too. David is a great magician and is
terrific with kids. His Friends include other magicians and a juggler. My son thought that magician Kim
Silverman looked like a cross between Dumbledore and Hagrid. There is lots of audience participation (my
9-year-old got to go help with a trick), and they taught the kids a trick they could do at home. The Marsh is
a small venue and you can see from everywhere -- it's very intimate and you feel like you're part of the show!
There's detailed info about the show on the Marsh website at http://themarsh.org/ magic_holiday.html . The
theater is three blocks from 24th & Mission BART, and has convenient parking on the next block. (We parked in
a garage around the corner for $3 for just under 2 hours.) The show runs December 16-17, 19-24, 26 -30, all
shows at 2 pm. It's 60 minutes, with no intermission. Tickets are $10, or $7.50 for parties of 4 or more.
Tamara
December 2004
What fun activities are open on Christmas Day? We will have
relatives visiting and would like to do something fun with them,
but everything I can think of will be closed. They are not into
hiking. I know some movie theatres are open, but that's not very
interactive. Our group will have four kids, ages 0, 3, 5, and 8,
and four adults.
I'm dreaming of a fun Christmas
One year, my family had a fabulous Christmas day in the City. This was years
ago when Union Square had an ice rink. It was open that day, so we did that,
then toured around going from one fancy hotel to another to look at the
fabulous trees and decorations. We had lunch, took lots of pictures, rode the
cable car. It was great! I think the ice rink is down at the Embarcadero now--
you could call to see if they are open for Christmas day.
Elizabeth
Holiday Events for Toddlers
November 2001
Having just moved to Berkeley, I would love to know if there are any
great holiday events for toddlers in the Bay area. My daughter is 3
years old and would greatly enjoy any plays, productions, fairs, ice
skating shows, etc. Are there any not-to-be-missed shows out there?
Thank you in advance
Sorent
Zoolights at the Oakland Zoo
Nov. 23 ZooLights Opening Night, 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Join us for our annual holiday light display nightly
through December 30, weather permitting. Fee.
For more info check out:
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/news/
(link updated Nov 2003)
Susan
Don't miss ZooLights at the Oakland Zoo!
HalfDink
My daughter and I still have fond memories of ODC Dance's performance
of The Velveteen Rabbit. I highly recommend it, and it was the perfect
length for my then-three year old. A very nice combination of both
storytelling, dance and theater. Tickets by phone can be purchased at
(415) 978-2787 or online: www.yerbabuenaarts.org.
Daphne
For two years now the merry-go-round at Tilden Park has
been open in the evenings between Thanksgiving and
Christmas. I expect they will do so again this year. It
is a bit chilly and they do like to sell a lot of Christmas
stuff, but it is also a lot of fun. Lights everywhere.
The Santa who roams around the place is a very sweet guy.
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