Festive Holiday Celebrations in the Bay Area
Longing for some fun travels this Holiday Season with no long lines at the airport and the endless exhausting hours in the packed to the capacity plane wearing an obligatory mask? Then Stanford Inn by the Sea – Historic Farm & Eco-Resort should be your destination for renewal, magic and romance.
Stanford Inn by the Sea – Is Your Holidays Dreamy Getaway!
This would definitely be my choice! Experience all this and more on the Northern California coast, just outside Mendocino’s charming Victorian village. Stanford Inn is a true holiday haven. Festive wreaths adorn every door, while four majestic Christmas trees bring a joyful spirit to the grounds. The lobby is brightened with a unique collection of Santa Clauses, carolers, Menorahs, and holiday décor. Each guest room is thoughtfully decorated, and the entire Inn sparkles with holiday lights. Indulge in rich, vegan hot chocolate in the lobby on December weekends and all throughout Christmas week, a fitting treat from the only fully plant-based resort in the U.S. A cooked-to-order daily vegan breakfasts, no resort fees for the pool, sauna, or hot tub, and complimentary access to bicycles and the workout facility. Guests especially love the daily afternoon tea service (please book one for me!), where complimentary!! Tea sandwiches, coffee, tea, and sweet pound cakes are served.
Enjoy The Inn’s award-winning Ravens Restaurant which offers unique holiday menus for Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, all are fully plant-based and organic. Ahhh… this is a Dream… Happy Holidays!
Information
Call: 707-937-5615; or visit www.stanfordinn.com
Great news! Dynamic pricing is available during this quieter season, with guest rooms up to 27% off depending on the date!
Photo courtesy of Stanford Inn
40th Ruby Jubilee Celebration: “The Great Dickens Christmas Fair”
November 23 ~ December 22, 2024; 10am to 6pm (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving)
Join the celebrants of The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the intriguing setting of the historic Cow Palace in Daly City. No need to travel to England… Book your trip to Victorian London in San Francisco this holiday season and immerse yourself in The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, an adventure filled with hundreds of colorful characters from literature and history. Ride a miniature steam train, meet Father Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, and the Ghost of Christmas Present as you explore four acres of Victorian theaters, pubs, and dance halls.
Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air while dozens of lamplit shops overflow with handmade gifts. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a time traveler’s delight and a truly one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the holidays. To celebrate the Ruby Jubilee, book a delicious and entertaining Port and Chocolate Tasting, or indulge in the decadent and informative new Champagne Tasting (Cheers!) at the new Royal Libation Society. And don’t miss the more adventurous The Dark Garden Corset Experience—an authentic Victorian corset fitting with contemporary corsetry’s most experienced and sought-after name. Patrons can also solve the mystery and bring Mr. Hyde to justice while imbibing custom-designed elixirs at five London pubs with the Jekyll and Hyde Pub Crawl or try to solve a perplexing new puzzle at the Sherlock Holmes Experience. The young ones can enjoy the self-guided Children’s Tour of London and meet Father Christmas at 1 or 4 p.m. each day. This special Charles Dickens’ Victorian London celebration is of interest for the entire family and you definitely don’t want to miss it! See you there!
Information and Tickets
dickensfair.com; General Adult (13+ yrs.): $45; Children under 5 – free
Active Military personnel discounts offered
The Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue in Daly City; on-Site Parking: $20/car, $40/RV
Photo courtesy of The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
The Fab Mark Hopkins Hotel Creates Alluring Magic for the Holidays
Tis the Season to be jolly! And the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins offers unforgettable festive and delicious experiences at both the Chic Top of the Mark and Tony Nob Hill Club, including gourmet menus; a Magical Tea for Kids and the Young at Heart (and I’ll be there, for sure!) creating a festive atmosphere with beautiful decorations.
This tradition for generations of families, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco provides the quintessential San Francisco holiday experience. Revelers can celebrate the season at the venerable hotel with everything from a hearty Thanksgiving, playful Holiday Teas, a sparkling Christmas Eve and Day, right through to a glamorous New Year’s Eve, followed by an indulgent New Year’s Day Brunch. As always, they have special menus and events for the season, as well as availability to create a personal holiday occasion in one of the hotel’s private suites, or in one of their unique and decadent ballrooms, with the added attraction this year of special offers and perks for those who throw parties. “Both locals and out of town guests are charmed by the hotel at this time of year. It’s a magical place, filled with lavish decorations, anchored by the beauty of our stately lobby tree, and with festive music playing throughout. We invite all to enjoy the warmth and cheer and share a classic San Francisco holiday experience with us” – states Michael Pace, the hotel’s General Manager. You should definitely start this holiday tradition of celebrating the annual winter wonderland with the stunning views of San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You deserve it!
Information
Visit https://www.topofthemark.com/holidaysatthemark for more information.
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Atop Nob Hill; Photo courtesy of the hotel’s PR Office
Fairmont SF, the Claremont Club & Spa – A Fairmont Hotel and the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Are Ready for Your Beautiful Holiday Season
The Fairmont, San Francisco’s Grand Hotel again unveils unmatched dining options, the legendary Winter Wonderland Décor and famed Gingerbread House. For over a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with its joyful holiday festivities, dining and exuberant seasonal ambience. From the life-sized Gingerbread House and Holiday Tea to staying in Santa’s very own Suite, they have something for everyone to cheer about.
The Fairmont San Francisco
This year, the Fairmont elves (I mean the team of the hotel’s talented chefs) who are working overtime to create a hotel display like no other, including the unmatched gingerbread house, lovingly built with a completely edible exterior. Known as the most popular hotel setting for the filmmakers…beware! You may end up on the next award winning flick…No “Oscar” award guaranteed, but you may win the bragging rights for your fascinating stories.. People Magazine may make an offer… The Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel, located in Berkeley and recently voted among the best in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, has created legendary festive vacation packages and offerings that ignite inspiration and create experiences that will last for decades. Holidays in the Hills activities, found only on the East Side of the Bay, include exciting holiday-themed events, world-class dining at Limewood, and family-friendly events. Create memories and celebrate new traditions this holiday season at Claremont Club & Spa. I hear they serve a phenomenal Afternoon Tea!!
And don’t forget to enjoy the hospitality of the “Pink Palace” as I call it – the amazing Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. my absolutely favorite oasis in the heart of Sonoma, California’s Wine Country destination. Great news: they welcome your favorite pooches! So don’t leave home without them.
Information:
Check on all the Fairmont holidays activities by visiting www.fairmont.com | accorhotels.com
Photo courtesy of the Fairmont San Francisco
By Lina Broydo
