Events Around the Bay
“Artistry in Wood” at the Museum of Sonoma County
Visit one of the most extraordinary exhibitions of fine woodwork in the West. The 37th Annual “Artistry in Wood” exhibition features new works from over 30 local and national artists. Come and see which piece is awarded “Best in Show,” then vote for your favorite work to be crowned the “People’s Choice.”
With only an hour and half drive from San Francisco make it a weekend getaway to the beautiful wine county in Sonoma. The neighboring Russian River Rose Company in Santa Rosa is a must visit if you love gorgeous roses, stunning irises, rose petals tea and the aromatic rose petals perfume. Bringing kids? Visit the nearby kids paradise, the famous Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts Gang Museum.
Information
museumsc.org; 425 Seventh Street in Santa Rosa
info@russian-river-rose.com; schulzmuseum.org;
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Sonoma County
The Legion of Honor Presents Original Fashions by Azzedine Alaia
Sculpting Fashion: the first major United States retrospective dedicated to the work of the famous fashion designer. Alaïa revolutionized fashion in the 1980s and 1990s by designing garments that celebrated the natural curves of women’s bodies, while also challenging the conventions and unrelenting pace of the fashion industry.
November 21, 2026 – April 11, 2027
The legacy of the Tunisian-born, Paris-based designer is defined by his compelling vision, technical sophistication, and uncompromising devotion to couture craftsmanship. He was beloved by supermodels, including Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour, and Christy Turlington, and performers such as Tina Turner and Grace Jones. He was committed to making each garment himself, from pattern-making to cutting to fitting. He worked outside the traditional fashion calendar, presenting collections only when he felt they were truly ready. Truly original!
Information
Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco
100 34th Ave, located in Lincoln Park
415-750-3600
Symphony San Jose Presents “Holiday Spectacular” in Silicon Valley
Symphony San Jose celebrates “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at the majestic and beautifully decorated California Theatre.
December 12 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm; Sunday, December 13 at 2:30pm
Conductor Elena Sharkova leads Symphony San Jose, the Symphony San Jose Chorale, Cantabíle Youth Singers, New Ballet, and special guests (including Sal Pizarro, everyone’s favorite Mercury News columnist) in a program filled with beloved holiday classics, heartwarming carols, dazzling dance numbers, audience sing-alongs, and the ever-popular Twelve Days of Silicon Valley. Join the fun an hour before the concert decorating cookies and taking photos with Santa.
And that’s what a fun holiday is all about!
Information: tickets@symphonysanjose.org; Special Discounted Youth Tickets; 408.286.2600
The California Theatre, 345 South First Street, downtown San Jose, Photo by Fontejon Photography. For more information about Symphony San Jose visit https://symphonysanjose.org
Time to visit Santa Cruz, California
We live in the Bay Area and it’s time to visit Santa Cruz! With only a 1 hour drive from San Francisco this counterculture heaven better known as Santa Cruz hosts one of the historical
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
A quirky, arty spirit permeates this town and every time I visit this beach town on the northern edge of Monterey Bay it becomes an epicenter of counterculture not long after UC Santa Cruz opened its doors in 1965, and it’s been rejecting norms ever since. Today, Santa Cruz is entering a transformative period as its rougher edges became polished by shiny new destinations of ocean view, modern hotels, gourmet restaurants, innovative coffee shops and the museums to visit. One of the places I enjoy and recommend to visit is the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, established in 1885 when three visiting Hawaiian princes carved boards out of redwood trees and tried their luck on the waves of Santa Cruz. Admire skateboarders and try your luck at it.
Enjoy life, zoom and vroom in your convertible and spend a weekend away from home in the city…
Information
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz
Overlooking the Steamer Lane surfing hot spot this little museum features photographs, surfboards and videos tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz
Photo courtesy of the: Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
By Lina Broydo
