The Best of Winter in the Bay Area 2023/2024: What to Do and See
Winter is coming. Get into the holiday spirit by embracing the best of winter by gazing at dazzling holiday lighting displays, twirling around a pop-up outdoor ice rink, and indulging in seasonal produce.
Bring on the winter charm and visit a Christmas tree farm, sniff the magnificent magnolias in bloom, and sip festive drinks in cozy bars with fireplaces.
Updated 12/11/23
Winter Blooms at SF’s Botanical Garden
You may not think to visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden in winter, but the Garden’s diverse collection of plants means something is always in bloom. In winter, you’ll want to head to the gorgeous Moon Viewing Garden to see the camellias. Plus, the South African, Succulent and the Rhododendron Gardens are in bloom too.
Plus, don’t miss one of the Garden’s main highlights. One of San Francisco’s most breathtaking natural marvels, the annual bloom of nearly 100 rare and historic magnolias with trees reaching 80 feet, is typically at its peak from mid-January through March. Plants aren’t the only thing you’ll see. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident hummingbirds who will be battling for the aloes in bloom.
Winter Produce
We’re lucky in California for our abundance of crops and winter is no exception. Winter is the time to embrace root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and rutabaga, plus cruciferous crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, romanesco, broccoli, and collards, which thrive in the Californian winter. Leafy greens like chicory and arugula, which are milder in the winter, are bountiful too.
Later in the season, around mid-February, the asparagus crop will come in. For something sweet, look to citrus fruits like mandarins, oranges, grapefruits, pomelos, kumquats, and lemons.
Check out CUESA, SF Farmers Markets, or Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association to find a farmers market near you.
Cozy Bars with a Fireplace
When the nights grow longer, sometimes you just want to cozy up with a drink by a roaring fire.
The Riptide
Sunset District | Often described as one of San Francisco’s most charming and cozy bars, with a rustic atmosphere and original knotty pine walls, it’s reminiscent of a small town lodge. When you’re out by Ocean Beach, escape Karl The Fog and cruise into The Riptide for a nightcap by the roaring fire.
Spark Social
Mission Bay | Our Bay Area winters are not that chilly, so when the weather’s nice, head outside to Spark Social food truck park for a bite at one of the many food trucks. Be sure to grab a drink at the bar and then take up a chair by their four huge fire pits where you can roast some marshmallows over the open fire and make S’mores.
Park Chalet
Golden Gate Park | The coastal beer garden at Park Chalet is a great place in the summer for a drink, but in the winter when the weather cools, head inside and warm up around the inviting stone fireplace, under the glass ceiling.
Zeki’s Bar
Nob Hill | Perched atop Nob Hill, climb the hill to the “friendliest bar in San Francisco.” Built just after the great San Francisco earthquake in 1909, the bar is a relic of the past, but its charm remains. With two brick fireplaces and dark wood interior, it’s a perfect winter retreat. Plus, they have trivia (Wednesdays at 8 pm), board games and a pool table, so you’ll want to stay for another round. There’s also used to be free bagels during NFL Sundays (10 am to 1 pm), but we’re unsure if they are still hosting the free bagels in 2024.
The Grove
San Francisco | Known as “San Francisco’s living room,” The Grove formerly had four locations across San Francisco, but now has just one location in Yerba Buena that has vibes of a two-story cozy ski lodge featuring floor-to-ceiling trees from the Grand Canyon, built-in booths, and two fireplaces – a stone fireplace on the main floor, and a smaller one in the upstairs Mezzanine space.
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Bay Area Ice Skating
It’s time to strap on those skates and head outdoors. During the winter, there are tons of pop-up ice skating rinks in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area.
Union Square Ice Rink
Union Square | November 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024 | One of San Francisco’s most iconic holiday traditions, glide around the ice, right in the heart of Union Square in the shadow of an 83-foot Christmas Tree. If you’re new to the ice, no worries. They offer free ice skating lessons (including free skate rentals), on Saturday and Sunday mornings with advance registration. Plus, there are fun theme nights including Drag Queens on Ice (Dec. 7), Silent Disco Skate (Dec. 14) and the Polar Bear Skate (Jan. 1).
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New for 2023 – Thrive City Winter Wonderland
Chase Center | Select dates between December 9-26, 2023 | For the first time, Thrive City will host a free outdoor, smooth synthetic ice skating rink in December, opening on Saturday, December 9 at 11 am. Guests will experience the magic of the season by ice skating in the plaza, as well as other holiday activities for each session, including a DJ Skate Party, photos with Santa Claus, seasonal treats, festive art and crafts and more. Additional ice skating dates include December 10, December 18, and December 20, with more dates available based on Chase Center event and game schedules. Complimentary skate rentals provided ($5 donation requested for Warriors Community Foundation). An RSVP is recommended, but a limited amount of walk-ups may be available.
Enchant
San Jose | November 24 – December 31, 2023 | In addition to the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze, at Enchant you can glide through a dazzling forest of Christmas lights on a trail made of real ice.
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Winter Lodge
Palo Alto | October 9, 2023 – April 7, 2024 | Twirl yourself around the rink and then warm up by the fireplace. A local favorite, Outside Magazine ranked Winter Lodge as one of the top 10 outdoor ice skating experiences in the US and it was also voted ‘Best of the Bay Area’ for a family-favorite destination by Bay Area Parent Magazine.
San Mateo On Ice
San Mateo | November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024 | Get your skate on at the Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice skating rink featuring 11,000 square feet of real ice. 2023 Free Community Skate Days (including skate rentals) include November 28, December 5, and December 12, 2023.
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
San Ramon | November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024 | Skate at the first and only outdoor ice skating rink in the Tri-Valley. In 2023, the rink is 15% larger than the previous year, ensuring more space for you to glide with joy. Additionally, the platform has tripled in size, providing an even more spacious and comfortable environment for skaters of all levels. Plus apres ski, warm up by the cozy fire pits.
Boardwalk Holiday IceSanta Cruz | Not Happening in 2023 |
Bring the family to enjoy ice skating by the beach – on real ice with ocean-view fire pits.
Winter Park at Civic CenterCivic Center | Not Happening in 2023 |
Modeled after the internationally-famed Wiener Eistraum ice-skating rink in Vienna, this ice rink also features a skating track, expanded for 2019, that weaves ice skating fun through a lighted tree forest.If you’re looking for more ice skating rinks, here’s our guide to SF Bay Area’s Holiday Ice Rinks for Winter 2023-24.
Christmas Tree Farms
Love the smell of pine and got a hankering for a real Christmas tree? Ditch the paved asphalt lot for a real Christmas tree farm with plenty of charm and festive activities to really get you into the holiday spirit.
Patchen California Christmas Tree Farms
Los Gatos | Head into the Santa Cruz mountains to breathe in the cool mountain air and pick out your own Christmas tree on the site of a famous ghost town turned Christmas Tree ranch. Pack a picnic and eat amongst the pine trees at their many picnic tables or enjoy your lunch by the pond. Plus, they have a daily afternoon bonfire, weather permitting, in addition to free hot mulled cider, free photos with Santa (select dates), free WiFi and free wine tasting.
They’ll provide the saws if you want to chop down your own tree, but they’re happy to cut it down for you for free if you like. They’ll also carry it, wrap it, put it on the stand and load it for you. Looking for a discounted tree (who isn’t)? Come on a weekday; some trees and wreaths are discounted $10, and if you pay in cash, they’ll cover the sales tax. They also happily accept competitors’ discount coupons up to $5 or 10%. – Updated 11/21/23
Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay | If you’re looking for a festive holiday day out for the family, Lemos Farm offers not only Christmas trees, but a mini amusement park experience with pony rides, train rides, a haunted house, farm slide, car barn ride, barn jumpers, gem mining, a Dig Zone tractor, and a petting zoo. When you’re ready to pick out your tree, hop on a hay ride to their Christmas tree field where you cut down your own tree or select a pre-cut one. Don’t miss Ol’ Paint, the family’s big painted horse statue which is repainted to sport a new theme monthly to match the season. The farm is open year round, so you can enjoy their attractions or seasonal events like their Halloween pumpkin patch and haunted houses or their Easter Egg Hunt. Lemos Farm is opens Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, and is located at 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Farm Passes start from $15. They have two locations: Old Town Farm (22217 Old Santa Cruz Highway) and Rancho Farm (17430 Old Summit Rd) which are only 3/4 mile apart. Check season hours. – Updated 11/22/23
Grandma Buddy’s
Sebastopol | Those looking for an Insta-worthy atmosphere will be overjoyed at Grandma Buddy’s Christmas Tree Farm which has hosted many professional photoshoots, including being featured on the cover of Pottery Barn plus it was rated as “The Best Christmas Tree Farm in CA” in The Pioneer Woman. The family-owned farm features amazing backdrops like a picturesque Victorian farmhouse with a wraparound porch, a large whitewashed barn and a smaller redwood barn, plus an intermittent creek that runs throughout the property with bridges. There’s also a mini Christmas village with a train. Plus, you can enjoy free* hot cocoa and candy canes, and of course, choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Please note that the hot cocoa was free in previous years and we expect the same for 2023, but don’t have an official confirmation of its pricing. Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees is located at 8575 Graton Rd, Sebastopol. The farm is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm from November 24 through December 23, 2003. – Updated 11/21/23
Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm
Castro Valley | Located in the beautiful East Bay hills, just north of Castro Valley, the family-owned Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm has been offering a unique outdoor experience since 1969 where you can not only cut down a fresh “Choose & Cut” Christmas tree, but also enjoy nature at its finest. You’ll be provided with site maps, saws, and twine upon your arrival. The Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm has has won “Best Tree in California” for the last 5 years. The trees are hand shaped and the farm uses no pesticides. The farm is located at 7001 Miller Rd, Castro Valley. The farm is open starting November 24, 2023 and is open Friday through Sunday from 9 am to 4:45 pm. – Updated 11/21/23
Rancho Siempre Verde
Pescadero | While you hunt for your favorite tree to take home at this quirky family-owned U-cut Christmas Tree Farm, be on the lookout for their swings overlooking the Pacific Ocean including big swings, small swings, tire swings, rope swings, double swings, triple swings, and more hidden all over the farm. Pack a picnic and climb up the hill to take a ride on their giant swings, play their two large xylophones (unconfirmed for 2022), race down the slide, and enjoy your picnic with gorgeous ocean views. Plus, they offer free tractor rides, fresh greens and boughs to take home, haystacks for the kids to climb, and all the free marshmallows you can roast over the warm fire that’s always going. Also, bring some cash to make your fresh wreath (just purchase the ring; materials are free or bring embellishments from home). The Farm is open 9 am to 5 pm, rain or shine.
2023 Winter Fest – Christmas Tree Festival
November 24, 25 & 26 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
December 1, 2 & 3 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
December 8, 9 & 10 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
December 16 & 17 (Sat & Sun)
– Updated 11/21/23If you’re looking for more Christmas tree farms, check out our 2023 guide to Bay Area’s “Cut Your Own” Christmas Tree Farms
Holiday Festivities & Tree Lightings
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some of The Bay’s best holiday tree lighting ceremonies and holiday festivities to kick off the holidays.
San Francisco Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting
Civic Center| December 6, 2023, 4-7 pm | Bundle up, and bring your family and friends to listen to music and kick-off the holiday season with the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting. The annual festival usually features snow flurries, a toy giveaway for the kids, and holiday performances like the famous tap-dancing Christmas trees.
Bill Graham Menorah Project
Union Square | December 7-15, 2023 | Celebrate Chanukah with the annual lighting of the 25-foot tall mahogany Bill Graham Menorah each night of Chanukah in Union Square. This San Francisco tradition, the brainchild of rock and roll concert promoter Bill Graham, began in 1975.
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting
Union Square | November 9, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (No official tree lighting ceremony in 2023) | San Francisco’s most recognized Christmas tree, which stands more than 83-feet tall, is illuminated with more than 33,000 twinkling energy-efficient LED lights and 1,100 shining ornaments.
Macy’s Holiday Windows
Union Square | November 17 – December 31, 2023 | A can’t miss star attraction during the holidays is Macy’s elaborately-decorated holiday window displays all along the outside of the building, featuring some adorable (and adoptable) cats and dogs to help benefit the SPCA and find these furry friends a new home.
Let’s Glow: SF’s Huge Holiday Projection Light Show
Downtown SF | December 1-10, 2023 | The country’s largest holiday projection event – this free festival uses high-tech Panasonic projectors and lasers to project large-scale art concepts from 13 local and internationally renowned artists across the facades of six iconic SF buildings from 5-10 PM nightly, including the Ferry Building for the first time ever.
Embarcadero Winter Carnival & FireworksEmbarcadero| Not Happening in 2023 |
Blasting off a fireworks display over the harbor, a full winter carnival, a sneak preview of “Disney on Ice,” and of course a massive lighting ceremony across the four Embarcadero buildings, this is the perfect way to kick off the SF holiday season.
