Friday, December 22, 2017

Christmas in the City - Holiday displays around San Francisco

Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree day bw
It is truly the best time of the year. The city is all decked up again this year. I've compiled photos of holiday displays around the city.

Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays to you all!



We decided not to travel this month and we are staying put. I had always enjoyed the Holidays as a child because of the gifts and food. Now as an adult, I look always look forward to the Yuletide season and enjoy the holiday displays around the city.

Union Square is the mother of all Christmas displays in the city, in my opinion. Mijo and I would sit on one corner of the square with hot cocoa to warm us while getting immersed in the wonderful Christmas energy. Everyone is giddy, smiling, and giggling. This view can be seen from the balcony of the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor of Macy's.
Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree rink

Here's another view of Union Square from Powell St.
  Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree night

Here's the view of the Holiday Tree during the day.
  Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree day

Who wouldn't want to shop if the store looked festive as Macy's? 
Do you agree?
  Christmas in SF - Union Square Macys

The ice skating rink is also another great attraction in Union Square during this time of the year.
  Christmas in SF - Union Square Skatin Rink day

The scene at Union is not just a feast for the eyes, it is also for the hearing. The carolers take me to winter wonderland. Fa la la la la, la la la la. 
  Christmas in SF - Union Square Carollers

Another store that has amazing Christmas displays is Neiman Marcus which is also in Union Square.
  Christmas in SF - Neimann Marcus doors

Here's the view from Stockton St. The glass façade allows the Christmas Tree to be seen from the outside.
Christmas in SF - Neiman Marcus Stockton St

The tree is beautiful set in the middle of the lobby under the stained glass ceiling. 
Christmas in SF - Neiman Marcus Tree

Speaking of Stockton St, the city has closed portions of the street from motorists and turned it into a pedestrian mall that is covered with green turf.  The area is called Winterwalk. Food, drinks and entertainment while you shop.
  Christmas in SF - Winterwalk stage
Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe liquor flow Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe crowd

Across from Union Square inside the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel is festive with two edible holiday castles as its focal points. The handcrafted castles were created by Pasty Chef Jean Francois Houdre and his team.

This one is called the Sugar Castle.
Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Sugar Castle lobby Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Sugar Castle details

This one is called the Enchanted Castle.
Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Enchanted Castle Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Enchanted Castle ginger bread details

Up the hill from Union Square on California St, another hotel has another edible holiday display. This is actually one of my favorite holiday destinations in the city. It is the Gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel. The aroma of gingerbread and candies fill the air inside the lobby of the hotel.
Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house front
Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel lobby Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house inside Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house side

The house is dotted with signs saying "Please do not eat".
  Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house details

Here's the holiday display at the Cityhall.
  Christmas in SF - Cityhall

Another thing I love about holiday in the city is  that the holiday music is everywhere. Just hearing a simple saxophone playing Let it Snow, Let it Snow puts my in my holiday mood.
  Christmas in SF - Street scenes local kids

I took this photo on the corner of Ellis and Powell Sts. 
  Christmas in SF - Street scenes Powell St

This is probably one of the best giant wreaths I've ever seen. I love the seemingly random placements of the ornaments.  I took this one at the Embarcadero Center.
  Christmas in SF - Street scenes wreath

A short walk from Union Square is the San Francisco Center mall. 
Go up to the 4th floor to an area called Under the Dome and you'll see what I call the Inverted Christmas tree.
  Christmas in SF - Under The Dome updside down tree
Christmas in SF - Under The Dome updside down tree details Christmas in SF - Under The Dome view from under

A few steps from Union Square, another favorite holiday tree is on California St. between Kearny and New Montgomery Streets.
Christmas in SF - California St Tree plaza

Christmas in SF - California St Tree stairs Christmas in SF - California St Tree

These Giant Christmas ornaments are on display at 101 California.
  Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decors
Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decor Christmas in SF - 101 California giant ornaments

Mijo and I enjoy a hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square while walking around and enjoying the holiday displays and lights around the plaza.
  Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square hot chocolates

Here's the Christmas Tree at Ghirardelli Square.
  Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square crowd
Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square Holiday tree Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square courtyard

 Market St is also dressed up for the holidays. Holiday lights bring warmth and joy from the Ferry Building all the way to Castro St.
  Christmas in SF - Market street

Pier 39 is also a great place to check out during the holidays while enjoying a hot clam chowder or tomato bisque.
  Christmas in SF - Pier 39

The streets around the area are also festive.
  Christmas in SF - Embarcadero St

The bakers at Boudin Bakery and their giant wreath.
  Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf Boudin Bakery

The Fisherman's Wharf sign is also lit up.
  Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf

The Christmas tree on Castro and 18th streets is also a pretty sight during the holidays.
  Christmas in SF - Castro St

Here's the scene at the Ferry Building this time of the year.
  Christmas in SF - Ferry Building

Christmas won't be complete in the city without some Filipino parol on display. This one was at a Filipino pop up event in SOMA.
Christmas in SF - Filipino parol SOMA Pilipinas

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

~rl

No comments: