Top Places to See Santa in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

Meet Santa amid dazzling lights. Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas

Photos with Santa in San Francisco come in all places and styles at iconic Bay Area landmarks, from Ghirardelli Square to Filoli Gardens. From the South Bay to the North Bay (and everywhere in between), there are endless places to meet Santa in San Francisco with families, kids, and pets. Take a classic photo or sit down with the big man in red for breakfast with plates piled high with pancakes and orange juice. 

And let's not forget about Mrs. Claus, the lady behind the big red suit making everything happen. There are holiday events in the Bay Area where you can decorate cookies and sip tea with her. Scroll below for the most unique spots in the Bay Area to see Santa in San Francisco. 

For more holiday festivities in San Francisco and the Bay Area, check out our Christmas Activities Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids, which includes the Must Do Christmas Events and Holiday Events in San Francisco, where to see the best SF holiday lights, and Polar Express train rides near San Francisco that will make the holiday season even more magical. 

Best Places to See Giant Redwoods in California: A Family Travel Guide

Submitted by Gina Ragland on

See giant redwood trees is an experience every family should have.

Seeing California redwood trees should be on every family's travel bucket list. These towering trees, many dating back thousands of years, are truly awe-inspiring. There are many places throughout Northern California where families can seek a serene escape into the heart of nature while viewing these colossal redwoods.

Ancient old-growth redwoods can be found in national parks such as Redwood National Park and Muir Woods, as well as in several other state and regional parks. Most of them have a small vehicle fee to enter, but some are free. All of them provide family-friendly hiking trails and breathtaking views, and some have extra activities for kids like playgrounds and museums.

Here are our favorite places to see redwood trees in California. For more outdoor adventures in the Golden State, from exploring Lake Tahoe to road tripping through the Sierra Nevada, check out our California Family Travel Guide.

34 Best Things To Do in NYC December 2023 with Kids

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

The Magic Flute takes the stage at the Metropolitan Opera. Photos courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera

Holiday lights, sights, and celebrations abound in NYC this December. Read on for our top things to do with kids to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.

We're still plowing through the leftover turkey, and suddenly Santa is popping up all over town for family-friendly Christmas tree lightings. Christmas carols are being sung, Nutcrackers are battling mouse kings, toy trains are dazzling young engineers, and Hanukkah gelt and doughnuts are being passed out in abundance. The year 2023 takes its final bow with a spectacular array of kid-friendly things to do.

The month kicks off with top picks like our own Gingerbread House Decorating event and Holiday Hub at City Point. There are awesome seasonal shows ranging from the Met Opera's The Magic Flute to the New Vic's circus, White Gold, and even the cacophony of sounds at the participatory Unsilent Night. All that and we're sending the month, season, and year out with a bang during the New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park.

Keep our top picks for holiday must-do's handy all month long, too, and bookmark our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for easy access to all the holiday hullabaloo that pops up!

30 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles December 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Toby B on

Admire the tradition of boats adorned with holiday lights. Newport Beach Boat Parade photo by #fortherock, via Flickr.

December brings plenty of things to do in Los Angeles with Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Los Angeles this month.

Top things to do in Los Angeles and unwrap this December include The Skirball's annual Hanukkah Festival, Disney on Ice, Blippi, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade (because fireworks!), and LA County's Annual Holiday Celebration. To end the month in style, ring in the New Year—or Noon Year—depending on your bedtime. There's also a whole bunch of skiing Santas in Wrightwood, a seasonal take on the Warner Bros Studio Tour, and so much more. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Los Angeles this December.

For even more fun things to do in LA this season, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for LA Families—which includes a roundup of the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus, Walk-Thrus, and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles, LA-only photo ops with Santa, where to see The Nutcracker and other holiday shows in LA, and more. 

15 Best Things to Do in Houston December 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on

It's beginning to look a lot like Zoo Lights! Photo courtesy of the Houston Zoo

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December in Houston, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Houston with kids this month. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! This December 2023 has a host of amazing Santa brunches happening all over the city, a variety of Nutcracker performances, and kid-friendly New Year's celebrations like New Year's Eve Family Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk. Let's embrace all of the amazing festivities this month and make it a December to remember.

To find more December 2023 fun, check out our lists of the top must-do Holiday and Christmas events in Houston and the best Holiday lights and drive-throughs.

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