The SF cable cars get all decked out for the holidays! Photo by Jon Porter via Flicker 2.0

The Holiday Season in San Francisco with Kids: A Few Words About This Festive Itinerary 

Getting Around with Kids

This three-day itinerary includes a mixture of transportation options. While San Francisco is a walkable city, consider riding a cable car with kids. The cable cars are adorned in holiday decor this time of year! However, when you leave the city, it’s best to travel by car. Let’s get started! 

Pick and Choose Your Bay Area Holiday Itinerary

Feel free to follow this three-day holiday itinerary as much or as little as you like. The entire Bay Area is bursting with holiday activities. Just adapt this itinerary to what excites you and your family most. Happy holidays!  

Day 1 Itinerary: Holiday Season Activities in San Francisco with Kids (Ferry Building, Nob Hill, Union Square) 

Morning 

Start the day with holiday décor at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Wander around the festive halls and grab a quick bite to eat at Mariposa Bakery. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee, a bagel, or a quick snack, especially if anyone in your family has any food allergies. Don't fill up, though, because the first stop on this itinerary is full of delicious sweet and savory treats. 

RELATED: Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in San Francisco for Kids

 
Tea and Teddy bears! Ritz Carlton Teddy Bear Tea photo courtesy of Marriott

The Ritz-Carlton’s Teddy Bear Tea

There’s nothing quite like the Ritz Carlton's Teddy Bear Tea. It’s an annual event my son looks forward to every year, and I’m not going to lie — I do, too. Kids are treated to a menu of hot chocolate, scones, tea sandwiches, and festive treats, while grown-ups get an assortment of delectable goodies, tea, coffee, or even champagne.

There’s a lovely live holiday show featuring entertaining elves, but the main attraction is the teddy bear himself. He’s placed on each child’s seat so as soon as kiddos enter the event space, they can run to their bear, cuddle him tight, and welcome him to the family. Dress to impress at this special holiday event and enjoy a fancy morning of food, entertainment, and holiday magic.

Afternoon

After the Teddy Bear Tea, walk to the top of Nob Hill, where you'll find the Fairmont San Francisco. The hotel is magnificent any time of year, but at Christmas, the life-sized gingerbread house and the decorated tree are a sight for sore eyes. Kids and parents alike will marvel at the décor of this festive property. Families with older kiddos may love the sophisticated Holiday Tea inside the Laurel Court. And for families looking for something truly unique, book a holiday tea inside the sweet-smelling gingerbread house.

After the Fairmont, head down the hill to Powell Street. Step into the Westin St. Francis to see their famous sugar castle. They also have a popular Breakfast with Santa.  

RELATED: Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in San Francisco

 
Union Square is a must-do during the holiday season in SF. Photo courtesy of Union Square

Ice Skating at Union Square

After admiring some of the most festive San Francisco hotels, go ice skating at Union Square. Little ones can rent polar bears and penguin skate helpers to help them move around safely on the ice. Sessions are 60 minutes long and start every 1.5 hours. It's busy, especially on weekends, so book tickets in advance.

Evening

Once you hang up your skates, explore the best of the holiday season in San Francisco in Union Square. Check out the nearby window displays as well as the Macy’s holiday celebrations, Bill Graham Menorah, the Union Square Winter Walk, and much more. For a classic and festive night in San Francisco with kids, opt for a special holiday live production. If you're a family of theatergoers, you're in luck. There are upcoming showings of The Nutcracker, Elf in Concert, The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, Christmas concerts at Grace Cathedral, and more. After the curtain call, check out Let’s Glow SF, the largest holiday projection mapping display in the United States.

Alternatively, head to the waterfront. Check out all the holiday happenings at Fisherman’s Wharf, enjoy a seafood dinner at Fog Harbor Fish House, and then make your way to Ghirardelli Square for outdoor movies and a cup of hot chocolate before bed.

Day 2 Itinerary: Holiday Season Activities in North Bay with Kids (Marin County, Napa Valley) 

Morning

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco into Marin County. Stop by Malibu Farm in Tiburon for breakfast. Their breakfast includes everything from pancakes and oatmeal to fried egg sandwiches and surfers rancheros. The views are spectacular, especially on crisp, clear winter mornings. After breakfast, take a family walk around Tiburon. The small town boasts impressive vistas of San Francisco, cute shops, waterfront paths, and even a Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum. 

The Bay Area Discovery Museum

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a fun place for kids to play anytime, but especially around the holidays when they have their iceless skating rink. Kiddos can also get messy at The Print Shop, go wild on the climbing structure, play in the mud, and discover how things work. 

RELATED: Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near San Francisco

 
Have a holly jolly train ride! Santa Train photo courtesy of the Napa Valley Wine Train

Afternoon

Santa Train Jolly Journeys aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train are wonderful festive train trips perfect for every family this holiday season. There are quite a few trips to choose from. Santa's Cookie Jar includes — you guessed it — cookies. The Gourmet Holiday Express offers a three-course kid-friendly dinner. There are also options for Jingle on the Rails or a VIP Merry Verry Vista Dome. All train rides include photo opportunities with Santa, carolers, hot cocoa or cider, and a mailbox for postcards to the North Pole. 

Evening

In the heart of Northern California’s wine country, Meritage Resort & Spa hosts Merry Meritage, the ultimate winter wonderland destination in the Bay Area. Families will love this beloved holiday event, which includes time spent on the ice at the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in wine country.

The ice is covered with twinkling lights and lined with festive winter igloos and a giant Christmas tree. It's so picturesque that last year, I snapped a photo of my son telling Santa his wish list inside an igloo and turned it into our family holiday greeting card.  

Beyond the picture-perfect setting, there are cozy fire pits for roasting marshmallows, daily tree-lighting ceremonies, faux snowfalls, and Santa’s Tavern for warming up with festive cocktails (or a mocktail like my little one’s favorite, The Grinch — a virgin green punch lined with red sugar). Honestly, an evening at Merry Meritage is an unbeatable holiday getaway.

Day 3: Holiday Season Activities in the East Bay/South Bay (Oakland, Los Gatos, San Jose) 

RELATED: Best Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in San Francisco 

 
Fairy Winterland craft station photo courtesy of Children's Fairyland 

Morning

The drive from Napa to the East Bay is short (under an hour), and there are so many festive things to do with family once you get there. One popular spot is Fairy Winterland at Children’s Fairyland. A Bay Area tradition for almost 20 years, this holiday extravaganza includes live performances by tap dancing penguins and Christmas trees, candle making, festive music, daily puppet shows, winter tales from around the globe, and hot cocoa and cider.

Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari and festivities at Tilden Park, including their infamous Merry-go-Round and Tilden Park Steam Train, are more fun holiday attractions in the East Bay.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, hop aboard the Holiday Train at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad in Los Gatos. Ride through Vasona Park to see the Fantasy of Lights display. Kids and adults will love this unique holiday experience aboard the steam train. Plus, a snack bar offers barbecued food, sweet treats, and refreshments.

Evening

Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose’s Cesar Chavez Plaza is back this year. The over-40-year-old holiday tradition is the ultimate extravaganza with two acres of lively exhibits, plenty of colorful sparkling lights, decorations, a 50 ft Christmas tree, and visits from Santa. Don’t miss the Jingle Bell Stage, where you can see performers from across the Bay Area entertain the crowds.

The drive-through light show is another must-see holiday attraction. The mesmerizing tunnel and synchronized holiday light show full of festive colors, giant candy canes, and holiday tunes will not disappoint. 

Filoli is another fantastically festive place to add to your holiday itinerary in the Bay Area. Discover illuminated gardens in this sparkling winter wonderland. Stroll through a 210-foot-long light tunnel. Enjoy the strings of lights and hundreds of ornaments decorating the greenery. A photo with Santa at Filoli’s hidden workshop is the perfect souvenir to remember your holiday in the Bay Area.