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Published: December, 2006
Nature of Winter
Ponit Reyes Bed & Breakfast
Point of a Hike
Join an easy, but long 3-mile hike to Point Reyes’ Tomales Point (one of the best migrating whale-spotting places in the area). Sun., Dec, 17. Carpools from Fairfax at 9:30AM; return 4:30PM. Share fuel cost. Rain cancels. Call Richard Watson (415) 461-9255.
Snow, Not so Natural
The Snow Village display at the Hyatt Regency, featuring more than 3,000 handcrafted ceramic collectible pieces, including musical carousels, ski slopes, gondolas, chalets, trains and limited edition pieces, is one of the largest in the country. Find it near the eclipse geodesic sphere and reflecting pool. Then, perhaps you’ll go ice skating afterward. Sun.-Sat., 12AM-11:59PM. (415) 788-1234. Embarcadero Center 5, SF. www.sanfranciscohyattregency.com
Step Back in Time
Musée Mécanique
While you’re enjoying crab season at the wharf, stop to play the games at the historical mechanical arcade. Look for Laughing Sal, the somewhat creepy, pink-cheeked, big doll who used to welcomed visitors to the Cliff House location, before the move to Pier 45 Fisherman’s Wharf. Free, but bring coins for the games & displays. Open Sun.-Sat., 10AM-8PM. Call: (415) 775-1111. www.sfhistory.org
1901 Maritime Christmas
Who knew Santa would arrive by boat? See it for yourself at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park’s Christmas At Sea! aboard the historic ship Balclutha. Sat., Dec. 9. Music begins at 3PM. Santa arrives at 4:20PM. The Living History Players bring back Christmas 1901 at 6PM; reservations required for the 6PM show; cost: $5 Adult, free for 15yrs and under. Reservations: (415) 447-5000. www.nps.gov/safr
Oh, Christmas Trees
Ferry Building Farmers’ Market
Double K Christmas Tree Farm. Ferry Building. Saturdays through Dec. 9. There will be a pick up and loading area on the north side of the Market. Orders can be arranged by calling: (707) 773-4702.
Guardsmen Have a Lot
Christmas trees for sale at the Fort Mason Pavilion Dec. 1-17. All proceeds benefit Bay Area programs for at-risk youth. (415) 856-0939, www.guardsmen.org
Cruising
Two Nights, Before Christmas
Pack a basket and wrap yourself up in something warm to enjoy the views from the deck of one of the ferries or boats offering a holiday cruise this year. Holiday Lights offers cruises on the Bay on Fri. & Sat., Dec. 22-23. Board 6:15PM; depart 6:30PM, return 8PM. Cost: $20 Adult, $10 Children. Food & beverage for purchase on board. Tickets: (415) 435-2131. www.sfbayexcursions.com.
Champagne Brunch
Imagine an elaborate buffet featuring a wide selection of weekend brunch favorites and free-flowing champagne — then take it out on the water. The atmosphere, the views, the salt-water breeze, and Santa making an appearance makes this brunch on Hornblower an unforgettable holiday event. Sat. & Sun. 10:30AM-1PM. Tickets: $35.91-$65. Hornblower Cruises, Pier 3 SF. Call 1-888-467-6256. www.hornblower.com
NYE Fireworks Kayak Trip
Paddle under the Bay Bridge, by Cupid’s Arrow and the Ferry Building and watch the waterfront fireworks. City Kayak, Pier 39. $68/per person. Sun., 10PM-1AM. Reservations and information (415) 357-1010. www.citykayak.com.
Hornet Swings & Rocks
Celebrate a new year on the decks of a historic aircraft carrier, USS Hornet. The floating museum’s party, From Swing to Rock, Do Your Thing, goes from 8PM-1AM. Tickets: $48 general admission, $65 reserved seating, $95 premium reserved seating. All tickets include party favors. Food and beverages for purchase on board. Call for reservations: (510) 521-8448 x-282. www.hornetevents.com
Belle of the Ball NYE
Enjoy the buffet dinner, open standard cocktail bar, including after dinner liquors and house champagne, party favors, pre-boarding photograph, dancing. Tickets: $113.40-$189. Sun. Dec. 31, 8PM-1AM. 1-888-467-6256. www.hornblower.com
Art & Spectacle
Ladies Lead
See the World Premiere Leading Ladies of Tango, the first all-women tango program. Dec. 13-16. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., SF. Tickets: $28-$45 Reserved Seating (Sat. matinee). Group discounts available. Call (415) 392-4400 or go to www.cityboxoffice.com. www.leadingladiesoftango.com
Tango on the Field
The Emerald Bowl is the only match between the ACC and Pac-10. This year it’s UCLA & Florida State. Wed., Dec. 27, 5PM. AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, SF. Tickets: $40-75. Call (415) 947-2695. www.emeraldbowl.org
Beach Blanket Babylon
The nation’s longest running musical revue in theatre history, and an acclaimed San Francisco institution, features a seasonal chorus line of tap dancing Christmas trees, a gigantic Yuletide hat, Snow White and an ever-changing line-up of pop culture characters. Tickets: $25-$77. Matinees (under-21 OK) and evening shows (no minors). Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green St.). www.beachblanketbabylon.com
Leave a Trace
Montreal-based circus troupe 7Fingers brings their show, TRACES, an ethereal, surreal and unreal multi-media contemporary circus experience to The City. Five actor-acrobats fresh out of Montreal’s École Nationale de Cirque, most of whom received their early circus training from Master Lu Yi at SF’s Circus Center, perform stunning acrobatics with an urban hip-hop flavor, all imbued with a poetic reflection on memory and survival. Palace of Fine Arts Theater, 3301 Lyon St., SF. Dec. 13-Jan. 1. Ticket prices vary. Group discounts available. Call (415) 392-4400 or go to www.cityboxoffice.com. More information at circuscenter.org and www.7fingers.com.
Jingletown Studios Art Walk
Over 25 artists, who live and/or work in the area known as Jingletown in Oakland will open their studios, in the historic Cotton Mill, to the public for the first Holiday Art Walk on Sat. & Sun. Dec. 2-3, 11AM– 5PM. Portuguese and Azorean cannery worker’s used to walk home through the area and jingle their pockets to express pride in their earnings; hence, the nickname. For artists, map and information, call (510) 532-9636 or visit www.jingletown.org.
Gifting
A Gift for San Rafael Youth
Donate to Food Banks
ALAMEDA: 7900 Edgewater Dr., Oakland
(510) 635-3663, www.accfb.org
MARIN: 75 Digital Dr., Novato
(415) 883-1302, www.marinfoodbank.org
CONTRA COSTA: 4010 Nelson Ave., Concord
(925) 676-7543 www.foodbankccs.org
SF: 900 Pennsylvania Ave.
(415) 282-1900, www.sffoodbank.org
SOLANO: 1891 Woolner Ave, Ste I, Fairfield
(707) 421-9777, www.foodbankccs.org
NAPA: 1755 Industrial Way #24, Napa
(707) 253-6128
