Around the bay in December 2010

The 34th Annual Lighted Yacht Parade along the waterfront of the Oakland/Alameda Estuary will take place Saturday, December 4.

Published: December, 2010 

34th Annual Lighted Yacht Parade inOakland/Alameda

The 34th Annual Lighted Yacht Parade along the waterfront of the Oakland/Alameda Estuary will take place Saturday, December 4. The parade will begin just after sunset, around 5:30 p.m., and this year’s theme is “Make the Season Bright.” Spectators can watch the parade from any waterside restaurant along the estuary; other public viewing areas will also be available at Wind River Park in Alameda and Jack London Square in Oakland. Last year 35 boats participated in the parade, and this year’s organizers expect even more. Interested parade participants can find enrollment information and entry forms along with the parade route at www.lightedyachtparade.com.

22nd Annual Sausalito Lighted Yacht Parade & Fireworks Spectacular

This annual holiday spectacular will take place along the Sausalito Waterfront, north to south and back again, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. Viewing is good all along the waterfront, especially Gabrielson Park, the ferry landing and Yee Tok Chee Park. It has become a special evening in Sausalito; the restaurants and hotels with views of the waterfront are quite popular so make reservations early. There is ample parking in the city lots along the waterfront. All entrants and crew are invited to the party following the fireworks. Participation in the parade is free. For an entry form, visit the club website at www.sausalitoyachtclub.org.

San Francisco Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade

A holiday tradition since 1994, more than 100 boats adorned with lights and holiday decorations will parade along San Francisco’s waterfront at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 17. The parade route will begin just east of PIER 39 proceeding west past Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason and the St. Francis Yacht Club, turning off of Crissy Field and returning along the waterfront. Spectators can get a great view from the walkway along the Aquatic Park, PIER 39, Marina Green, and Crissy Field Beach. Restaurants along Fisherman’s Wharf will also offer a fantastic vantage point as well as traditional holiday menus. The Fisherman’s Wharf Fishing Fleet boats will stay lit until January 9. After the parade, viewing of these spectacular lights can be seen most prominently on Jefferson Street (between Jones and Taylor) at the sportfishing boat harbor. For more information, call (415) 673-3530 or visit www.visitfishermanswharf.com.

Jingletown All the Way

The Jingletown Arts & Business Community announces the Fifth Annual Holiday Art Walk, Saturday and Sunday, December 4-5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The annual holiday open studios in this thriving arts district will highlight the work of artists who live and/or work in the area known as Jingletown, which is situated between the Park and Fruitvale Street bridges adjacent to the Oakland Estuary. Among other notable artistic enterprises, it is the location of the Institute of Mosaic Art and Float Gallery, as well as studios of many other renowned artists who are living and working in one of the most established artist warehouse districts in Oakland. Visitors to this historic arts district will see colorful mosaic murals on converted warehouse walls, intersection street painting art and the Peterson Street Community Wall, a work in progress which features murals by many of the residents of Jingletown. An opening reception will kick off the Holiday Art Walk on Friday, December 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 420 Gallery, 420 Peterson Street, between Ford and Glascock Streets in Oakland. The reception and weekend open studios event are free and open to the public. For a complete listing of Jingletown artists, businesses and upcoming events in the area, visit www.jingletown.org.

Winter Open Studios in Sausalito

Fall in love with art again this holiday season. The ICB Artists Association presents the 42nd annual Winter Open Studios: “80 Hot Artists Under One Warm Roof.” Sausalito is home to one of the largest art colonies in the country gathered together under one large roof in the Industrial Center Building (ICB) in Sausalito’s Marinship district, a cultural hub in San Francisco’s North Bay area. The public is invited to discover exceptional and unique works of art and get inspired by their creators.  Painting, fiber arts, sculpture, digital arts, photography, printmaking, fashion, jewelry and more.  Artists of all media share their art, stories, and inspiration, and offer works for sale in their studio workspaces—giving an opportunity to galleries, collectors and you to witness the creative process and acquire artworks of many styles and varieties. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 4-5 from 11-6 p.m. at 480 Gate 5 Road in Sausalito. For a full list of participating artists, please visit the association website at www.icbartists.com.

Christmas at Sea

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park presents a special holiday celebration, “Christmas at Sea,” on Saturday, December 11 at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf.  Bring the family down to Hyde Street Pier from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for an old-fashioned holiday featuring live music, refreshments, ornament-making, costumed characters from1901 and a special visit from Santa Claus, who will arrive by boat. From 6 to 9 p.m., San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park’s costumed Living History players will present its annual Old Time Maritime Christmas, bringing maritime history to life in this unique holiday program. Turn the clock back to Christmas in the year 1901, where you will meet and talk with captains, wives, and crews aboard the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. The program is free, and reservations are required. Lamp-lit guided tours leave every 20 minutes from the entrance to Hyde Street Pier until 8 p.m. With the lights of San Francisco twinkling in the background, the historic ships and characters offer a memorable holiday experience. For reservations or more information, call (415) 447-5000.

Macy’s Holiday Windows Featuring SPCA Adoptable Pets

The windows of Macy’s on Union Square, Stockton and O’Farrell streets and the San Francisco SPCA continue their famous holiday tradition with decorated windows featuring animals hoping to spend the holiday season in a new home. Go and see the furry little kitties and puppies in the Macy’s windows until January 2. San Francisco SPCA’s experts will help you meet your match and adopt right from the adoption outpost in Macy’s. For more information, visit www.sfspca.org.

New Year’s Eve onboard the U.S.S. Hornet Museum

Ring in the New Year aboard the U.S.S. Hornet Museum aircraft carrier, permanently berthed in at the former Alameda Naval Air Station. Enjoy live music, party favors, a silent auction, cash bars and food concessions, midnight countdown, and a spectacular view of the Bay Area skyline. Celebrate on the decks of the historic aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet Museum for the ultimate New Year’s Eve Party from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, December 31. Tickets are $45 to $85 per person. Free parking. Gourmet buffet dinner is $60 per person and must be purchased in advance. For information and reservations, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448 x 282.