A road trip to check out Christmas light displays around San Francisco is sure to get anyone into the holiday spirit. This is a wonderful and enticing road trip you can take around the beautiful city’s Christmas lights and dazzling holiday displays. The Christmas road trip around town will capture the beauty of neighborhoods like Noe Valley, Nob Hill, the Marina, Downtown, and more!

The best Christmas lights near San Francisco seem to be within a few areas, so this trip will be doable in a relatively short time. So take down some notes for this special road trip and get ready to buckle up. First things first, check out the road trip map:

SF-Road-Trip

1. Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Creative Commons - Sonia Snow
Start your holiday lights around San Francisco tour by the bay. The Hyatt Regency and Embarcadero Center features more than 17,000 lights. You can also enjoy ice skating at a holiday ice rink while taking in the scenery at Five Embarcadero. But the centerpiece is the Hyatt Regency San Francisco and the Christmas tree with 300,000 lights. Learn more about the Embarcadero Center and other great San Francisco Christmas attractions.
2. Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square - Lot #347, 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Ghirardelli Square Site
You have to check out the beautiful lit-up tree at Ghirardelli Square on this Christmas road trip. The lights will dazzle and excite the senses. Grab some chocolate to keep the buzz going too! Discover more about Ghirardelli Square.
3. Union Square
Union Square, San Francisco, CA, USA
Kevin Lau/Flickr
Next up, proceed to a popular attraction in San Francisco for more lights. The Union Square lights and display are across from the front entrance of Macy's. The dazzling Christmas tree will be decorated with many lights and 1,100 shining ornaments. This is a must-see for anyone looking for the best Christmas lights near San Francisco. Read more about Union Square and other San Francisco gems.
4. Fairmont Hotel
Hotel Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Fairmont San Francisco Website
From here, head uphill and check out the splendor of the Fairmount. This Christmas light display around San Francisco is not actually outside; the Fairmont Hotel is world-famous for its incredible two-story gingerbread house and candy displays. Don't forget to explore the Fairmount's lobby and be amazed by the 23-foot Christmas tree. Get more details on the Fairmount Hotel gingerbread house.
5. Civic Center
Civic Center, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Prayitno / Thank you for (11 millions +) views/Flickr
Now, you'll go downhill to City Hall to take in some more holiday lights around San Francisco. This time with civic pride. The tree at Civic Center Plaza is majestic, adorned with white lights. And City Hall dazzles in red and green for the holidays. Visit the website for the Civic Center for more information.
6. Union Street Fantasy of Lights
Markus Spiering
The final stop of this Christmas road trip is more serene and fitting for an end. Experience Union Street as it’s transformed into a holiday scene where kids can meet Santa. Last but not least, enjoy the sparking lights and make sure to catch the ponies dressed up like reindeer. Looking for a place to stay? Check out this bed and breakfast on Union Street and other places to stay in San Francisco.

What are your favorite Christmas light displays around San Francisco? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re curious about other great things in Fog City, check out these 10 unforgettable San Francisco tours.

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Rachel Raimondi | October 21, 2022

Which parks should I visit in California?

Don’t let the nine national parks in California have all the fun! There are 279 state parks in California to explore too! At 1,017 acres, Golden Gate Park is the biggest within San Francisco. Here, you’ll find walking trails, gardens like the San Francisco Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Garden, and even museums, like the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, non-motorized boating on Stow Lake, and much more. The Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley is another must-spot in San Francisco, especially if you want to some native Pacific coastline redwood trees. Within its 558 acres, you can hike six trails through the Redwood Forest, including boardwalk trails and those that lead out to the Pacific Ocean.

What are the best Christmas towns in California?

While you can see many Christmas light displays around San Francisco, there are also several Christmas towns in California. Due to Disneyland being part of the city, Anaheim is a really great Christmas town to visit during the holidays. Not only is the 510-acre park loaded with decorations, but there are also light displays as well as the Christmas Fantasy Parade, a holiday parade that runs from the middle of November to the week after New Year’s. Or head to Santa Barbara County’s Solvang. Here, you have a few options for where to take in Christmas. You can head to see the windmill and its surrounding holiday décor, take in the beautifully decorated trees in the downtown, or over to Solvang Park to see the Hans Christian Andersen Statue as well as the festive lights and decorations that are displayed there.

What are the best fairs and festivals in San Francisco?

No matter the time of year, you will find some of the best fairs and festivals in San Francisco. The Chinese New Year Festival has been a part of the city since way back in 1851. It takes place in Chinatown for two weeks in January and February and features a parade, floats, dancers, bands, a Golden Dragon, firecrackers, and a whole lot more. Moving on to April, if you are in or around San Francisco, you should definitely check out the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown. This is one of the largest events in the area and features an assortment of activities and entertainment, such as a parade, music performances, calligraphy and origami displays, food and drink, and of course, flowers.

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