10 Things to Do in San Francisco in December

Have you ever thought of travelling to the West Coast of California in December? If so, you should know that it's more than just a beautiful city. With pleasant weather and the sea in the background, there are plenty of things to see and do in San Francisco, the West Coast's favourite destination at this time of year.

Here are my recommendations to make the most of your visit to San Francisco in December.

With incredible views of the bay and fewer crowds, visiting the former federal prison on Alcatraz Island in winter is almost a must when visiting San Francisco in December.

The scenery in the area is stunning during this time of year, and the clear, fog-free skies make for the best photographs. Also, with fewer crowds, the experience will be more enjoyable. Here are some tips and things to keep in mind when visiting in December:

• I recommend that you book your tickets to Alcatraz in advance. Even if it's low season, you might be in for a surprise.
• The visit includes entry to the inside of the facility, so there's no need to worry about the cold weather while you learn about its history and the stories of the prisoners.
• The island is reached by ferry.
• The tour takes about 3 hours and I would definitely include it among the things to do in San Francisco in 1 day if you are interested in learning about the history and landmarks of the city.
• If you want to know more about this visit, here is everything you need to know about visiting Alcatraz Prison.

In the second week of December, the San Francisco Marina dresses up for the Christmas Boat Parades. This spectacle with more than 100 years of tradition is celebrated amidst amazing decorations, fireworks and lights.

With 1,600 km of Pacific Ocean, California is considered the boat parade capital of the world, and the San Francisco boat parades are the most famous for being the oldest and largest. Events in the area include:

• The Fisherman's Wharf Holiday Boat Parade. From Pier 39 through Fisherman's Wharf to Crissy Field you can enjoy their free parade.
• The South Beach Yacht Club. If you go all the way to Pier 40, you can join the South Beach Yacht Club 's Santa by Boat parade along the bay to AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, tickets start at €17.

During the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, it's not just the turkey that's the star attraction. California's coastal area celebrates the Crab Feast at Fisherman's Wharf, marking the start of crab season.

Local restaurants serve crab bites, garlic noodles, salad and iced tea. To accompany these tasty crustaceans, some offer craft beer and local wines, and most have the famous all-you-can-eat from €50. Restaurants joining the festival include:

• Blue Mermaid Chowder House. Location: 471 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109.
• Cafe Pescatore. Location: 2455 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133.
• Capurro's. Location. 498 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109.
• McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood & Steaks. Location: 900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109.
• Bistro Boudin. Location. 160 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133.
• The Franciscan. Location: 601 Almarida Dr, Campbell, CA 95008.
• Fog Harbor Fish House. Location: Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133.
• Scoma's Restaurant. Location: 1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133.

As we leave autumn behind, the Californian skies are clearing and it's the perfect time to take a bus tour of San Francisco. So grab your camera and take a tour of the city, you won't regret it. The great thing about the winter season is:

• You'll get the best views of the best known attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Madame Tussauds and the iconic Alcatraz prison.
• The weather is pleasant. Consider that most Hop On Hop Off tour buses are convertibles, so the first month of winter is ideal for adventure.
• You'll have a choice of 2 tickets (24 or 48 hours) without the hassle of the summer peak season.
• You'll comfortably explore the sights of San Francisco, from Chinatown to Sausalito for 2 hours.

Practical information:

• Where to find them: at Pier 39, you can move around at your own pace by taking the 24 stops a day.
• Prices: from €50.
• For more information... The best tourist buses in San Francisco.

Every night between sunset and 2am, more than 25,000 energy-efficient LED lights illuminate the famous Golden Gate Bridge to connect San Francisco and Oakland. The spectacle is wonderful and do you know what makes it special in December? It's joined by theIlluminate Festival.

The romantic walking activities with that magical backdrop include a three-course menu, some drinks and musical ambience. The tour lasts 2-3 hours where you will enjoy the scenic views and good company sailing around Alcatraz, Angel Island and Sausalito. There are several boat tours of San Francisco, and depending on which one you choose, other parts of the city are added.

If you're travelling to San Francisco in December and staying for New Year's Eve, don't miss out on the series of events taking place in the city. Among the things to see and do to end the year are:

• The fireworks display at midnight, which you can watch from the waterfront.
• Local concerts to suit all tastes at venues such as The Independent, The Warfield and The Fillmore. Not to mention the Fresh Start Festival, a three-day music event held annually outdoors at The Midway.
• Parties in all the city's clubs and pubs.
• Special activity cruises under the Golden Gate Bridge.

This is the magical time of year at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. So I recommend you create new memories for the whole family and experience the wonder of the holiday season during the daytime events at the zoo. The venue is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and some of the activities included are:

• Travel down Candy Cane Lane for a ride on the historic carousel in colourful Poinsettia Plaza.
• Visit the Flying Reindeer Academy and find out if Santa's reindeer can really fly, surrounded by these cuddly little animals. You can learn fun facts about St. Nick's precious helpers while seeing them live at their best.
• Spend some time in the extravagant Sugar Plum Fairy Garden adorned with elves of all sizes.
• Stroll through Peppermint Plaza for a hot drink at the Blitzen Bar.
• See ZooLights, an impressive light show that silhouettes all of the zoo's animals.

In December, the magic of St. Nick seems to revolve solely around children, but who says adults can't join the fun? SantaCon gives them that opportunity.

This event is geared towards adults and takes place in major cities across the United States, including San Francisco. To attend, all you have to do is dress up as a Santas and go to one of the meeting points.

Every year this Christmas tradition is gaining more and more presence in California. The Union Square and Polk Street pubs are among the most popular. Also, if you want to organise your own event, you can write to Father Christmas? and follow his lead.

During the first two weeks of December, the city centre of this Californian city travels back in time to Victorian London with theDickens Christmas Carol Fair.

To the rhythm of carols by the Coventry Carolers singing "I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day", amidst the colourful costumes of yesteryear and evocative decorations, you'll feel Charles Dickens' imagination come to life in the midst of 19th century London. You will also be able to enjoy the typical food of the British Empire, and don't forget to have a good pint of beer in one of the 5 pubs!

Practical information:

• Where to find them: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City.
• Prices: from €10.
• Opening hours: from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

There are many options for ice skating in this Californian city, but there are definitely a couple that get all the attention:

• Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center rink: it's easily accessible and boasts a prime location. It's flanked by Moscone Center Park as well as Yerba Buena Gardens and the service is top-notch. It is located at 750 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 and is recommended for adults and children over 7 years old.
• Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center: Located within a 4-building architectural complex with luxury finishes and upscale service. It enjoys the title of the largest outdoor ice rink in the Bay Area. It is only open between November and January, but adults and children come out happy, as the views of the bay are beautiful.

• If your plan in December is to relax and clear your mind, consider visiting the Botanical Garden, with more than 220,000 m2 and around 9,000 types of plants. Best of all, admission is free in December and the place is perfect for a family stroll. Find the San Francisco Botanical Garden at 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122.

• Attend the ceremony and lighting of the spectacular Christmas trees. The classic is Macy's, located in Union Square, which is about seven stories tall. This is followed by the Pier 39 Christmas tree, 18 metres high. Last but not least is the Ghirardelli Square Christmas tree, which is decorated with oversized chocolate bars.

• Visit San Francisco's most famous gingerbread house. It's one of the things to do in San Francisco with kids when passing through the city in December. Go with your family to the Fairmont Hotel and spend some quality time sipping hot chocolate while admiring a spectacular gingerbread house 7 metres high and 9 metres wide. For this more than 100-year-old tradition, some 1,500 kilograms of icing are laid out on gingerbread biscuits. Think the little ones can resist?

The maximum temperature reaches 14° while the lowest is 8°. This pleasant weather allows you to join in outdoor activities as normal. The only recommendation is to take an umbrella or mackintosh with you because light showers may surprise you.