November is one of the best months to visit San Francisco. The weather is mild and there is a lot to see as the holiday season gears up throughout the city. If you're considering something other than turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, it is crab season in the Bay Area from November through June.
Holiday Festivals
Thanksgiving time is when the holiday season begins. Some of the festivals start before Thanksgiving and some the day after. The Festival of Lights takes place from the end of November through New Year's Eve. Lights outline the buildings and decorate the inner and outer lagoons at Fisherman's Wharf. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is the last Saturday in November through the last Sunday in December. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period costumes. Celebrate the feminine spirit at the Celebration of Craftswomen where skilled women show and sell their wares.
Tree Lighting
The day after Thanksgiving is not just for bargain shopping. The tree-lighting ceremonies are beautiful and fun for people of all ages. Workers in Union Square set up a tree and open an ice skating rink. You can enjoy delicious hot chocolate at the cafe near the holiday skating rink. There is another tree-lighting in Ghiradelli Square near Fisherman's Wharf. Ghiradelli Square's festivities begin at noon with amusements including music, puppet shows and stilt walkers.
Thanksgiving Day
You can join in the annual Turkey Trot run at Polo Field in Golden Gate Park on Thanksgiving morning. There is a run or walk for all ages and fitness levels, including a 5-mile run, a 3-mile walk and a 100-meter kid's "gobbler chase." If you want a traditional Thanksgiving dinner without the cooking or clean-up, plus a memorable experience, consider the Hornblower Yacht Thanksgiving Cruise and enjoy your dinner on the water. Golden Gate Park has plenty of trails for hiking and biking and is open Thanksgiving Day.
Holiday Shopping
You can find plenty of amazing shopping at some of the finest stores. Union Square has a myriad of shopping delights from Macy's to Tiffany's. Macy's store on O'Farrell Street decorates its windows every year with a different theme. You can ride the glass elevator at the Westin Hotel in Union Square to get a view of the square, the tree and surrounding festivities. If you're not keen on department stores or pricey designer boutiques, check out the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood for some quirky stores and upscale second-hand shops.
Quiet Relaxation
Enjoy the day at Crissy Field and Fort Point. Toss the football around with family and friends or take a long walk. Wander the grounds at the Palace of Fine Arts and watch the swans swim in the lagoon. You can bike along Marina Boulevard or visit one of the beaches. Baker Beach and China Beach have beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Ocean Beach features a long strip of beach perfect for a stroll and watching the sunset.
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