Bay Area Holiday Season Date Ideas

I’m perhaps not the most festive holiday person. As a Jew, the holidays can be an exhausting time of fielding questions like:

“What are you doing for Christmas?”

“Wait, you really don’t celebrate? Not even for fun?”

“Oh, you don’t even have a Christmas tree? Wow! But they’re so pretty!”

“Oh, well, it’s just a secular holiday.”

“Well actually, it has origins in paganism.”

Even so, there are a few things I enjoy doing during the month of December that get me into the spirit of things. Maybe we can do one of these together and make the season a little more bright.

1. Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda

For over 80 years the residents of the 3200 block of Thompson Street on Alameda have been going all out with holiday decor and inviting everyone to come take a look. It’s a pleasant and sweet way to take an evening stroll and absorb some holiday cheer.

2. The Dickens Fair

I’ve only been to this once and it was so fun! It’s basically a Renaissance Faire but with Victorian-era clothing and culture. SF’s Cow Palace is transformed into Victorian London at Christmas-time. There are theatrical elements, food and drink, unique shops, and you can sign up to have tea with the queen!

3. The East Bay Book and Zine Fest

I love offbeat comics and zines. The EBABZ takes place annually in December, making it the perfect place to pick up some presents.

4. GLOW at the Exploratorium

I have never been to this exhibit but I’ve always wanted to go! It’s all about the science of light. In true Exploratorium fashion, many of the exhibits are interactive and sound really interesting. Perhaps we can go on one of their famous Thursday “after dark” evenings!

5. Holidays at Filoli

Filoli is a gorgeous historical mansion and museum with beautiful gardens. For the holidays, they create a real wonderland with outdoor light displays and special events on the grounds including champagne in the ballroom with live piano music, mulled cider at a private outdoor fire pit, and a “hair of the dog hike” on New Years Day.

6. Chinese Food & A Movie on Christmas

Are you a fellow Jew (or other non-Christmas celebrator) with not much to do on Christmas? Join me for a holiday tradition of eating Chinese food (or maybe some other type of food that is also open on Christmas) and then going to the movies. Of course we’ll make a little room for some private fun in there.

7. A Hanukkah Dinner at Saul’s

While Saul’s isn’t quite a Jewish New York Deli in California, it’s pretty darn close. We can share latkes, sufganiyot, and other delicious Hanukkah treats to celebrate the season.

8. Warming Up Together in a Hot Tub, Sauna, or Bathtub

The Bay Area is full of great places to get warm, wet, and cozy. We can visit Piedmont Springs for a private hot tub rental. There’s also Archimedes Banya which is a more social place to stay warm. Additionally, there are a myriad of hotels and Airbnbs with hot tubs or bathtubs to share. After we can dry off and snuggle up together in private…

9. Hot Chocolate from Dandelion

Is it really winter if you haven’t had a hot chocolate at Dandelion on Valencia? They have all sorts of treats that make a perfect beginning, middle, or ending to a sweet date. Perhaps we can have dinner nearby, and sip on some sweetness before enjoying our own dessert behind closed doors…

Beyond these ideas, I’m always happy to spend an hour or two together in private, or go out to a lovely meal or cocktail to celebrate the season!