Photo by Kian via Flickr
Thinking about visiting San Francisco this holiday season? Here are some Extranomical ideas to get the most out of your trip and pick out the perfect gifts.
Shopping – The holidays are right around the corner so it is time to do your last bit of Christmas Shopping. If you are staying downtown, Union Square contains some of San Francisco’s more popular stores. Here you can find something for just about anyone, not to mention the Westfield Shopping Center is just across Market Street for anything you may be missing.
If you are looking for deals and bargains, local
s might tell you the best kept shopping secrets are found across the Bay, at the Vacaville shopping outlets. The Vacaville Outlets feature over 120 factory stores, so you will find something for everyone’s wish list. Retailers include big-name brands like Gucci, Coach, Gap, Polo, Levi’s, Banana Republic, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Calvin Klein, BCBG, Juicy Couture, Kenneth Cole, and many more!
This mega shopping center offers direct-from-the-factory discounts, so you can cut out the middle man, and buy direct from the source.
Rent a car or join Extranomical’s Premium Outlet Shopping & Wine Tasting Tour. On this tour you can finish all your holiday gift-buying in just one trip. Take some stress out of the hectic holidays, and let someone else do the driving! After shopping, your guide will take you to a Napa Valley winery for wine-tasting! Try a red or white wine, or add some sparkle to your holiday cheer with bubbly!
Holiday Decorations – After Thanksgiving the city fully shifts into holiday mode. Here are a few highlights to see some of the best examples of Holiday spirit in San Francisco.
To really get into the Holiday spirit, visit Union Square to see one of San Francisco’s biggest lit up trees starting on Nov 28th. You can also grab some skates and go ice skating on the temporary outdoor ice skating rink at Union Square starting Nov 5th.
Photo by 1Flatworld via Flickr
If you are looking for a slightly less crowded ice skating experience you can also check out the Embarcadero Ice Rink. This rink opens on Nov 5th and will remain open through Jan 4th.
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf to see an abundance of decorations and thousands of twinkling lights for the month of December. Dine at one of many restaurants and shop in the wide variety of stores.
Take a Silicon Valley Tour to explore some of the most interesting and cutting edge innovations in the world of tech.
The Grand Hyatt Regency also has spectacular decorations including a lit up tree and daily “snow” starting on November 21st.
The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel impresses guests with their gigantic Gingerbread House and exuberant ambiance. If you are in Nob Hill, you must stop by!
