Take time out from your perfunctory duties of the holiday season. Find time to relax with family and friends and enjoy some of the special events the holidays have to offer. Northern California is brimming with a variety of quaint and romantic getaways to enrich your holiday spirit. From the luminous glow of the regatta’s twinkle lights gliding by the Oakland waterfront to the magic of the first Sierra snow fall, or the olive festival in Sonoma’s historic town square, there’s much to enjoy. Savor the sights, smells and sounds of the season with one of these easy day- or overnight trips, and one of these venues just might become a special holiday tradition for you and your loved ones.
Deck the Boats with Boughs of Wonder
Historic Jack London Square along the Oakland estuary is a great day trip, overnight or weekend getaway. The weather outside isn’t very frightful this time of year. In fact, Oakland’s Mediterranean climate can be a big plus during the winter months. You can park your car, walk your cares away and enjoy the season’s sights. The holiday mood gets going November 23, with the lighting of a 70-foot holiday tree. Joyful entertainment, in the form of a daylong competition, is provided by high school choirs from around the Bay Area singing a Capella where the winning choir receives $5,000. The day’s festivities also include visits with Santa, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
The 31st annual Oakland Lighted Yacht Parade brings a smile to every face, at any age. More than 35 boats, including an Alameda Oakland Ferry, will illumine the darkness on December 1. Enjoy the view from the Square, a water’s-edge balcony at the Waterfront Plaza Hotel, or one of these waterside restaurants: Scott’s Seafood, Jack’s Bistro, and Il Pescadore. Sailboats and yachts of all sizes, gliding across the estuary, are adorned with glittering displays of Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, and whimsical handiwork in a theme that changes each year. “A Child’s Christmas” is this year’s theme, and the parade begins just after sunset and lasts about 90 minutes. Wander down by the ferry terminal to see the historic Potomac yacht that once served numerous U.S. presidents.
On weekends, the Artisans Marketplace has a selection of culturally diverse gifts handcrafted by regional artists. Enjoy Sunday morning at the Oakland Farmers’ Market with its holiday greenery and fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cut flowers, fish and everything needed to spark those holiday menus.
Just blocks away, the Art Deco Paramount Theatre and Ronn Guidi’s 35th Anniversary production of “The Nutcracker” are pure holiday fancy. The Oakland Ballet, with Michael Morgan conducting members of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, creates a treasured memory. There are only seven performances, December 21 – 24, so buy tickets early. After hours, let it glow with some late-night Japanese cuisine and good vibes at Yoshi’s, a 330-seat jazz club. It’s an East Bay landmark, and it doesn’t get any better.
Ferry Across the Bay
Or, maybe it does get better – if you are in the hunt for some of the most luxurious and delicious foods of the season. From Oakland, San Francisco is an easy ferry ride away via the Blue & Gold Fleet. Zip across the Bay and arrive at the city’s historic front door, the beautifully restored Ferry Building with its organic farmers’ market and its indoor marketplace of restaurants, epicurean shops and gift boutiques. All the halls will be decked and the holiday spirit is always lively. The nearby Embarcadero Center’s ice-skating rink will be open for eight weeks beginning November 7. Union Square has twice the sparkle with its holiday tree- and menorah-lighting ceremonies.
Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
If you really are dreaming of a white Christmas, it’s a good bet you’ll find it in the picturesque towns of Truckee and Tahoe City and on the slopes of the High Sierra. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a bevy of blissful pastimes await at Sierra resorts, including Northstar-at-Tahoe, Resort at Squaw Creek, and Squaw Valley USA. It’s all family-friendly, cool for couples, and first-rate for friends escaping the mall madness.
Just after Thanksgiving, at Squaw Valley USA, the “Festival of Lights” begins with the official tree lighting. Perched in a giant chair and ready for photo ops, Santa is in The Village each Saturday, as well as the weekend before Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You’ll even find Santa making intermittent appearances as he schusses and snowboards down the mountain. The crowning event is the annual “Torchlight Parade” on Christmas Eve. From High Camp, the Squaw Valley Ski School instructors descend with lighted flares 3.2 miles downhill. The lights flow along the face of the mountain like a ribbon of gold. Feel free to ski along. The parade, which lasts about 30 minutes, can be seen from base camp and The Village.
For more than five weeks, the Resort at Squaw Creek stages its popular holiday “Magical Memories.” Thanksgiving weekend, the merriment gets into full swing with a Grand Tree Lighting and the unveiling of the resort’s Gingerbread Village. Visits from Santa and carolers, dogsled rides and roasting s’mores on the spa deck are just a few of the jolly goings-on. Located at the base of Squaw Valley USA with boutiques, restaurants, indoor/outdoor hot tubs, and its year-round heated swimming pool, the Resort at Squaw Creek is comfort personified. You can ski out and ski in, and then luxuriate at the sumptuous Spa at Squaw Creek Resort.
Northstar-at-Tahoe’s new ice-skating rink in the heart of its pedestrian village, is the hub of much activity. The boutiques and eateries provide countless reasons to browse and relax in the village for some après-ski activity. Night time is the right time to be ensconced at the cabana bars where patrons can unwind atop curtained couches and chairs at the rink’s edge. S’mores kiosks and outdoor fire pits are sweet inspiration for visitors of all ages.
You can ski-in, ski-out, dine, dance, shop and relax. The holiday spirit abounds in the mountain air. Destinations within a destination, all the North Lake Tahoe resorts guarantee – it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Oakland Convention & Visitors Bureau - www.OaklandCVB.com
North Lake Tahoe Resort Association - www.GoTahoeNorth.com
San Francisco & Visitors Bureau - www.SFVisitor.org
Resort at Squaw Creek - www.ResortAtSquawCreek.com
Northstar-At-Tahoe - www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com
Squaw Valley USA - www.Squaw.com
HOLIDAY FUN
HERE ARE SOME HOLIDAY EVENTS THAT ARE
TAKING PLACE AT NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE RESORT THIS WINTER:
Noel Nights. Holiday festivities kick off the season Tuesdays in December (4th, 11th, 18th) with free ice skate rentals, shopping specials, hot cocoa, music, caroling, photos with Santa, tree lightings and more.
New Year’s Eve Fire & Ice Party. With live music, entertainment, food, drinks and a spectacular fireworks display, Northstar Resort’s New Year’s Eve festivities are fun for the whole family! And, enjoy New Year’s Day post-party specials on Bloody Mary’s.
USASA Events. The United States of America Snowboard Association hosts amateur slopestyle and giant slalom events on February 23 and 24, 2008 at Northstar Resort. Both events are open to the public. For more information, call 530-587-5216.
Vans Tahoe Cup. The 4th Annual Vans Tahoe Cup brings over $200,000 in cash prizes and the world’s best riders to Northstar Resort March 1-2, 2008. Events include a rail session, slopestyle and superpipe competitions.
Great Chef’s Race. Tahoe’s premiere restaurants compete in an event that combines cooking and skiing on April 1, 2008.
“Spring It On” 2008. Featuring live music, games, food, drink and shopping specials and much more, Northstar Resort welcomes spring in style.
For more information, please visit northstarattahoe.com.
