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Kiddie Koncierge: December Update
What is Kiddie Koncierge?
Kiddie Koncierge is the SF Bay
Area's premier resource for fun,
interesting, unique, and
creative kids activities.
We provide recommendations,
reviews, and resources on all
sorts of fun things to do in San
Francisco, Berkeley/Oakland,
San Jose, Marin, and beyond!
Kiddie Koncierge is the SF Bay
Area's premier resource for fun,
interesting, unique, and
creative kids activities.
We provide recommendations,
reviews, and resources on all
sorts of fun things to do in San
Francisco, Berkeley/Oakland,
San Jose, Marin, and beyond!
Welcome to the Kiddie Koncierge
December Update!
The ice rinks are open and the ski resorts are opening one by one
with a good representation open for Thanksgiving!
Make sure to check out our Facebook page. If you like us, be our
fan! Share us! Pass us around!
SPECIAL OFFER!
Make sure to check out the Resources Pages. Here are some
highlights:
Activities at a Glance
Year Round
Through February
September 8th - January 19th
Through January 3rd
Through January 18th
Thursday, November 19th - April 18th
Friday, November 20th - January 3rd
Thursday, November 26th - Wednesday, December 2nd
Friday November 27th - December 6th
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 27th-29th
Friday, November 27th - December 31st
Friday, November 27th through December 13th
Friday, November 27th - December 23rd
Friday, November 27th through January 1st
November 28th, December 5th, 6th, 11th - 13th, 18th - 21st
Sunday, November 29th through January 2010
Free 1st Sunday, December 6th this month
Free 1st Thursday, December 3rd this month
December 11th-13th, 17th-20th
Free 2nd Saturday, December 12th this month
Free 2nd Sunday, December 13th this month
Free 3rd Wednesday, December 16th this month
December 4th – January 3rd
Saturday, December 5th
Saturday and Sunday, December 5th - 22nd
December 5th and 6th
Sunday, December 6th
Sunday, December 6th and 20th
Wednesday, December 9th
December 11th – January 17th
Saturday, December 12th
Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th
Saturday, December 19th
December 19th and 20th
The Detes
Year-Round
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (specific farms have different
hours) Pick-Your Own Produce, Brentwood, FREE
(picking is free, but you have to pay for the fruit)
Brentwood has a wonderful activity for the entire family. You grab a
basket and head out into the orchards to pick the freshest fruit
available. Once you have picked your fill, get it weighed and pay
the best price you'll find anywhere for the freshest fruit. Make sure
to check the list of growers for what they offer and make sure that
they have U-Pick available.
Canciamilla Ranch on 401 Eureka Ave (925) 634-5123
These guys offer terrific peaches, nectarines, and plums in a
number of different varieties. This ranch has been featured on the
news as a great place to go.
Visit http://harvest4you.com/ for a list of farms by type of produce,
a map of the area, and a farm locater. Of course, you should
probably check to make sure that the fruit is at its peak before you
head out.
8-19September 8, 2009 - January 19, 2009
There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak,
Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street,
San Francisco, Admission
The wonderful Contemporary Jewish Museum is featuring an
exhibit of Sendak's works from the Rosenbach Museum in
Philadelphia, the go-to repository for Sendak's life work. Maurice
Sendak has written or illustrated more than 100 picture books over
his 60-year career. A number of those books, including Where the
Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Chicken Soup with Rice,
inspired generations of children and changed the landscape of
picture books. Included in the exhibition are original watercolors,
preliminary sketches, drawings, and dummy books from more
than 40 of Sendak's books, all from the Rosenbach Museum and
Library in Philadelphia, the repository for Sendak's artwork and
working materials. This major retrospective sheds light on the
many mysteries of his life and art by exploring the intensely
personal undercurrents in his work; and it does so using Sendak's
own words, insights, and remarkable stories. The exhibition
explores a number of different aspects of Sendak's books
including his child characters, monsters, literary and artistic
influences, and the settings of his stories. Visitors will delve into
the hidden nuances and personal secrets within Sendak's work
through exclusive interviews with the artist on digital touch screens
throughout the exhibition. As Sendak himself said in one such
interview, "When you hide another story in a story, that's the story I
am telling the children." These hidden stories within Sendak's
work form the core experience of There's a Mystery There.
Come for the exhibit and stay for this beautiful space. Our family
went recently and the kids loved it. They devoured the books laying
about the museum and camped out on the floor to read. The CJM
also had a cool kid's visitor's guide that made the exhibit more
imersive. For more information,
http://www.thecjm.org/index.php?
option=com_ccevents&scope=exbt&task=detail&oid=42
7-6Saturdays, November 7th through March 6th
11:00 a.m. SaturYAY! Series at the Amador Theater,
Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, Adults $10-18
most shows and Children $6-14
The Amador Theater in Pleasanton has this terrific Saturday
matinee series with wonderful family-friendly entertainment. This
week, it is the Gizmo Guys, a highly entertaining pair of jugglers
whose humor and skills enrapture audiences all over. Going
forward, here is the run-down:
11Wednesday, November 11th
Opening Day for Fall/Winter Outdoor Skating Rinks,
San Francisco, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Pleasanton,
and Dublin
It's that time of year again! Outdoor ice rinks are opening all over
the Bay Area! This is one of our favorite traditions - skating under
the autumn colors with the crisp air as you remember just how
hard and cold that ice really is. We have a few favorites and a few
to keep an eye out for. Visit our Ice Rink Page for all the details.
11 November 2009 – 3 January 2010, Holiday Ice Rink
at Embarcadero Center, Skating $8 adults, $4.50 for
kids 10 and under. Skate rental $3.50.
The outdoor ice rinks open! Of course, if this warm weather keeps
up, it will be a challenge to keep them frozen! Even if you aren’t a
budding Alissa Czisny or just think you are, there is something
really nice about skating under the lights to music. They will have
skating clinics and skates for those of you who don’t own your
own. The nice things about this location is that 1) it is BART
accessible, and 2) there is plenty of great places to eat in the area
at all price ranges. The downside is that parking is expensive and
traffic a little hideous. For directions and details http://www.
embarcaderocenter.com/ec/Holidays/2009rink.html
12-18Thurs, Nov 12th-Jan 18th
12 November 2009 – 18 January 2010, Downtown
Walnut Creek on Ice, 1365 Civic Drive in Civic Park
(at Broadway and Civic – slightly different location),
Walnut Creek, Mon – Thu 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Fri
– Sat 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sun 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.
m. $11 - $15 including skate rental
Walnut Creek’s outdoor skating rink is truly lovely. Nestled amidst
the trees (but somehow sunny when the weather calls for it), and
steps from a great playground and the downtown shopping area (if
you can handle the crowds), it is one of the nicer ones. With the
lights in the trees, it will be especially pretty at night. Nothing but
pluses here: parking in Walnut Creek is pretty easy, lessons are
available, and a shuttle serves BART. For details visit http://www.
iceskatewalnutcreek.com/
19-18Thursday, Nov 19th - April 18th
Golden Gate Express Garden Railway, Conservatory
of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, Adults $5-$7, Kids 12-17, $3.00 -
$5.00, Kids 5-11 $1.50-$2.00, Kids 4 and under FREE
Every year, the already special Conservatory of Flowers in Golden
Gate Park puts up an amazing train display that pays tribute to the
beauty of San Francisco in miniature form. Visitors will be able to
see City Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Painted Ladies, AT&T
Park, the California Academy of Sciences, the Golden Gate Bridge,
the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower among many other
landmarks. Fog even rolls in twice a day and a sound track adds
to the ambiance.
This year some of the landmarks will be made from recycled
activities. There will be a children's interactive train set that kids
can operate, a San Francisco history treasure hunt and much more.
For more details, visit www.conservatoryofflowers.org
3Through January 3rd
20 November 2009 – 3 January 2010, Downtown Ice,
Circle of Palms (between the Fairmont, San Jose and
the San Jose Museum of Art), Downtown San Jose,
Mon – Thu 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Fri 5:00 p.m. –
Midnight, Sat 12 noon – midnight, Sun 12 noon – 10:
00 p.m. $13 - $15 including skate rental
San Jose’s Downtown Ice is Northern California’s answer to the
Rockefeller Center Ice Rink. Nestled in the heart of Downtown
surrounded by palm trees, it must be nice to skate under the stars
were you able to actually see the stars. Downtown San Jose is a
wonderful holiday destination with the Rink, the Winter Wonderland
(details coming soon) and lots of restaurants and other
attractions. For directions, hours, and other details, visit http:
//www.sjdowntown.com/DowntownIce.html
26-2 Thurs., Nov 26th – Weds., Dec 2nd
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., San Francisco International
Auto Show, Moscone Convention Center, San
Francisco, Adults $8, Children 12 and under free
when accompanied by an adult
OK, maybe going to an auto show is not your cup of tea, but if you
ARE in the market for a new car, this is not a bad place to go for
data collecting. Kids will also love climbing all over the millions of
dollars of heavy metal (much to the chagrin of the Armor all-toting
maintenance people who will be wiping up their little finger prints).
There are a bunch of kid-friendly activities, though and it is not a
bad way to escape the sales. http://www.sfautoshow.com/
27-6 Friday, Nov 27th – Dec 6th
Holiday Shopping Boutiques and Celebrations, Filoli
Center, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, Admission
Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, the Filoli Center is the
former estate of the Bourn family, whose wealth came from gold
mining and was last owned by the Roth family, the owners of
Matson Navigation. The Roths donated the 654-acre estate to the
National Trust for Historic Preservation and it currently extends
from Skyline Drive to just short of the 280. The gardens and the
home are the hallmarks of this center. Visitors of all ages will
appreciate and enjoy the gorgeous gardens that change with the
seasons. The Center is closed until the beginning of February, but
from late November to early December, the Center comes alive
with special decorations markets, and events geared for the
holidays. Ordinarily, a market is a market is a market, but Filoli
finds rare and unusual holiday items for the home and garden that
make these events worth checking out. THESE EVENTS SELL
OUT SOON, so get your reservations in early. For details, visit http:
//www.filoli.org/special-events-and-exhibits/holiday-traditions.
html. For directions, visit http://www.filoli.org/plan-your-
visit/directions.html
27-31Friday, Nov 27th – Dec 31st
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Fantasy of Lights, Vasona Lake
County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, $10
per vehicle weeknights through December 10th, $15
per vehicle Weekends and 7 days a week from
December 11th onwards
The Fantasy of Lights is a 1.5 mile drive through holiday
experience in the woods of Los Gatos with thousands of lights and
slightly fewer animated displays. Visitors can enjoy the holiday
spectacle from the comfort of their vehicle as they drive through the
holiday lights and spectacular displays. Visitors are encouraged to
check out the Fantasy Train (an open-air train ride although a
heated car sounds a lot more appealing!), the Tunnel of Lights, the
Pirate Ship with booming cannons and Dinosaur Den II featuring
Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brontosaurus and new den mates, Raptor,
Parasaurolophus, mother triceratops and Pterodactyl.
Visitors before December 10th will get the "Early Bird" admission
price of only $10, Free 3-D glasses while supplies last.
For details, visit http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/parks/. For
directions, visit http://www.sccgov.
org/portal/site/parks/parksarticle?path=%252Fv7%252FParks%
2520and%2520Recreation%252C%2520Department%2520of%
2520%2528DEP%
2529&contentId=444dd142d0dd5110VgnVCM10000048dc4a92_
___
27-13 Nov 27th through December 13th
2:00 p.m. Nov 27, 28, 29, Dec. 6, and Dec 13
11:00 a.m. Dec 3, 4, 10, 11
1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Dec 5 and 12
ODC/Dance The Velveteen Rabbit, Novellus Theater,
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St at
Third, San Francisco, $15-$45.
ODC/Dance recreates this children’s classic with tremendous
originality – visually and narratively and yet still keeps the original
plot. The company is in its 22nd season with this production and
every year they bring more wit, dazzling costumes and lots to
entertain the young ones. Our son went last year and had a great
time. Afterwards, the cast comes out to talk to the audience in
costume and they also share cool activity books specially geared
to the show. Please note also a series of special performances.
For details, visit http://www.odcdance.org/performance.php?
param=2
For tickets, call (415) 978-2787 or order online at http://www.ybca.
org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=10284
27-23 Nov 27th through Dec 23rd
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Carousel Christmas Fantasy,
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley.
Tilden's Herschell-Spillman merry-go-round is a splendid antique
carousel with hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden
carousel animals to ride. The calliope plays music to make any
child's heart sing. For Christmas, they deck the hall in a major way
- so much so that it all spills out onto the lawn much to the
confusion of local deer, raccoon and squirrels. For information call
(510) 524-6773 or visit http://www.tildenmgr.com/christmas.html
27-1 November 27th through January 1st
9:00 a.m. – Midnight everyday.
6:00 p.m. November 28th, Tree Lighting
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, December 6th, San Jose
Holiday Parade
Christmas in the Park, downtown San José, California
at Plaza de Cesar Chavez (between Market and San
Carlos) San Jose, largely FREE
Christmas in the Park is a San Jose tradition. We stumbled
across it last year while were on our way to an event at the Tech
Museum of Innovation which is right across the street. This is a
great activity for that holiday never-never land between Christmas
and New Years. We will likely go to the Tech Museum which has
all sorts of great kids’ exhibits that are interactive and engaging
and then head across the street to the Christmas in the Park
activities. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there are many
compelling reasons to check it out: the ice rink that I mentioned a
last week is right there, rides, food, lots and lots of lights, and just
a fun festive atmosphere. And, if you don’t like the food at the Park,
there are a plethora of good restaurants nearby.
Directions: http://www.christmasinthepark.com/about/directions.
html - Parking, by the way, is hideous, but we ended up parking at
a hotel at Almaden and Park (Park Center Plaza Garage). The
following site highlights all parking in the area: http://www.
sjdowntownparking.com/parking_map.html For information, visit
http://www.christmasinthepark.com/about/faq.html and http:
//www.christmasinthepark.com/events/index.html
28,5-6,11-13,18-23
Nov 28th, Dec 5-6, 11-13, 18-23
6:30 p.m., (5:00 p.m. Dec 6, 13, & 21st), Santa Cruz
Holiday Lights Train, Santa's Kingdom, Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, $22 Adults, $17 kids 3-
12, Kids under 3 FREE, $5 parking
Ride vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful
lights, as they roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz.
Sing along to seasonal carols while sipping hot-spiced cider,
listen to musical entertainment, and enjoy a visit from Santa and
Mrs. Claus. Continue the merriment at Santa’s Kingdom at the
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choice of one activity: “Holiday”
miniature golf, laser tag, or arcade games, is included with Holiday
Lights Train ticket price. Advance reservations recommended.
Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom at the
Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (they do not go to Roaring Camp). 60-
minute round-trip excursion.
For details, directions, and tickets, visit https://jorma2.securesites.
net/holiform09.html
29November 29th through January 2010
All Aboard! European Train Enthusiasts, Blackhawk
Auto Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Circle, Danville,
Admission
Sunday, the 29th opens this annual railroad extravaganza. Every
year, the European Train Enthusiasts take over a good chunk of the
Blackhawk Auto Museum to lay out an amazing display of operating
trains and some astonishingly detailed city scapes. This year they
have brought their most ambitious layout to date, featuring
hundreds of feet of model railroad track and many different, HO
scale model trains. A separate exhibit of Lionel Trains and
Victorian Era Children's blocks are on display in an upstairs
gallery. The European Train Enthusiasts make an amazing train
layout that will occupy your child for a loooonng time. The detail of
the layouts and the numerous trains make it very engaging. Trains
aside, the Blackhawk auto museum has an incredible collection of
truly breathtaking automotive design. Sure, the kids cannot touch,
but everyone can look and appreciate. If you want to touch, go to
the Auto Show at Moscone. Check out http://www.
blackhawkmuseum.org/exhibit_ete.html for information on the
European train exhibit and the museum in general.
On Sunday, November 29th, there will be a train-themed family fun
day with drop in activities.
4-3 December 4th – January 3rd
Friday- Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Monday –
Thursday 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Oakland Zoo presents
ZooLights!, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, $7.50
Adults, $5.50 kids, $2.00 parking
The Oakland Zoo is one of our favorites. ZooLights just makes a
great thing better. It features 120 larger-than-life light displays to
mirror the Oakland Zoo’s full-time animal residents. Holiday music
will fill the air as guests mingle among hundreds of thousands of
energy-efficient LED lights. Don’t miss the ZooLights meadow
show with music provided by Movin’ 99.7 and orchestrated by
Impact Lighting. The train and kids’ ride area will be open during
the evening. The animals, unfortunately, will be in their jammies in
their night quarters. Really. For details, visit http://www.
oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,21/extmode,view/.
5Saturday, December 5th
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Hometown Holidays, Downtown
Redwood City, FREE
Play in the Snow, Children's Parade, tons of entertainment, Petting
Zoo, ice sculpture, Pony Rides, Photos with Santa, Tamale Tasting
Contest, Tree Lighting and a grand finale of FIREWORKS! A
screening of that holiday classic, A Christmas Story will follow. For
full details, visit http://www.hometownholidays.
org/Hometown_Holidays_in_Redwood_City/Program.html
2:00 p.m., Oakland Holiday Parade, Downtown
Oakland, FREE
This is a great holiday event. Check out the following website for
the route, etc. http://www.oaklandholidayparade.com/map.htm.
Highlights include lots of local color and rhythms, Macy’s Parade-
style balloons, lots of clowns, and lots of children’s books and
media characters. We happened on it three years ago and
decided to do it every year. Check out my hint below for (what we
believe to be) a more enjoyable experience.
Parent hint: Given that our son’s nap used to occur at 2-ish, we
found it helpful and a lot more rewarding (spoken from tons of
parade experience) to go to the staging areas at about 1:30 p.m.
and check out the floats, balloons, etc. at our own pace. We
parked at Clay and 11th or 12th. Lots of easy parking and easy
ingress and egress.
6:00 p.m., Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade,
Downtown Calistoga, FREE
Once you are done in Oakland, you can motor up to Calistoga,
right? Yeah. Seriously, though, Calistoga and the Napa Valley are
beautiful at this time of year (granted, it will be pitch black by 6:00 p.
m. so maybe go a little earlier). This evening in particular, visit
Calistoga for a lovely small town Christmas experience. Over 50
antique and contemporary tractors, trucks and other construction
vehicles decked out with lights and other holiday finery will roll
down Calistoga’s main drag.
5-6Saturday and Sunday, December 5th and 6th
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Christmas at Ardenwood,
Ardenwood Historical Farm, $8 Adults, $5 children,
Ardenwood has been mentioned in this space frequently – for
good reason, there is a lot to do revolving around farm life.
Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style! Visit the beautifully
decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, search for the
Yule log, and visit Father Christmas. Listen to live musical
performances and enter their homemade "Christmas Cookie"
baking contest. The day also includes an abundance of Christmas
crafts, music, and country kitchen treats.
For more information, visit http://www.ebparks.
org/activities/events.
For information on Ardenwood, directions, etc., visit http://www.
ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood#activities
5-22Sat, Dec 5th - Tues, Dec 22nd
Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.,
Special holiday showings Monday, December 21st and
Tuesday, December 22nd 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., The
Little Prince presented by the Young Performers
Theater, Fort Mason Building C, Room 300, San
Francisco, $10 adults, $7 children under 13.
The YPT does great family theater in an intimate setting. This
beloved classic tells the story of a world-weary aviator whose plane
crashes, stranding him in the middle of the Sahara Desert. When a
mysterious and regal little boy appears and asks him to draw a
sheep, the aviator is annoyed and unaware that he is about to have
a transforming experience. By learning that "what is essential is
invisible to the eye" the aviator comes to a new understanding of
how to laugh, cry and love again. A treat for all ages! Directions
are at http://www.ypt.org/map.htm and reservations are at http:
//www.ypt.org/tickets.htm
6Sunday, December 6th
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., San Jose Holiday Parade,
Santa Clara Street and Delmas Avenue, San Jose,
FREE
The International Award-Winning San Jose Holiday Parade,
considered one of the "Top 25 Parades in America” by the
International Festivals and Events Association, is ready to step off
the holiday season in Northern California! The San Jose Holiday
Parade, the largest parade of its kind in Northern California (if not
the state) with 5,000 marchers in 90 entries including giant helium
balloons, over two dozen marching bands, creative floats, dozens
of specialty units, clowns and Santa Claus. The parade will step
off on Santa Clara Street and Delmas Avenue, near the HP
Pavilion, and proceed east on Santa Clara Street. It will turn right
on Market Street marching south past Plaza De Cesar Chavez and
ending at San Carlos Street.
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Kid's Play Day,
2114 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $45
Usually, Tree Frog Treks has a Saturday Night event for parents to
do a drop -off for their date night. This one is in mid-day for those
who wish to do a little shopping. On Sunday December 6th,
several local schools including Grattan, New Traditions, and the
New Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila are teaming up with
select Haight Ashbury merchants to raise money for their schools
and to build support for local small businesses. Your children will
meet live animals, create science and art projects, munch on pizza,
and enjoy a movie.
Please pre-register at http://treefrogtreks.com/registration/index.
php. Kid's Play Day is open to the public.
6,20Sunday, December 6th and 20th
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Family Studio: Winter
Whites: One Color Works, Koret Visitors Center, SF
MOMA, 151 Third Street, San Francisco, FREE
Join the SF MOMA for hands-on creativity. Explore art through an
array of participatory activities for kids and adults at SFMOMA's
Family Studio. Programs include hands-on art projects, gallery
tours for the whole family, and a changing lineup of family-friendly
readings and screenings.
What does an all-white artwork look like? This month, families will
create their own all-white works inspired by pieces in SFMOMA's
collection. Step into Anna's world as she visits an art museum and
discovers works by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson
Pollock in a reading of Anna's Art Adventure, by Bjorn Sortland and
illustrated by Lars Elling.
If you haven’t done one of these family studios, it is a great
program: admission is FREE for families, the kids get a well-
designed and supervised activity that immerses them into the
collection, and, well, SF MOMA is a gem of a museum. The Koret
Center is on the 2nd floor. Even if there is no activity in session, it
is worth visiting with your kids. Please note: capacity is limited;
families will be served as space is available.
9Wednesday, December 9th
5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Great Cookie
Exchange, 2114 Hayes Street., San Francisco, FREE
Drop by Tree Frog Treks for their Annual Holiday Open House!
Meet and greet their teachers, staff, and of course their creeping,
crawling, slithering co-workers! Bring cookies to share or just drop
by to say hello to your favorite animal ambassadors! This is a
FREE all ages event and open to the public.
11-17December 11th – Jan 17th 2010
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday, Museum of
American Heritage presents Living LEGO-cy –
Legendary LEGOs and Terrific Trains, 351 Homer
Avenue, Palo Alto, FREE
Are you a gultton for punishment? Then take your LEGO-crazed
child here right before Christmas! Seriously, the Museum of
American Heritage (MOAH), The Bay Area LEGO® User Group
(BayLUG) and Bay Area LEGO Train Club (BayLTC) are again
combining forces this winter to repeat last year's spectacular
Holiday season display at MOAH. MOAH visitors can explore a
variety of LEGO creations and an operating LEGO train layout
featuring a wide variety of creations by club members. Highlighting
it all is Holidays in the Bay Area, a 12 by 25 foot train layout
incorporating multiple trains running through city (you just might
recognize a few), farm, and suburban scenes. These enthusiasts
do amazing things with those bricks! http://www.moah.org/index.
html
12-13Sat & Sun, December 12th & 13th
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hot for the Holidays, The
Crucible, 1260 7th Street, Oakland, FREE
Whatever holiday you celebrate, spark it up with a visit to The
Crucible’s Holiday Gift celebration. Shop for unique and affordable
gifts created by over 70 Bay Area artisans, and experience the
excitement of our 56,000 sq. ft. studio, where furnaces roar and
sparks fly. In addition to a bunch of great gift ideas from Crucible
artists, there will be demonstrations and performances for the
whole family.
• Handmade jewelry, glass creations, sculpture, clothing, ceramics
and more
• Demonstrations of glass blowing, metal casting, and
blacksmithing from 11AM to 3PM
• Family friendly performances
• Santa arrives at 1PM
• Prize drawing at 3PM each day; grand prize drawing Sunday
• Refreshments and holiday treats
• Learn about classes and workshops that will ignite your own
creativity!
For details and directions, visit http://thecrucible.org/events/open-
house/304
19Saturday, December 19th
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Circus Center's Open House
and Holiday Carnival, Circus Center, 755 Frederick
Street, San Francisco, FREE
Come and visit this San Francisco institution that has graduated
talented performers to Cirque du Soleil, Barnum and Bailey, and
other circuses around the world! They will have a day of circus fun
for the whole family including clowns, trapeze artists, free circus
performances, free circus workshops, movies, balloon animals
and much more! Stick around for the 7:30 performance ($15
adults and $10 kids) of the Circus Stars of Tomorrow. This show
is always a lot of fun and these students have amazing talent! For
details and directions, visit: www.circuscenter.org
19,20Saturday & Sunday, Dec 19th & 20th
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claus at the Oakland
Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, Free with Zoo
Admission
We know what you are thinking: Santa Claus is Santa Claus,
right? Wrong. We did this a few years in a row and really enjoy it.
Come a little early, the animals are waking up, a little frisky, Santa
hasn’t yet been thrown up on, and they will have lots of activities
including animal feedings, information on what sort of treats the
animals like, and entertainment. Of course, there is also a great
steam train and a bunch of rides in addition to some of the more
enjoyable animal habitats we have seen. For details, visit http:
//www.oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,102/extmode,view/
That's it for now!
December Update!
The ice rinks are open and the ski resorts are opening one by one
with a good representation open for Thanksgiving!
Make sure to check out our Facebook page. If you like us, be our
fan! Share us! Pass us around!
SPECIAL OFFER!
- SF Ballet is offering HALF-PRICE tickets to the December
8th and 9th 7:00 p.m. performances of the Nutcracker in
San Francisco! Visit sfballet.org/nutcracker and enter
promotion code family and they will waive the $10
processing fee as well!
Make sure to check out the Resources Pages. Here are some
highlights:
- Performing Arts Schedule UPDATED Our favorite venues
have updated their 2009-2010 schedules. Make sure to
check out the shows coming up. As usual, stay tuned as
we will be offering free tickets again to our subscribers!
Don't miss out! - CAMPS! Not just for next summer, but for the winter breaks
as well! - Museums and Other Attractions The Bay Area is rich with
treasures and cool fun things to do! Our lists are broken
down by region! - Check out the NEW Travel Koncierge Travel Ideas page for
tips on how to better enjoy your vacations with your family! - We just added the Kiddie Koncierge Santa Barbara guide
for your vacation planning enjoyment! - We have also added a Family Hiking Page for ideas on
getting those young 'uns out in the fresh air.
Activities at a Glance
Year Round
- Pick Your Own Produce, Brentwood
Through February
- Monarch Butterflies at Monarch Grove, Pacific Grove
September 8th - January 19th
- There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak,
Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street, San
Francisco
Through January 3rd
- Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center! Winter Ice Rinks
are opening all over the Bay Area!
Through January 18th
- Downtown Walnut Creek Ice Rink, 1365 Civic Drive at
Broadway, Walnut Creek
Thursday, November 19th - April 18th
- Golden Gate Express Garden Railway at the Conservatory
of Flowers, Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy
Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Friday, November 20th - January 3rd
- Opening Day, Downtown Ice, Downtown San Jose
Thursday, November 26th - Wednesday, December 2nd
- 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., San Francisco International Auto
Show, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco
Friday November 27th - December 6th
- Holiday Shopping Boutiques and Celebrations, Filoli
Center, 86 Canada Road, Woodside
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 27th-29th
- Houdini Magic Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach,
10979 San Pablo Ave. , El Cerrito, Adults $15, kids $10
Friday, November 27th - December 31st
- 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Fantasy of Lights, Vasona Lake
County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
Friday, November 27th through December 13th
- ODC/Dance The Velveteen Rabbit, Novellus Theater,
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San
Francisco
Friday, November 27th - December 23rd
- 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Carousel Christmas Fantasy, Tilden
Park, Berkeley
Friday, November 27th through January 1st
- San Jose Holiday Parade and Christmas in the Park,
Downtown San Jose, California at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
(between Market and San Carlos, FREE
November 28th, December 5th, 6th, 11th - 13th, 18th - 21st
- Santa Cruz Holiday Lights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk,
Santa Cruz
Sunday, November 29th through January 2010
- European Train Enthusiasts, Blackhawk Auto Museum,
3700 Blackhawk Circle, Danville
Free 1st Sunday, December 6th this month
- Asian Art Museum www.asianart.org
Free 1st Thursday, December 3rd this month
- Berkeley Art Museum www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
- Burlingame Pez Museum www.spectrumnet.com/pez/
December 11th-13th, 17th-20th
- Cal Performances presents the Mark Morris Dance
Group's The Hard Nut, Zellerbach Hall, University of
California Berkeley, Berkeley
Free 2nd Saturday, December 12th this month
- Bay Area Discovery Museum www.baykidsmuseum.org
Free 2nd Sunday, December 13th this month
- Tech Museum of San Jose, www.thetech.org
Free 3rd Wednesday, December 16th this month
- California Academy of Sciences www.calacademy.org
December 4th – January 3rd
- 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Oakland Zoo Presents Zoo Lights,
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, $5.50 - $7.50
Saturday, December 5th
- 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Hometown Holidays, Redwood City,
FREE - 2:00 p.m., Oakland Holiday Parade, FREE
- 6:00 p.m., Calistoga Lighted Tractor Holiday Parade, FREE
Saturday and Sunday, December 5th - 22nd
- The Young Performers Theater Presents The Little
Prince, Fort Mason, San Francisco
December 5th and 6th
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Christmas at Ardenwood,
Ardenwood Historical Farm, $8 Adults, $5 children
Sunday, December 6th
- 8:30 a.m., San Jose Holiday Parade, FREE
- 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Kid's Play Day,
2114 Hayes Street, San Francisco
Sunday, December 6th and 20th
- 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., The Family Studio: Winter Whites:
One Color Works, Koret Visitors Center, SF MOMA 151
Third Street., San Francisco, FREE
Wednesday, December 9th
- 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Annual Great
Cookie Exchange, 2114 Hayes Street, San Francisco,
FREE
December 11th – January 17th
- 11:00 – 4:00 p.m., Museum of American Heritage, LEGO
Legacy, Palo Alto, FREE
Saturday, December 12th
- 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Amador Theater Satur-YAY! Series
This week: Cinderella, Amador Valley High School,
Pleasanton
Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th
- 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hot for the Holidays, the Crucible,
1260 7th Street, Oakland
Saturday, December 19th
- 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Circus Center Open House and
Holiday Carnival, Circus Center, 755 Frederick Street, San
Francisco
December 19th and 20th
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claws at the Oakland
Zoo, Free with Zoo Admission
The Detes
Year-Round
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (specific farms have different
hours) Pick-Your Own Produce, Brentwood, FREE
(picking is free, but you have to pay for the fruit)
Brentwood has a wonderful activity for the entire family. You grab a
basket and head out into the orchards to pick the freshest fruit
available. Once you have picked your fill, get it weighed and pay
the best price you'll find anywhere for the freshest fruit. Make sure
to check the list of growers for what they offer and make sure that
they have U-Pick available.
Canciamilla Ranch on 401 Eureka Ave (925) 634-5123
These guys offer terrific peaches, nectarines, and plums in a
number of different varieties. This ranch has been featured on the
news as a great place to go.
Visit http://harvest4you.com/ for a list of farms by type of produce,
a map of the area, and a farm locater. Of course, you should
probably check to make sure that the fruit is at its peak before you
head out.
8-19September 8, 2009 - January 19, 2009
There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak,
Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street,
San Francisco, Admission
The wonderful Contemporary Jewish Museum is featuring an
exhibit of Sendak's works from the Rosenbach Museum in
Philadelphia, the go-to repository for Sendak's life work. Maurice
Sendak has written or illustrated more than 100 picture books over
his 60-year career. A number of those books, including Where the
Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Chicken Soup with Rice,
inspired generations of children and changed the landscape of
picture books. Included in the exhibition are original watercolors,
preliminary sketches, drawings, and dummy books from more
than 40 of Sendak's books, all from the Rosenbach Museum and
Library in Philadelphia, the repository for Sendak's artwork and
working materials. This major retrospective sheds light on the
many mysteries of his life and art by exploring the intensely
personal undercurrents in his work; and it does so using Sendak's
own words, insights, and remarkable stories. The exhibition
explores a number of different aspects of Sendak's books
including his child characters, monsters, literary and artistic
influences, and the settings of his stories. Visitors will delve into
the hidden nuances and personal secrets within Sendak's work
through exclusive interviews with the artist on digital touch screens
throughout the exhibition. As Sendak himself said in one such
interview, "When you hide another story in a story, that's the story I
am telling the children." These hidden stories within Sendak's
work form the core experience of There's a Mystery There.
Come for the exhibit and stay for this beautiful space. Our family
went recently and the kids loved it. They devoured the books laying
about the museum and camped out on the floor to read. The CJM
also had a cool kid's visitor's guide that made the exhibit more
imersive. For more information,
http://www.thecjm.org/index.php?
option=com_ccevents&scope=exbt&task=detail&oid=42
7-6Saturdays, November 7th through March 6th
11:00 a.m. SaturYAY! Series at the Amador Theater,
Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, Adults $10-18
most shows and Children $6-14
The Amador Theater in Pleasanton has this terrific Saturday
matinee series with wonderful family-friendly entertainment. This
week, it is the Gizmo Guys, a highly entertaining pair of jugglers
whose humor and skills enrapture audiences all over. Going
forward, here is the run-down:
- December 12th - Cinderella
- January 9th, 2010 - the Jungle Book by the State Street
Ballet - February 6th, 2010 - the Sippy Cups
- March 6th, 2010 - Beethoven's Wig
11Wednesday, November 11th
Opening Day for Fall/Winter Outdoor Skating Rinks,
San Francisco, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Pleasanton,
and Dublin
It's that time of year again! Outdoor ice rinks are opening all over
the Bay Area! This is one of our favorite traditions - skating under
the autumn colors with the crisp air as you remember just how
hard and cold that ice really is. We have a few favorites and a few
to keep an eye out for. Visit our Ice Rink Page for all the details.
11 November 2009 – 3 January 2010, Holiday Ice Rink
at Embarcadero Center, Skating $8 adults, $4.50 for
kids 10 and under. Skate rental $3.50.
The outdoor ice rinks open! Of course, if this warm weather keeps
up, it will be a challenge to keep them frozen! Even if you aren’t a
budding Alissa Czisny or just think you are, there is something
really nice about skating under the lights to music. They will have
skating clinics and skates for those of you who don’t own your
own. The nice things about this location is that 1) it is BART
accessible, and 2) there is plenty of great places to eat in the area
at all price ranges. The downside is that parking is expensive and
traffic a little hideous. For directions and details http://www.
embarcaderocenter.com/ec/Holidays/2009rink.html
12-18Thurs, Nov 12th-Jan 18th
12 November 2009 – 18 January 2010, Downtown
Walnut Creek on Ice, 1365 Civic Drive in Civic Park
(at Broadway and Civic – slightly different location),
Walnut Creek, Mon – Thu 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Fri
– Sat 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sun 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.
m. $11 - $15 including skate rental
Walnut Creek’s outdoor skating rink is truly lovely. Nestled amidst
the trees (but somehow sunny when the weather calls for it), and
steps from a great playground and the downtown shopping area (if
you can handle the crowds), it is one of the nicer ones. With the
lights in the trees, it will be especially pretty at night. Nothing but
pluses here: parking in Walnut Creek is pretty easy, lessons are
available, and a shuttle serves BART. For details visit http://www.
iceskatewalnutcreek.com/
19-18Thursday, Nov 19th - April 18th
Golden Gate Express Garden Railway, Conservatory
of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, Adults $5-$7, Kids 12-17, $3.00 -
$5.00, Kids 5-11 $1.50-$2.00, Kids 4 and under FREE
Every year, the already special Conservatory of Flowers in Golden
Gate Park puts up an amazing train display that pays tribute to the
beauty of San Francisco in miniature form. Visitors will be able to
see City Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Painted Ladies, AT&T
Park, the California Academy of Sciences, the Golden Gate Bridge,
the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower among many other
landmarks. Fog even rolls in twice a day and a sound track adds
to the ambiance.
This year some of the landmarks will be made from recycled
activities. There will be a children's interactive train set that kids
can operate, a San Francisco history treasure hunt and much more.
For more details, visit www.conservatoryofflowers.org
3Through January 3rd
20 November 2009 – 3 January 2010, Downtown Ice,
Circle of Palms (between the Fairmont, San Jose and
the San Jose Museum of Art), Downtown San Jose,
Mon – Thu 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Fri 5:00 p.m. –
Midnight, Sat 12 noon – midnight, Sun 12 noon – 10:
00 p.m. $13 - $15 including skate rental
San Jose’s Downtown Ice is Northern California’s answer to the
Rockefeller Center Ice Rink. Nestled in the heart of Downtown
surrounded by palm trees, it must be nice to skate under the stars
were you able to actually see the stars. Downtown San Jose is a
wonderful holiday destination with the Rink, the Winter Wonderland
(details coming soon) and lots of restaurants and other
attractions. For directions, hours, and other details, visit http:
//www.sjdowntown.com/DowntownIce.html
26-2 Thurs., Nov 26th – Weds., Dec 2nd
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., San Francisco International
Auto Show, Moscone Convention Center, San
Francisco, Adults $8, Children 12 and under free
when accompanied by an adult
OK, maybe going to an auto show is not your cup of tea, but if you
ARE in the market for a new car, this is not a bad place to go for
data collecting. Kids will also love climbing all over the millions of
dollars of heavy metal (much to the chagrin of the Armor all-toting
maintenance people who will be wiping up their little finger prints).
There are a bunch of kid-friendly activities, though and it is not a
bad way to escape the sales. http://www.sfautoshow.com/
27-6 Friday, Nov 27th – Dec 6th
Holiday Shopping Boutiques and Celebrations, Filoli
Center, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, Admission
Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, the Filoli Center is the
former estate of the Bourn family, whose wealth came from gold
mining and was last owned by the Roth family, the owners of
Matson Navigation. The Roths donated the 654-acre estate to the
National Trust for Historic Preservation and it currently extends
from Skyline Drive to just short of the 280. The gardens and the
home are the hallmarks of this center. Visitors of all ages will
appreciate and enjoy the gorgeous gardens that change with the
seasons. The Center is closed until the beginning of February, but
from late November to early December, the Center comes alive
with special decorations markets, and events geared for the
holidays. Ordinarily, a market is a market is a market, but Filoli
finds rare and unusual holiday items for the home and garden that
make these events worth checking out. THESE EVENTS SELL
OUT SOON, so get your reservations in early. For details, visit http:
//www.filoli.org/special-events-and-exhibits/holiday-traditions.
html. For directions, visit http://www.filoli.org/plan-your-
visit/directions.html
27-31Friday, Nov 27th – Dec 31st
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Fantasy of Lights, Vasona Lake
County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, $10
per vehicle weeknights through December 10th, $15
per vehicle Weekends and 7 days a week from
December 11th onwards
The Fantasy of Lights is a 1.5 mile drive through holiday
experience in the woods of Los Gatos with thousands of lights and
slightly fewer animated displays. Visitors can enjoy the holiday
spectacle from the comfort of their vehicle as they drive through the
holiday lights and spectacular displays. Visitors are encouraged to
check out the Fantasy Train (an open-air train ride although a
heated car sounds a lot more appealing!), the Tunnel of Lights, the
Pirate Ship with booming cannons and Dinosaur Den II featuring
Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brontosaurus and new den mates, Raptor,
Parasaurolophus, mother triceratops and Pterodactyl.
Visitors before December 10th will get the "Early Bird" admission
price of only $10, Free 3-D glasses while supplies last.
For details, visit http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/parks/. For
directions, visit http://www.sccgov.
org/portal/site/parks/parksarticle?path=%252Fv7%252FParks%
2520and%2520Recreation%252C%2520Department%2520of%
2520%2528DEP%
2529&contentId=444dd142d0dd5110VgnVCM10000048dc4a92_
___
27-13 Nov 27th through December 13th
2:00 p.m. Nov 27, 28, 29, Dec. 6, and Dec 13
11:00 a.m. Dec 3, 4, 10, 11
1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Dec 5 and 12
ODC/Dance The Velveteen Rabbit, Novellus Theater,
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St at
Third, San Francisco, $15-$45.
ODC/Dance recreates this children’s classic with tremendous
originality – visually and narratively and yet still keeps the original
plot. The company is in its 22nd season with this production and
every year they bring more wit, dazzling costumes and lots to
entertain the young ones. Our son went last year and had a great
time. Afterwards, the cast comes out to talk to the audience in
costume and they also share cool activity books specially geared
to the show. Please note also a series of special performances.
- All 11:00 Matinee (Dec 3, 4, 10, 11) tickets are $15 for all
seats. - Friday, Nov 27th, 2:00 p.m. Grandparents and Photo Day.
Grandparents get 20% off tickets - Sunday, Nov 29th Milk and Cookies Party. Join the
Characters for a post performance party. Dance with the
performers, get your face painted. This event sells out so
get your tickets early. $12 separate admission - Saturday, Dec 5th and 12th Save a Bunny Petting Zoo Day
For details, visit http://www.odcdance.org/performance.php?
param=2
For tickets, call (415) 978-2787 or order online at http://www.ybca.
org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=10284
27-23 Nov 27th through Dec 23rd
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Carousel Christmas Fantasy,
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley.
Tilden's Herschell-Spillman merry-go-round is a splendid antique
carousel with hand-carved and beautifully painted wooden
carousel animals to ride. The calliope plays music to make any
child's heart sing. For Christmas, they deck the hall in a major way
- so much so that it all spills out onto the lawn much to the
confusion of local deer, raccoon and squirrels. For information call
(510) 524-6773 or visit http://www.tildenmgr.com/christmas.html
27-1 November 27th through January 1st
9:00 a.m. – Midnight everyday.
6:00 p.m. November 28th, Tree Lighting
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, December 6th, San Jose
Holiday Parade
Christmas in the Park, downtown San José, California
at Plaza de Cesar Chavez (between Market and San
Carlos) San Jose, largely FREE
Christmas in the Park is a San Jose tradition. We stumbled
across it last year while were on our way to an event at the Tech
Museum of Innovation which is right across the street. This is a
great activity for that holiday never-never land between Christmas
and New Years. We will likely go to the Tech Museum which has
all sorts of great kids’ exhibits that are interactive and engaging
and then head across the street to the Christmas in the Park
activities. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there are many
compelling reasons to check it out: the ice rink that I mentioned a
last week is right there, rides, food, lots and lots of lights, and just
a fun festive atmosphere. And, if you don’t like the food at the Park,
there are a plethora of good restaurants nearby.
Directions: http://www.christmasinthepark.com/about/directions.
html - Parking, by the way, is hideous, but we ended up parking at
a hotel at Almaden and Park (Park Center Plaza Garage). The
following site highlights all parking in the area: http://www.
sjdowntownparking.com/parking_map.html For information, visit
http://www.christmasinthepark.com/about/faq.html and http:
//www.christmasinthepark.com/events/index.html
28,5-6,11-13,18-23
Nov 28th, Dec 5-6, 11-13, 18-23
6:30 p.m., (5:00 p.m. Dec 6, 13, & 21st), Santa Cruz
Holiday Lights Train, Santa's Kingdom, Santa Cruz
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, $22 Adults, $17 kids 3-
12, Kids under 3 FREE, $5 parking
Ride vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful
lights, as they roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz.
Sing along to seasonal carols while sipping hot-spiced cider,
listen to musical entertainment, and enjoy a visit from Santa and
Mrs. Claus. Continue the merriment at Santa’s Kingdom at the
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choice of one activity: “Holiday”
miniature golf, laser tag, or arcade games, is included with Holiday
Lights Train ticket price. Advance reservations recommended.
Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom at the
Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (they do not go to Roaring Camp). 60-
minute round-trip excursion.
For details, directions, and tickets, visit https://jorma2.securesites.
net/holiform09.html
29November 29th through January 2010
All Aboard! European Train Enthusiasts, Blackhawk
Auto Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Circle, Danville,
Admission
Sunday, the 29th opens this annual railroad extravaganza. Every
year, the European Train Enthusiasts take over a good chunk of the
Blackhawk Auto Museum to lay out an amazing display of operating
trains and some astonishingly detailed city scapes. This year they
have brought their most ambitious layout to date, featuring
hundreds of feet of model railroad track and many different, HO
scale model trains. A separate exhibit of Lionel Trains and
Victorian Era Children's blocks are on display in an upstairs
gallery. The European Train Enthusiasts make an amazing train
layout that will occupy your child for a loooonng time. The detail of
the layouts and the numerous trains make it very engaging. Trains
aside, the Blackhawk auto museum has an incredible collection of
truly breathtaking automotive design. Sure, the kids cannot touch,
but everyone can look and appreciate. If you want to touch, go to
the Auto Show at Moscone. Check out http://www.
blackhawkmuseum.org/exhibit_ete.html for information on the
European train exhibit and the museum in general.
On Sunday, November 29th, there will be a train-themed family fun
day with drop in activities.
4-3 December 4th – January 3rd
Friday- Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Monday –
Thursday 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Oakland Zoo presents
ZooLights!, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, $7.50
Adults, $5.50 kids, $2.00 parking
The Oakland Zoo is one of our favorites. ZooLights just makes a
great thing better. It features 120 larger-than-life light displays to
mirror the Oakland Zoo’s full-time animal residents. Holiday music
will fill the air as guests mingle among hundreds of thousands of
energy-efficient LED lights. Don’t miss the ZooLights meadow
show with music provided by Movin’ 99.7 and orchestrated by
Impact Lighting. The train and kids’ ride area will be open during
the evening. The animals, unfortunately, will be in their jammies in
their night quarters. Really. For details, visit http://www.
oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,21/extmode,view/.
5Saturday, December 5th
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Hometown Holidays, Downtown
Redwood City, FREE
Play in the Snow, Children's Parade, tons of entertainment, Petting
Zoo, ice sculpture, Pony Rides, Photos with Santa, Tamale Tasting
Contest, Tree Lighting and a grand finale of FIREWORKS! A
screening of that holiday classic, A Christmas Story will follow. For
full details, visit http://www.hometownholidays.
org/Hometown_Holidays_in_Redwood_City/Program.html
2:00 p.m., Oakland Holiday Parade, Downtown
Oakland, FREE
This is a great holiday event. Check out the following website for
the route, etc. http://www.oaklandholidayparade.com/map.htm.
Highlights include lots of local color and rhythms, Macy’s Parade-
style balloons, lots of clowns, and lots of children’s books and
media characters. We happened on it three years ago and
decided to do it every year. Check out my hint below for (what we
believe to be) a more enjoyable experience.
Parent hint: Given that our son’s nap used to occur at 2-ish, we
found it helpful and a lot more rewarding (spoken from tons of
parade experience) to go to the staging areas at about 1:30 p.m.
and check out the floats, balloons, etc. at our own pace. We
parked at Clay and 11th or 12th. Lots of easy parking and easy
ingress and egress.
6:00 p.m., Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade,
Downtown Calistoga, FREE
Once you are done in Oakland, you can motor up to Calistoga,
right? Yeah. Seriously, though, Calistoga and the Napa Valley are
beautiful at this time of year (granted, it will be pitch black by 6:00 p.
m. so maybe go a little earlier). This evening in particular, visit
Calistoga for a lovely small town Christmas experience. Over 50
antique and contemporary tractors, trucks and other construction
vehicles decked out with lights and other holiday finery will roll
down Calistoga’s main drag.
5-6Saturday and Sunday, December 5th and 6th
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Christmas at Ardenwood,
Ardenwood Historical Farm, $8 Adults, $5 children,
Ardenwood has been mentioned in this space frequently – for
good reason, there is a lot to do revolving around farm life.
Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style! Visit the beautifully
decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, search for the
Yule log, and visit Father Christmas. Listen to live musical
performances and enter their homemade "Christmas Cookie"
baking contest. The day also includes an abundance of Christmas
crafts, music, and country kitchen treats.
For more information, visit http://www.ebparks.
org/activities/events.
For information on Ardenwood, directions, etc., visit http://www.
ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood#activities
5-22Sat, Dec 5th - Tues, Dec 22nd
Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.,
Special holiday showings Monday, December 21st and
Tuesday, December 22nd 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., The
Little Prince presented by the Young Performers
Theater, Fort Mason Building C, Room 300, San
Francisco, $10 adults, $7 children under 13.
The YPT does great family theater in an intimate setting. This
beloved classic tells the story of a world-weary aviator whose plane
crashes, stranding him in the middle of the Sahara Desert. When a
mysterious and regal little boy appears and asks him to draw a
sheep, the aviator is annoyed and unaware that he is about to have
a transforming experience. By learning that "what is essential is
invisible to the eye" the aviator comes to a new understanding of
how to laugh, cry and love again. A treat for all ages! Directions
are at http://www.ypt.org/map.htm and reservations are at http:
//www.ypt.org/tickets.htm
6Sunday, December 6th
8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., San Jose Holiday Parade,
Santa Clara Street and Delmas Avenue, San Jose,
FREE
The International Award-Winning San Jose Holiday Parade,
considered one of the "Top 25 Parades in America” by the
International Festivals and Events Association, is ready to step off
the holiday season in Northern California! The San Jose Holiday
Parade, the largest parade of its kind in Northern California (if not
the state) with 5,000 marchers in 90 entries including giant helium
balloons, over two dozen marching bands, creative floats, dozens
of specialty units, clowns and Santa Claus. The parade will step
off on Santa Clara Street and Delmas Avenue, near the HP
Pavilion, and proceed east on Santa Clara Street. It will turn right
on Market Street marching south past Plaza De Cesar Chavez and
ending at San Carlos Street.
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Kid's Play Day,
2114 Hayes Street, San Francisco, $45
Usually, Tree Frog Treks has a Saturday Night event for parents to
do a drop -off for their date night. This one is in mid-day for those
who wish to do a little shopping. On Sunday December 6th,
several local schools including Grattan, New Traditions, and the
New Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila are teaming up with
select Haight Ashbury merchants to raise money for their schools
and to build support for local small businesses. Your children will
meet live animals, create science and art projects, munch on pizza,
and enjoy a movie.
Please pre-register at http://treefrogtreks.com/registration/index.
php. Kid's Play Day is open to the public.
6,20Sunday, December 6th and 20th
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., The Family Studio: Winter
Whites: One Color Works, Koret Visitors Center, SF
MOMA, 151 Third Street, San Francisco, FREE
Join the SF MOMA for hands-on creativity. Explore art through an
array of participatory activities for kids and adults at SFMOMA's
Family Studio. Programs include hands-on art projects, gallery
tours for the whole family, and a changing lineup of family-friendly
readings and screenings.
What does an all-white artwork look like? This month, families will
create their own all-white works inspired by pieces in SFMOMA's
collection. Step into Anna's world as she visits an art museum and
discovers works by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson
Pollock in a reading of Anna's Art Adventure, by Bjorn Sortland and
illustrated by Lars Elling.
If you haven’t done one of these family studios, it is a great
program: admission is FREE for families, the kids get a well-
designed and supervised activity that immerses them into the
collection, and, well, SF MOMA is a gem of a museum. The Koret
Center is on the 2nd floor. Even if there is no activity in session, it
is worth visiting with your kids. Please note: capacity is limited;
families will be served as space is available.
9Wednesday, December 9th
5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Tree Frog Treks Great Cookie
Exchange, 2114 Hayes Street., San Francisco, FREE
Drop by Tree Frog Treks for their Annual Holiday Open House!
Meet and greet their teachers, staff, and of course their creeping,
crawling, slithering co-workers! Bring cookies to share or just drop
by to say hello to your favorite animal ambassadors! This is a
FREE all ages event and open to the public.
11-17December 11th – Jan 17th 2010
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday, Museum of
American Heritage presents Living LEGO-cy –
Legendary LEGOs and Terrific Trains, 351 Homer
Avenue, Palo Alto, FREE
Are you a gultton for punishment? Then take your LEGO-crazed
child here right before Christmas! Seriously, the Museum of
American Heritage (MOAH), The Bay Area LEGO® User Group
(BayLUG) and Bay Area LEGO Train Club (BayLTC) are again
combining forces this winter to repeat last year's spectacular
Holiday season display at MOAH. MOAH visitors can explore a
variety of LEGO creations and an operating LEGO train layout
featuring a wide variety of creations by club members. Highlighting
it all is Holidays in the Bay Area, a 12 by 25 foot train layout
incorporating multiple trains running through city (you just might
recognize a few), farm, and suburban scenes. These enthusiasts
do amazing things with those bricks! http://www.moah.org/index.
html
12-13Sat & Sun, December 12th & 13th
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Hot for the Holidays, The
Crucible, 1260 7th Street, Oakland, FREE
Whatever holiday you celebrate, spark it up with a visit to The
Crucible’s Holiday Gift celebration. Shop for unique and affordable
gifts created by over 70 Bay Area artisans, and experience the
excitement of our 56,000 sq. ft. studio, where furnaces roar and
sparks fly. In addition to a bunch of great gift ideas from Crucible
artists, there will be demonstrations and performances for the
whole family.
• Handmade jewelry, glass creations, sculpture, clothing, ceramics
and more
• Demonstrations of glass blowing, metal casting, and
blacksmithing from 11AM to 3PM
• Family friendly performances
• Santa arrives at 1PM
• Prize drawing at 3PM each day; grand prize drawing Sunday
• Refreshments and holiday treats
• Learn about classes and workshops that will ignite your own
creativity!
For details and directions, visit http://thecrucible.org/events/open-
house/304
19Saturday, December 19th
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Circus Center's Open House
and Holiday Carnival, Circus Center, 755 Frederick
Street, San Francisco, FREE
Come and visit this San Francisco institution that has graduated
talented performers to Cirque du Soleil, Barnum and Bailey, and
other circuses around the world! They will have a day of circus fun
for the whole family including clowns, trapeze artists, free circus
performances, free circus workshops, movies, balloon animals
and much more! Stick around for the 7:30 performance ($15
adults and $10 kids) of the Circus Stars of Tomorrow. This show
is always a lot of fun and these students have amazing talent! For
details and directions, visit: www.circuscenter.org
19,20Saturday & Sunday, Dec 19th & 20th
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claus at the Oakland
Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, Free with Zoo
Admission
We know what you are thinking: Santa Claus is Santa Claus,
right? Wrong. We did this a few years in a row and really enjoy it.
Come a little early, the animals are waking up, a little frisky, Santa
hasn’t yet been thrown up on, and they will have lots of activities
including animal feedings, information on what sort of treats the
animals like, and entertainment. Of course, there is also a great
steam train and a bunch of rides in addition to some of the more
enjoyable animal habitats we have seen. For details, visit http:
//www.oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,102/extmode,view/
That's it for now!
Kiddie Koncierge
A seedling of ImuaPartners, LLC
Copyright 2006-2009 Kiddie Koncierge™, all rights reserved.
A seedling of ImuaPartners, LLC
Copyright 2006-2009 Kiddie Koncierge™, all rights reserved.
| Other Events From Past Kiddie Koncierges Bank of America FREE Museum Weekend, FREE Admission to Museums for Bank of America Cardholders (ATM, Check, Credit Card) The first weekend of every month through early 2010 is FREE admission to selected Bay Area Museums for Bank of American card holders. Bay Area Museums include:
and FREE dates, visit http://promotions. bankofamerica.com/museums/ From Now until December 1st East Bay Regional Parks Trails Challenge (Click here for details) |
| SPONSOR THIS PAGE! Click here to contact us! |
| On Going It’s the weekend and your kids are climbing the walls. At a loss for something to do? The following are events that are happening every week. Visit our Weekend Page for full details. Saturdays
Sundays
|
See Pianist Marino Formenti at a special SF Performances family matinee Saturday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m. at Herbst Theatre! Click HERE for more details. AND!!! Kiddie Koncierge and Cal Performances are pleased to offer FREE tickets to see the Mark Morris Dance Group's Hard Nut, 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 11th at Zellerbach Hall on the University of California, Berkeley Campus! Click HERE for more details! |
