 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  |
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!
Christmas (Friday, the 25th), Chanukah (Friday, the 11th) and
Kwanzaa (Friday, the 26th through January 1) are right around the
corner! There are a ton of events coming up, some with a holiday
theme and many with out. Now we know that we’re all in a world of
hurt right now but be of good cheer, there are a bunch of great
things to check out that take some of that sting off:
Snow Play
With all the snow that we have been getting there is a lot of fresh
and man-made snow. The resorts and snow parks are open! Just
a thought – if you are teaching kids, you do not necessarily need a
lift ticket if you do not mind walking up the hill. Check out the Snow
Play Guide for more details
Apologies to our subscribers who do not celebrate Christmas for
the following.
Christmas Tree Thoughts
There are two great places to keep in mind for Christmas trees:
Home Depot (which, by the way, is an EXCELLENT place for
Halloween pumpkins) and the Christmas Tree farm. The former
is for economy and expediency (note: Home Depot is not carrying
as many trees this year), but if you want an experience, it is fun to
take a thermos of hot chocolate and venture into the hills with a
saw and a wheelbarrow and find your own (cultivated) tree. The
following site is the go-to place for a cut-you-own tree farm: http:
//www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/CAxmastrees.php We
have had friends who have really enjoyed an outing at the Skyline
Tree Farm. We liked the tree farm in Martinez on Alhambra Valley
Road. A great way to kick off the season.
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 27th - December 31st
Friday, November 27th - December 23rd
Friday, November 27th through January 1st
December 18th - 21st
Sunday, November 29th through January 10, 2010
December 17th-20th
Free 3rd Wednesday, December 16th this month
Saturday and Sunday, December 5th - 22nd
Sunday, December 6th and 20th
December 11th – January 17th
Saturday, December 19th
Saturday and Sunday, December 19th and 20th
Daily Though December 24th
Wednesday, December 24th
Friday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Saturday, December 26th
Wednesday, December 31st
Saturday, January 9th
Sunday, January 31st
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:
3Through January 3rd
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.
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
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
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/.
Various Dates, Family Entertainment at The Marsh,
1062 Valencia Street., San Francisco, $7-10
The Marsh has been around for a while, providing San
Franciscans and Missionites (Missionaries?) with quality
community entertainment. This holiday season they have two
shows of note:
18Through January 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
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_
27-23 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
29November 29th through January 10, 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.
18-23December 18-23
6:30 p.m., (5:00 p.m. Dec 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
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
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.
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
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
11:00 a.m., A Family Sing-Along, Grace Cathedral,
1100 California Street, San Francisco, $10-$25/Adults,
$5-$15/Children
Bring the whole family for the first Family Sing-Along at the
stunning Grace Cathedral! Join the festive San Francisco School of
the Arts choir in singing your favorite carols of the holiday season.
For details, visit http://www.gracecathedral.
org/calendar/overview/musicevents/detail/index.php?eid=1586
19-20Sat & Sun, Dec 19th & 20th
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claws, Oakland Zoo,
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, Free with regular zoo
admission (hot breakfast extra)
The Oakland Zoo will host a very special guest this holiday
season, when Santa Claus visits the Zoo for Paws and Claus.
Children and families will have the chance to meet St. Nick, share
their wish lists and have photos taken with Santa. A variety of family-
friendly holiday entertainment is planned and a delicious hot
breakfast will also be for sale in the Island Café. A donation of $5
per photo is requested to benefit Oakland Zoo’s animal residents.
For more information, please call 510-632-9525 or visit http://www.
oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,313/extmode,view/
24Daily Though December 24th
10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Teddy Bear Tea, Lobby
Lounge, Ritz Carlton San Francisco 600 Stockton at
California, San Francisco, $80 per guest
Children and their favorite stuffed animals gather for traditional
Teddy Bear Tea with Binky the Elf. Holiday storytelling, balloons
and a visit and photograph with the cuddly Ritz-Carlton Teddy are
complemented by a small teddy bear to take home and a special
tea experience of hot chocolate, teddy bear cut-out cookies and
assorted sandwiches. A portion of proceeds will benefit The
Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. http://www.ritzcarlton.
com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco/Information/Calendar/Default.
htm
24Wednesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve, Santa Tracking starting at 2:00 a.m.
Mountain Time, ONLINE at http://www.noradsanta.
org/en/home.htm.
This is a wacky but fun activity. When I grew up you could call
NORAD or listen to this on the radio. Since 1955, the North
American Aerospace Defense Command, (NORAD), the same
guys who keep track of anything flying through the air, have been
tracking the aerial progress of a certain portly fellow as he makes
his way around the globe using satellites, airborne escort, and
radar.
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., Candy Canes For Horses at
Sunrise Stables, 1098 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, FREE
Join us for this fourth annual event. Come feed the rescued horses
and enjoy photo ops for the family--the horses will be wearing
holiday attire. There is no charge and no RSVPs needed. Rain
cancels the event. For details, call (707) 337.5582 or visit http:
//www.srshorsesnapavalley.com/
25Friday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Free Family Day on Christmas, Contemporary Jewish
Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, FREE
Don’t celebrate Christmas? Celebrating the holiday but on a
different day and want something to do with the crew? The ever
wonderful Contemporary Jewish Museum and your buddies at
Target will host a free day of fun on Christmas Day. Visitors will
enjoy admission, free access to unique and educational
exhibitions, lively music performances, family-friendly hands-on
activities, storytelling, and more. As the only museum open on
Christmas, the Museum provides an alternative for children and
their families to come together and experience art, culture, and
ideas. Visitors will learn about traditions of candles, lamps, oil, and
lanterns from many cultures and create their own holiday artwork.
While you are there make sure to check out the Maurice Sendak
exhibit that closes in January. For details, visit www.thecjm.org
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Open House at the Ford House
Museum, Ford House Museum, 735 Main Street,
Mendocino, FREE
A classic Mendocino tradition, the Christmas Day open house at
the Ford House Museum in Mendocino Village offers visitors home-
made cinnamon buns, hot coffee and spiced cider in front of a
crackling fire. For details, call (707) 937-5397
26Saturday, December 26th
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Kwanzaa Celebration, Bay Area
Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito,
FREE
Celebrate Kwanzaa throughout the Museum with art projects
inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the
Museum's Entry Pavilion. Renowned jazz drummer E. W.
Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us
on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms,
such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings
in African cultures to today. The program features instrumental
music, songs, theater, and audience participation. http://www.
baykidsmuseum.org/programs_events/festivals/kwanzaa/
31Wednesday, December 31st
6:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., Ritz Kids New Year's Eve Party
& New Year's Eve Teen Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Half
Moon Bay, One Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon
Bay, $100/Child, $80/Each Additional Sibling
While the parents are off at the grown up celebration, this might be
a nice alternative to a sitter. Little ladies and gentlemen can enjoy
a fun-filled party of their own with movies, games, karaoke, pool
party, arts and crafts, a children's buffet and a countdown complete
with party hats, noisemakers, a balloon drop and a toast of
sparkling apple cider. For guests staying at the hotel there is a
complimentary Family Lounge with games and movies. For
details and reservation information, visit http://www.ritzcarlton.
com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Childrens/Default.htm
10:45 a.m. (For six and under) 12:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.
m. (two drops at each time - Space Lab for five and
under, Rotunda for six and under), New Year's Eve
Balloon Drop, Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000
Skyline Blvd., $4 plus admission
Start a family tradition, join Chabot at the stroke of 11 am, 1pm and
4pm on December 31, as they celebrate the start of the real New
Year with music and balloons dropping from their ceiling, many
filled with prizes. The times coincide with New Year’s celebrations
around the world. Ring in the New Year with the kids without them
staying up past their bedtime! Space is limited and advance
reservations are REQUIRED. Call the Chabot Box Office at (510)
336-7373. For details, visit http://chabotspace.org/visit/calendar/?
date=12/31/2009#calendar
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Bay Area Parent's Noon Years
Eve Party, Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road
San Carlos, $6 – 10, Children 4 and under FREE
Come to the Hiller Aviation Museum on New Years’ Eve for
entertainment and activities for all ages! You'll find games, a
climbing wall, jump house, face painter, DeeJay, puppet show, a
magician, a balloon drop and pizza. Visit http://hiller.
org/noonyear2009.shtml for more details.
31Sunday, January 31st
12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Berkeley Ballet Boys Open
House, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Julia Morgan Center
for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley, FREE
You'd be surprised who ends up being great dancers. Just ask
Herschel Walker and Lynn Swann to name a few. Then, who can
forget MJ? If your child has even the remotest interest in dance or
just has a great time breaking it down to tunes in your living room,
you should check this out. The Berkeley Ballet Theater is hosting
an afternoon of dance events featuring
participants through a little over 30 minute clinic in each of four
dance styles to give the guys a flavor for dance. The best part is it
is FREE and no reservations are necessary. We know the hip-hop
teacher and, if he is any indicator, the participants are in for a great
time. For more details, visit http://www.berkeleyballet.
org/pdfs/boys_open_house.pdf
That's it for now!
December Update!
Christmas (Friday, the 25th), Chanukah (Friday, the 11th) and
Kwanzaa (Friday, the 26th through January 1) are right around the
corner! There are a ton of events coming up, some with a holiday
theme and many with out. Now we know that we’re all in a world of
hurt right now but be of good cheer, there are a bunch of great
things to check out that take some of that sting off:
- Letters to Santa – Whether you are helping your child send
one off or if you want to help others who could use some
holiday cheer, check out our Letters to Santa Page! - Holiday Lights A bunch of people and municipalities
throughout the Bay Area are offering brilliant light displays
that can get us all in the spirit for FREE. Go to this website
http://www.garsondesign.com/holidays/xmas.html and
scroll down to the “Where to view Holiday Lights” section on
the lower right hand side of the site. Another place to go to
see where the most egregious abusers of PGE are located
(joking), visit http://www.lightsofthevalley.com/. Lastly, the
Mormon Temple on Lincoln in Oakland also has an awe-
inspiring display of lights. - Check out our Gift Resources page. Besides cool ideas
on where to do some shopping for your kids online or in the
stores, there are some ideas on how to save some money
including a pretty amazing promotion by the City of San
Francisco that includes shopping discounts, discounted
hotel rooms for a parents’ night out, and other great
discounts!
Snow Play
With all the snow that we have been getting there is a lot of fresh
and man-made snow. The resorts and snow parks are open! Just
a thought – if you are teaching kids, you do not necessarily need a
lift ticket if you do not mind walking up the hill. Check out the Snow
Play Guide for more details
Apologies to our subscribers who do not celebrate Christmas for
the following.
Christmas Tree Thoughts
There are two great places to keep in mind for Christmas trees:
Home Depot (which, by the way, is an EXCELLENT place for
Halloween pumpkins) and the Christmas Tree farm. The former
is for economy and expediency (note: Home Depot is not carrying
as many trees this year), but if you want an experience, it is fun to
take a thermos of hot chocolate and venture into the hills with a
saw and a wheelbarrow and find your own (cultivated) tree. The
following site is the go-to place for a cut-you-own tree farm: http:
//www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/CAxmastrees.php We
have had friends who have really enjoyed an outing at the Skyline
Tree Farm. We liked the tree farm in Martinez on Alhambra Valley
Road. A great way to kick off the season.
Make sure to check out our Facebook page. If you like us, be our
fan! Share us! Pass us around!
SPECIAL OFFER!
- $30 off Wicked Tickets! Save some serious bucks on
tickets to this Tony Award-winning show for performances
in January. Visit http://www.ticketmaster.
com/promo/ilzyqt/?dma_id=382 and enter offer code
3GOOD
Make sure to check out the Resources Pages. Here are some
highlights:
- Gift Ideas - Still looking for that favorite gift? We have a few
ideas on our Gift Page. - 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! - Downtown Ice, Downtown San Jose
- 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Oakland Zoo Presents Zoo Lights,
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, $5.50 - $7.50 - Family Shows at The Marsh, 1062 Valencia Street, San
Francisco, $7 - $12
- 11:00 a.m., The Amazing Bubble Man
- 2:00 p.m., The Unique Derique and Friends
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 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 - 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
December 18th - 21st
- Santa Cruz Holiday Lights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk,
Santa Cruz
Sunday, November 29th through January 10, 2010
- European Train Enthusiasts, Blackhawk Auto Museum,
3700 Blackhawk Circle, Danville
December 17th-20th
- Cal Performances presents the Mark Morris Dance
Group's The Hard Nut, Zellerbach Hall, University of
California Berkeley, Berkeley
Free 3rd Wednesday, December 16th this month
- California Academy of Sciences www.calacademy.org
Saturday and Sunday, December 5th - 22nd
- The Young Performers Theater Presents The Little
Prince, Fort Mason, 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
December 11th – January 17th
- 11:00 – 4:00 p.m., Museum of American Heritage, LEGO
Legacy, Palo Alto, FREE
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 - 11:00 a.m., A Family Sing-Along, Grace Cathedral, 1100
California Street, San Francisco, $10-$25/Adults,
$5-$15/Children
Saturday and Sunday, December 19th and 20th
- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claws at the Oakland
Zoo, Free with Zoo Admission
Daily Though December 24th
- 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Teddy Bear Tea, Lobby Lounge,
Ritz Carlton San Francisco 600 Stockton at California,
San Francisco, $80 per guest
Wednesday, December 24th
- Christmas Eve, Santa Tracking starting at 2:00 a.m.
Mountain Time, ONLINE at http://www.noradsanta.
org/en/home.htm. - 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., Candy Canes For Horses at
Sunrise Stables, 1098 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, FREE
Friday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- Free Family Day on Christmas, Contemporary Jewish
Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, FREE - 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Open House at the Ford House
Museum, Ford House Museum, 735 Main Street,
Mendocino, FREE
Saturday, December 26th
- 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Kwanzaa Celebration, Bay Area
Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito,
FREE
Wednesday, December 31st
- 6:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., Ritz Kids New Year's Eve Party &
New Year's Eve Teen Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon
Bay, One Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay,
$100/Child, $80/Each Additional Sibling - 10:45 a.m. (For six and under) 12:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.m.
(two drops at each time - Space Lab for five and under,
Rotunda for six and under), New Year's Eve Balloon Drop,
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., $4
plus admission - 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Bay Area Parent's Noon Years Eve
Party, Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road San
Carlos, $6 – 10, Children 4 and under FREE
Saturday, January 9th
- 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Amador Theater Satur-YAY! Series
This week: The Jungle Book by the State Street Ballet,
Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton
Sunday, January 31st
- 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Berkeley Ballet Boys Open House,
Berkeley Ballet Theater, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts,
2640 College Ave., Berkeley, FREE
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:
- January 9th, 2010 - the Jungle Book by the State Street
Ballet - February 6th, 2010 - the Sippy Cups
- March 6th, 2010 - Beethoven's Wig
3Through January 3rd
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.
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
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
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/.
Various Dates, Family Entertainment at The Marsh,
1062 Valencia Street., San Francisco, $7-10
The Marsh has been around for a while, providing San
Franciscans and Missionites (Missionaries?) with quality
community entertainment. This holiday season they have two
shows of note:
- Fun-derful Holidaze - a clown show featuring the Unique
Derique and friends in a dazzling show with jugglers,
hambone music, and hip hop dancers. Performances
Saturdays and Sundays through January 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 28-30 also
at 2:00 p.m. For details and tickets, visit http://www.
themarsh.org/unique_derique_funderful_holidaze_2009.
html - The Amazing Bubble Man Presents the Greatest Bubble
Show on Earth You have never seen such artistry with
soapy water. There is lots of audience participation and a
wonderful energy. It is amazing what this guy can do in 45
minutes! Performances Sundays through December 3rd,
11:00 a.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday December 29th
and 30th at 11:00 a.m.. For details and tickets, visit http:
//www.themarsh.org/bubble_guy_2009.html
18Through January 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
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_
27-23 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
29November 29th through January 10, 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.
18-23December 18-23
6:30 p.m., (5:00 p.m. Dec 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
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
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.
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
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
11:00 a.m., A Family Sing-Along, Grace Cathedral,
1100 California Street, San Francisco, $10-$25/Adults,
$5-$15/Children
Bring the whole family for the first Family Sing-Along at the
stunning Grace Cathedral! Join the festive San Francisco School of
the Arts choir in singing your favorite carols of the holiday season.
For details, visit http://www.gracecathedral.
org/calendar/overview/musicevents/detail/index.php?eid=1586
19-20Sat & Sun, Dec 19th & 20th
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Paws and Claws, Oakland Zoo,
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, Free with regular zoo
admission (hot breakfast extra)
The Oakland Zoo will host a very special guest this holiday
season, when Santa Claus visits the Zoo for Paws and Claus.
Children and families will have the chance to meet St. Nick, share
their wish lists and have photos taken with Santa. A variety of family-
friendly holiday entertainment is planned and a delicious hot
breakfast will also be for sale in the Island Café. A donation of $5
per photo is requested to benefit Oakland Zoo’s animal residents.
For more information, please call 510-632-9525 or visit http://www.
oaklandzoo.org/component/option,com_jcalpro/Itemid,
2714/extid,313/extmode,view/
24Daily Though December 24th
10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Teddy Bear Tea, Lobby
Lounge, Ritz Carlton San Francisco 600 Stockton at
California, San Francisco, $80 per guest
Children and their favorite stuffed animals gather for traditional
Teddy Bear Tea with Binky the Elf. Holiday storytelling, balloons
and a visit and photograph with the cuddly Ritz-Carlton Teddy are
complemented by a small teddy bear to take home and a special
tea experience of hot chocolate, teddy bear cut-out cookies and
assorted sandwiches. A portion of proceeds will benefit The
Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. http://www.ritzcarlton.
com/en/Properties/SanFrancisco/Information/Calendar/Default.
htm
24Wednesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve, Santa Tracking starting at 2:00 a.m.
Mountain Time, ONLINE at http://www.noradsanta.
org/en/home.htm.
This is a wacky but fun activity. When I grew up you could call
NORAD or listen to this on the radio. Since 1955, the North
American Aerospace Defense Command, (NORAD), the same
guys who keep track of anything flying through the air, have been
tracking the aerial progress of a certain portly fellow as he makes
his way around the globe using satellites, airborne escort, and
radar.
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., Candy Canes For Horses at
Sunrise Stables, 1098 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, FREE
Join us for this fourth annual event. Come feed the rescued horses
and enjoy photo ops for the family--the horses will be wearing
holiday attire. There is no charge and no RSVPs needed. Rain
cancels the event. For details, call (707) 337.5582 or visit http:
//www.srshorsesnapavalley.com/
25Friday, December 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Free Family Day on Christmas, Contemporary Jewish
Museum, 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, FREE
Don’t celebrate Christmas? Celebrating the holiday but on a
different day and want something to do with the crew? The ever
wonderful Contemporary Jewish Museum and your buddies at
Target will host a free day of fun on Christmas Day. Visitors will
enjoy admission, free access to unique and educational
exhibitions, lively music performances, family-friendly hands-on
activities, storytelling, and more. As the only museum open on
Christmas, the Museum provides an alternative for children and
their families to come together and experience art, culture, and
ideas. Visitors will learn about traditions of candles, lamps, oil, and
lanterns from many cultures and create their own holiday artwork.
While you are there make sure to check out the Maurice Sendak
exhibit that closes in January. For details, visit www.thecjm.org
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Open House at the Ford House
Museum, Ford House Museum, 735 Main Street,
Mendocino, FREE
A classic Mendocino tradition, the Christmas Day open house at
the Ford House Museum in Mendocino Village offers visitors home-
made cinnamon buns, hot coffee and spiced cider in front of a
crackling fire. For details, call (707) 937-5397
26Saturday, December 26th
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Kwanzaa Celebration, Bay Area
Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito,
FREE
Celebrate Kwanzaa throughout the Museum with art projects
inspired by the African continent and a Kwanzaa altar in the
Museum's Entry Pavilion. Renowned jazz drummer E. W.
Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us
on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms,
such as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, from their earliest beginnings
in African cultures to today. The program features instrumental
music, songs, theater, and audience participation. http://www.
baykidsmuseum.org/programs_events/festivals/kwanzaa/
31Wednesday, December 31st
6:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., Ritz Kids New Year's Eve Party
& New Year's Eve Teen Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Half
Moon Bay, One Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon
Bay, $100/Child, $80/Each Additional Sibling
While the parents are off at the grown up celebration, this might be
a nice alternative to a sitter. Little ladies and gentlemen can enjoy
a fun-filled party of their own with movies, games, karaoke, pool
party, arts and crafts, a children's buffet and a countdown complete
with party hats, noisemakers, a balloon drop and a toast of
sparkling apple cider. For guests staying at the hotel there is a
complimentary Family Lounge with games and movies. For
details and reservation information, visit http://www.ritzcarlton.
com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Childrens/Default.htm
10:45 a.m. (For six and under) 12:45 p.m., and 3:45 p.
m. (two drops at each time - Space Lab for five and
under, Rotunda for six and under), New Year's Eve
Balloon Drop, Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000
Skyline Blvd., $4 plus admission
Start a family tradition, join Chabot at the stroke of 11 am, 1pm and
4pm on December 31, as they celebrate the start of the real New
Year with music and balloons dropping from their ceiling, many
filled with prizes. The times coincide with New Year’s celebrations
around the world. Ring in the New Year with the kids without them
staying up past their bedtime! Space is limited and advance
reservations are REQUIRED. Call the Chabot Box Office at (510)
336-7373. For details, visit http://chabotspace.org/visit/calendar/?
date=12/31/2009#calendar
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Bay Area Parent's Noon Years
Eve Party, Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road
San Carlos, $6 – 10, Children 4 and under FREE
Come to the Hiller Aviation Museum on New Years’ Eve for
entertainment and activities for all ages! You'll find games, a
climbing wall, jump house, face painter, DeeJay, puppet show, a
magician, a balloon drop and pizza. Visit http://hiller.
org/noonyear2009.shtml for more details.
31Sunday, January 31st
12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Berkeley Ballet Boys Open
House, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Julia Morgan Center
for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley, FREE
You'd be surprised who ends up being great dancers. Just ask
Herschel Walker and Lynn Swann to name a few. Then, who can
forget MJ? If your child has even the remotest interest in dance or
just has a great time breaking it down to tunes in your living room,
you should check this out. The Berkeley Ballet Theater is hosting
an afternoon of dance events featuring
- Daddy and Me (12:30 - 1:00 p.m.) session at noon geared
to 3 and 4 year olds - Dance Fitness (1:00 - 1:30 p.m.) geared to 5 and 6 year
olds; and our favorite: - Dance Clinics in Capoiera, Ballet, Hip Hop and Dance
Fitness from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.) for 7 to 18 year olds
participants through a little over 30 minute clinic in each of four
dance styles to give the guys a flavor for dance. The best part is it
is FREE and no reservations are necessary. We know the hip-hop
teacher and, if he is any indicator, the participants are in for a great
time. For more details, visit http://www.berkeleyballet.
org/pdfs/boys_open_house.pdf
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
|
