Sausalito's annual Gingerbread House Tour & Competition is a family-friendly holiday tradition that never fails to inspire wonder, awe, and delight. From December 8-31, merchants and businesses will display their confectionary creations throughout town. Maps are available online and at participating merchants.
Take a leisurely stroll to view the amazing gingerbread houses, which in past years have included lighthouses, undersea scenes with creatures playing instruments, and a full mockup of Alcatraz Island. To "sweeten" the experience, many of the participating restaurants are offering seasonal menus and cocktail specials, including: Poggio, Copita, The Trident, Angelino Restaurant, Le Garage, Barrel House Tavern, The Spinnaker, Suzette, and Sushi Ran.
This free event is perfect for all ages!
Locals looking for new holiday activities can now treat themselves to a luxury escape at The Caviar Co.’s Caviar and Champagne Lounge with their seasonal Tea Service.
The annual specialty offering features a unique twist to traditional afternoon tea, with savory and sweet bites topped with eight different caviars from around the world. Treat yourself to bites like Brie and Apple Sandwich with Classic White Sturgeon, or the Toma & Prosciutto Quiche with Siberian Sturgeon. On the sweet side, enjoy Poached Pear Panna Cotta.
The experience will be offered through December 31st exclusively on Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm - 4pm and on Sundays from 11am - 4pm.
Cost: $120/person
Saturdays with Santa returns to Bon Air the first three Saturdays of December! Santa will be arriving in a red engine courtesy of Central Marin Fire Department.
Take free Santa photos with family, friends, and even your pets each afternoon from 12pm - 3pm.
Bring your Santa Letters and post them in their Express-to-North-Pole mailbox, or use provided supplies to work on them there. While you're there, be sure to shop at Bon Air’s festive stores, and enjoy lunch at one of their many family-friendly restaurants.
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Free Admission.
It's holiday tea time at Crown & Crumpet in Ross!
The charming cafe boasts a charming, new indoor dining space and a tented garden that's decorated for the season, so you and your family & friends will be transported to a bit of British Tea Time fun to celebrate the holidays.
Afternoon Tea service begins Thursday, December 5th and continues thru Monday, December 30th. Enjoy a gorgeous and delicious Holiday Tea service and a small selection of lunch options. Afternoon Tea is always more elevated starting with a Christmas Cracker, a fancy libation, a house made cup of warming soup, unique tea sandwiches, scones and crumpets and, of course, pretty sweets and treats. The Nursery tea will be equally fabulous for children eleven years and younger.
Seating times: 11am and 11:30am, 1pm and 1:30pm, and 3pm and 3:30pm on the weekends and from Wednesday, December 18th to December 23rd and December 26th to 30th.
For Reservations, call (415) 771-4252
Cost: $78 (Adults); $48 (Kids 11 & under)
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party returns for five weekends to the Cow Palace.
An annual Bay Area tradition for nearly 40 years, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair features hundreds of costumed Victorian characters, from waltzing royals to scrappy chimney-sweeps, who populate over four acres of twilight-lit shops, pubs, stages, and dance halls. At the Dickens Fair, it's always Christmas Eve in 19th-century London!
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair offers a variety of entertainments for all ages and tastes. Step back into Christmas past of Ebenezer Scrooge at Fezziwig's Christmas Party, and marvel at the deductive skills of famed sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Families can also take part in hands-on craft activities, old-world games of skill and chance, lively interactive shows, and a new skating rink.
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General Admission: $45 (adults); $25 (Kids 5 to 12).
Twilight tickets (after 3pm): $30 (adults); $18 (Kids 5 to 12)
* Children under 5 are always free.
