Best Things to Do in the Bay Area
This November
Featured photo courtesy of Kaiyō Restaurant
November in the Bay Area is truly something special, with cooler weather, holiday season kickoffs and events as diverse as the neighborhoods themselves. Whether you’re visiting the area or hosting loved ones from elsewhere, there’s something life-affirming for everyone.
If you’re planning a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area in November, or if a stay-cation is on your monthly agenda, here are our picks for enjoyable activities to fill your days. What better way to instill deep gratitude that will last the rest of the year?
For even more coverage of the Bay Area, plus where to stay and eat while you’re here, check out our region-specific guides to help you travel like a local. In the meantime, click any of the images below to learn what to do in the Bay Area this November.
Featured photo courtesy of Kaiyō Restaurant
Day of the Dead celebrations, ice skating, a pop culture fan expo and more.
As we officially enter the holiday season, San Francisco delivers a wealth of choices for visitors and locals alike. Start the month with the Day of the Dead: Festival of Altars, before enjoying an ice skating excursion in Union Square. At the San Francisco Coffee Festival, you can try unique brews while supporting local Bay Area cafes.
Mid-November brings us the beloved GLIDE Holiday Jam benefit concert, while the Embarcadero Center hosts its annual Holiday Market, a one-of-a-kind artisan shopping experience. Sci-fi and fantasy aficionados can end the month strong with many celebrity icons at the FanExpo convention. Learn more by clicking the button below.
Arts & crafts, star-gazing, Thanksgiving races and tons of other fun activities.
Heading north over the Golden Gate Bridge brings warmer weather and wide-ranging selections for your day or weekend. These include the Marin Arts & Crafts Show in San Rafael and the chance to explore the pristine Muir Woods on Veterans Day. For music lovers, there’s jazz-pop legend Herb Alpert’s concert in Santa Rosa to celebrate 60 years of a classic album.
On Thanksgiving day, you can justify your big plate by joining the Bank of Marin Turkey Trot races in Novato. And when you’re ready to dive into holiday shopping, head downtown for Small Business Saturday, which showcases the area’s top boutiques, speciality shops and eateries. Click the button below for more information.
Street festivals, art installations, holiday races, custom car shows and more events.
The East Bay continues to be a major cultural force, and November brings us many examples of why. Start the month off right at the Día de los Muertos celebration in Oakland, a three-decade-plus local tradition. Support local businesses and artists at the First Fridays Street Festival, a family-friendly event.
Of course, there are numerous holiday-themed happenings to get you in a festive mood. These include the gorgeous Garden of D’Lights sculptures in Walnut Creek and the 5k Oakland Turkey Trot near Lake Merritt. Learn more by clicking the button below.
Autumn hiking, a floating lanterns fest, NFL football, holiday jazz and more!
The South Bay Area offers residents and visitors much more than just Silicon Valley innovation that continues to change the world. Start the month celebrating Mexican heritage at the Avenida de Altares in San Jose, then hike through an idyllic open preserve in the Peninsula.
Fans of the arts will enjoy Broadway sensation Kinky Boots in San Jose, as well as a Holiday-themed installment of Jazz at the Ballroom in Mountain View. Those who want more active days can check out ice skating in Downtown San Jose or watch the 49ers play at the premier stadium that’s hosting the next Super Bowl. Click the button below for more information.
