Whether you’re coming from near or far, San Francisco is a prime destination for winter travels. Union Square glitters with holiday lights and seasonal attractions, and events from New Year’s Eve to SantaCon pack the calendar. Looking to plan the best winter trip to San Francisco? We interviewed Ric Lee, chef concierge at InterContinental Mark Hopkins, to learn the highlights and how to plan your stay in the city by the bay.
Featured photo: Fireworks by Engel Ching, Top of the Mark courtesy of InterContinental Mark Hopkins, tree lighting courtesy of Thrive City.
Lee has over 50 years in the hospitality industry at numerous hotel properties in San Francisco and beyond. He started as an elevator operator at the Fairmont, where his mom was his first supervisor. In time, Lee became chef concierge and hotel assistant manager there, and he has since distinguished himself in the hospitality field with accolades, three terms as president of the Northern California Concierge Association and membership with Les Clef d’Or.
Having worked at nearly all Nob Hill hotels in San Francisco — Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton, Stanford Court, Mark Hopkins, take your pick — Lee may be one of the most qualified people to get your SF advice from. He joined InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in 2023 as chef concierge and still brings passion and love to the profession.
What’s San Francisco like in the winter?
Wet, windy, chilly and foggy. Temperatures in the 50s. Does it ever snow in San Francisco? According to history, it’s only snowed five times in the city. My father and I were on Grant Avenue in Chinatown back in 1962, and witnessed snow on the street. Imagine that at age 9.
San Francisco natives and visitors experience a steady rainfall from November to March, and temperatures can drop another five to 10 degrees, but call it a cleansing of the soul and warm hugs to look forward to the next year. City skyscrapers, municipal buildings and streets get a free wash, parks are watered down and ready to become lush greenery and the Golden Gate Bridge in all its magnificence shines bright orange for all to see.
Transitioning from giving thanks at Thanksgiving, holiday tree lighting occurs throughout the city. Office buildings, hotels, businesses and homes prepare their Christmas tree and decorations. Shoppers gear up for Black Friday, and the city welcomes travelers from all over the world to share our love and celebration.
Best family-friendly winter activities?
Ice skating during the holidays is a big hit, with the Union Square rink across from Macy’s and Thrive City Winter Wonderland at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
After a hardy and enjoyable skate at Union Square, head into Macy’s and go to the Cheesecake Factory. Weather permitting, grab a table looking back onto the rink and have a nice big slice of blueberry cheesecake.
While at the Thrive City Winter Wonderland at Chase Center, there is a North Pole mailbox to send letters to Santa and experience nightly snowfall and special event nights for the holidays. Maybe even a basketball game.
Also, for the family, Winter Walk begins Dec. 13 and runs to Dec. 22 in Union Square with a multi-block cavalcade of Macy’s SFSPCA Holiday Windows, SantaCon (a madcap day where everybody dresses up as Santa Claus), the Bill Graham Menorah on display, food trucks, bar gardens, carolers and activities.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace is a wonderful place for the family to enjoy a Victorian-era London Christmas complete with English pubs, artisans, old fashioned performances and characters.
The California Academy of Science is one of my favorite places to visit. Here you have the aquarium, planetarium and the natural history museum. During the holiday season, you can mingle with reindeer, camels and yaks, feel the snow flurries and enjoy the winter festivities.
Lastly for ballet, the Nutcracker ballet performances at the Opera House and the Smuin Christmas Ballet for traditional and modern dance are family favorites.
Holiday events to get in the spirit?
In San Francisco, there are many opportunities to get into the spirit of the holidays.
Many hotel properties have put up their Christmas decorations and trees to entice travelers and visitors to come share the joy. The Fairmont Hotel offers their two-story gingerbread house in their hotel lobby along with a 23-foot Christmas tree. The Palace Hotel has a beautiful tree under golden chandeliers and a skylight surrounded by marble columns.
The Ritz-Carlton is displaying a glittering tree at their front entrance and offers Teddy Bear Tea. But what could be grander than having Magical Tea at the Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel with a 360-degree view of the city?
Christmas trees seem to be bigger than ever to really get into the spirit throughout the city. Pier 39’s tree at Fisherman’s Wharf is 60 feet tall, Macy’s is 83 feet tall, Thrive City at Chase Center is 90 feet tall and Uncle John’s Tree at McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park is 100 feet tall and dates back to the 1880s!
Where to cozy up for a romantic evening?
For me and a special date, I have three favorites:
Bix Restaurant for style and sophistication: a speakeasy, 1920s to ’30s supper club atmosphere with nightly jazz. The menu is modern American. I like to reserve a table upstairs that gives more intimacy and a view of the dining room below, with diners, patrons at the historic bar and jazz entertainers. Martini, please?
Kokkari Estiatorio is a true experience to enjoy Greek fare that compares to sitting in Athens at a fine dining restaurant or a casual local place. This is authenticity. And reserve the front table, because it is near the fireplace.
Anomaly SF is my sleeper restaurant set in the Western Addition. A unique dining experience with an 11-course tasting menu with paired wines. Each course is designed to delight, created beautifully in a tiny kitchen and the wine pairing crafted by a class sommelier. The atmosphere is contemporary, hip and relaxed.
How to craft a game plan for New Year’s Eve in SF?
You have to be in a strategic mode, because it involves money, location, attire, atmosphere and experience.
Money means how much are you willing to spend? Are you paying for it? Is it a shared venture with family and friends?
Location means where will you have it? In a restaurant with live music and dancing? Or a live venue with dancing or an entertainer? Or something in a family or friend’s home?
Attire means: something formal, semi-dressy or casual?
Atmosphere means: Will it be festive with many, or private?
Experience means what are my expectations with ringing in the New Year, and what are my memories of the past and the future? Was it successful and would I do it again?
