If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, California probably isn’t high on your list of holiday vacation destinations to visit — but it absolutely should be. The Golden State might be best known for its stunning coastline and perfect weather, but there’s no shortage of Christmas charm. In fact, Union Square will have you feeling as though you’ve wandered into a holiday fairytale — or at least onto the set of one of those campy Christmas rom-coms.
Union Square is nestled in the heart of the bustling city of San Francisco, one of California’s largest cities and the second-wealthiest city in the U.S. During spring, summer, and fall, Union Square is a popular downtown destination for locals and tourists.
The square is surrounded by high-end shops, theaters, art galleries, and hotels, making it an incredible place to explore throughout the year, but during the holidays it transforms into something truly magical. If you’re looking for the perfect place to immerse yourself in holiday spirit, Union Square should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
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Holiday magic in the heart of San Francisco
Union Square ice skating rink aerial shot – Svetlanasf/Getty Images
The City by the Bay is a magical place to visit around Christmas. It’s full of famous landmarks, history, culture, delicious food, and coastal parks. The oldest Japantown in America, an iconic neighborhood of zen temples, is another popular tourist attraction. There’s a lot to explore — but if it’s festive fun, sparkling lights, and Christmas cheer you’re after, Union Square is the place to go.
The temperature doesn’t change drastically in San Francisco during winter — it’s mild and foggy almost year-round — but the city still manages to transform during the holidays. Union Square becomes a winter wonderland full of sparkling lights. An annual ice skating rink (beloved among locals and tourists alike) opens in early-November, and remains in operation until mid-January. It’s open from 10AM until 11PM everyday throughout the season. There’s a massive Christmas tree that’s perfect for snapping selfies, and the various sculptures and monuments around the square are decked out in holiday finery.
Winter Walk is an event sponsored by JPMorganChase, a prominent bank and financial firm, that lasts for twelve days in December. In 2025 the festivities will take place from December 13 through December 24. During Winter Walk, the square will have even more holiday-themed activites to enjoy. Browse through the booths for handmade gifts by local artisans at the Holiday Marketplace, catch a live musical performance, visit with Santa, or enjoy a refreshing holiday cocktail while you take in the sights and sounds of the city.
Planning your San Francisco holiday trip
BART train at SFO airport – Laser1987/Getty Images
There are plenty of wonderful places to stay near Union Square, but during the holiday season, you should make your reservations well in advance. The Marker is a boutique hotel that originally opened in 1910 and was called Hotel Bellevue. It’s been renovated and modernized, but there’s still plenty of Beaux-Arts architectural charm and vintage-inspired design choices throughout the rooms and common spaces. It’s located steps away from all the magic at Union Square. Rooms start around $150 per night. If you’re in search of a budget-friendly option, check out Union Square Plaza Hotel. The 2-star hotel has rooms starting at just $60 per night. For a luxury stay, consider booking a room at the Four Seasons San Francisco.
San Francisco is a major city, and has three large international airports to choose from. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest and the closest to Union Square. You can take the BART train directly from the airport for around $11. The trip takes just over 30 minutes. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 19 miles away from the city, so it’s another great choice. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is a bit further away from Union Square, and mainly services Silicon Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s about an hour from downtown San Francisco by car or train.
If public transportation isn’t your thing, you can rent a car in the city for around $35 per day.You can also use Ubers, Lyfts, and traditional taxis to get around. Recently, robot taxis are gaining popularity around San Fran. Waymo (operated by Google) and Zoox (operated by Amazon) are two futuristic self-driving car companies that you’ll almost certainly see during your visit to Union Square.
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Read the original article on Explore.