What are the holidays without a little bling? There's nothing better than the wholesome festivity that is looking at holiday lights. 'Tis the season for twinkle, so we've compiled this handy guide to all the best holiday lights in the Bay. Stay festive, Bay Area.
Last Updated December 12, 2024
San Francisco
Castro Street House
(68 Castro St // The Castro)
This Castro District house is arguably the most festive home in all of SF and the photo says it all. We're stoked to see the decorations are back for another year, drawing attention and visits from folks near and far.
Via Union Square Ice Rink
(333 Post St // Union Square)
Your best bet for getting the most bling for your buck is to head straight to the heart of SF. Visit one of the City's most popular tourist destinations and spend an evening gazing up at the thousands of lights (33,000 to be exact) adorned on the 83-foot tall tree.
Via The Fairmont
(950 Mason St // Nob Hill)
Another must-do on your SF holiday bucket list is the life-sized gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel. Stacked 25-feet-high with 8,000 real gingerbread bricks and 1,900 pounds of candy over 520 building hours, this edible masterpiece is a feast for the eyes and nose (and mouth, but please don't take a bite out of it).
Via SFMTA
(Powell + Market // Hyde + Beach)
Not "lights" technically, but still a cute holiday display that's very quintessential San Francisco. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the famed cable cars will be decked out in holiday decor and on display at Powell + Market St, as well as Hyde + Beach St for your enjoyment (and let's be real, your Instagram too).
Via Ghirardelli Square
(900 North Point St // Fisherman's Wharf)
We might not get a white Christmas in SF, but you can still stock up on holiday cheer (and chocolate) at Ghirardelli Square this season. All December the square is lit up with holiday lighting displays, live music, film screenings, visits from Santa, and more festive happenings. Head over and live your winter fantasy!
Via Downtown SF
(Downtown SF)
The U.S.'s largest holiday projection mapping event is taking over San Francisco with festive light shows projected on Downtown buildings nightly from December 1 to 10. Take a stroll and see if you can find them all.
East Bay
(Thompson Ave // Alameda)
Light displays on Alameda’s Christmas Tree Lane have been a neighborhood tradition since 1938, with each home displaying their own unique take on the season. The residents of at least 55 Thompson Avenue homes all contribute time and resources to make the holidays truly special for everyone - and this year, Santa's back! Stop by all holiday season.
(Oakland Zoo // Oakland)
Take a stroll through the zoo to find light installations larger than life, including elephants, tigers, butterflies, and even dinosaurs. Dozens of glowing lantern animals stand tall over the grounds, perfect for pictures or just staring in awe. Open now through January 26.
Via Garden of D'Lights
(1552 Bancroft Rd // Walnut Creek)
Nursery turned a field of glowing colors and twinkling lights! The Garden of D'Lights at Ruth Bancroft Nursery showcases 3.5 acres of cacti, succulents, and trees under beaming lights sure to make you feel like you're wandering through wonderland. Open now through January 11 — grab advance tickets!
South Bay + Peninsula
Via Filoli
(86 Cañada Road // Woodside)
The holiday light stroll at the Filoli Historic House and Garden is the perfect balance of festive and bougie. Make your way around the magical estate from now through January 12. And if you're lucky, you may even spot Santa around the grounds.
(Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road // Los Gatos)
This delightful drive-through holiday lights display has been making spirits bright for 23 years now with its whimsical displays. Purchase advance tickets and enjoy the over 1.5 miles of lights nightly, from December 10 through January 5, excluding Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Via Roaring Camp
(Santa Cruz Boardwalk)
Hop on the Redwood Forest Stream Train and get transported through to wonderland. On select weekends and days in December, go for a ride on the train to Bear Mountain, then hop off and walk-through Winter Wonderland at Bret Harte Hall, then grab a cuppa hot cocoa and say hi to Santa.
Via Christmas in the Park
(194 South Market Street // History Park, San Jose)
Let's spruce things up a bit! Keep it classic and grab a cup of hot chocolate before you embark to the park, then strap in for a night of socially-distanced fun. The San Jose staple has Christmas in the Park all dialed in for visitors to drive through and see the decorations from their cars. Open November 29 through January 1.
Via Enchant
(1123 Coleman Ave // San Jose)
Live your Hallmark movie fantasy when Enchant, the world's largest Christmas light maze and village, stops at PayPal Park this year. The light maze includes over 4 million lights, while the Christmas village area offers holiday shopping, cozy dining options, ice skating, and more.
North Bay
(Sausalito Waterfront)
A Holiday tradition for adults and kids in Sausalito and across the Bay Area. In a typical year about 40 decorated boats compete for a variety of prizes. Head on over December 14 for the 37th annual boat parade and fireworks.
