<\/h3>\nSkate on<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Flickr](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/union-square-san-francisco.jpg\")
Flickr CC: Raman B<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nLocated next to Macy\u2019s 83-foot reusable Christmas tree that’s decorated with 35,000 LED lights and 1,100 ornaments, the outdoor Union Square Ice Rink<\/strong>\u00a0provides impressive downtown views. Claiming to be the biggest outdoor rink in San Francisco, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center<\/strong> is set on a wide-open plaza with views of the Ferry Building and waterfront. Lastly, San Francisco\u2019s only year-round ice skating rink\u2014the Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center<\/strong>\u2014is indoors and also open every day of the year. It’s also next door to a bowling alley that presents yet another entertainment option on Christmas Day!<\/p>\nLet it snow<\/h3>\n
At the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero<\/a><\/strong>, the decorations are elaborate and snow showers occur three times daily at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm in the world\u2019s largest atrium lobby (snowfall continues through December 31).<\/p>\nWindow hop<\/h3>\n
See all the colorful holiday decorations and window displays without the hassle of crowds. The cozy SPCA pet adoption window scenes in Macy\u2019s will still be up\u2014though no longer populated with animals to adopt.<\/p>\n
Get to Golden Gate Park<\/h3>\n![\"Flickr](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/San-Francisco-Botanical-Garden.jpg\")
Flickr CC: Ernest McGray, Jr.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nThe San Francisco Botanical Garden<\/strong>, with its more than 8,000 plant varieties and 55 acres of landscaped gardens, is open for strolling and is free on Christmas Day, as is the Japanese Tea Garden and Teahouse<\/strong>. Also open and worth the splurge is\u00a0the California Academy of Sciences<\/strong>, which holds the world\u2019s largest all-digital planetarium, a Costa Rican rainforest canopy and the world\u2019s deepest display of living corals. Plus, during the holidays, it boasts\u00a0two live reindeer\u2014Velvet and Tinsel\u2014and a theater shaped like a giant snowman where visitors can learn about the aurora borealis. Free and kid friendly is the\u00a0Koret Children\u2019s Quarter Playground<\/strong>. Constructed in 1887, it’s the very first public playground in a U.S. park.<\/p>\nTake a hike<\/h3>\n
Though attractions here are closed today, the Presidio, a former military post, is always a great place to take a walk. The promenade at Crissy Field<\/strong> and the 24-mile network of trails provide breathtaking views that include the Golden Gate Bridge and some outdoor works of art by Andy Goldsworthy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
ALSO:<\/strong> SF is a whole lot cheaper when you sign up for Orbitz Rewards!<\/a><\/p>\nOrient yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Flickr](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/chinatown-san-francisco.jpg\")
Flickr CC: Shubert Ciencia<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/strong>Visit the souvenir shops in Chinatown<\/strong> and spend some of that holiday gift dough; have a dim-sum brunch at the bustling New Asia Chinese Restaurant<\/strong>, which is reputed to have 1,000 seats and where the staff uses walkie-talkies to communicate across the vast, noisy interior; and see the exhibits at the Chinese Historical Society of America<\/strong>, which is situated inside a landmark building designed by architect Julia Morgan.<\/p>\nRide a cable car<\/h3>\n
Though these icons have gotten quite expensive, there issimply nothing around that is quite as much fun! They operate 8:30am\u20142am, even on Christmas.<\/p>\n
Learn about Jewish culture<\/h3>\n
Admission is free at the\u00a0Contemporary Jewish Museum<\/strong>\u00a0on Christmas Day. In addition to viewing exhibits, you can participate in a drop-in art program; musical performances and tours are also scheduled. Also,\u00a0Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen<\/strong>\u00a0will be serving from 11am to 3pm.<\/p>\nAmaze yourself<\/h3>\n![\"Flickr](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/ripleys-san-francisco.jpg\")
Flickr CC: Glen Bowman<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nAt Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not! SanFrancisco Odditorium<\/strong> you can see a collection of more than 400 curiosities that includes a cable car made from 270,836 matchsticks and the world\u2019s largest hairball\u2014a 167-pounder.<\/p>\nLet it “rein”<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Flickr](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/San-Francisco-Zoo.jpg\")
Flickr CC: David Goehring<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
Flickr CC: Raman B<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Located next to Macy\u2019s 83-foot reusable Christmas tree that’s decorated with 35,000 LED lights and 1,100 ornaments, the outdoor Union Square Ice Rink<\/strong>\u00a0provides impressive downtown views. Claiming to be the biggest outdoor rink in San Francisco, the Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center<\/strong> is set on a wide-open plaza with views of the Ferry Building and waterfront. Lastly, San Francisco\u2019s only year-round ice skating rink\u2014the Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center<\/strong>\u2014is indoors and also open every day of the year. It’s also next door to a bowling alley that presents yet another entertainment option on Christmas Day!<\/p>\n At the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero<\/a><\/strong>, the decorations are elaborate and snow showers occur three times daily at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm in the world\u2019s largest atrium lobby (snowfall continues through December 31).<\/p>\n See all the colorful holiday decorations and window displays without the hassle of crowds. The cozy SPCA pet adoption window scenes in Macy\u2019s will still be up\u2014though no longer populated with animals to adopt.<\/p>\n Flickr CC: Ernest McGray, Jr.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The San Francisco Botanical Garden<\/strong>, with its more than 8,000 plant varieties and 55 acres of landscaped gardens, is open for strolling and is free on Christmas Day, as is the Japanese Tea Garden and Teahouse<\/strong>. Also open and worth the splurge is\u00a0the California Academy of Sciences<\/strong>, which holds the world\u2019s largest all-digital planetarium, a Costa Rican rainforest canopy and the world\u2019s deepest display of living corals. Plus, during the holidays, it boasts\u00a0two live reindeer\u2014Velvet and Tinsel\u2014and a theater shaped like a giant snowman where visitors can learn about the aurora borealis. Free and kid friendly is the\u00a0Koret Children\u2019s Quarter Playground<\/strong>. Constructed in 1887, it’s the very first public playground in a U.S. park.<\/p>\n Though attractions here are closed today, the Presidio, a former military post, is always a great place to take a walk. The promenade at Crissy Field<\/strong> and the 24-mile network of trails provide breathtaking views that include the Golden Gate Bridge and some outdoor works of art by Andy Goldsworthy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO:<\/strong> SF is a whole lot cheaper when you sign up for Orbitz Rewards!<\/a><\/p>\n Flickr CC: Shubert Ciencia<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Though these icons have gotten quite expensive, there issimply nothing around that is quite as much fun! They operate 8:30am\u20142am, even on Christmas.<\/p>\n Admission is free at the\u00a0Contemporary Jewish Museum<\/strong>\u00a0on Christmas Day. In addition to viewing exhibits, you can participate in a drop-in art program; musical performances and tours are also scheduled. Also,\u00a0Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen<\/strong>\u00a0will be serving from 11am to 3pm.<\/p>\n Flickr CC: Glen Bowman<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n At Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not! SanFrancisco Odditorium<\/strong> you can see a collection of more than 400 curiosities that includes a cable car made from 270,836 matchsticks and the world\u2019s largest hairball\u2014a 167-pounder.<\/p>\n Flickr CC: David Goehring<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nLet it snow<\/h3>\n
Window hop<\/h3>\n
Get to Golden Gate Park<\/h3>\n
Take a hike<\/h3>\n
Orient yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Visit the souvenir shops in Chinatown<\/strong> and spend some of that holiday gift dough; have a dim-sum brunch at the bustling New Asia Chinese Restaurant<\/strong>, which is reputed to have 1,000 seats and where the staff uses walkie-talkies to communicate across the vast, noisy interior; and see the exhibits at the Chinese Historical Society of America<\/strong>, which is situated inside a landmark building designed by architect Julia Morgan.<\/p>\nRide a cable car<\/h3>\n
Learn about Jewish culture<\/h3>\n
Amaze yourself<\/h3>\n
Let it “rein”<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Orbitz,](\"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/OrbitzApp.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pixel.newscred.com\/px.gif?key=YXJ0aWNsZT1lNzUyZjI5ZDVkNjI0NThhYTVmMTg0YzkyYmY1ODYyOQ==\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"