A friend and I were just texting with plans to meet up next week (when school is out), with a litany of things and attractions to catch before Christmas arrived. Sigh, the holidays are so much fun in the city — light displays and gigantic Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and frolicking kittens, food trucks and laser snowflakes. All with the backdrop of our glittery, Victorian city. There is just so much to do, one thing more magical than the next.

Here are my top picks for holiday attractions for kids this year.

 
1. SF SPCA’s holiday window displays at the Union Square Macy’s

This is something we make sure to catch every year, because pouncing kittens and preening puppies is exactly the right way to get in the spirit. Bean and her friend were roaring with laughter yesterday at the impossibly cute hijinx, and we couldn’t peel them away.

While you’re there, make sure to donate to the SPCA handlers!

2. All the gingerbread house displays

We also make sure to visit all of the gingerbread house displays throughout the city every December. There is the walk-through gingerbread house at the Fairmont (with a letters to Santa writing workshop nearby). The Palace Hotel near Union Square also brings out a 400 pound gingerbread castle. This year, the Westin St. Francis is showing off a sugar castle instead of the usual gingerbread castle. It is magnificent and glows under all the lights. Our little girls were entranced.

3. Reindeer Romp at the San Francisco Zoo

While many things aren’t actually real real around Christmas time, reindeer are! Delight the kids with a visit with some of Santa’s reindeer at the San Francisco Zoo. They’ll be located in the field near the Elinor Friend Playground.

4. Elaborate home light displays

A few houses in the city go all out with holiday lights that can be seen from miles away. Literally. Our favorite — and the brightest — is on 21st Street between Church and Sanchez. But, there are a few others dotted around the city too.

5. Union Square and Embarcadero Ice Skating Rinks

Bean hasn’t hit the ice yet but we love to stop by and watch the ice skaters with warm cups of hot chocolate every year. If you’re lucky, a talented amateur will take center ice and perform a few jumps fr the crowd.

6. Stockton Street Winter Walk

Another favorite. All you need to do is take away cars and add some astroturf and glowing icebergs and its a paradise for toddlers and adults alike. At night, Off the Grid food trucks arrive for food, music, and laser light displays. This year, they also have “reindeer scooters” which kids can ride around on, and Bean is obsessed. (Check out their calendar for daily/nightly events.)

7. San Francisco Zoo’s ZooLights

Every weekend at the SF Zoo, ZooLights takes over with thousands of twinkle lights and lit pathways. There’s a holiday marketplace with food and Santa Claus, while carolers sing holiday favorites. (I have no idea how the animals handle this all!)

Do you have any other favorites? Share in the comments!