Holiday Season in San Francisco

We spend an evening in San Francisco, wandering, admiring, and dining.  We start at the Embarcadero and walk up Market Street toward Union Square, the center of the holiday season in San Francisco.  Market Street has snowflakes on the streetlights, but the first large decoration we see is in the courtyard at Citigroup Center, One Sansome Street.  It's starting to look a little like Christmas in San Francisco!

One Sansome Street

Continuing toward Union Square, we detour down Maiden Lane to visit Gumps and see all the presents and truly unique gifts ready to be gifted, ready to go home with someone.

Maiden Lane 

 Holiday at Gumps, silver octopus

We resist the urge to take home either of the silver octopuses (if you follow this blog, you know about my octopus addiction) and head over toward Macy's to see the holiday window decorations, particularly the kittens seeking new homes (sponsored by the SPCA).  Stockton Street outside Macy's has been dug up for the new subway and is turned into a holiday fair for the season, complete with music, food, and beverages.

 Stockton Street

Macy's windows

 Kitties seeking homes

Walking around the block, we come into Union Square, just in time for a Hanukkah festival with lighting of the candles on a large menorah in the square.  The music and the ceremony is impressive and a new experience to us and we pause to watch, experience, and enjoy, then wander across the square to the outdoor ice skating rink.

 Union Square

 Tree and menorah

 Macy's facing Union Square

Ice skating in Union Square

From Union Square, we cut across town past the Bank or America building, the Transamerica Pyramid, then over to Jackson Street to reach Kokkari, our favorite restaurant in the city.  Along the way, we experience more holiday decorations.

Lights at 555 California (Bank of America Building)

It's been a few months since we've dined at Kokkari (start well in advance for a reservation), but we are remembered and have another great meal, starting with saghanki (pan-fried cheese) and octopodaki (grillled octopus), followed by grilled lavraki (sea bass) and goat stew.   Accompanied by wonderful smells, tastes, and memories.

Lavraki and goat stew

After dinner, we stroll back to BART, passing more great decorations, something new in every block.

 More great decorations

We've had another wonderful evening in San Francisco, walking, exploring, enjoying the sights, and dining incredibly.  We always enjoy coming into the city, but this is a special holiday treat!