Holiday Traditions at Union Square in San Francisco

Some of my most cherished childhood holiday memories are of my parents packing us into the car and driving on a December day to San Francisco's Union Square. Seeing the giant Christmas tree and the holiday windows at Macy's and other department stores, marveling at the opulent lobby of the Westin St. Francis hotel, and watching decorated cable cars climb up to Nob Hill, visting with Santa, and the general holiday hustle and bustle really made Union Square feel a world away from everyday life.

Union Square is still San Francisco's holiday epicenter and now, as a parent, it's fun to re-create these holiday memories with my own kids. There's a lot to do and see and of course you can get your Christmas shopping done, too. Here's what you shouldn't miss at Union Square this holiday season.

Christmas Trees and Ice Skating

The holiday centerpiece of Union Square is the 83-foot-tall Macy's Great Christmas tree. Gifted to the city by Macy's, this giant tree is decorated with tens of thousands of twinkling LED lights. It's especially spectacular after dark! Across the street at Neiman Marcus, the 80-foot "tree of lights" in their rotunda is also a spectacular sight.

Right below the tree you'll find the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink, an annual Union Square tradition where you join on on fun and festive outdoor ice skating. Skating costs $20 for adults and $15 for children 8 and under, which includes skate rental. Skate helpers, for those unsteady on the ice, are also available to rent and skating lessons are available on weekend mornings. It's open through January 15, 2024. Learn more at unionsquareicerink.com.

Holiday Happenings at the Westin St. Francis

One of San Francisco's iconic and historic hotels, the Westin St. Francis sits on Powell Street right across from Union Square. It's a holiday season must-visit for a number of different reasons, from its amazing sugar castle in its lobby to fun and festive holiday events.

Created by the hotel's executive pastry chef Jean-François Houdre, the St. Francis's amazing holiday sugar castle has to be seen to be believed. Constructed from sugar and royal icing and encircled by toy trains, this masterpiece grows larger and more elaborate every year. The Westin St. Francis also offers holiday events including a Breakfast with Santa overlooking the San Francisco skyline (December 9 and 10) and a magical holiday tea party for children and their dolls (December 16 and 17).

We booked a room at the Westin St. Francis to stay over so we could continue exploring and shopping the next day. We opted to stay in one of the historic rooms in the old 1904 section of the hotel and we could really feel the history all around us. It was the perfect home base for exploring the area, and our room was elegant, comfortable, and the perfect place to relax when we had enough of the holiday bustle outside.

The Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason Cable Car lines run right by the front of the hotel, so it's easy to hop on a car and go for a ride. Many of the cable cars are decorated for the holidays, so it's a fun and festive trip your family won't forget and an iconic San Francisco experience!

You can hop off the cable car on Nob Hill at California Street and visit the Fairmont to see its life-size holiday gingerbread house or attend one of the Christmas concerts at Grace Cathedral, or continue your trip through North Beach or Russian Hill all the way to Fisherman's Wharf.

Shopping and a Visit with Santa

Union Square is San Francisco's main shopping district, so it's a natural destination during the holidays. You'll find traditional flagship department stores like Macy's and Neiman Marcus as well as countless other retailers around the square and its surrounding streets.

Of course a trip downtown during the holidays isn't complete without a visit with Santa, and you'll find him working in his office in Santa's Workshop on the store's sixth floor. Photo sessions with Santa at Macy's are free, but advance reservations are required. Santa is available for photos through Christmas Eve, December 24. Make your reservation online at www.macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations/sanfrancisco.

Another tradition are Macy's holiday windows, which feature adorable and adoptable pets from the San Francisco SPCA. The windows are located on the Stockton Street and O'Farrell Street sides of the building and are definitely not to be missed. Pets will be on view in the holiday windows Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 5 pm.

If You Go

Union Square is located in downtown San Francisco at Post and Geary and Powell and Stockton Streets. It's easily accessible by driving or public transportation. Parking is available at the Union Square Garage (entrances on Post and Geary) and the Sutter Stockton Garage.

The Macy's Great Tree will be on view until January 1, 2024 and the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink is open through January 15, 2024.

Disclosure: The Westin St. Francis provided us with accommodations for this article.