WHERE TO FIND SANTA & SANTA MAILBOXES
📫 indicates a place to leave a letter for Santa
🎅 indicates Santa visits
SOUTH BAY:
@bassproshops (free) 📫🎅
@westfieldvf 🎅
@westfieldoak 🎅
@christmasintheparksj
@downtownwillowglen “Selfies with Santa” 🎅
@enchantsj 🎅
@cagreatamerica 🎅
@greatamerica
PENINSULA:
@stanfordshop 🎅
@filoli_ 🎅
@hillsdaleshoppingcenter 🎅
SAN FRANCISCO:
@westinstfr 📫
@palacehotelsf 📫
@fairmontsanfrancisco 📫
@macysunionsquaresf 🎅
NORTH BAY:
@shopcortemadera 🎅
@marincountrymart 🎅
EAST BAY:
@broadway_plaza 🎅
@christmasvilleinemeryville 📫🎅
@fairylandca 🎅
@citycenterbishopranch “Selfies with Santa” 🎅
@fourthstreetshops 📫
@oaklandzoo “Glowfari” 🎅
Know another spot or an upcoming Santa event? Share in the comments!
#santa #visitsanta #santavisit #bayareasanta #santatime #christmas #bayareachristmas #santamailboxes #letterstosanta #decemberfun #bayareamoms #bayareadads #bayareaparents #bayareakids
SOUTH BAY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND GUIDE
NOVEMBER 23
@svturkeytrot Nov 23
@santanarow has several restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day
NOVEMBER 24
@hammertheatrecenter has Merry-Achi Christmas
@enchantsanjose opens
@christmasintheparksj opens at Plaza de Cesar Chavez opens
@hhpzoo is open Fri-Sun 10am-4pm
@saratogachamberca has Saratoga's Candy Cane Village starting at 3pm (free), Tree Lighting at 5:30pm (free) and Wine Stroll starting at 6pm (tickets required)
@thinkertoysca (Morgan Hill) will have "chill Black Friday" from 10am-5pm with snacks, coloring, games & more!
@santanarow Meet the Grinch photo opp (in front of Maggiano's) from 2-4pm
@roaringcamp (Felton) Holiday Tree Walk & Holiday Lights Train starts this weekend
@sjmade Holiday Fair, Santa Clara Convention Center
@purplemuseum has two play sessions: 9:30am and 1:30pm
NOVEMBER 25
@bluebannerstables Pictures & Ponies with Santa on Nov 25 ($25 per family)
@winchestermysteryhouse has a Holiday Candlelight Tour (Saturdays only thru Dec 30)
@tbksanjosesouth has a Caregiver & Me Gingerbread House making class at 9am (buy tickets in advance)
NOVEMBER 26
Los Altos @losaltosfestivaloflights Nov 26, 6pm
#thanksgivingweekend #thanksgiving2023 #southbayevents #sanjosevents #holidayweekend #sanjosemoms #sanjoseparents #sanjosefamilies #408families #thingstodoinsanjose
EAT, PLAY, TREAT: Los Gatos
Heading to the South Bay for the next installment in the beautiful town of Los Gatos!
EAT:
🍕 For a budget-friendly classic that kids will love, head to local chain, @pizzamyheart (9 N Santa Cruz Ave). Order a whole pie or by the slice and also try their delicious salads and breadsticks.
Tip: for little ones, ask for their slice to be cut into squares - bite-sized pieces perfect for little hands!
PLAY:
🌳 Bachman Park (500 Bachman Ave) is nestled into a neighborhood and is a charming park with a big grassy area and play structure. The real highlight, especially for my son, is the sand pit full of toys that are there for park visitors to use. On hot summer days, this park also boasts ample shade.
TREAT:
🍰 For a delicious treat, head over to @icingonthecakebakerylg (50 W Main St). With options from cupcakes to cookies to pie (plus amazing whole cakes), there is something for everyone. Be sure to plan accordingly as the bakery is closed Sunday & Monday each week.
Tip: Even if there is a line out of the door, don't fret! It usually moves quite quickly.
#eatplaytreat #losgatoscalifornia #losgatos #pizzamyheart #icingonthecake #bachmanpark #southbaykids #southbayparents #sanjosekids #bayareamoms #bayareaparents #bayareafamilies
JICARO ISLAND LODGE (Nicaragua)
We just got back from visiting the beautiful country of Nicaragua where we stayed at @jicaroisland - with just nine rooms and an idyllic lakefront island setting, it is the perfect spot for a getaway. Here is what to know to plan your stay:
✈️ Getting there: We flew @aeromexico via Mexico City to Managua (MGA). United (from Houston) and American Airlines (from Miami) also service Managua.
🚗 Ground transport: Upon arrival, you can organize a transfer to the marina (about 1 hour) and, from there, it is just a 15 minute boat ride.
🏠 Accommodations: Each casita is a two-story tree-house style. Upstairs is the bedroom and the bathroom & living areas are downstairs. There are ceiling fans but no air conditioning. The casitas are designed to be naturally cooler with lots of air flow so found ourselves to still be quite comfortable.
🍽 Dining: Jicaro Island is all-inclusive and guests can enjoy 3 meals plus non-alcoholic drinks during their stay. The food is fresh, high quality & delicious and incorporates local flavors with classic dishes.
🛶 On-island: On the island, enjoy the pool, the observatory tower, kayaking, stand-up paddleboards and board games. You can also learn more about the hotel's eco-friendly efforts on their sustainability tour. For a fee, enjoy the spa or a private yoga class.
🌋 Off-island: Included in the package is a city tour of Granada and a fishing tour. They also offer many other options including volcano hikes, hot springs, sandboarding, rum tour & ziplining.
✨️ Other things to know: While I would personally recommend this spot more for adult getaways, children ages 8+ are welcome. There is wi-fi on the island but no TVs. There are definitely bugs but repellent and mosquito nets over beds are provided. We felt very safe during our stay in Nicaragua.
Have you ever thought of visiting Nicaragua?
#nicaragua #visitnicaragua #discovernicaragua #jicaroisland #jicaroislandlodge #lakenicara
