San Francisco - SFO on Christmas Day - Hotel & Restaurant/Activity recommendations?

Hey all, my parents and I will be flying into SFO on Christmas Day, probably arriving at around 6PM. I want to get us a nice place to stay in the city where we can park (valet most likely), check-in, and then walk to a good restaurant, and possibly a pub later that has a decent beer selection.

Obvious problem is that it's Christmas evening/night - so most places will be closed. I'm looking to spend around $200 + tax/fees/parking per room, and <$40-50pp on food.

I figured Chinatown may be fairly open and active during this time, and scoped out the Orchard Garden Hotel near the gates to Chinatown. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60713-d618542-Reviews-Orchard_Garden_Hotel-San_Francisco_California.html

If anyone has recommendations on this or other places and/or info on nearby restaurants/pubs (nearby this place or somewhere you recommend), which are definitely going to be open Christmas night, I'd very much appreciate it!

If anyone has personal activities they enjoy in SFO on Christmas night that are open to everyone please share as well. All input is appreciated, thanks!!

Please follow as the thread moves to the San Francisco forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

I am thinking that the level of hotel that has valet parking goes for significantly more than $200 a night in San Francisco. However, it is true that Xmas night is likely not to be a very busy hotel night, so maybe there will be special rates that get down to this range.

It is likely that there will be places open in Chinatown on Xmas night. You could stay in the North Beach area, it's walking distance to Chinatown. Bear in mind that most of the places on Grant Avenue itself are strictly for tourists, the more authentic places are on cross streets or on Stockton.

In the past, I've found appealing rates including parking at both Le Meridien and The Palace - they don't always offer them. Either would be very Chinatown-convenient.
If your rate doesn't include parking at the downtown hotels, you can plan a $50 to $60 price (including taxes).

Another thought - Most hotel restaurants are open on Christmas Day, and there are actually some very good ones in the area of San Francisco in which you will be staying - of various cuisines and price ranges.

http://www.oyster.com/san-francisco/hotels/roundups/best-hotel-restaurants-in-san-francisco/

Also, google "San Francisco hotel restaurants" and you will get a fairly long list.

Thanks for the ideas everybody, greatly appreciated! If anyone has any more recommendations for me to take a look at feel free to add your 2 cents, I plan on checking into all your tips online before making a decision.

If it were me, I'd probably opt for Kincaids just south of SFO and stay at the Hilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, or Hilton Garden Inn that are withing walking distance nearby.

If it were me, I'd probably opt for Kincaids just south of SFO and stay at the Hilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, or Hilton Garden Inn that are withing walking distance nearby.

But you live here. I am guessing that the OP is trying to maximize the family's time absorbing the ambience of the city, which one obviously doesn't get staying out near the airport.

But you live here. I am guessing that the OP is trying to maximize the family's time absorbing the ambience of the city, which one obviously doesn't get staying out near the airport.

Indeed...spending like 16 hours in the city including sleep, so hotel with a nice view/good food inside or nearby is pretty paramount. If it were strictly on convenience I'd never even go into SF (heading down to Santa Cruz the next day to visit family), but I'd like to have a memorable Christmas dinner in the city.

I would stay close to Union Square. I think that's where you will find the most activity. It appears that the Union Square ice skating rink was open on Christmas Day last year. Assuming the same holds true this year, that would indicate that people/tourists will be around. I assume a number of restaurants in the area will be open to cater to tourists, at least.

Expedia is showing decent (4*) hotels right in Union Square on 12/25 within your price range. I bet you could get an even better rate on Priceline.

I would stay away from most other areas, including the Financial District, as they will probably be dead. Staying in Chinatown sounds kind of sketch to me, but if that's your thing...

Indeed...spending like 16 hours in the city including sleep, so hotel with a nice view/good food inside or nearby is pretty paramount. If it were strictly on convenience I'd never even go into SF (heading down to Santa Cruz the next day to visit family), but I'd like to have a memorable Christmas dinner in the city.

To each his/her own, but even in a city I wasn't familiar with, I'd have a much more "memorable" time not spending a big chunk of it on transportation. I'd almost always rather stay at a decent airport hotel than make the schlep to the city, especially for just one night.

A window seat at Kinkaids watching planes landing over the lights of the bayshore, near and far, is pretty dramatic for me :)

A window seat at Kinkaids watching planes landing over the lights of the bayshore, near and far, is pretty dramatic for me :)

Me, too. I'd even bring my scanner along. And get a bay view room at the Marriott. The southeast facing rooms at the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno is one of the best places for plane watching I have ever found. It's why I have stayed there - rather than downtown - when visiting Reno.

But I am still guessing that for the OP and family, that is not their highest priority. Just MHO.

Me, too. I'd even bring my scanner along. And get a bay view room at the Marriott. The southeast facing rooms at the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno is one of the best places for plane watching I have ever found. It's why I have stayed there - rather than downtown - when visiting Reno.

Ditto on all counts!!! Except for my scanner, I use the LiveATC app on my iPhone

But I am still guessing that for the OP and family, that is not their highest priority. Just MHO.

You are probably right :D

I am pretty sure there is still a Christmas comedy show held at a Chinese restaurant, including dinner, intended for a Jewish audience. Problem is, I don't have a reference, you'd have to search. It sells out every year so advance booking is needed if interested.

I am pretty sure there is still a Christmas comedy show held at a Chinese restaurant, including dinner, intended for a Jewish audience. Problem is, I don't have a reference, you'd have to search. It sells out every year so advance booking is needed if interested.There still is and I have gone in the past and had a blast-and yes, all shows (cocktail and dinner) both sell out way in advance

Tickets go on sale in OCTOBER so bookmark if you'd be interested!

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy (http://www.koshercomedy.com/kungpao/)

A window seat at Kinkaids watching planes landing over the lights of the bayshore, near and far, is pretty dramatic for me :)


20% off gift card at Kincaid's

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/1372255-kincaids-restaurants-unlimited-20-gift-card-purchase-till-9-9-5-charity.html

To each his/her own, but even in a city I wasn't familiar with, I'd have a much more "memorable" time not spending a big chunk of it on transportation. I'd almost always rather stay at a decent airport hotel than make the schlep to the city, especially for just one night.

A window seat at Kinkaids watching planes landing over the lights of the bayshore, near and far, is pretty dramatic for me :)

20% off gift card at Kincaid's

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/1372255-kincaids-restaurants-unlimited-20-gift-card-purchase-till-9-9-5-charity.html

Kincaids is not open Christmas night so we can all exclude any possibility of that, thanks for your continued interest in helping me out though.

I stumbled upon that comedy thing as well, unfortunately the "dinner" part starts at 5pm, and the earliest we'd be able to get there would be around 7:30 or 8:00, so not really an option.

If anyone has eaten multiple times at any of the restaurants at the following link that are definitely open on Christmas, and can highly recommend any of them, please let me know...from my research it apperas many of them are more touristy than tasty, unfortunately:
http://www.opentable.com/opentables.aspx?m=4&p=3&d=12/25/2012%208:30:00%20PM&n=8285,9110,32,34,36,35,227,49,916,1382,38,2951,42 35,40,41,780,42,3287,674,44,641,45,640,3029&mn=5&fmn=5&t=reg&fsr=1

If anyone has eaten multiple times at any of the restaurants at the following link that are definitely open on Christmas, and can highly recommend any of them, please let me know...from my research it apperas many of them are more touristy than tasty, unfortunately:
http://www.opentable.com/opentables.aspx?m=4&p=3&d=12/25/2012%208:30:00%20PM&n=8285,9110,32,34,36,35,227,49,916,1382,38,2951,42 35,40,41,780,42,3287,674,44,641,45,640,3029&mn=5&fmn=5&t=reg&fsr=1

I don't find that list too thrilling, but that's okay. Most of the restaurants on OpenTable do not take reservations more than a month or two in advance. So I would check back in October or November for what is sure to be a longer list.

I would try House of Prime Rib if it's open. It is a fun experience, good food, and seems apropos for Christmas Day. Or there are good Chinese places mentioned on the threads here, such as R & G Lounge.

If it were me, I'd probably opt for Kincaids just south of SFO and stay at the Hilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, or Hilton Garden Inn that are withing walking distance nearby.

If it is clear outside, just driving into SF up 101 at night, with all the city lights on and the Bay Bridge in the background (including the extra buildings lit up for the holidays) is worth the price of admission.

If it is clear outside, just driving into SF up 101 at night, with all the city lights on and the Bay Bridge in the background (including the extra buildings lit up for the holidays) is worth the price of admission.

That is indeed one of the world's great views.

When I looked at the "478 other restaurants with no availability" MOST of them in Union Square/SOMA/ Financial District merely don't take reservations this far in advance. So you might look at the list of SF restos in the Union Square area for ex, and ask here about any that look appealing.

I stumbled upon that comedy thing as well, unfortunately the "dinner" part starts at 5pm, and the earliest we'd be able to get there would be around 7:30 or 8:00, so not really an option.


There is also a cocktail show that starts at 8:30.