December’s Foul Weather Challenges Us in San Francisco

For the last two years we have traveled over Christmas. Last year we had an epic trip to Vietnam. The year before we visited Budapest and Prague. As we thought about Christmas 2025, we came up with the plan to spend Christmas closer to home in California near our daughter. The plan was to spend a day in San Francisco and then drive down to Monterey on the coast. What we didn’t count on was the weather.

As we watched the weather for Christmas week, it wasn’t looking good. Rain was in the forecast and lots of it. However reservations had been made, and we had no plan B so we just hoped it wouldn’t be as bad as predicted.

We flew down to San Francisco on Monday. From the airport we took the light rail system BART into town. They just instituted a new credit card tap system for payment. Tap when you enter the station and tap out when you leave, and they figure out the fee. However, we realized we had to use two different credit cards to do this for two people. That messed us up for a moment until we figured it out.

From the Embarcadero station we began to walk toward our hotel. While we walked on wet streets, the rain had stopped which we were thankful for. Unfortunately the walk was longer than we anticipated. The biggest challenge was simply maneuvering our suitcases over the sidewalk. There are always bumps and dips along the way. Nevertheless, we persisted, and we got some exercise in.

After settling into our hotel room near Fisherman’s Wharf, we went out to eat at Pier 39. We met our son and his wife afterwards. We watched a little Christmas tree program and then wandered around the pier before returning to our room. I read recently that Fisherman’s Wharf is considered the worst tourist trap in America. I have to say it’s not all that impressive. It’s mostly just shops filled with touristy souvenirs. However, I did get a nice photo looking back toward the city. See the cover photo above.

The next morning the rain was still holding off so we took a walk along the shoreline of the bay. We walked down Jefferson street and then followed the Bay Trail. Jefferson Street had more tourist shops along with restaurants. They also had a number of decorated seals which seems to be their art motif. When we got to the Bay Trail, the crowds thinned, and it became more peaceful.

We walked around the Aquatic Cove which is quite protected. It surprised us to see a family playing in the water as well as a few people swimming. While the temperature was in the upper 50s, it still seemed too cold to be swimming in the water. They were wearing wet suits, however, so I’m sure that helped. Up above us we could see the well known sign for Ghirardelli Square.

From the cove we climbed up a hill with views out over the bay toward Alcatraz. On the other side of the hill we looked down on Fort Mason.  This is a former military space that has now become a home for arts in the area. The Center houses a number of arts organizations along with a few restaurants. We didn’t take time to explore here as our goal was exercise.

We did walk through a nice green space coming over the hill. From the top of the hill we could see the Golden Gate Bridge. On the other side is a large green space which includes a rather unique piece of art. This area is a bit confusing. There are a number of national lands in this section. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is in the area. Alcatraz is under that organization. Then there is the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. The boundaries between them are hard to distinguish. However, it’s worth checking out both parks and what they have to offer.

We walked just a little ways past Fort Mason. The trail continues on to the Golden Gate Bridge, but we were ready to turn back. Andrea had arrived in town so we walked back to meet her. She and Silvette walked over to Ghirardelli Square while I walked back to the hotel to take a nap.

Our big event for the day turned out to be a bust. We were to see a holiday light show at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Silvette had purchased tickets a few months before. The garden is a small part of Golden Gate Park, a large city park. We had never visited this park before so we left early to see some of the sites in the area.

Unfortunately, when we arrived so did the expected rain. We decided to take cover in a coffee shop to wait out the rain. While we waited, we learned that the garden had cancelled the light show for the evening because of anticipated high winds. So much for our big event.

With nothing else planned, we decided to eat an early dinner. We found an Italian restaurant nearby. We had to wait a bit, but the food turned out to be really good which took away some of the sting of our missed event. After dinner we headed back to our hotel for an early evening in.

Rain was still very much in the forecast. Next week read how it impacts our Christmas Eve plans.

What are your thoughts on the Fisherman’s Wharf area in San Francisco? Do you think it deserves to be called the worst tourist trap in the United States? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.

Credit: Family photo taken by waiter at the restaurant.