It is never too early to start planning for the winter holidays. Here is a partial listing of where to go and what to do this season. Check back often on this page as we will update it continually. Enjoy the ride! -Editors
TAHOE
Sugar Bowl Resort: Season Opener (www.sugarbowl.com). The popular ski resort lodge relaunches for the snow season on Nov. 22 and will host a Thanksgiving Holiday meal on Nov. 23. Prices run $85 adults, $40 kids. And stay another night so you can be the first to swoosh down those powder perfect slopes on Friday, Nov. 24.
SAN FRANCISCO REGION
Daly City: The Great Dickens Fair (www.dickensfair.com(. Mark your calendars for Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, 10-6 pm. Each weekend you can go to London during the Victorian era. Held at the Cow Palace, the 39th seasonal event promises new and exciting activities such as the Tours of London, A Children’s Tour of London, and taste experiences such as the Jekyll & Hyde and the Elixir of Madness Pub Crawl, and the Port & Chocolate Tasting at the Greenman Inn. A cavalcade of homemade crafts and shopping galore awaits as well as entertainment for young and old on seven stages. More than 400 costumed characters, sing-alongs, and six pubs will transport you to an era of top hats and British accents.
NAPA VALLEY
Yountville: Holidays in Yountville (www.yountville.com/events/holidays-in-yountville). From Nov. 19 until Jan. 1, the town of Yountville in Napa Valley plays host to six full weeks of holiday events, activities, and performances. The town will be festooned in thousands of twinkling lights so you can explore the restaurants, shops, and hotels with delight. The spirited kickoff features the Town Tree Lighting Sunday, Nov. 19, 6 pm. where Santa visits the town as the food trucks will offer free snacks and beverages, and the Transcendence Theatre Company provides on-the-spot performances. Visitors can participate and donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley Giving Tree, Wreaths Across America to honor veterans, and more. There will be literally dozens of wine tastings, holiday movies, musical performances, cooking classes, wine train experiences, grapevine wreath making, cookie decorating, and the unique third annual Latke Throwdown, and yes, even more.
CENTRAL CAL
Yosemite: Tenaya Lodge (www.visittenaya.com). in the Yosemite region offers Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, breakfast with Santa, and a tree lighting ceremony. Hands-on holiday crafts such as an ornament workshop on Friday, Nov. 24, snow globe making Nov. 25, Dec. 20, 22, and 24, and gingerbread house decorating on Nov. 25, Dec. 19, 31, and 23 are also afoot. Meanwhile, the Thursday, Nov. 23 Thanksgiving buffet will give you a break from the same old, same old. The buffet is offered in the grand ballroom from 11-7 p.m. for $89 for adults and $39 for children ages 4-12, and $69 for seniors ages 62 and above. And if you want a plated dinner without a mile of tempting calories, go to the hotel’s Jackalope’s Bar & Grill for side dishes and/or entrees you can select off the menu priced at $15 to $52.