San Francisco boasts a bevy of haute happenings this holiday season.
Santa is making his list and checking it twice at The Ritz-Carlton’s Teddy Bear Tea.
MEET The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s lauded Teddy Bear Tea is back and better than ever, treating the city’s tots to their very own teddy bear—all while enjoying a special tea experience with tempting hot chocolate, scones and assorted sandwiches. Don’t miss the lively entertainment with holiday characters, singalongs, skits, storytelling and more. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, and children are encouraged to bring a wrapped present to place under the tree to be delivered to young patients at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Multiple dates, 600 Stockton St., 415.296.7465, ritzcarlton.com
The Walking Fool is a lively red blend featuring zinfandel and petite sirah.
SIP The masterminds behind Napa’s Caymus Winery have expanded about 30 minutes southeast into Suisun Valley with a brand-new vino experience. Caymus-Suisun Winery sits behind Canary Island palm trees and boasts a glass-encased tasting room, sumptuous outdoor seating and a retail room with unique, difficult-to-find bottles available for purchase. Pro tip: Explore the walking vineyard to spot crown-pruned vines with no modern trellis, a rarity in modern California vineyards. 4991 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, 707.286.1776, wagnerfamilyofwine.com
“The U.S. has always had a home at the heart of Coco Republic’s DNA,” Spon-Smith explains. “Over the past 10 years, I’ve been concentrating on designing and developing our own unique range, some influenced by the California lifestyle.”
SHOP Australian lifestyle brand Coco Republic is taking America by storm with its first-ever U.S. flagship in the heart of Union Square. “There are very distinct synergies in the way Californians and Australians live,” notes Anthony Spon-Smith, the brand’s founder and creative director. “A lifestyle that’s light on its feet, casually cool and connected to nature binds us subconsciously. Our design ethos will resonate.” The three-floor, 40,000-square-foot space includes full design service supported by interior design galleries and design labs, more than 2,000 elegant home and design products and a refreshing mocktail bar serving up Lyres beverages. 55 Stockton St., 844.444.2626, cocorepublic.com
Shop stunning paint colors like Reve, a cool off-white perfect for modern spaces, and Cap Ferret, a silvery green with sage undertones.
PAINT Transform any interior with lauded design and creative studio frenchCALIFORNIA’s much-anticipated capsule paint collection launched in collaboration with San Francisco-based Color Atelier. A modern reinterpretation of ancient textures like lime, clay, marble and sand, the six neutral colorways are made with Color Atelier’s Limewash for a matte, velvety finish. Inspired by the special people and places found in France, California and New York, the exclusive colors in this collection ensure effortlessly chic spaces with plenty of panache. frenchca.com, coloratelierpaint.com
The Westin St. Francis is offering festive holiday programming, including the famous sugar castle.
SEE Be sure to head to The Westin St. Francis this month for holiday fun, including the beloved sugar castle (through Jan. 2) featuring hot chocolate and delicious passed apps. Grab a treat at the Sweet Boutique (through Dec. 18) in the Landmark Lobby, offering a delectable selection of decorative cookies, orange-scented shortbread and even pieces of the sugar castle. Prefer a glass of bubbly? The POP! Lounge (through Dec. 18) serves Champagne, beer and tasty bites alongside expansive views and rotating DJs. Don’t miss Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 10), with a sumptuous breakfast buffet, holiday-themed crafts for the kids and mimosas for the adults. Finally, two tempting tea parties await; the St. Francis Holiday Tea (Dec. 10 and 11, 17 and 18) includes artisan teas, delicate tea sandwiches, assorted petits fours and the option to add a glass or bottle of Gloria Ferrer. The Dollie + Me Holiday Tea (Dec. 17 and 18) is a mother-daughter afternoon full of fun, hot chocolate, sweet treats and tea sandwiches. 335 Powell St., 415.397.7000, marriott.com
Craft colorful macarons worthy of a chic French patisserie.
CREATE Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like a batch of baked goods. Now, with SF-based FOOD LA LA’s macaron baking and decorating kit, it’s easier than ever to make perfect French macarons like a pro. Each kit includes almost everything you need (minus eggs, butter and milk) to make the tasty treats from scratch, plus fun edible decor like sprinkles and metallic paints. Even better? Followalong virtual master classes ensure delectable results every time. Bon appetit! food-la-la.com
SHINE Since its inception in 2020, Harwell Godfrey’s stunning Charity Hearts have been beloved by A-list celebrities like Vice President Kamala Harris, powerhouse vocalist Cynthia Erivo and Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank. The sixth initiative in the series has dropped to much fanfare, benefiting Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in America. The made-to- order necklace features an 18K yellow gold heart with a textured pattern, suggesting the reverberations of a gunshot, that highlights the 0.35-carat De Beers Code of Origin diamond in the center. Fashion that changes the world? Count us in. harwellgodfrey.com
Give the gift of holiday cheer at Oracle Park on Dec. 6.
GIVE Save the date: Holiday Heroes takes over Oracle Park on Dec. 6 to raise funds for at-risk children and their families and spread the holiday spirit. Expect photo ops with celebrity guests—past attendees have included the likes of Chris Wondolowski, Donald Strickland and Barry Sims—while dance parties, holiday crafts, cookie decorating and arcade games keep the kids entertained. Don’t miss the VIP reception with s’mores, cocktails, mingling and more. 24 Willie Mays Plaza, holidayheroes.org
Don’t miss this knee-slapping musical adaptation of the Bard’s classic comedy.
WATCH San Francisco Playhouse’s latest production of As You Like It is a fun-filled musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous comedy, a twisted tale of love and deception in which Orlando, Rosalind and other beloved characters find magic, mischief and more in the Forest of Arden. The enthralling plot is effortlessly complemented by an original folk-pop score from the talented Shaina Taub (The Devil Wears Prada, The Musical; Suffs), elevating and reimagining the classic tale for the modern world. Through Jan. 14, Kensington Park Hotel, 450 Post St., 415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
Delight in dinner and a show at the jazzy Uccello Lounge.
DISCOVER Nestled on the bottom floor of the SF Conservatory of Music’s new Bowes Center for the Arts is Uccello Lounge, a modern dining destination that supports the future of music. Culinary director and James Beard nominee Loretta Keller helms the kitchen, producing a decadent range of shareable plates (local halibut crudo, squash blossom flatbread) and full dinners (local sablefish, Turkish manti dumplings), while beverage director Clay Reynolds oversees the extensive whiskey list, craft cocktails and wine selections. Conservatory students provide plenty of in-house entertainment, with jazz quartets, vocalists, string trios and other ensembles taking the stage night after night. 200 Van Ness Ave., 415.503.6345, uccellolounge.com
Irish eyes are smiling with Bookshop West Portal’s latest subscription service.
READ Bookshop West Portal has partnered with award-winning local Irish author Ethel Ronan (In the Event of Contact, The Weight of Him) to bring readers the first-ever national Irish book subscription service, featuring six newly released books of standout fiction or nonfiction mailed over 12 months. Bonus: Ronan will pen a letter to accompany each compelling title, sharing the passion for her picks and her hopes for each reading experience. 80 W. Portal Ave., 415.564.8080, bookshopwestportal.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON, SAN FRANCISCO; COURTESY OF CAYMUS VINEYARDS; COURTESY OF COCO REPUBLIC; BRENDAN MAININI; COURTESY OF THE WESTIN ST. FRANCIS; COURTESY OF FOOD LA LA; COURTESY OF HOLIDAY HEROES; JESSICA PALOPOLI; COURTESY OF UCCELLO LOUNGE; LIAM COEN
