December 2012 Hotel Manager's Picks | Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel

Make San Francisco your Home for the Holidays. The only thing you won't find in San Francisco this holiday season is snow. Expect instead a flurry of fun ... ice rinks, tree lightings, theatre, music and a delightful mix of new and old traditions - it all adds up to one cool Yule.

I can't think of another city where the holiday lights are as magical. Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Chestnut and Union Streets and along the Embarcadero are all spilling over with yule tide decorations that will immediately put you in the holiday mood as you stroll the streets after dusk.

The shopping displays at Union Square are always worth a special trip, and are only a cable car ride away from our location.

Speaking of the holidays, be sure to bring your special someone to Fisherman's Wharf for our 17th annual Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade. It's a "must-see" event that is guaranteed to put you in a romantic mood for the holidays.

To help plan your stay, visit our San Francisco Events page on our website for details of some of the more interesting events that are happening in San Francisco this month. Regardless of what you have planned, enjoy visiting our beautiful city.

What's your favorite spot in San Francisco? Let us know at sheratonsf@ihrco.com or Share on Facebook.

Happy Travels ... Craig Schwan, General Manager

San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker
On Christmas Eve, 1944, the audience at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House experienced the American premiere of Nutcracker. An instant sensation, the ballet launched a national holiday tradition.

There is no better way to get into the holiday season than by attending a performance of San Francisco Ballet’s sparkling production of Nutcracker, set here in our own “City by the Bay”. This unique production has introduced audiences of all ages to the magnificent world of ballet.

This holiday season, experience the beauty and athleticism of SF Ballet’s international cast of world-class dancers in Nutcracker, a San Francisco tradition since 1944, now playing thru December 28, 2012.

Located at the War Memorial Opera House at the Civic Center. For tickets and information call: (415) 865-2000.

Fisherman's Wharf Crab Fest
Here at Fisherman's Wharf, we take crab seriously! The start of crab season began on November 15th and area restaurants will celebrate on December 9th by bringing together chefs from some of the top Fisherman's Wharf restaurants to share their favorite crab dishes, complemented by local sustainable wine.

Area Wharf restaurants included in this event include: Alioto's, Bistro Boudin, Blue Mermaid, Cafe Pescatore, Capurro's, Fog Harbor Fish House, The Franciscan, McCormick & Kuleto's, ◦Neptune's and Scoma's.

Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to the San Francisco Fire Department's Toy Program and the San Francisco Police Youth Fishing Program.

Event located at the Wax Museum Waterfront Terraces on December 9, 2012. For further info call: (415) 673-3530.

San Francisco Jazz Festival
Celebrating 30 years of great entertainment, the San Francisco Jazz Festival returns through December 7th and features 30 world-class artists.

The Festival will delight fans of every kind, with a stellar lineup including Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Miller, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, the Robert Glasper Experiment, Dianne Reeves, Buika, Eliane Elias, John Medeski and Branford Marsalis to name just a few.

Enjoy great music at various venues around San Francisco. Tickets available at www.sfjazz.org.

Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
The mesmerizing scenic beauty of wine country in Autumn enhances the romance of both Sonoma and Napa valley. For a taste of timeless romance and some of the best vintages of wine in the world, journey north to enjoy the fragrance of wine in the air and superlative epicurean delights ... you will revel in the simple pleasures of being together.

Situated an hour's drive north of the hotel, Napa Valley is a great getaway idea for a weekend, although it is equally apt for a longer and more leisurely holiday.

You will be in awe of the many great wines, luxurious spas, and fine restaurants in Napa Valley, as well as interesting cultural events and the beautiful rolling hills and colorful countryside.

Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley together compose the traditional wine country of Northern California, often referred to as the vintner capital of the USA. A magnet for those who appreciate the good life, the area is famous for the medicinal hot springs and spas that soothe the soul and pamper the senses.

Lion King at the Orpheum Theatre
Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap and as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney's The Lion King.

More than 65 million people around the world have come to discover the thrill and the majesty of this truly one-of-a-kind experience that Time Magazine calls "awe-inspiring." On stage, director Julie Taymor's creative vision combines with Elton John and Tim Rice's rhythmic score to create a breathtaking spectacle that brings the Serengeti to life before your very eyes.

One of the most successful productions in Broadway history, The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical (making Taymor the first woman bestowed with the honor). Since opening on Broadway, the show has earned more than 70 major arts awards, has been translated into seven different languages and performed in 15 different countries on five continents.

Don't miss your chance to experience this landmark entertainment event! The Lion King returns to San Francisco this fall for a strictly limited engagement at the Orpheum Theatre thru January 13th.

For further information and to purchase tickets, call: (888) 746-1799.

Walt Disney Family Museum
Celebrating their third anniversary, the Walt Disney Family Museum's three historic buildings within the nearby Presidio houses 10 galleries devoted to the inspiring story of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Disneyland and the global yet distinctly American company that bears his name.

Disney's story is impressively portrayed through drawings, storyboards, the narrow-gauge train built for Disneyland along with film clips, concept art, scripts, musical scores and cameras used by Disney and his staff.

Using a mix of historic materials and artifacts, Disney's achievements really comes to life through innovative displays that include listening stations, interactive media, and more than 200 video monitors. Much of the material is being generously lent by the Walt Disney Company and private collectors.

Located at the nearby Presidio. For information and tickets call (415) 345-6893.