Elijah Cabatic, Staff-writer
Winter break is the longest break aside from summer break that students get. During this break, many students decide to travel to destinations across the US, and even beyond. But, if you are planning on staying in the Peninsula, there are still many great activities and places you can visit over the holiday season.
Obviously, there are the classics such as going ice skating at one of the number of artificial rinks that pop up around this time of year, or going to watch one of the hundred Nutcracker productions. But for this compilation, we are digging a little deeper for some Bay Area hidden gems you may have not heard of but will equally enjoy.
If you’re looking more in San Francisco, there are some great options there. The Exploratorium (Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA) is having the GLOW light art exhibition with seven pieces including visual illusions, and interactive pieces on display in addition to the Exploratorium’s normal collection of exhibits. The GLOW light exhibition will be open until January 26. There is also the San Francisco Botanical Gardens (1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA) which is giving free admission on Christmas day to view there collection of nearly 9,000
For some students it is a good time to do things. Junior Hinsen Lui said, “I’m doing Christmas”, while fellow junior Jayden Jang said, “I’m going to LA”
Farther down the Peninsula, you may like to go to Holidays at Filoli (86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA). Through January 16th the gardens will be covered in 3600 lights at night, including a 210 foot light tunnel. Another light show is going on in IlluminOdyssey at CuriOdyssey (1651 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, CA). In it, one of their buildings will be transformed into a “glowing forest of science”. It will be both an artistic, but also educational experience for all.
For New Years there is a wide variety of options up and down the peninsula. One is watching the fireworks display over the San Francisco Bay. The fireworks will go off right at midnight and will last about 15-20 minutes. The best place to see it will be the Embarcadero Waterfront or a boat out on the bay. Chase Center’s Thrive City area (1725 3rd St, San Francisco, CA) will also be having a New Years event with a mid-day ball drop and a celebration of Kwanzaa.
The Peninsula is full of things you can experience over the winter break from light shows like the GLOW light exhibition or the IlluminOdyssey to the SF Botanical Gardens. There is a wide variety of things you can do —rather than just sitting inside during the holidays—to make your winter break outstanding.
