San Francisco sparkles during Christmas with smart sightseeing choices for every travel style. The evening dinner cruises offer the best value, combining traditional holiday meals with spectacular bay views – much better than standard restaurant dinners at similar prices. Budget travelers should consider the daytime walking tours, which showcase the city’s Victorian architecture draped in holiday decorations while providing fascinating historical context. For special occasions, the Christmas Eve cruise stands out with its intimate atmosphere and excellent plated dinner service. Buffet options on Christmas Day work well for families who want to avoid kitchen duties. These tested-and-true holiday experiences have earned our highest recommendations. Now, let’s explore our favorite San Francisco Christmas tours and cruises.
Key Points
- Enjoy a festive 2-hour Christmas Day buffet brunch cruise with unlimited mimosas, live music, and stunning waterfront views.
- Indulge in a 2-2.5 hour Christmas Eve buffet or plated dinner cruise featuring a holiday-themed menu and live entertainment.
- Explore the holiday sights and sounds of San Francisco on a private walking tour, visiting Union Square and City Hall.
- Savor a 2-3 hour Christmas Eve buffet dinner cruise with a 3-course plated menu, live entertainment, and scenic views.
- Experience a 2.5-hour Christmas Day buffet dinner cruise with a holiday-themed menu, DJ entertainment, and an intimate atmosphere.
San Francisco Christmas Day Buffet Brunch Cruise
For those looking to celebrate Christmas in San Francisco, the San Francisco Christmas Day Buffet Brunch Cruise offers a unique and festive experience.
The 2-hour cruise features a holiday buffet brunch, unlimited mimosas, champagne, and sparkling cider, as well as live band entertainment.
With a maximum capacity of 200 travelers, guests are guaranteed a table for their party size. The cruise departs from Pier 3 in the Embarcadero and returns to the same location.
The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and infant seats are available. Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and most travelers can participate.
Read our full review: San Francisco Christmas Day Buffet Brunch Cruise Review
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San Francisco: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise
Celebrating Christmas in San Francisco can take on a unique and festive flair aboard the city’s Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise.
This 2-2.5 hour cruise provides unbeatable views of iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Guests can enjoy a holiday-themed buffet or plated brunch/dinner prepared by a chef, as well as live entertainment and complimentary beverages.
With wheelchair accessibility and a non-refundable cancellation policy, this cruise offers an all-inclusive Christmas experience perfect for couples, families, or groups.
Customer reviews highlight the high-quality food, festive atmosphere, and friendly staff, making this a must-do activity for those celebrating the holidays in San Francisco.
Read our full review: San Francisco: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise Review
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Magical Christmas Wonders: A San Francisco Stroll
This private stroll through San Francisco’s iconic landmarks offers a magical Christmas experience.
At $267.31 per person, the “Magical Christmas Wonders: A San Francisco Stroll” tour takes visitors on a journey starting at Union Square and ending at the grand City Hall.
With professional local guide services, the tour provides a festive look at the city’s holiday sights and sounds.
Confirmation is received at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is suitable for most travelers and conveniently located near public transportation.
With a perfect 5-star rating based on a single review, this tour promises a memorable holiday outing in San Francisco.
Read our full review: Magical Christmas Wonders: A San Francisco Stroll Review
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San Francisco: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise
Travelers visiting San Francisco during the holiday season can indulge in a festive Christmas Eve buffet brunch or dinner cruise along the city’s scenic waterfront.
Priced from $107.02 per person, the 2-3 hour experience includes a live English-speaking tour guide, wheelchair accessibility, and a refundable reservation.
The meal features a 3-course, plated holiday menu with highlights like smoked salmon, Caesar salad, oven-roasted salmon, and signature desserts.
Guests can enjoy the festive décor, live entertainment, and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
The cruise also includes hotel pickup and drop-off, unlimited coffee/tea, and for brunch, free-flowing champagne and mimosas.
Read our full review: San Francisco: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise Review
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San Francisco Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise
The San Francisco Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise invites guests to indulge in a festive 2.5-hour experience along the city’s scenic waterfront.
Featuring a winter holiday dinner buffet, live entertainment, and festive decor, the cruise offers an array of inclusions, from unlimited coffee and hot tea to guaranteed seating and gratuities.
Passengers can embark at Pier 3, with the cruise returning to the same location.
Accessibility is assured, with the cruise accommodating wheelchairs, strollers, and service animals.
Confirmation is received within 48 hours, and a maximum of 200 travelers can participate, making this an ideal way to celebrate the Christmas season in San Francisco.
Read our full review: San Francisco Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise Review
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San Francisco Christmas Day Buffet Dinner Cruise
On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy a 2.5-hour buffet dinner cruise along San Francisco’s scenic waterfront.
The cruise departs from Pier 3 and includes a winter holiday dinner buffet, DJ entertainment, and holiday decor.
Guests can enjoy unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea, and cocktails, wine, and beer are available for purchase.
The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and transportation is also wheelchair accessible.
Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, and the cruise can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Read our full review: San Francisco Christmas Day Buffet Dinner Cruise Review
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San Francisco Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch Cruise
San Francisco’s Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch Cruise provides a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season along the city’s scenic waterfront.
The 2-hour cruise includes a bountiful holiday brunch buffet, unlimited champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider, as well as live entertainment. Guests can enjoy guaranteed seating for their party size and complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.
The cruise departs from Pier 3 at 11:00 am and is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
With a maximum of 200 travelers, this cruise offers an intimate and festive experience to ring in Christmas Eve on the water.
Read our full review: San Francisco Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch Cruise Review
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Recap
San Francisco offers a variety of festive Christmas experiences, from scenic cruises with buffet brunches and dinners to magical strolls through the city. Whether you prefer a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebration, these options provide the perfect way to enjoy the holiday season in the Bay Area.