Best Holiday Light Displays in San Francisco: From Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square

San Francisco is best known worldwide for the Golden Gate Bridge, but the truth is, there's more to love about it. The holiday season especially makes this city by the Bay exceptionally resplendent. You can't help but notice how well-lit the entire city is. But of course, as beautiful as it may seem from afar, nothing beats the magic of looking at it closely. So, whether you are a local or a tourist, while in San Francisco during this festive season, here are some great places where you can see some amazing light displays.

Embarcadero Center - this place will certainly brighten your holidays as they start this year's celebration of the yuletide season with their lighting ceremony on November 16, 2007, beginning at 5:45 in the afternoon at the Holiday Ice Rink. This is one of the most famous attractions in San Francisco during the holidays as Embarcadero Center's dramatic office tower will be decorated with 17,000 lights. Embarcadero Center is accessible to all Bay Area public transportation options so it's definitely hard to miss. What's even better is from November 16 - December 24, the center offers its shoppers free parking.

Pier 39 - a 45-acre shopping area with 110 specialty shops and 14 restaurants where you can catch a great view of the Bay Area. During the holiday season, this place hosts a unique festive atmosphere combining traditions from Christmas (Catholic/Christian holiday), Chanukah (Jewish holiday), and Kwanzaa (African American and Pan-African holiday). Pier 39 puts up an enchanting tree decorated with 400 flashing ornaments, 500 bows, and 2,000 colorful lights. The lighting ceremony will be on November 18 at 5:30pm at the Entrance Plaza but the program starts at 1pm.

Yerba Buena Gardens - if you've been to the Philippines (or at least, heard a lot about it), you would know that one of the oldest and most famous traditions they follow during Christmas is the "Parol" (lantern) display. This is exactly the premise behind the Annual Parol Lantern Festival & Parade. Started by the Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) some 4 years ago, this is a well-anticipated parade of the brightest lights decorated around the most unique of lanterns. Located at the South of Market area above the Moscone Convention Center, this year's parade is on December 8 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

Ghirardelli Square - located at 900 North Point Street and one of San Francisco's most treasured landmarks, this place caters to some of the finest views during the holiday season. Kicking off this year's celebration is its 43^rd Annual Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 23, 2007 at the West Plaza featuring live musical entertainment, children's entertainment, and of course, a visit from Santa. Don't forget to bring napkins with you because during this event, all attendees will be given the delicious Ghirardelli hot chocolate.

Experience the magic and thrill. After all, San Francisco is too bright to miss during the holidays.