Black Friday, the Day After Thanksgiving 2012
The day after Thanksgiving is a very fun day, at least for me. It is a day when San Francisco teems with locals and visitors alike. Crowds gather in Union Square around 6 pm to witness the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree sponsored and put up by Macy's year after year.
On this day, Marc and I began our tour of the downtown area of San Francisco in Nob Hill. This is the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel, one of the best addresses for visitors to the City by the Bay.
The tree inside the hotel's lobby
Sitting right across the street from the Mark Hopkins is the other prestigious hotel to see and be seen in San Francisco, the Fairmont Hotel.
It was said that one time, many US politicians came to town for some important event. The Republicans stayed at the Mark Hopkins while the Democrats chose the Fairmont. I wouldn't doubt this at all. President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, both Democrats normally stay at the Fairmont whenever they are in town.
The lobby of the Fairmont Hotel
I have seen the Fairmont before it underwent its remodel years ago. The lobby used to have a black trimmed carpet. I actually prefer the way the lobby looks now.
The same lobby of the Fairmont with people in the far background all waiting to see the gingerbread house up close and go inside it.
Looking at more Christmas decorations in the Fairmont lobby
Christmas Carolers, other decor inside the man sized gingerbread house
Hello and a very early Merry Christmas to all!
The staircase lined with more Christmas trim
A nutcracker inside the gingerbread house
From the Fairmont, we walked down the hill and proceeded to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.
A tree inside one room facing Powell Street
Tourists and visitors relaxing at a bar and lounge inside the Sir Francis Drake
My most favorite place in San Francisco, Union Square. This was taken after the tree lightning ceremony. As you can see, there were thousands of people there that night. It is one of the few times of the year when shopping in the area becomes a bit challenging given the crowds. It is fun though, a lot of fun.
The facade of the main Macy's store in the West Coast of the United States. This building actually houses everything except Men's clothing and shoes. There is a separate Macy's building just for men. How cool is that?
The tree right above the main entrance to Macy's.
This is Neiman Marcus, also called Neiman Mark-Up by some people. Now this is definitely an uber hip and uber expensive store I love walking around in to window shop and shop. There is likewise a cafe/restaurant right under the store's impressive glass dome. It is a must see and a must visit for every visitor to the city.
This was one of the trees in the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel Union Square.
Inside Gumps right before closing time, day after Black Friday, San Francisco
Market Street in front of the Palace Hotel along Market Street on Black Friday, 2012
