How I Love the Christmas Season!
Marc and I took a long and leisurely stroll in our neighborhood as well as in Union Street and Union Square tonight. I have to admit, I enjoyed it tremendously.
Our first stop was Huntington Park. I didn't realize the trees in the park had already been lit. Unlike in previous years, the trees were lit with just red and green ELD lights and not with the multi-colored ones used up until last year. The view of the Episcopalian Grace Cathedral from the park looked very imposing. Since I also wanted to take a better picture of the much reported Gingerbread House inside the Fairmont Hotel, we went back to the Fairmont very quickly to take a look. Unfortunately, the crowd was once again quite big in the lobby. Various companies and organizations must have had parties tonight all over the city since hotels were full of people dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos.
On the way to Union Street, we passed by the Masonic Auditorium where I took my oath as a United States citizen a million ears ago. I really liked the murals in its lobby. Then we walked by Polk en route to Union Street. From there we took the MUNI #45 bus to Union Square.
The Christmas lights on the trees in Huntington Park
The Grace Cathedral
The Intercontinental Hotel opposite the Fairmont
The much reported Gingerbread House in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel. I wanted to take a better picture of this very sweet smelling Christmas attraction, however, tonight was not the night. The crowd was big and apparently we were not the only ones interested in taking pictures.
The Masonic Auditorium's Gigantic Mural
For years now, this store turns itself into a Christmas wonderland every December with its vintage glass blown ornaments.
A nice tree in front of a commercial establishment along Union Street
We passed by a flower stand on our way to Sur La Table and its flowers looked absolutely stunning
More pretty flowers
For the first time, there was a night time light show on the façade of the Macy's Men's Store Building facing the Winter Walk along Stockton Street. I just love the crowds that had gathered here. It was oh so festive. In fact, the entire Union Square area looked like a party town tonight with all the parties going on in the hotels, the shoppers in search of bargains, and tourists and locals alike simply hanging out in the square.
A partial view of the Macy's Christmas window display