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Here's your plan for a cozy holiday drive admiring festive lights and enjoying community cheer. Watch the video 👇

A cozy holiday drive to Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos, cruising down Eucalyptus Avenue with our favorite Spotify holiday playlist playing as we admired decades-old Christmas light traditions. With glowing homes, festive crowds, hot cocoa stands, and pure community cheer, it was a magical—and completely free—way to celebrate the season. 

A Drive Through Christmas Tree Lane

Cruise down San Carlos' Christmas Tree Lane to admire dazzling holiday lights, enjoy festive treats, and bask in neighborhood cheer—perfect for a free, magical holiday outing.

Christmas Lights Drive

✅ Before you go
• Go early in the evening to beat the crowds and enjoy the lights at a relaxed pace.
• Bring a cozy playlist—holiday music makes the drive extra magical.
• Dress warmly; you may want to park and walk part of the street.
• Bring small cash if you want hot cocoa, snacks, or balloons from local vendors.
• Be patient and drive slowly—this is a neighborhood tradition meant to be savored.
• Consider visiting on a weeknight for a calmer experience.

💪 Pro tips
• Good starting point: Enter off of Brittan Ave/Orange Ave and head down Eucalyptus Ave to experience the full display in order.

Take a drive to San Carlos Christmas Tree Lane 

One of our favorite holiday traditions is setting

off on a little adventure around the bay,

chasing twinkling lights and Christmas magic wherever it hides.

that adventure led us to the beloved Christmas Tree Lane in San Carlos,

a place that feels like it's been sprinkled with holiday fairy dust.

We slowly cruised down Eucalyptus Avenue where

San Carlos families have been transforming

their homes into a glowing Christmas wonderland since 1968.

lawns bursting with color and decorations so cheerful

Neighbors set up little stands along the way,

just pure holiday joy shared by a community that loves keeping the magic alive.

We enjoy driving around listening to our own Christmas music on Spotify.

This simple drive turned into a heartwarming reminder that some

of the most memorable holiday experiences don't cost a thing.

Here's your plan for savoring smash burgers with friends on a cozy, lively patio in Cole Valley. Watch the video 👇

Skip going straight home and grab smash burgers with friends on a cozy, dreamy patio.

SF’s Best Burger + Patio Vibes 🍔✨

Grab smash burgers and drinks with friends on Lovely's patio in Cole Valley—a perfect cozy post-work hangout with communal seating and a dreamy garden setting.

Eat Smash Burgers

✅ Before you go
• Lovely’s operates out of Woods bar. Each has different hours. Lovely’s is open Monday, Weds -Sat from 5pm - 9pm and Sunday, 1-5pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Order drinks from the counter and food at your table.
• Patio seating is communal so walk towards the back and ask the staff for seating. They’ll point you to available seats.

💪 Pro tips
• Try to arrive as close to opening to avoid the long food waits or risking it selling out for the night
• Lovely’s also offers Hot Dogs – worth a try!

Visit Lovely’s 

This is your sign to not go straight home after work.

text your friends and pull up to Lovely's in Cole Valley.

smashed burgers are easily some of the best in the city.

We got the Drive-Thru burger with cheese,

Add a cold drink and suddenly your random weeknight feels like a plan.

So save this for the next time you need an easy after work day.

Here's your plan for unwinding after work with arcade games and friendly competition. Watch the video 👇

Shake up your weeknight and ditch the stress with an arcade night—no waits, just games.

After Work Arcade🕹️👾 > Going Home 

Head to Emporium Arcade Bar in Alamo Square for classic arcade games, free pool, and a chill after-work vibe—arrive early for minimal waiting and more play time.

Arcade Gaming

✅ Before you go
• IDs +bag check are required to enter but the entrance itself is free
• Tokens are $0.25 each and yes, you can use a credit/debit card
• Most games cost anywhere between 2 - 4 tokens per person.
• Arrive before 6:30pm if you want less wait times and more play time 

💪 Pro tips
• Pool tables are free
• come on Tuesdays for Jeopardy night (7pm)
• If gaming isn’t your thing, there’s a full bar inside you can always chill at or watch a live game on the projector screens

1. Visit Emporium Arcade Bar 🕹️

Here's an easy way to shake up your weeknight routine.

Grab a friend and pull up to Emporium Arcade Bar.

We got there around 6 and basically had the whole place to ourselves.

No waiting and straight into the games —

which is how we ended up playing for 2 hours straight.

Just shutting our brains off and getting a little competitive.

So save this for when you need a real reset after work.

Here's your plan for savoring SF’s top brunch with a pregame coffee and tasty, cozy eats.  
Watch the video 👇

I know this is a bold claim, but I just tried out Plow and I have to say their propaganda and popularity aren’t playing

SF’s Best Brunch Spot?!

Grab specialty coffee or tea and a pastry at Farley's Coffeehouse, a cozy, dog-friendly spot to relax before your brunch reservation at Plow.

Coffee & Pastries

• Popular, community-oriented, dog-friendly, relaxed vibe!
• I love that their tea come with a strainer in each mug, and isn’t just a teabag thrown in boiling water.

Pregame at Farley’s Coffee while you wait

Indulge in classic brunch favorites, especially the famous crispy potatoes, at Plow—San Francisco's beloved, bustling weekend hotspot. Expect a wait, but enjoy friendly staff and cozy vibes.

Brunch Dining

• I’m serious, the wait time can be two hours, so don’t stray too far when it’s about time. They do have an outdoor bench area where you can wait, and warm woolen blankets.
• Come on the weekdays if you want a shorter wait.
• Despite the busyness, the staff was so friendly!
• Their potatoes may be their most famous item. I especially loved the crispy skins.
• SME friend recommends…everything.

Brunch at Plow

I have a friend who swears by this walk-in only

brunch place and will wait for a table for hours.

I got her to take us to see what all the hype is about.

Plow is apparently SF's number one brunch

spot evinced by its popularity among locals.

We showed up Sunday morning with a bunch of other hungry brunchers

hovering like vultures because they call it your name instead of texting.

The technique is to drop your name at the host

stand and hang out for your wait time at Farley's,

which is across the street and inviting in its own right.

Peruse their magazines or catch up with friends as

you pregame with coffee and a buttery croissant,

which samples their signature selection of classic brunch foods,

while even the quality of humble fare such as eggs and potatoes was top tier.

My prosciutto gruyere toast was so delicious I even

devoured the salad they hid underneath the egg.

Here's your plan for hiking waterfalls and wildflowers at Mt. Diablo, then dining on Thai cuisine. Watch the video 👇

Come hike as the waterfalls and wildflowers spring up all over Mt. Diablo State Park, then eat at a classy Thai restaurant.


Wildflower + Waterfall Wonderland hike

Hike the waterfalls of Mt. Diablo for scenic wildflowers, small cascading waterfalls, and mountain views along an 8-mile trail in Mount Diablo State Park.

Waterfall hiking

• Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/waterfalls-of-mount-diablo-loop-trail. 8 miles, 1771’ elevation gain.
• Park entry costs $6.
• Instead of driving the whole way, you could Bart to Concord and uber from there. There is reception at the visitor center so you’ll be able to summon an uber back.
• Wear hiking books. There are some steep uphills and downhills for sure, but at least half of the trail is level.
• Best to come after a rain, but not right after, so the ground’s not too muddy.
• Little shade, so wear sunscreen or go on a cloudy day like we did.

Hike the waterfalls of Mt. Diablo

After your Mt. Diablo hike, savor beautiful, spicy, and vegan-friendly Thai dishes at Andaman Thai in downtown Walnut Creek, featuring a full bar and stylish presentation.

Thai dining

• Parking costs $3.50 for an hour.
• Includes a full service bar.
• Quite a few spicy and vegan options.

Refuel at Andaman Thai

its creeks run full and spill over in lots of little cascading waterfalls.

along with so many different types of wild flowers,

have your post-hike meal at one of their best restaurants.

Park at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center to begin your hike.

Loop you'll get your first glimpse of moving water.

I wouldn't say there's one huge flagship fall on this hike.

smaller waterfalls hide around every corner waiting to surprise you

and colors will be along the entire trail.

I don't remember the last time we've seen such a variety on one hike.

They provide a perfect foreground to the mountain scenery.

where the presentation of the dishes is as beautiful as the restaurant itself.

These straight shrimps were succulent on the inside,

and the mango sticky rice was the perfect sweetness.

Catch these waterfalls before they dry up late summer.