The Holiday Spirit of San Ramon

San Ramon Holiday Getaway Guide

One way to keep your spirits bright this season is an easy getaway! San Ramon has all the fixings for a festive, convenient, and outdoorsy vacation. From a holiday ice rink and mistletoe hikes to outdoor fire pits for cozy winter nights, here’s your San Ramon holiday getaway guide.

Good Glidings

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink

Lace up and glide into the holiday magic. The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink—located in the heart of San Ramon at bustling City Center Bishop Ranch—is open through early January. Go at night and enjoy the colorful lights.

Get your tickets soon to book your skate time, and make a day of it beyond the ice rink. Bishop Ranch is filled with artisan holiday shopping and plenty of places to grab a casual bite to eat or go for a dining date—from The LOT Restaurant and Bar (with a modern wall screen for sports and entertainment), to LB Steak, Social Affair wine bar, and C Casa creative Mexican cuisine.

Happy Hiking Holidays

San Ramon hiking

Keeping everyone merry on a hike or bike ride is easy in San Ramon. Its vast open space includes over 40 miles of trails. Gather your friends and family for a fun getaway, connecting in nature and creating new memories.

For something easygoing and excellent for both hikers and bikers, combine the Rolling Hills, Sycamore Grove, and Windermere Ridge Trails for views of the valley and hills. You won’t see any reindeer on this trail, but you’ll likely see grazing cattle along Windermere’s pastoral open space.

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness has a 5-mile (round-trip) hike combining the Rocky Ridge View Trail and Elderberry Trail for huge views of this wild and mountainous landscape.

San Ramon hiking and biking trails

Experience San Ramon

Experiences make great gifts. And San Ramon is a hassle-free experience: close enough to travel to without major issues, yet with a great outdoors that can make you feel far away. It’s got the ease of nearby dining and lodging, making for a convenient getaway.

Right now there’s plenty of holiday flair in the air, from festive décor at the City Center Bishop Ranch Holiday Ice Rink to seasonal brews and craft cocktails at food and drink locales.

Hike, bike, get a massage, enjoy a drink around a fire pit, repeat!

Find lodging, discover the best pet-friendly options, and get some great packages for overnight stays. Check out this excellent guide for San Ramon and start planning your vacation.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Photo of the East Brother Light Station in the San Francisco Bay Area

    Oh, Brother!

    Spending the night on a tiny island in the Bay? Intriguing. Spending the night in a lighthouse perched on that island? Sound the foghorn! East Brother Light Station Bed & Breakfast sits on a small patch of land in the strait that separates San Francisco and San Pablo Bays.

    View
  2. Mill About Lakeside

    Bucks Lake Recreation Area near Quincy in Plumas County has plenty of beautiful hiking trails. For an easy hike with beautiful spots for sunning, swimming, and lounging on sand beaches or giant rock slabs, do the Mill Creek Trail.

    View
  3. Camping at Chewing Gum Lake Emigrant Wilderness

    High Sierra Lake Hop

    Situated just north of Yosemite is a High Sierra wonderland that gets a fraction of the crowds and is a fantastic destination for backpacking. The Emigrant Wilderness is 113,000 acres of granite ridges, wildflower-strewn meadows, and cobalt lakes.

    View
  4. The Secret Big Blue

    Set at 4,500 feet, surrounded by 52 miles of shoreline, and with sparkling sapphire hue, Lake Almanor is the other big blue. The secret one. This huge lake—idyllic in spring through fall for all kinds of water adventures—is a gem of Plumas County where you can relax without crowds.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Hot As (Bumpass) Hell

    So you like going to all the hot spots when you visit places? Well, in Lassen Volcanic National Park there’s a place so hot it gets downright steamy. Bumpass Hell is the largest hydrothermal area in the park, with sputtering mud pots, sulfur vents, and boiling pools. It’s California’s Yellowstone.

    View
  2. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  3. Starcrossed Stairway?

    Built into the hillside next to the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Heights delights with historic homes, steep and narrow (mostly carless) streets, and enchanting city views. Best of all, it features a network of walkways and staircases that makes it super fun to wander and explore.

    View
  4. Lunch at the Lakes

    Pack your own picnic and head for a lakeside lunch at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Then take your pick from a lovely trio of lakes accessed from the same trailhead. Follow it all up with a visit to Manzanita Lake on the other side of the park.

    View