Gingerbread House Activities in the Bay Area

Sadly, we never built our gingerbread house kit from last year, and the kids are balking about using a "stale" kit this year. Not that they ever eat the house (even the candy is nasty from current boxes). If you don't have a spare kit sitting around and want to do some gingerbread activities, here's where to go in the Bay Area.

SAN FRANCISCO
The Conservatory of Flowers has its annual gingerbread decorating event on December 15.

The Mandarin Oriental is hosting "ho-ho-ho homes for the holiday" which includes gingerbread house making on December 2nd. Details here at Frisco Kids.

BERKELEY
Join friends at Habitot to decorate a giant gingerbread house on Saturday, December 22 from 9:30-4:30. It's free admission, and the house will be donated to a local homeless shelter. You can make your own gingerbread house at a workshop during their December 15-21 schedule. Workshops are $22 for members, $29 for nonmembers and include admission.

MARIN
Gingerbread Builders sells Gingerbread supplies. Make one on site (and you don't have to clean up), or they can make one for you. The Mill Valley site (Strawberry Village), is open for the season. Houses start at $29 including icing and some candy. You can buy additional candy as well. Go with your kids, or make it a party.

HALF MOON BAY
Ending soon (December 1) is the 9th Annual Gingerbread House competition. The houses are on display at the Ritz Carlton through Saturday, when the winner is announced at their tree lighting ceremony (4:30-6:30).

NAPA
Enter your gingerbread house in the Westin Verasa Napa's Gingerbread House Contest, on November 16 from 12:30-2. They'll have separate amateur and professional contests. All proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. You can win a monthly dinner for two at their French restaurant BANK Cafe and Bar plus a 2 night stay at the hotel.

Summer Solstice Celebration - Muir Beach - tonight

If you haven't made plans for tonight yet, take the kids to the summer solstice celebration at Muir Beach, from 6-8 p.m. Storytelling, songs and a bonfire. And it's free.

Read FrogMom's account of the the summer solstice celebration last year.

Day Trip: Harley Farm in Pescadero

If there’s something I love even more than factory tours, it’s farm tours. And we took a great one at Harley Farms in Pescadero.

We went on a class field trip, though you can make your own family reservations (or take a group of kids yourself) with advanced registration. You could try walking in and signing up too, but they do book up. It’s a popular place!

The original farm was for dairy cows in the early 1900s. It ran til the 1940s, then sat vacant. About 17 years ago, Dee Harley and her husband started farming. They learned the art of making goat cheese from their friend Nancy, who used to buy their goat milk. After Nancy moved away, the farm started making its own cheese with milk from their six goats. Now Harley Famrs keeps 200 goats – all related to the original six (that’s called a “closed” population).

Coming Up: Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is one of the better street fairs, in my opinion. Maybe because it involves pumpkins. But get there early or you’ll be stuck in traffic for a long time.

Lots of kid-friendly events, including free pumpkin carving for the kiddies on Sunday from 10-1 (pumpkins are provided). Also, a pumpkin pie eating contest for kids under 12, a parade, pumpkin weighing contest (it’s fun to see the winners), a costume contest and more.

In addition to the usual carnival rides ($$), there are some fun stage shows including pumpkin carver Farmer Mike and magicians, a haunted barn ($5) and more.

Usually giveaways abound, with tons of businesses giving away freebies (it’s usually good quality stuff with lots of snack food). Plus there’s a mini farmer’s market on Main Street, just outside the festival (closer to Hwy 92).

Don’t miss the baked goods just before you enter the festival. I think it’s the Moonside Bakery on Main Street – they have an outdoor booth set up with delicious pumpkin breads, cookies and pastries (and coffee). A great stop if you get to the festival on the early side.

Don’t forget to bring layers and sunscreen – you never know if you’ll bake or freeze there.

What: Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
When: October 18-19 from 9-5
Where: Main Street (just off Highway 92), Half Moon Bay
Cost: free (though you’ll pay $5-10 for parking)