A room in the St Regis in San Francisco

San Francisco is a great place to visit in December–the weather can be fairly mild, SPCA kittens grace the windows of Macy’s, and hotels offer fantastic deals for visitors from near and far.

At the high end, check out the ultra-posh St Regis Hotel, where the “Holidays at the St Regis” package includes gingerbread cookies and egg nog, a delivery of hot chocolate for two, and a Vie Luxe candle. Especially during the holidays I love to meet friends for a drink in the slick, gorgeous bar, and I’ve heard Remede Spa is not-to-be-missed.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants created memorable packages at many of its San Francisco properties, from “The Art of Shopping” getaway at the Hotel Palomar near shopping mecca Union Square to the “Naughty or Nice?” package at the Argonaut Hotel, which includes either a trip to Alcatraz or a visit to the Exploratorium science museum.

Parents might especially love the “Holiday Memory Maker” package at Hotel Monaco. Your kids write letters to Santa on personalized stationery, then receive a surprise visit from elves who come bearing milk, cookies and a bedtime story.