The tree in 2008. Photo by Ingrid Taylar, About.com
On Thursday night, SF Rec & Park will formally kick off the holiday season by lighting up San Francisco’s only official holiday tree – the 100 foot Monterey cypress at McClaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park (event flyer).
The festivities begin at 5pm and include live entertainment, refreshments, family activities, train rides, and even a visit from Santa.
The tree lighting will take place just after dusk (sunset is at 4:50pm). McClaren Lodge is located at 501 Stanyan Street at Fell, just inside the park.
Some history on the tree lighting tradition, courtesy of FunCheapSF:
In 1929, John McLaren, the grandfather of Golden Gate Park and San Francisco’s first park superintendent, began a holiday tradition of lighting trees along a mile-long stretch of Fell Street that ended in front of McLaren Lodge, his home at the time.
I wonder who gets to flip the switch?
Sarah B.
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