SeeCalifornia.com

Left photo shows Fairmont San Francisco’s 22-foot-tall Gingerbread House. Right photo features Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle. (A huge thanks to Berylee Baker for taking pictures and alerting SeeCalifornia.com to these special holiday traditions!)

It’s that time of year when the great chefs of California’s fine hotels, restaurants and wineries create magical gingerbread castles so spectacular that visitors actually report dreaming about gingerbread after visiting these iconic holiday attractions. Several hotels report annual holiday bookings from return guests who come to see the gingerbread castles and themes.

Gingerbread Holiday

• Fairmont San Francisco – amazing!
• Westin St. Francis, San Francisco includes new Enchanted Castle
• Newport Beach’s Island Hotel  – Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory theme this year
• Sonoma Wineries – public can vote on the displays at wineries
• Shop displays in Sausalito – business and community sponsors
• City of Rocklin contest – public participants compete
• Science of Gingerbread at Discovery Science Centers in Los Angeles and Santa Ana. Kids make the creations on display here!
• CHILL in Long Beach – kids gingerbread construction
• Renaissance Indian Wells – gingerbread 101