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Eucalyptus Avenue in San Carlos is a popular destination for holiday lights. Photo by Devin Roberts.

As relatives fly or drive in for the holidays, you might be scrambling to figure out activities to keep them occupied during their stay. But you don’t have to feel pressured to schlep them up to San Francisco to have a good time: There are plenty of activities along the Peninsula to keep them entertained. 

We’ve compiled a list of unique experiences for visitors, both indoors and outdoors, from the Coastside to the Santa Cruz Mountains. (Note that tickets to events are subject to change based on availability.)

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Angela Swartz was The Almanac's editor from 2023 until 2025. She joined The Almanac as a reporter in 2018. She previously reported on youth and education, and the towns of Atherton, Portola Valley and...