Book Now: Christmas Tea in the Bay Area For Families

Thank you to Claremont Club & Spa for sponsoring today’s round-up of child-friendly Christmas tea options in the Bay Area. Their Holiday Tea begins on December 3.

In case you’ve never taken your little one to tea, now might be the perfect opportunity. One of the best times to take children for a high tea experience is during the holidays when everybody’s feeling festive and willing to put on a fancy outfit. You just might start a yearly tradition. Here are some lovely places in the East Bay and San Francisco that have arranged a special Christmas-season event for young tea-lovers. Pinkies up!

Holiday Tea in the (510)

Stay in the East Bay for a special Christmas tea service at some of these lovely spots.

Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley

Celebrate the holiday season with this grand Claremont tradition. Enjoy breathtaking views, an unmatched tea selection, sparkling wine, and sweet and savory bites from the Claremont pastry kitchen.

When: Available on Saturdays and Sundays beginning December 3 through 24. Seating from 1 pm until 3:30 pm.
Cost: $125 for adults, includes one glass of sparkling wine. $75 for children (6-12 years old)
Where: Claremont Lobby Lounge & Bar, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
Reservations >

Malaya Tea Room, Alameda

Malaya Tea Room is a tribute to the British Malaya era, so think High Tea with an Asian twist. Happily they’re bringing back Holiday Tea this year. To-go options are available too if you’d like to make your playground visit a highly dignified event.

When: December 1 – 23, Hours are 11 am – 5:30 pm Thursday – Sunday. Reservations required.
Cost: Adult $55, Child (9 years and under) $50.
Where: 920 Central Avenue, Alameda
Website >

Tyme for Tea, Fremont

A cute tearoom with a beautiful Victorian flare, Tyme for Tea is offering a special menu for the holidays every weekend in December. Holiday reservations open soon, so get yours early.

When: Every weekend in December. Reservations required.
Cost: $38-$45 per person.
Where: 37501 Niles Blvd. Fremont
Website >

USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, Alameda

This tea service will be held in the historic USS Hornet’s original Officers’ Wardroom, making use of real US Navy china! All proceeds from the event go to the continued care of the Museum’s exhibits and artifacts. Tickets include General Admission to the Museum, which is open from 10 am – 5 pm. Tea sandwiches, cookies and even mini quiche make this one special tea service, along with a cornucopia of tea and even chocolate milk. Of note, there are steep stairs to get to the tea, so keep that in mind.

When: December 10, 11 am – 1 pm and 3 pm – 5 pm. Reservations required.
Cost: $40 per person.
Where: 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda
Buy tickets here >

San Francisco Holiday Tea Services

The Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco’s two-story, life-sized Gingerbread House in the hotel’s grand lobby is a wonderful holiday attraction. There’s an impressive moving train and giant Christmas tree, too. Check out the fancy menu >

When: November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023, Thurs-Sun and daily the weeks before and after the Christmas holiday. Seatings at 1 pm and 3:30 pm. Tea is not available on Dec. 24, 25, and various other days.
Cost: $149 per adult, $89 for children under 12 (plus tax + gratuity it works out to $310.43 for one adult and one child) Reservations required.
Where: 950 Mason Street San Francisco
Website >

Lovejoy’s Tea Room, San Francisco

This adorable tea shop accepts reservations online, via phone or info@lovejoystearoom.com, as well as walk-ins. They also allow picky kids and adults to customize their high tea experience. A la carte ordering is a big relief for my family!

When: Thursday through Sunday, seatings 11 am to 3 pm with extended hours the week before Christmas
Cost: $27.95 for high tea with each additional for $24 and many custom packages for more and less. $22 for Wee Tea (children under 10)
Where: 1351 Church Street San Francisco in Noe Valley (415) 648-5895
Website >

Children’s Magical Tea, Top of the Mark, San Francisco

Children’s Magical Tea includes balloon art, face painting, a cookie decorating station, and Santa Claus some days. The menu includes the classics and some interesting kid-friendly additions.

When: Saturday and Sunday Dececember 3 and 4; 10 and 11; 17 and 18, 2022 » 12 noon to 3 pm
Cost: $99++ per guest (ages 4 and up); $5 discount with donation of a new unwrapped toy – reservations required
Where: 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill (415) 616-6941
For reservations, please contact the Holiday Desk at sfmarkhopkins.holidays@ihg.com Website >

Sip Tea Room, San Francisco

Right near Golden Gate Park in the Sunset District, Sip Tea Room is offering a Holiday Tea Service with special music and activities. They’re also hosting Mrs. Claus on Friday, December 17 with stories, music, and pictures with Santa’s better half. Oh, and they’ll have hot chocolate if that’s more your thing.

When: Thursdays – Sundays, Nov. 26 – Dec. 23, two seatings: 11 am – 12:45 pm and 1:30 pm – 3:15 pm
Cost: $59 per person
Where: 721 Lincoln Way, San Francisco
Website >

Teddy Bear Tea, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Children enjoy hot chocolate, teddy bear sweets, small sandwiches while watching an entertaining elf performance. Kids receive a commemorative teddy bear as a gift. Bring a wrapped gift to put under the tree to be donated to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. $2 per ticket sold will benefit Children’s Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area.
When: Nov. 26 – 27, Dec. 3 – 4, Dec. 10 – 11, Dec. 17-23
Cost: $172 per guest includes one teddy bear for 11 and under. Children under 2 are free (but no teddy bear).
Where: Terrace Room at The Ritz-Carlton
Buy tickets in advance >

Crown & Crumpet, San Francisco and Ross

Crown & Crumpet’s annual Holiday High Tea is a favorite with families, and they now have a new location in Ross in addition to their Japantown location in San Francisco. Expect a lovely selection of tea sandwiches, crumpets, scones, macarons, and more. The Holiday Tea is occurring throughout December, with reservations required. They’ll even have a Christmas cracker surprise for the kids. This year they’re also offering a special, more elevated pop-up event in Marin, details coming soon.

When: TBD
Cost: TBD
Where: 1746 Post Street, San Francisco CA, 94115, and 22 Ross Common, Ross, CA, 94957
Website for reservations >

Dollie + Me Holiday Tea at The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco

The second annual Dollie + Me Holiday tea invites children to enjoy a special tea experience of hot chocolate, sweet treats and tea sandwiches, while enjoying a fun holiday crafting event hosted by kit & sis™. Each child will receive a goodie bag with crafts to be enjoyed with their dolls. You’re also just across the street from the Union Square skate rink if you want to make a full day of it.

When: Saturday & Sunday December 17 & 18, 12 pm – 2 pm
Cost: Ages 4 + $90 (Total for one adult and one child totals $210.24 including taxes and fees) Tickets available here>
Where: 335 Powell Street (between Geary and Post), San Francisco

Other High Tea Options in the Bay Area

Dainteas Afternoon Tea Parlour, Concord

A tea parlor made for kids of all ages, decorated whimsically with an Alice in Wonderland theme. A tea room without the un-kid-friendly pretensions of a tea room. While they’re not doing a holiday tea specifically, you can still enjoy a High Tea with your little ones in style. Scone, tea sandwiches and strawberry shortcake all adorn their Pix-Fixed Menu, along with quite an assortment of teas. Reservation only, as well as a fun to-go option if you’d like to create your own High Tea at home.

When: Whenever you’d like, but by reservation only, by calling 925-913-0097 or emailing.
Cost: $40 per person, 6 person minimum
Where: 1302 Galindo St, Concord, CA 94520
Website >

Marin County Teddy Bear Tea, Mill Valley

Le Petit Jardin is putting on its 13th Annual event in honor of this special time of year, the “Teddy Bear Tea à la Française”. Enjoy a tea service, traditional holiday music, interactive teddy bear stuffing, “fireside” story time, and a festive photo booth. Each child should dress up in dapper holiday style for ultimate holiday spirit and photo fun! Then, sit back, snuggle your teddy, and listen to T’was the Night Before Christmas presented in both English AND in French. Fancy!

When:Saturday, December 10 Time: 10:30AM – 12PM
Cost: $45 per ticket
Where: 201 Seminary Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Website >

Nutcracker Holiday Tea, Menlo Park

The Palo Alto Auxiliary puts on a holiday tea, photos with Santa, sparkling wine, a gift bag for children, holiday vendors, and more with proceeds to benefit the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

When:Two seatings: 11 am to 1 pm; 2 pm to 4 pm
Cost: $75 per ticket
Where: Allied Arts Guild 75 Arbor Road Menlo Park, CA 94025
Website >

The Rotunda, San Francisco

If you’re already in the city doing some holiday shopping at Neiman Marcus, why not stop in at the Rotunda for a perfectly civilized afternoon tea service. While they’re not offering a special Holiday Tea, the store will be decked out in its holiday best, so it’ll still feel pretty special.

When: Two seatings, at 3 pm and 3:45 pm, Thursday – Sunday year-round. Reservations required, through OpenTable
Cost: Varies
Where: Floor 4, 150 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Website >

The Royal TEA Garden, Pleasanton

This tearoom delivers the classic afternoon tea experience with a fun atmosphere and plenty of tiny little bites to satisfy your sweet (or savory) tooth. Private catering is offered, as well as delivery through your favorite apps.

When: Three seatings, at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, Wednesday- Sunday. Reservations required.
Cost: $35 – $60 per person
Where: 163 West Neal Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Website >

Teddy Bear Tea at The Gardens at Heather Farms, Walnut Creek

This popular event is sadly cancelled for 2022 due to a renovation in progress.

Patisserie Angelica’s Magical Holiday Tea, Sebastopol

If you’re up in the North Bay to cut down your Christmas Tree, schedule in a stop at Patisserie Angelica for their Magical Holiday Tea, served Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 3 pm. Price varies. Website>

[Photos used with permission from the businesses as indicated; photo from Sir Francis Drake by Heather Flett]

 Find more to do in our East Bay Holiday Events Guide.

Thank you to Claremont Club & Spa for sponsoring today’s round-up of child-friendly Christmas tea options in the Bay Area. Their Holiday Tea begins on December 3. Five Palms Glice Skating begins November 18. Incredible gingerbread house decorating happens on December 3.

xxx