Running in cold dark rainy weather is an annual challenge.  But that’s why the holidays were invented, right?  A festival of lights to cheer us all up when the world is so dreadfully gloomy?

From Union Street to Union Square, the city is bustling with holiday lights to add a bit of spice to your next night time run.  For an East Coast Christmas, try Union Street between Steiner and Octavia where the Festival of Light initiates shop owner enthusiasm with a contest for best window and light display.

For a bit of Vegas, cruise through the Embarcadero Hyatt Regency at 1, 6 or 8PM to witness snow falling inside the immense atrium onto the generous Christmas Tree and snow village below.   For Florida, the palms of Union Square will make you feel right at home.   And last but hardly least, for an over the top suburban feel, regular folks Tom and Jerry (not to be confused with the cartoon famous cat and mouse) host a completely gratuitous display at 21st and Sanchez and Church that rivals rural Pennsylvania. http://sanfrancisco.about.com/b/2009/12/23/tom-jerrys-christmas-tree.htm