Holiday Lights and Tasty Bites

A new cafe, a Japanese restaurant, plus holiday events to fill your calendar

Author

Greg Kemper
December 04, 2025

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!

In this week’s newsletter, learn more about the updates to previous bike lane plans, a new Japanese restaurant, and holiday events throughout December!

Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🍴Tasty Bites to Try: a Yemeni cafe, comfort American food, and California-inspired Japanese cuisine

🚲 Bike Lane Updates: A shift to lesser-trafficked roads

 🎄 Winter holiday fun: Holiday lights, Santa meets, craft events, and winter festivals

🚲 Bike plan shifts away from Palo Alto’s big streets

After hearing concerns from residents, city planners in Palo Alto are rethinking their bike-network plans: the next phase won’t focus on reworking major thoroughfares, but instead on smaller, quieter streets. 

The revised vision aims to make biking more comfortable and safer by routing bike traffic away from busy roads and reducing conflicts between cyclists, cars, and pedestrians. Community feedback played a big role in guiding the change, showing how local input really matters. The shift could encourage more folks to bike for errands or daily commutes, especially families and casual riders who prefer gentler routes. If all goes well, the new bike paths could roll out in phases over the next few years. Read more here. 

Sanaa House Cafe in Redwood City 

Sanaa House Cafe is a welcoming neighborhood spot known for its fresh, nourishing menu and calm, inviting design. Guests can enjoy grain bowls, salads, and pastries made with care, along with a selection of coffee and tea. The bright interior and friendly service make it a pleasant destination for breakfast, lunch, or a peaceful work session. Many visitors appreciate the balanced approach to wholesome food and comfortable dining. It is quickly becoming a go-to cafe for those seeking a relaxing and community-minded space. Check them out here!

2400 Broadway suite 120, Redwood City

New location coming soon to Foster City

🌲 Christmas Trees for a Cause

The Sea Scouts and Mariner Troop (a specialized Girl Scout troop focused on boating) are teaming up to sell Christmas trees in Palo Alto from Black Friday until mid-Dec. The Scouts run everything, helping select trees, preparing them for transport, tying them to people’s cars and even offer delivery and setup. It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year, and anything purchased is tax deductible.

This fundraiser is helping to keep multiple scouting programs afloat (😏) They offer a variety of tree types and sizes, wreaths, and garland.

They’re located at 3672 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

Click here to feature your business in front of over 10,000 local residents!

Kappo in Palo Alto

Kappo is a new, intimate 12-seat chef’s-counter restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center offering a refined yet relaxed tasting experience rooted in seasonal California ingredients with Japanese technique. Under the direction of Executive Chef Nikolas Neuwirt, the menu features live-fire cooking, local seafood, foraged produce, and dishes crafted with ancient fermentation and modern technique. Guests sit at an open counter where they can watch and chat with the chef as each course is prepared, making each meal feel personal and immersive.

The rotating multi-course tasting menu often showcases items like foraged seaweed soup, grilled spiny lobster over coals, and California-grown rice topped with uni and forest-inspired accompaniments. With small seating and limited nightly seatings, Kappo delivers a communal, chef-forward dining experience that’s as much about atmosphere and storytelling as it is about flavor. 

180 El Camino Real #1410
Photo: Palo Alto

The Post in Los Altos

The Post is a relaxed neighborhood spot on Main Street serving up seasonal, comfort-driven New American fare made from locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients.The menu offers something for everyone, from brunch favorites and vegetarian-friendly plates to hearty burgers, empanadas, and crowd-pleasing entrées, all alongside a full bar serving crafted cocktails, rotating beers and wines.

Its welcoming vibe, casual interior (plus a backyard patio), and pet- and family-friendly atmosphere make it ideal for weekend brunches, family dinners, or catching up with friends over drinks. The Post also offers event and catering services, making it an easy choice for birthdays, group gatherings or casual celebrations.

🥂 Après Village | East Palo Alto | Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley | 12/03 - 1/4 | more
Sip festive drinks and enjoy seasonal bites in a chic hotel pop-up setting.

🎁 Holiday Market | Los Altos | State Street | 12/04 | more
Shop local vendors and holiday artisans at this cheerful open-air market.

❄️ Winter Festival | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 12/04-12/6 | more
Celebrate the season with crafts, activities, and winter garden fun.

🌲 Once Upon a Garden Winter Festival | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 12/04 | more
A storybook-themed holiday experience with garden tours and seasonal activities.

🌟 Los Gatos in Lights | Los Gatos | Town Plaza Park | 12/05 | more
Enjoy a charming evening of tree lighting and seasonal displays in Town Plaza Park.

💡 Light Up the Season | Menlo Park | Fremont Park | 12/05 | more
Kick off the holidays with lights, music, and family activities at Fremont Park.

⛄ Winter Wonderland & Merry Marketplace | Redwood City | Red Morton Community Center | 12/06 | more
A festive event featuring holiday vendors, entertainment, and seasonal cheer.

🖼️ Studio Holiday Sale | Palo Alto | Art Center | 12/06 | more
Browse unique handmade art pieces from local creators for holiday gifts.

🚂 Gilded, Thistlewyck, and Holiday Lights | Woodside | Filoli | through 1/12 | more
Kick off the season at Filoli with tiny trains, twinkling lights, and festive wonder.

🎅 Hometown Holidays | Redwood City | Downtown | 12/07 | more
Enjoy a festive community day with entertainment, shopping, and holiday fun.

🎀 Holiday Wreaths | Woodside | Filoli | 12/08 | more
Create a lush holiday wreath using fresh seasonal greenery.

🎨 Christmas Art Fair | Woodside | Alice's Restaurant | 12/10 | more
An opportunity to purchase unique holiday art and gifts directly from local creators.

🌙 Festive Night | Los Gatos | New Museum | 12/12 | more
Enjoy an evening of art, music, and seasonal celebration.

📚 Family Fun Day: Winter Wonderland | Los Altos | Los Altos Library | 12/13 | more
A family-friendly event with crafts, games, and winter activities.

🚂 CalTrain Holiday Train | Palo Alto | CalTrain Station | 12/13 | more
A magical train decked with lights brings music and holiday cheer to local stations.

🥞 Breakfast with Santa | Los Gatos | Youth Rec Center | 12/13 | more
Share a festive breakfast with Santa and enjoy seasonal activities.

🎅 Hometown Holidays | Redwood City | Downtown | 12/13 | more
Celebrate the holidays with a parade, entertainment, and festive fun for families.

📚 Family Fun Days: Winter Wonderland | Los Altos | Community Center | 12/13 | more
A community-focused winter event full of crafts and family-friendly activities.

🌸 Festive Watercolor Botanical Cards Workshop | Palo Alto | Gamble Garden | 12/14 | more
Learn watercolor techniques to create botanical-themed holiday cards in a guided workshop.

🎁 Holiday Toy Drive | Palo Alto | Various Drop Off Locations | 12/14 | more
Donate toys to help local children enjoy a joyful holiday season.

🕎 Chanukah Festival | Redwood City | Courthouse Square | 12/14 | more
Celebrate Chanukah with music, food, and community festivities in downtown Redwood City.

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