As far as I'm concerned, there's only one remedy for the cold, rainy weather we've had this week: hot chocolate. So while you're out shopping and sight-seeing, stop into Bittersweet Café on Fillmore, Blue Bottle Coffee in Hayes Valley, or Boulette's Larder down at the Ferry Building for a hot and steamy cup of cocoa.

Named one of the top 10 "green cities" in the U.S. by The Green Guide, and the second greenest U.S. city according to Popular Science, San Francisco was cited as a city that puts transit first; and dedicates more than 17 percent of its 47 square miles to parks and open space. To find out how to green your next trip to San Francisco, check out these suggestions from the SF Convention and Visitors' Bureau.

If you are visiting San Francisco with kids this week, check out the delightful Velveteen Rabbit performed by the city's own ODC Dance Company at the intimate Yerba Buena Gardens theater. Margery Williams' classic tale of a well-worn nursery rabbit that becomes real is told though music, dance and a powerful narrative. Buy tickets now; the show ends December 13th.

The Nutcracker is a strong holiday tradition in San Francisco. And this being an iconoclastic city, there are several versions of the ballet on stage, ranging from traditional to wacky. Mark Morris' Hard Nut runs December 11-20 at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley; the San Francisco Ballet performs the Nutcracker December 8-27; and the kid-friendly Dance Along Nutcracker takes place December 12th & 13th.