Cow Palace Arena & Event Center — Attraction in Daly City

The Cow Palace in San Francisco, California, was an absolute delight for The Great Charles Dickens Christmas holiday fair. Our hotel was only a 5-minute drive and parking was easy. We arrived at the Upper Lobby of the Victoria Station at 10AM PST. The line moved quickly through the station. A light rain fell in temperatures of 50 degrees. The perfect weather to explore London's streets. The security check was in place, real Christmas trees were available for purchase, there was a band, chocolates, and a shuttle pickup area. The holiday spirit filled the air, bringing joy to our group and those around us. Since the weather resembled jolly ol' London, we opted to stroll from Victoria Station to the main Victorian Holiday Floor. We were amazed the moment we stepped into the front entrance doorway. You immediately hear the holiday Christmas Carol sounds of Charles Dickens at the Fizziwig’s Dance Party. Then we strolled through the Grand Concourse, Baker Street, London Docks, Maiden Lane, Fagin’s Alley, The Bohemian VIP Bar, Mad Sal’s, Scrooge & Marleys, Chancery Lane, Nickelby Road, Petti Coat Lane, Bell Ringer’s Row, Pickwick Place, Jingle’s Gate, Meat Pies for Lunch, Father Christmas, Tinsley Green, Chratcht’s Yard, Borough Market, Fish Street and Holly Berry Park. That is the order we recommend for the most enjoyable experience. What a wonderful day in London with plenty of restrooms, gift shopping, characters, friends, family, drinks and food. Join the fun and dress up in your best holiday Charles Dickens' costume. It should be on everyone's Christmas Holiday...

Dickens Fair Review:

Well done decorations, very loud, over priced food, crowded (at the low end of season), hit or miss food.

I really wanted to love it, but I couldn't hear the dialogue on the stages even with the performers microphones. The games looked fun but were also over noisy.

Food: Crepes: undercooked, thick, overpriced at $16. Meat pies: beef was good. Sausage roll: good, good amount of beef. Roast beef sandwich: more bun than meat, dry, bread stale. Greek food looked better, should have gotten that. Ice cream: brownie al la mode bowl, with whipped cream and choc syrup, very good

Atmosphere: Bunch of small shops, interesting things. Shop keepers are friendly, nice. Lots of different types of stages with performances all throughout the day.

People coughing all around. Very warm, almost too hot. People brought dogs? Eww. They were not working dogs. Why were these allowed? People's huge dresses keep rubbing on me, can't easily walk through without tripping. Shows are hard to hear/drowned out dialogue even sitting in second row. Profanity that I don't want my child hearing. Being forced to sit next to people with atrocious manners, seeing the food in their mouths, and belches. Gross. So, it does mimick London, it's very dirty and gross, crowded and expensive.

I do...

Staff was friendly and outgoing, there was no communication between event producer and venue. ADA was shoved in the back in a corral with chairs looking at regular people's butts. No elevated platform... Obstructed views. Main stage, elevated but off to the side looking at speakers and hardware. If I wanted to see the stage, I had to walk all around to the opposite side to walk in, I was refused ramp access to the stage floor. No designated ADA bathroom, my husband couldn't assist me if I needed it, I had to stand in a wrap around line and when I got to the front, I had to wait for the handistall to be made available after 3 girls left it. There is no ADA pickup areas, venue and SFP said I had to walk 2 blocks away for a ride share. Police blamed the venue and the venue blamed the police. Disabled people can't walk 2 blocks away. Figure it out! They tried to give my driver a citation for picking me up in an "unauthorized" area even after standing with my cane and explaining my disability. SFP said they didn't care and to start walking. Venue security said to keep walking. Not cool at all. Only gave the stats because of my faith in humanity and my interactions with SAL and a shorter Tongan lady, I don't remember her name. Otherwise.. my experience in the venue...