GIVING BACK
Run to Feed the Hungry in Sacramento
With nearly 26,000 participants each year, Run to Feed the Hungry is not only the largest run in Sacramento but also the largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country. The annual event is hosted by the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and raises funds and awareness about food insecurity in the community.
Race Against Hunger in Visalia
The 18th Annual Race Against Hunger on Nov. 24 is the largest 5k run in the Central Valley. Other options include the 2k walk and 10k run, with all race fees and donations directly benefiting the Visalia Emergency Aid Council food bank.
Chefsgiving at Pendry San Diego’s Provisional Kitchen
Join six of San Diego’s most renowned chefs including Provisional Kitchen’s Chef de Cuisine Brandon Sloan for “Chefsgiving” as they prepare a family-style dinner with a cause. The evening event will take place at Pendry San Diego’s Provisional Kitchen on Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Guests can purchase tickets at $160 per person and include a $30 donation to the San Diego Food Bank.
Oceanside Turkey Trot
The O’Side Turkey Trot, San Diego County’s largest Thanksgiving Day running and walking event, returns for its 17th year, promising a classic California coast experience. Participants will ‘move their feet before they eat’ through downtown Oceanside, along Pacific Coast Highway and the newly paved, historic Strand, taking in the sun, sand and surf. A King tide during the event will offer a chance to feel the ocean and experience waves unlike any other trot in the country. Over the past 16 years, the event has raised more than $450,000 for Oceanside schools and non-profit organizations.
HOTEL GETAWAYS
Seaside Traditions at Terranea Resort
Terranea Resort invites guests to celebrate with its annual seaside November Traditions, featuring festive offerings beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through the holiday season. Enjoy a variety of Thanksgiving feasts, a fresh apple cider pressing station, Turkey Day Guided Coastal Hikes, Gratitude Practice at The Spa, the Annual Turkey Shoot-Out at The Link, Kids Club Thankful Crafting, Black Friday luxury shopping, and S’mores – perfect for enjoying around one of the resort’s 228 fire pits and places.
Sugar & Spice Package at The Inn Above Tide
The Inn Above Tide is offering a new experience this holiday season – the luxurious “Sugar & Spice” package featuring the popular Fireplace Bundles. Sugar & Spice sets the scene for cozy-season splendor with cinnamon sticks that naturally scent the fire with a welcomed seasonal spice, accompanied by a thermos filled with hot apple cider or a hot toddy, and the irresistibly soft Barefoot Dreams blanket. Launching fall 2022, with rates starting at $635 per night for two people, “Sugar & Spice” is a one-night package that includes accommodations in a room with a wood-burning fireplace.
Autumn Arrival at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
Experience the resort's autumn glow by checking in to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club’s refreshed Fireside Terrace Room, featuring its own private patio with a fire pit. Dine at Bourbon Steak Orange County, where Chef Chris Sanchez will serve truffle-inspired holiday specials this season. Treat yourself to fall-inspired coffee and house-made pastries from Part + Parcel and unwind with a Pumpkin Enzyme Facial at Waldorf Astoria Spa. Guests can also book the Fall Into Wellness Spa Package, featuring a pumpkin enzyme facial, citrus glow body polish, and signature pedicure.
Charming Retreats in Tuolumne County
Celebrate Thanksgiving in the quietness of Yosemite National Park with a stay at Rush Creek Lodge and Spa or cozy up in a quaint mountain getaway like the McCaffrey House Bed & Breakfast Inn, where Thanksgiving family traditions are shared with guests. Don’t miss the 39th Annual Sonora Christmas Parade on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in Historic Downtown Sonora for a festive holiday celebration.
THANKSGIVING FEASTS
San Francisco’s Thanksgiving Dining Experiences
The newly opened AFICI in San Francisco will offer a five-course tasting menu on Thanksgiving Eve. The team behind Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry’s International Smoke will have a buffet of traditional and seasonal dishes, including desserts and Curry’s famous bread pudding. KAIYO Cow Hollow will celebrate Nikkei-Style with a pre-order, pre-fixe menu available for pickup throughout the week (including Thanksgiving Day). The Thanksgiving Eve pre-fixe dinner will also feature a similar menu. Chef Mark Dommen of One Market has created a three-course Thanksgiving menu, including a take-out option for those who prefer to dine out.
Bay Area Restaurants
Pomella chef and owner, Mica Talmor is once again offering à la carte Thanksgiving entrées, sides, and desserts with her distinctive Israeli-Mediterranean influence. Apple pie from Oakland-based baker Edith’s Pie will also be available. Wild Onion Bistro and Bar at Hotel Citrine is celebrating all the traditions of Thanksgiving with a four-course menu. Chef Hideki Myo of Adrestia has created a seasonal menu that highlights ingredients indigenous to the region. Served family-style, the menu is inspired by Myo’s interest in showcasing the valley, pre-tech – before it was dubbed Silicon Valley.
Firehouse Restaurant in Sacramento
Spend this Thanksgiving with friends and family indulging in a three-course menu at Sacramento’s premier fine-dining restaurant. Located in the heart of Old Sacramento, the Firehouse has been a local favorite serving delicious locally sourced dishes for nearly 60 years. From the roasted turkey with a merlot-cranberry relish to the pumpkin and ricotta ravioli, the Firehouse has something to please everyone on Thanksgiving Day including a menu for guests ages 12 and under.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and enjoy a thoughtfully prepared buffet of seasonal favorites and coastal specialties by Chef Michael Rotondo. The menu will feature classics including roasted turkey, prime rib, and holiday sides, along with seasonal salads, a raw bar, cheese and charcuterie, and an abundance of festive desserts.
The Bungalow Kitchen
Leave the hosting and cooking up to The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina, located along the Tiburon waterfront. Executive Chef Harrison Chernick has crafted a one-of-a-kind, four-course menu that guests can enjoy against panoramic views of the Bay, Angel Island and beyond.
Dinner and Entertainment at Historic Hotel del Coronado
Give thanks this Thanksgiving at San Diego’s iconic Hotel del Coronado where Thanksgiving dinner will be offered in the brand new Southpointe Ballroom with an elegant buffet of all the favorite, traditional trimmings along with live musical entertainment on November 24. Following dinner, catch the debut of Frosted by the Sea, which will include the return of Skating by the Sea®, thousands of holiday lights, and stunning holiday décor including a new 22-foot ocean-themed tree at Southpointe Lawn.
Luxury Prix Fixe Dining in San Diego
Tucked away in the secluded hills of North County San Diego, personal luxury meets playful freedom at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Gather and give thanks on 265 acres of lush grounds and open air with a specially curated four-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu at its signature restaurant, AVANT. At Serea, indulge in a special Thanksgiving-only gourmet three-course prix fixe menu prepared by James Beard Smart Catch Leader JoJo Ruiz. Dine on the restaurant’s two-tiered patio complete with swaying palm trees, incomparable ocean views and notes of the lingering sea breeze.
Comfort Food at Knott's Berry Farm
For those wanting a cozy Thanksgiving dinner to enjoy in their hotel room, on Nov. 24 (9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) and Nov. 25 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.), take home dinners will be offered at Knott’s Berry Farm. Each dining package serves 6-8 people with the option of a 12-14 lb. turkey, 8-10 lb. glazed ham, a variety of sides, and a choice of boysenberry or pumpkin pie. Visitors can also dine at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant which will offer a Thanksgiving Champagne Buffet on Nov. 25 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
Gobble Gobble Dinner at Harrah's Resort
Gather and give thanks with family and friends at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, the number one resort in Funner. This year, the resort will offer a “Gobble Gobble Dinner” on Thanksgiving from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. at The Café that is sure to satisfy all — from the Thanksgiving lovers to the difficult-to-please picky eaters.
Coastal Views & Food Comas in Huntington Beach
Purchase tickets to dine at Paséa Hotel & Spa's 4th Annual Food Coma Brunch on Nov. 24 offering a range of holiday favorites. Spread gratitude over a curated Thanksgiving-inspired fall dinner menu at Tanner’s. Additionally, the award-winning Watertable at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa will be offering a three-course pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu featuring delicious specials like parsnip and sweet potato soup and house-brined turkey breast. Tickets are available for purchase and dinner reservations are highly recommended.
Del Mar Racetrack Thanksgiving Brunch
Spend Thanksgiving at the famed, historic Del Mar Racetrack. The track's exclusive Turf Club will host a special Thanksgiving Brunch featuring a three-course meal, a reserved Turf Club table with unmatched track views, and bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys.
Photo Credits: First Floor Patio at The Bungalow Kitchen.