In foodie-friendly California, Thanksgiving is a great chance for local and celebrity chefs to strut their stuff—and it’s also a lovely opportunity for anyone to enjoy a feast against the backdrop of Golden State scenery, from the beaches to the mountains. Taking well-sourced gobblers (many from Tuolumne County’s acclaimed Diestel Family Ranch or Mary’s Turkeys from Fresno County), chefs add bells and whistles from their choices of brine to veggie sides and miles of pies, tarts, and more. There are quirky surprises too, such as dinner inside an aquarium, atop a tramway, or at a theme park. No need to diss the in-laws, either—invite them to tag along. Here are 20-plus great excuses, listed south to north, to be thankful that you decided to spend Thanksgiving in the Golden State:
Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego
This landmark hotel on Coronado Island has a rich history, having hosted presidents, celebrities, and a classic Marilyn Monroe film. Its buffet spreads across a few stately rooms—the Crown Room, the Coronet Room, and the Ocean Ballroom (fun fact: the Crown Room’s chandeliers were designed by Wizard of Oz author Frank L. Baum). Afterward, get your exercise by taking a few loops around the seasonal beachside rink, which opens before Thanksgiving.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
This luxury resort in north San Diego County offers a full (and plush) Thanksgiving weekend. Choose from the three-course menu at Amaya or the buffet in the ballroom: Feasts include turkey and options like local Carlsbad oysters on the raw bar, sweet and savory baked brie, and desserts ranging from pumpkin cheesecake to chai madeleines to chocolate-caramel tarts. Stick around for the long weekend to skate the resort’s own outdoor seasonal ice rink.
The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse & Saloon, Temecula
Experience an Old West–style feast in Southern California’s Old Town Temecula, with a four-course Thanksgiving feast at the colorful Gambling Cowboy Chophouse and Saloon. Enjoy the rustic, cowboy-chic atmosphere, take in the Temecula Valley views from its third-floor deck, then dive into roast turkey with sourdough-sausage stuffing—or prime rib or maple-glazed ham—complemented with options including cowboy mac ’n’ cheese and local wines.
Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach
Pair your Turkey Day feast with a beach walk or boat ride at this resort in Newport Beach. The brunch buffet at the waterfront resort’s Lighthouse restaurant includes the classics along with a seafood bar, eggs Benedict, a waffle bar, crepe station, and plenty of dessert.
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
On Thanksgiving, the Anaheim parks are fully open and decked out for the holiday season. For a Turkey Day feast, enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving buffet with character meet-and-greets at Storytellers Café inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner, Buena Park
You can think outside the turkey at this restaurant just outside the gates at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Along with turkey, ham, and traditional sides, the restaurant’s Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch buffet also includes their famous fried chicken, bubbly, and pumpkin cider, finished with both their signature boysenberry pie and classic pumpkin. The park is open all day, too, celebrating the holidays with the decorations and shows of Knott’s Merry Farm.
Purple Room, Palm Springs
First opened in 1960, this classic supper club on Palm Springs’ Palm Canyon Drive used to be a prime Rat Pack hangout. Today it offers a retro lounge-style Thanksgiving that also features live music from the Kevin Tokarz jazz trio. The menu includes throwback delicacies such as shrimp cocktail and Scottish salmon, along with turkey, butternut squash risotto, and the restaurant’s beloved pumpkin spice cheesecake.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Restaurants, Palm Springs
Celebrate the day with the unique Thanksgiving Ride & Dine combination, set at the cool 8,500-foot peak of Mountain Station. A 10-minute, 2.5-mile ride up the mountain on a rotating tram car is a feast for the eyes overlooking both the area and the wilds of the Mount San Jacinto State Park. Choose from two different dining options, with prix fixe options that include your tram ride, at the Pines Cafe or the cliffside Peaks Restaurant.
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Marine life is on display but not on the menu at this unique feast at Long Beach’s don’t-miss aquarium, which is open most of the day on Thanksgiving (the meal runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on its rooftop veranda, overlooking the aquarium’s Rainbow Harbor). The traditional turkey buffet typically also includes vegetarian items like a mac ‘n’ cheese casserole, as well as a cash bar with seasonal cocktails.
Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica
While the view of palm trees, sand, and blue ocean may not be traditional scenery, you’ll still feel thankful dining at the 1 Pico Restaurant at Santa Monica’s stylish Shutters on the Beach hotel. The hotel's three-course beachfront feast offers menu options such as a spinach salad with prosciutto and pumpkin seeds or a chestnut and leek soup; entrées such as Mary’s Organic Heritage turkey or grilled branzino; and pumpkin pie, a maple pecan tart, or a vegan panna cotta for dessert.
Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo
There’s nothing traditional about this quirky hotel in San Luis Obispo County, but its exuberant spirit makes a great setting for the feast of turkey, ham, or roast duck with trimmings. Save room for the famous desserts—a dozen-plus pies and cakes, including the famous Pink Champagne Cake.
The Padre Hotel, Bakersfield
“Be sure to bring your stretchy pants,” advise the folks at this charming boutique hotel in downtown Bakersfield. The prix fixe menu typically includes creative takes on green bean casserole and yams with candied pecans. Come to town early the day before: It’s a local tradition to enjoy the city’s acclaimed Basque restaurants the night before Thanksgiving.
Elderberry House, Oakhurst
Indulge in a dinner as sumptuous as the setting at this famed restaurant that is part of Chateau Sureau inn in Madera County, located between Fresno and Yosemite. The tasting menu of classics comes with a choice of reserve wine pairings.
International Smoke, San Francisco
Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry’s epic buffet in San Francisco adds some heat to the usual Thanksgiving, with additions such as Ayesha’s jalapeño cornbread, sweet and sour Brussels sprouts, and a dark chocolate parfait with candied hazelnuts.
Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
This classic 100-year-old hotel in Berkeley, now part of the Fairmont brand, offers up a decadent Thanksgiving dinner at its Limewood restaurant with turkey plus sides like lobster mac ’n’ cheese and a veggie cornucopia. The resort’s East Bay Provisions offers a curbside Thanksgiving feast that typically includes fennel-and-sage cornbread stuffing, sour-cream-and-chive Parker House rolls, and a pumpkin tart with maple bourbon chantilly.
Carneros Resort and Spa, Napa
Enjoy a farm-to-your-table Thanksgiving dinner created by this Napa resort. Locals can order a to-go feast from the resort’s Farm restaurant, featuring Mary’s turkey and possible sides such as brioche-and-sourdough dressing, and chimichurri Brussels sprouts. Or, sit down for dinner at Farm or enjoy a complimentary wine tasting at the Post tasting room.
La Toque, Napa
This Michelin-starred restaurant in the Westin Verasa Napa has made its Thanksgiving an annual tradition: The four-course menu is known for delights like their slow-roasted turkey—sourced from the high-end Bay Area turkey purveyor Willie Bird—and sides like chestnut-herbed stuffing and steamed broccoli hollandaise. At the end, you’ll take away one of the chef’s famous “leftover” sandwiches.
Napa Valley Wine Train, Napa
Set your Thanksgiving against Napa Valley’s lovely fall landscape on this 3.5-hour train-ride-meets-dinner with a menu that typically includes Diestel Farms turkey, carrot ginger soup, and pumpkin crème brûlée—and plenty of local wine.
Montage Healdsburg, Healdsburg
Feast with a view of the vineyards and the river at this Montage resort in Sonoma County. The three-course menu includes options such as turkey with chestnut stuffing, parsnips served with Dungeness crab, and chocolate-pumpkin tart for dessert. During Thanksgiving week, the family can enjoy activities such as kids’ crafts or a day of gratitude session with meditation, yoga, and journaling.
Delta King, Sacramento
Enjoy the holiday from this 1929 paddlewheel riverboat that calls the Old Sacramento Waterfront home. The buffet-style dinner includes turkey and prime rib carving stations as well as picturesque views of the Sacramento River.
National Exchange Hotel, Nevada City
Soak up the historic vibes at this charming reborn hotel in Gold Country’s Nevada City. The afternoon seatings promise a five-course, prix fixe feast including “modern spins on classic dishes.” The hotel doesn’t go back quite as far as the pilgrims, but it did open in 1856 as an upscale version of a Gold Rush mining camp.
Jimmy's at The Landing, South Lake Tahoe
Dine lakeside at this longtime favorite restaurant that overlooks Lake Tahoe and has both a firepit-lined patio and a 1,500-bottle wine vault. The five-course prix-fixe menu promises seasonal flavors and the hotel also offers a variety of lodging packages to extend your holiday.
Granlibakken, Tahoe City
This classic lodge on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe makes a picture-perfect setting for a family feast, with your turkey carved tableside (along with vegetarian options, including a savory vegan roast) and creative appetizers including pickled beet deviled eggs and shrimp hushpuppies. Best of all, they will help you pack up some leftovers. If there’s snow, don’t miss out on the Tahoe City resort’s famed sledding hill.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Truckee
There’s nothing like cool mountain air to build up your appetite, so the setting at the Manzanita restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, is a perfect one, with its lodge-like ambience in Truckee, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Thanksgiving prix fixe meal features colorful starters such as crispy Brussels sprouts in maple sherry, and savory main courses such as a fire-roasted turkey, diver scallops, or a wild mushroom quinoa risotto with truffles.
Sacred Rock Inn, Elk
The North Coast town of Elk has been named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the best small towns for foodies in the U.S. and this feast at the Sacred Rock Inn offers some delicious proof—especially if you get tired of turkey. The harvest-inspired menu features salmon, huitlacoche ravioli, heritage chicken roulades, and apple tart tatin, with optional wine pairings. Turn dinner into a full weekend with the inn’s Thanksgiving getaway package.
Trillium Café, Mendocino
Local flavors abound at this inn and restaurant with ocean views, set in the heart of Mendocino. Along with the Mary’s turkey, the menu typically includes wild mushroom pâté, Point Reyes blue cheese salad, and fall vegetable gnocchi, finished with spiced pumpkin or huckleberry slab pies.
Feather Falls Casino, Oroville
Enjoy a traditional feast at the Butte County casino resort owned by the Concow-Maidu of Mooretown Rancheria Tribe. Beyond turkey and the staples, the Dreamcatcher Buffet typically features salmon, roasted chicken, cranberry-glazed pork chops, and dozens of sides, pies, and bread pudding. The casino resort is also home to the Feather Falls Brewing Co.
McCloud Hotel, McCloud
Soak up the scenery of Mt. Shasta at this charming hotel in McCloud, with its easy access to Mt. Shasta Ski Park. The menu for dinner at the hotel includes orange sage–roasted turkey, butternut squash ravioli, and chocolate cake with hazelnuts.
