San Diego Thanksgiving Traditions & Things to Do 2023

It’s safe to say that many of the best Thanksgiving traditions involve an incredible meal! With the Thanksgiving Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, you and the family can enjoy that meal in a truly unique way: from a ship as you cruise around the harbor!

Head to the San Diego Bay on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, to board the boat and embark on a two-hour cruise. It’s easy to think of things to be thankful for when you’re overlooking the bay, like the incredible sights, San Diego’s beautiful weather, and excellent company.

One reason we love the Thanksgiving Day Cruise is because it offers flexible options that fit into any schedule. The brunch cruise runs from 1:00-3:00 pm, but there’s also a dinner cruise held later that day if you’re already planning some afternoon activities.

The $56.70 ticket price per person includes buffet-style salads, entrees, and desserts, as well as bottomless mimosas during the brunch cruise. Children under three can cruise and eat for free, making this an excellent choice for families with young kids.

2023 marks the 18th annual O’side Turkey Trot fundraising event. All registered participants who pay to join the run or walk will receive a series of perks including a commemorative shirt and photo, but if you’d just like to watch from the sidelines, that’s fine too.

The O’side Turkey Trot consists of four different events with staggered start times so you can watch or participate in as many trots as you wish. All races will take place on the morning of November 23rd. In 2023, the start times are listed below.

• 5 Miler: 6:45 am
• 5K: 8:05 am
• Kids 1 Mile (7-12 Years Old): 10:00 am
• Kids 1/5 Mile (6 and Under): 10:25 am

In addition to being one of the biggest holiday events in Oceanside, earning it a spot on our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, the Turkey Trot is the perfect way to pregame for a Thanksgiving dinner.

With options for both adults and kids to get active before the biggest feasting day of the year, you can chow down guilt-free afterwards. In fact, the Turkey Trot benefits the Move Your Feet Before You Eat!® foundation which encourages regular physical activity as a healthy habit, especially for kids.

San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood is a popular location for foodies, with many classic Italian restaurants to choose from. Among them is Herb & Wood, which has a charmingly rustic atmosphere and a menu filled with delightful Mediterranean fare.

While Herb & Wood is worth a visit any time of year, what nets it a spot on our article A Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego is it’s incredibly delicious, specialty Thanksgiving dinner. Meals are $92 per adult and $38 per child, and include two starters, your selection of a main course (with a vegan option), family-style sides, and pie or cake for dessert.

Going out to eat on Thanksgiving is a convenient option that allows you to spend more time with family and less time doing dishes. But if you’d rather gather at home, Herb & Wood also offers Thanksgiving takeout with all the traditional fixings.

Herb & Wood is located at 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. Dinner is served from 1:00 to 7:00 pm on November 23rd, 2023. If you’re planning on dining at the restaurant this Thanksgiving, you’ll want to make a reservation in advance, as tables fill quickly.

This is one of the best restaurants in San Diego and one of my personal favorites. Their Thanksgiving spread is truly delicious, so I had to include it on our list!

Many turkey trots are held in San Diego each Thanksgiving, but the original and longest running event is Father Joe’s Village Thanksgiving Day Run for Hope. This is a 5k run and walk that includes both timed and “fun run” options for youths and adults.

For those looking to take part in this year’s race on November 23rd, 2023, check-in starts at 6:30 am. If you and the family prefer to cheer on the runners from the sideline, the race begins at 7:30 am. From 8:00 to 10:00 am, you can have fun at the post-race festival at Plaza de Panama, which is filled with fun and games for all ages.

Participants can delight in supporting Father Joe’s turkey trot, as proceeds go toward the Father Joe’s Villages’ meal program for feeding San Diego’s homeless population. Runners are encouraged to fundraise and will receive merch at check-in as a thanks.

Through getting active and getting involved with charity work, joining Father Joe’s Village Thanksgiving Day Run is a tradition you can feel good about participating in each year, which makes it one of our favorite ways to start the holiday!

Attending a race at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club track lets you get a taste for high society, especially when you visit during this special event. While the grandest party takes place on Opening Day, wearing your fanciest clothes and visiting during the Thanksgiving season can be just as fun!

Tables at the racetrack are typically reserved for Turf Club members only, but on Thanksgiving, even guests without memberships can have an elevated experience enjoying a three-course Thanksgiving brunch. You can enjoy a picturesque view of the races as you dine and sip on bottomless mimosas.

Thanksgiving brunch takes place on November 23rd, 2023, starting at 11:00 am. Advanced tickets of $125 are required, and all attendees must follow the Turf Club dress code.

This event is held during the Bing Crosby race season, which lasts from November 10 through December 3. Whether you’re here to gamble or just to watch the horses and jockeys at work, spending a day at the races is an unbeatable experience that’s as fun for families with kids as it is for couples in search of a new, unique Thanksgiving tradition.

Have you ever considered dining bayside on Thanksgiving? Or are you looking for a way to kick back and relax this holiday season without having to cook or clean?

Thanksgiving meals are served overlooking Mission Bay at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. You can expect exceptional service with no chance of needing to wash a single dish! The hotel also offers diners a stellar menu from the hotel’s Oceana Coastal Kitchen and complimentary champagne.

Bay cruises are complimentary for brunch attendees and set sail from 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109. For $110 for adults and $55 for children (kids under 5 eat free), you’ll get access to live entertainment, a seafood cold bar, a dessert bar with a hot cocoa station, cooked-to-order omelets, and both traditional and non-traditional meal options served buffet-style. Brunch is served from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

If your afternoon is already booked, stop by for dinner instead. From 5:30 to 10:30 pm, Oceana Coastal Kitchen serves a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $80 per guest. Options include a typical turkey dinner with classic sides, grilled swordfish, or sweet potato stew, plus an appetizer of your choice and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

Located just off the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, Tower 23 Hotel is a boutique hotel that’s all about the beach-going lifestyle!

As a seaside community, we wanted to include a Thanksgiving activity that would make it easy to feel like you were a born-and-raised San Diegan! Thanksgiving dinner at Tower 23 JRDN Restaurant is a beachside affair, so gather the entire family to add some extra pizazz to your holiday celebrations.

The oceanside property of Tower 23’s JRDN Restaurant is located at 723 Felspar St., San Diego, CA 92109. In 2023, Thanksgiving dinner will be served on November 23rd from the afternoon to the evening, with reservations available from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Thanksgiving can often be a hectic event (especially if you’re the host!), but when you dine out, it doesn’t have to be. Experience a laid-back meal where you don’t need to stress over washing dishes, cooking, or deep-cleaning the house in preparation for guests. We love Thanksgiving at JRDN because it is relaxed and lets guests focus on the part of the holiday that really matters: spending time with family!

Plates are $69-74 per person and include an appetizer, two sides, and a dessert alongside your choice of entree from turkey, ham, salmon, and pumpkin risotto.

We love Turkey Trots as a family-friendly holiday activity. Not only are they fun for all ages, but they’re also a great way to give back to the community. The Coronado 5K Turkey Trot is held by the Coronado Unit of the Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, and all net proceeds are donated to the local hospital.

Spots are limited and tend to run out each year, so it’s a good idea to register in advance on the race’s website. Kids 5 and under can attend for free. Children ages 6-18 can register for $25, and adult tickets are $55 per runner.

In 2023, the Coronado 5K Turkey Trot will be held on November 23 at Tidelands Park, located at 2000 Mullinex Dr. Coronado, CA 92118. The walk begins at 8:00 am and continues until 11:00 am.

If you’re looking for more ways to stay active and want to save money during the holiday season, we recommend you take a look at the Go City San Diego pass! Coronado Island is your playground, with discounts on a full day bike rental, 90-minute tandem kayak rental, and much more.

Biking and kayaking around the neighborhood are excellent ways to work off the calories from Thanksgiving Dinner while also having fun with your family.

The defining factor of L’Auberge Del Mar’s Adelaide restaurant is upscale dining with a coastal influence. Locally-sourced ingredients and fresh seafood are a tempting array no matter the time of year, but their Thanksgiving menu is a real treat.

Adelaide’s Thanksgiving dinner is one of the pricier options on this list at $170 per person, but in exchange, the restaurant offers an elevated quality of dining. The menu includes soups and salads, a variety of protein carving stations and traditional sides, and seasonal desserts, as well as charcuterie and a selection of seafood from the raw bar. Come hungry and you’ll certainly get your money’s worth!

The Thanksgiving dinner will be held on November 23, 2023, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The hotel is located at 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014.

Adelaide also offers a 4-person to-go Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, sides, dessert, rolls, and even a bottle of champagne. We added this bonus option to our list for the Adelaide at L'Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa for small families, empty nesters or even couples that like leftovers that are looking to take the stress out of the holiday season.

This Thanksgiving, it’s easy to find something to be thankful for when you and the family are dining in luxury at the La Valencia Hotel. Pull up a chair at the hotel restaurant’s classy dining room and let the chefs and staff of La Valencia cater to your every need.

2023’s Thanksgiving dinner is a sit-down three-course meal for $130 per adult and a $40 & $60 option for children 12 years and under. Alongside holiday favorites like turkey and pumpkin pie, you’ll have your choice of upscale options including lobster tail and pumpkin bisque as a first course.

Dinner reservations are available from 12:30pm to 7:00 pm on November 23, 2023.

The address for La Valencia Hotel is 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037. Situated just a short walk from the La Jolla coastline, the dining room’s wide windows offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean while you eat.

After dinner, visit the beach at nearby La Jolla Cove and make use of Go City San Diego pass discounts throughout the weekend to save on surfing rentals, lessons, and more to make the time with loved ones truly memorable.

The classic Thanksgiving fare is turkey and mashed potatoes, but many San Diego restaurants are changing up the formula and reinventing traditions. One such restaurant is Animae at 969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101.

This year, Animae is putting a Filipina-American twist on Thanksgiving. Join chef Tara Monsod on November 23, 2023 for a four-course meal with sides. Standout options on the menu include short rib kare kare, beef tartare, ube bread, and red bean tarts.

Dinner is served from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Prices are $110 per adult and $42 per child.

Thanksgiving dinner was included on our list because we love the multicultural feel of the menu and Animae’s unique approach to an old-fashioned holiday. By combining flavors from Filipino cuisine with an all-American holiday, Animae’s menu stands out among other Thanksgiving offerings.

Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas gift-giving season, but for savvy shoppers, deals are available well before Thanksgiving and well after it too!

Traditionally, most San Diego stores have only offered Black Friday deals during the holiday weekend. However, this trend has been changing in recent years, with many stores extending sales to run through the whole month of November. This means you can comfortably take a post-turkey nap without worrying about missing out on many one-day-only discounts.

If you still enjoy the rush of Black Friday shopping, though, don’t worry; while most malls will be closed Thanksgiving day, spots like North County Mall and San Diego's Fashion Valley will open bright and early at 6:00 am on Friday, November 24th. We also recommend doing some shopping at Westfield UTC shopping center and Las Americas Premium Outlets, which open at 8:00 am and 9:00 am respectively.

For more recommendations on shopping spots, check out our list of the Best Malls in San Diego.