Aloha, holiday enthusiasts! Thinking of spending Thanksgiving on the sunny shores of Encinitas? Well, you’re in for a treat (and we’re not just talking about pumpkin pie). We’ve cooked up a guide hotter than your oven on Turkey Day, packed with all the fixings for a fantastic feast-ival. From beachside buffets to downtown delights, we’re serving options faster than you can say, “Pass the cranberry sauce.”
Fancy Feasts: Dining Out in Style
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa: A Bayside Bounty
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Location: 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (about 23 miles south of Encinitas)
If you’re willing to take a short drive south, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is serving up a Thanksgiving Day Buffet to make your taste buds dance happily. Picture this: you’re sitting in an upstairs ballroom, gazing out at Mission Bay, while Chef Bryan Stuppy and his team whip up a feast fit for royalty.
The buffet includes a carving station (because what’s Thanksgiving without someone wielding a big knife?), classic holiday dishes, and desserts that’ll make you forget all about your diet resolutions. They’re even offering an à la carte breakfast at Oceana Coastal Kitchen if you’re one of those early bird types.
Adults can dig in for $150, kids (5-12) for $68, and the little ones (4 and under) eat for free. Just remember to loosen your belt a notch… or three.
La Valencia Hotel: La Jolla’s Pink Lady Serves Up Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Location: 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 (about 15 miles south of Encinitas)
Fancy a trip to La Jolla? The iconic “Pink Lady,” La Valencia Hotel, is dishing out a coursed meal that’ll have you saying “gracias” instead of “thanks.” Chef Fabian Aceves is the mastermind behind this feast, featuring free-range turkey (because even turkeys deserve a good life before they become dinner) and desserts that’ll make you wish you had a second stomach.
At $95 per adult, it’s a bit easier on the wallet than the Catamaran. They’ve even got options for the kiddos ranging from $20 to $36. Just don’t blame us if you end up waddling out like a turkey yourself.
Herb & Sea: Coastal Cuisine Close to Home
Location: 131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
If you want to keep it local, Herb & Sea in Encinitas is your go-to spot. They’re serving up a coastal Thanksgiving feast just a block from the beach. For $92 per adult and $38 per child, you can enjoy a four-course meal from Caesar Salad to Pecan Tart.
The best part? They’ll do the dishes. So you can focus on deciding whether to have the Pork Belly or the Mussel Toast as your second course.
Burn Before You Earn: The O’side Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Location: 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054 (about 7 miles north of Encinitas)
Feeling guilty about all that food you’re about to inhale? Why not join the O’side Turkey Trot? It’s just a short drive north to Oceanside, where you can “move your feet before you eat” in this annual 5K run/walk.
With start times at 6:45 a.m. (Early 5K), 8:05 a.m. (Main 5K), and 10:00 a.m. (Kids Run), there’s no excuse to miss out. Plus, there’s a costume contest because nothing says “I’m a serious runner,” like dressing up as a giant turkey.
The scenic beachside course starts on Coast Highway and ends behind the amphitheater on the strand. And hey, if you’re visiting from out of town, they’ve even got special lodging rates. Because nothing says “Happy Thanksgiving” like a discounted hotel room, right?
Shop ‘Til You Drop: Encinitas Holiday Street Fair
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Location: 101 Coast Highway, Encinitas, CA 92024
Okay, it’s not exactly on Thanksgiving, but the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair is too good to miss. Happening on the Sunday before Turkey Day, this fair transforms downtown Encinitas into a winter wonderland (well, as wintery as Southern California gets).
With over 450 vendors, four entertainment stages, and a kid/dog-friendly beer garden, it’s the perfect place to kick off your holiday season. You might even find some unique gifts for those hard-to-shop-for relatives. And let’s be honest, after a few hours of shopping, you’ll have earned that extra pumpkin pie on Thursday.
So there you have it, folks. Whether you want to dine out in style, burn some calories, or shop your heart out, Encinitas and its surrounding areas have covered you this Thanksgiving. Just remember: calories don’t count on holidays. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves.
Sources: catamaranresort.com, herbandsea.com, lavalencia.com, visitoceanside.org, encinitas101.com
Header Image Source: catamaranresort.com
