Healdsburg wineries in the fall; Aperature
My and my husband’s family all live on the East Coast, so we usually stay in California for Thanksgiving. For the past 10 years, we’ve opted to avoid airport chaos and instead use the long break to take quick, local trips from our home in San Francisco. Here are my favorite Thanksgiving getaways around the state, from tried-and-true California classics to off-the-beaten-path and underrated spots.
While some are best booked in advance, others work well as last-minute trips. Enjoy and read on for ideas on where to travel in California for Thanksgiving.
* Destinations are (roughly) in order from south to north.
Short on time? Here’s a quick overview.
San Diego: Sunshine (hopefully) + a growing food scene. Stay at Orli in La Jolla or Lafayette Hotel.
Palm Springs + Joshua Tree: Pools + desert hikes. Stay at Korakia Pensione / Autocamp.
Paso Robles: Wine, nature, + art. Stay at Farmhouse Motel, Geneseo Inn, or Paso Robles Inn.
Pinnacles National Park: Hike, camp, and stargaze in an underrated park.
Tomales Bay + Point Reyes: For seafood and coastal hikes. Book The Lodge at Marconi.
Healdsburg: A wine country escape. Stay at Harmon Guest House or The Madrona.
Sebastopol + Guerneville: Apple country and redwoods. Cozy up at The Stavrand, Dawn Ranch, or Farmhouse Inn.
Sea Ranch: Coastal views and stunning architecture. Stay at Sea Ranch Lodge.
Elk + Mendocino: Charming small towns on the coast. Book Mendocino Cove or JD House.
Boonville: Small town in an underrated wine region. I love Boonville Hotel + The Philo Apple Farm.
San Diego: Beaches, Food, and Hip Hotels
Lafayette Hotel
If you’re looking for somewhere warm, San Diego is a great option—especially if you’re traveling with family and want lots of kid-friendly activities like beach days in La Jolla and walks around the zoo. The food scene in San Diego is really having a moment right now as well, just in case you still have room after that Thanksgiving meal.
Note: I’d avoid pairing San Diego with a trip to Baja at this time of year. The border crossing can take much longer than usual during Thanksgiving week.
Where to stay: Stay in a charming boutique hotel in a 1910 building, Orli, in La Jolla, a popular, beachside neighborhood. Or, live out your maximalist dreams at the Lafayette Hotel—in operation since 1946 but re-opened in 2023 after a gorgeous remodel. I love how vibrant the bars (yes multiple bars) are here.
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Palm Springs + Joshua Tree: Desert Hikes
Joshua Tree in November
The California desert is beautiful in November. Plus, if you’re looking for a warm weather getaway, Palm Springs is one of your best bets without leaving the state. I love pairing Palm Springs with Joshua Tree National Park, about 45 minutes away, but do note that the temperatures drop quite a bit as you drive between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, so pack accordingly if you plan to spend time in both.
While I’ve been to both places many times, I loved our Thanksgiving trip here because with a full 4-5 days, it was easy to see both Palm Springs and Joshua Tree at a leisurely pace. The park requires quite a bit of driving, and that’s easy to underestimate. I recommend starting with a night or two near Joshua Tree National Park (which is open on Thanksgiving). While there, swing by the quirky, small shops in Joshua Tree (the town). Then, head down and enjoy some sunshine by the pool in Palm Springs, with a side of culture at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
We once flew from San Francisco to Palm Springs on Thanksgiving Day and it was super smooth. Could not have been easier to rent a car either.
Where to stay: In Palm Springs, the boutique hotel Korakia Pensione is one of my favorite hotels in all of California—lovely pool area, dreamy Greek/Moroccan design, and tasty breakfasts each morning. In Joshua Tree, I’d recommend Autocamp if you want the camping vibes without the actual camping. Their airstreams are heated, so no need to suffer through those cold desert nights.
Paso Robles: Wine, Nature, and Outdoor Art
As long as you time the drive right (there’s generally a lot of traffic on I-5 the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving), a getaway to Paso Robles is a fun mix of wine, nature, and—for us Bay Area residents, at least—slightly warmer weather. It’s also a nice destination if you want a mix of wine country and nature-focused, coastal getaway, since Morro Bay is just a 45-minute drive west.
For a full weekend, go to "Field of Lights" at Sensorio (above), an outdoor art installation of fiber-optic spheres that light up the landscape at night; drive to nearby Morro Bay for a kayaking (go solo or book a half-day wildlife kayak tour); and (ofc) taste wine. I love Tablas Creek and Close Solène for a vineyard experience and Tin City for a variety of tastings in one place (Field Recordings is a fave). Nearby Atascadero is also a cute town worth checking out. I love the vintage stores and pizza spot, Lebber’s.
If you’re willing to drive a bit, it’s worth taking a day trip to the Santa Ynez Valley, about an hour away. Here, you’ll find charming small towns like Los Olivos, Los Alamos (get a meal at Michelin-starred French bistro, Bell’s), Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton.
Where to stay: There are lots of cute and often affordable boutique hotels in Paso, but my favorites are Paso Robles Inn, a historic property that was recently updated. I also love Geneseo Inn for a romantic retreat out in the vineyards.
Pinnacles National Park: Camp + Stargaze
This underrated national park is excellent in November. It’s fairly deserty and exposed, so the cooler temps make many of the hikes and rock climbing much more enjoyable. Plus, unlike many restaurants and business, national parks don’t close on Thanksgiving Day—so it’s a great option if you’re looking for an activity to do on Thanksgiving itself. There’s limited accommodation options near the park, so book a campsite or visit as a day trip or stop on a mini road trip.
We once came here on Thanksgiving day totally unplanned and last minute and the campsite was full, though the host was kind enough to let us pull our van into a spot and spend the night in our car.
Hotels: Camp in the park. Enjoy the stars.
Tomales Bay + Point Reyes: Oysters, Bike Rides, and Kayaking
If I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to go too far, but still want to feel like I’m somewhere totally different, Tomales Bay and Point Reyes is another go-to. The weather can vary—I’ve been caught in heavy rains over Thanksgiving one year but had perfect, sunny weather in others. You can generally find a bike ride or hike that fits the weather and no matter what, there will be tasty seafood and BBQ oysters somewhere nearby (The Marshall Store is a personal favorite), and lots of beautiful views.
Where to stay: If you want to spend the night, I recommend booking a room at Lodge at Marconi, Nick’s Cove, or Olema House. You can also find some cute Airbnbs on the water as well, and those are often easier and more affordable to book during holidays.
Healdsburg: Laidback Sonoma Wine Country
Wine country escape, anyone? Healdsburg is perhaps my favorite small town in Sonoma wine country to spend a weekend, and it’s especially charming in the fall. For a Thanksgiving trip, arrive the day before and book a dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen, Chef Charlie Palmer’s restaurant in downtown Healdsburg, which is serving a special Thanksgiving dinner. Then, spend the rest of your weekend relaxing and exploring wineries like Marine Layer in downtown Healdsburg, Bricoleur Vineyards, which hosts a few festive events of its own, and Flowers Winery, featuring a cozy indoor tasting room complete with a fireplace. If the weather stays dry, it’s also a lovely time of year to go for a bike ride. The Dry Creek area is a popular area with lots of bikeable back roads.
Where to stay: I love eco-friendly, design-forward Harmon House since it’s right off Healdsburg’s main plaza and makes a stay here very walkable. But if you want to treat yourself, I highly recommend the splurge-worthy, maximalist mansion, The Madrona just a couple of minutes outside of town. If neither of those are quite right, I also have a full list of hotels in Healdsburg worth checking out.
RELATED: Plan your trip with my guide to Healdsburg and Google Map List
Sebastopol + Guerneville: Apples and Redwoods
Spa at Dawn Ranch
Spa at Dawn Ranch
I absolutely love Sebastapol in the fall. It’s a huge apple growing area, and there are few things more festively fall than a apples and cider. Over the past few years, the city has also invested a lot in building a wonderful shopping and restaurant area called the Barlow, which as a great selection of tasting rooms, breweries, shops, and restaurants—Fern Bar is a personal fave.
Willow Wood Market Cafe in nearby Graton is one of my all time favorite brunch spots in the North Bay and Horse + Plow is a lovely spot to stop for cider and cider tastings.
The only downside is that there aren’t any hotels in Sebastopol proper (though there are vacation rentals). Your nearest good options are splurge-worthy Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
Just a little further north you have Guerneville. It’s a really popular spot in the summer but I think it’s super underrated in the fall—even if it ends up raining, you can still go for relaxed hike in Armstrong Redwoods. Or, spend the day at the spa at Dawn Ranch.
Where to stay: Get cozy at the Stavrand or Dawn Ranch in Guerneville. Both hotels have some rooms with fireplaces. Or, splurge on a stay at Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
Sea Ranch: Architecture and Ocean Views
I love Sea Ranch. But this coastal getaway is a bit of a drive from San Francisco (2.5 hours on a good day, but usually 3 hours), which makes it a better destination for long weekends. In November, it can get rainy and moody here, which is kind of fun: bring a book and a board game, invite a couple of friends, and spend a few days simply hanging out. Part of the allure is the architecture of Sea Ranch’s homes and lodge, so getting cozy at your vacation rental is a totally valid way to experience the area. Plus, there are plenty of breaks in the rain for exploring the nature trails nearby and admiring the dramatic coastline.
Where to stay: Rent a house or book a room at Sea Ranch Lodge, which re-opened after major renovations in 2021. The lodge is a little pricey, but I liked the convenience of being right next to the restaurant and complimentary yoga classes. If you want to save on costs, a vacation rental—ideally split between a few friends—is the most economical.
RELATED: Plan your trip with my 3 day Sea Ranch Itinerary and Google Map list
Elk + Mendocino: Cozy Inns and Hikes
Further north but still on the coast, the town of Mendocino offers a similar landscape to Sea Ranch but with a slightly different vibe. While Sea Ranch is more about unwinding and soaking in the architecture and nature, Mendocino has a bit more to explore. Start your day with brunch at Fog Eater Cafe, browse the town’s unique shops and art galleries, and then head out for a hike at nearby Van Damme State Park or the waterfall loop at Russian Gulch Park. If you can, snag a reservation at Ledford House or settle in at the bar, where you’ll find one of the best seats in the house, especially at sunset with ocean views.
But for something truly special, I can’t recommend Harbor House Inn enough. It’s a cozily designed, historic hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean but also home to a two-Michelin starred restaurant that expertly showcases the flavors of the sea and land surrounding the property.
Where to stay: Book a cute B&B, JD House in Mendocino or a treehouse with a fireplace at Sacred Rock Inn in Elk. If you can book it, Harbor House Inn is always a treat.
Boonville + Anderson Valley: Underrated Wine Country
Either on its own or paired with a trip to Mendocino, Boonville is one of the most underrated wine country getaways in California. This charming small town in the middle of the Anderson Valley wine growing region is just a tad too far for most people to want to visit for a 2-day weekend getaway, but if you have a long weekend on your hands, it’s totally worth the ~3-ish hour drive. Don’t miss disc golf and beers at Anderson Valley Brewery, cheese and charcuterie at Pennyroyal Farms; stop for bottles of wine at Disco Ranch and Navarro Vineyards, which makes an excellent gewurztraminer.
Where to stay: I love the roadside Boonville hotel and the cabins at The Philo Apple Farm, an actual apple farm. Both are known for having excellent dinners.
RELATED: Get my Google Map list for Boonville + Mendocino
