Why Spend Thanksgiving in La Jolla, San Diego

Whether you cherish the traditional Thanksgiving celebration or simply enjoy having a long weekend to use for a getaway, La Jolla is a top choice as a destination for this holiday. You can enjoy our sunny skies and heavenly beaches without having to miss out on the feasts and indulgences you look forward to every year. Let’s go over a few reasons why Thanksgiving in La Jolla simply can’t be beat.

No chance of snow or cold temperatures

For many people in regions outside of Southern California, Thanksgiving can be a cold, blustery, dreary time of year. By then, the leaves have fallen off the streets, the days are short, and there can even be snowfall.

Lucky for us, that’s not the case in San Diego! There’s no chance of freezing temperatures and definitely no snow in the forecast. That means you can enjoy your Thanksgiving in La Jolla under a steady supply of sunshine and warmth. Rather than be sequestered indoors for your holiday celebration, you can savor our fabulous beaches, take in those incomparable sunset views, and explore the grandeur of our coastal environment.

A word to the wise: a light jacket is nice for early in the morning or late in the evening, but bring something you can tie around your waist for the afternoon hours when the sun is at its strongest. 

You can leave the cooking to the chefs

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you have to forget the traditional Thanksgiving meal we all cherish. There are local restaurants in La Jolla and the surrounding areas that cook up elaborate feasts for you to enjoy, either on-site or to go. Some of our neighbors restaurants are bringing a traditional Thanksgiving to La Jolla, with all the goodies you want to see, from turkey and sides to champagne and pie. If all you want is great food and drinks, Birdseye Rooftop will be open for Room Service only, so you can enjoy our delicious menu from your comfortable guest room.

There’s plenty to do on Thanksgiving Day weekend

There’s no wrong way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend in La Jolla. Not a fan of sitting around after the major feast is over? There’s plenty to do in our coastal enclave for those who like to be out and about. La Jolla Village is a shopping mecca. You can easily walk to dozens of art galleries and shops, and Westfield UTC is a short drive away—it will no doubt be bustling on Black Friday!

Fall is a great time for hiking, too, and La Jolla has plenty of places to explore, from the cliffside Coast Walk Trail to La Jolla Natural Park, offering those awe-inspiring panoramas the town is known for. Here are other things you can do on Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego:

• Kick off the holidays at San Diego Zoo’s Wild Holidays

Visit the Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Thanksgiving weekend for a light-filled expedition filled holiday cheer. Wander through areas illuminated by choreographed lights dancing to festive music amongst wildlife-themed decorations. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience select evenings from November 25 through January 1, with the park open until 8pm. Be sure to catch performances by roaming musicians, stilt walkers with sparkling costumes, and floating lanterns flickering across the lagoon. With lights, music, activities, and seasonal treats, an evening at Wild Holidays is a wild way to kick off the holiday season.

• Be a pirate for a day and cruise through San Diego Bay

Set sail this Thanksgiving weekend for fun and adventure on the high seas. Experience “Boarded! Pirate Adventure on 16th Century Galleon” for hijinks and interactive theatrics aboard the tall ship San Salvador. Visitors of all ages will enjoy this hilarious 90-minute show staged right on San Diego Bay. Guests are sworn in as members of the pirate crew and learn skills like navigation, sword fighting and how to escape the brig. With two performances Saturday and Sunday on Saturday November 25th, it’s the perfect treat for visiting friends and family this holiday season! Tickets also include general admission to explore the entire Maritime Museum, making this a fun and affordable way to experience pirate fun and history this holiday weekend.

• Go fancy at a San Diego Bay Thanksgiving Cruise Brunch or Dinner

Looking for a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving experience on the San Diego Bay? Make memories this Thanksgiving aboard a scenic brunch or dinner cruise of San Diego Bay. indulge in a delicious buffet against the backdrop of spectacular city and harbor views. Celebrate with loved ones while taking in sights like the historic USS Midway and Coronado Bay Bridge. It’s the perfect way to give thanks in an unforgettable setting.

• Catch a classic holiday show by The Old Globe

Bring some holiday cheer to your Thanksgiving weekend by catching one of the Old Globe Theatre’s fantastical Christmas productions: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, running from November 08 to December 31, or Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show at Conrad Prebys Theatre Center from November 17 – December 24. 

Back for its 26th year, this pun-filled production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! charms audiences of all ages with its whimsical tale of the grumpy Grinch plotting to steal Whoville’s Christmas cheer. 

You can also catch the uproarious Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, which puts a funny local twist on Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas with its ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, getting a hilarious San Diego twist. Both shows offer hilarious and heartwarming messages to kickstart to the most wonderful time of the year!

• Go Skating by the Sea® at Hotel del Coronado

Take a spin around the beautiful ice skating rink at Hotel del Coronado and enjoy stunning ocean views along the coast. Skate under the sun or twinkling lights during the evening, all while raising money for a good cause – Make-A-Wish® San Diego. When you get tired and cold, head to the Frostbite Lounge overlooking the rink and sea and warm up on the longe’s roaring fire pits. Grab a festive beverage and a snack while taking in the picturesque seascape setting. 

You can burn off those calories with some outdoor exercise

After a day of pure indulgence, nothing feels better than getting your heart pumping. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get some exercise. Guests of Cormorant Boutique Hotel get 20% off all water sports rentals at Everyday California Kayak. Hit the water for a surf session, some kayaking, or some stand-up paddle boarding.

Love a good jogging or walking session? Make your way along the glittering shores of Torrey Pines State Beach. Hiking trails in the cliffs above give you amazing views while working your quads and your glutes. 

You’ll have a fun place to relax at Cormorant Boutique Hotel

With renovated rooms, brand-new furniture, and convenient amenities like free WiFi and in-room Nespresso machines, the rooms at Cormorant Boutique Hotel capture all the fun and excitement of visiting La Jolla.

Whether you plan to explore the town or simply want to lie back and catch up on some TV with your travel partner, our boutique hotel makes you feel perfectly at home. If you don’t have any Thanksgiving leftovers to nibble on, you can head to first-floor Prospect Market, boasting a nice selection of snacks, drinks, and grab-and-go meals, in addition to beverages including beer and wine.