\t\t\t\t(This article may contain affiliate links. What does that mean?)<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings at home can be fantastic family events. But if you\u2019re the one hosting, they can also be stressful and a lot of work! Consider switching the routine by instead taking a fun family vacation this holiday season. Take a break from the preparation, cooking, and cleanup to maximize time with family and create new life-long memories. Here are 12 Thanksgiving getaways for families to consider for the holiday season. You may even start a new Thanksgiving family tradition!<\/p>\n Quick answer:<\/strong> Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. The best Thanksgiving getaways for families depend on the kind of trip you want:<\/p>\n Every destination on this list includes a hotel, lodge, or restaurant that serves a Thanksgiving dinner, so no one in your family has to cook or clean up. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so book rooms and dinner reservations early.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT! OR BOOKMARK FOR LATER!<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There is something to be said for enjoying the change in seasons: the sight of bright orange pumpkins and colorful leaves falling through the crisp autumn air. But there is an equally compelling argument for staying or going someplace warm for the holidays! With excellent late November weather, beautiful beaches, warm golf courses, and plenty of family-friendly activities, SoCal is a fantastic Thanksgiving destination for the whole family.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There are several magnificent holiday light shows in the greater Los Angeles area, including the internationally acclaimed<\/span>\u00a0Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens<\/a> located in Arcadia,<\/span> GLOW at the South Coast Botanic Gardens<\/span><\/a> in Palos Verdes Peninsula (kids two and under are free!), and the always popular<\/span> LA Zoo Lights<\/span><\/a> for the entire family.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Several excellent SoCal restaurants are eager to serve your family a delicious Thanksgiving feast: Santa Monica\u2019s iconic oceanfront restaurant<\/span> 1 Pico<\/span><\/a>, located within<\/span> Shutters on the Beach<\/span><\/a>, will<\/span> serve a traditional Thanksgiving brunch (11a-4p) and dinner<\/span>\u00a0 (5p-9p) that highlights the classics while also providing vegan options and festive cocktails,<\/span> The Belvedere<\/span><\/a>, located in the<\/span> Peninsula Beverly Hills<\/span><\/a> will serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner <\/span>in four-courses through a seated family-style dinner<\/span> accompanied by live music throughout the day, and the<\/span> Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach<\/span><\/a> plans to serve<\/span> an impressive buffet<\/span> brunch consisting of traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving dishes.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A little farther south, families can enjoy the<\/span> San Diego Zoo<\/span><\/a> (open on Thanksgiving), and it is hard to beat a family stroll through<\/span> Balboa Park<\/span><\/a> on a beautiful day. Car rides to the zoo are the perfect time to share the story of Thanksgiving<\/a>!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Several high-quality, family-friendly restaurants in San Diego will serve Thanksgiving feasts, including<\/span> Island Prime and C-Level<\/span><\/a>, which will provide<\/span> three-course meals<\/span><\/a> accompanied by magnificent views of the San Diego skyline. The city has many family-friendly luxury hotels, such as the<\/span> Manchester Grand Hyatt<\/span><\/a> and the<\/span> Humphreys Half Moon Inn.<\/span><\/a> San Diego is really one of the best places for outdoor activities in November throughout the United States.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n National Parks are open on Thanksgiving! Here are a few unique Thanksgiving options for your family.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n While beautiful year-round, the lack of summer crowds at <\/span>Yosemite National Park <\/span><\/a>makes November an excellent time for a family trip or a great place for a long weekend. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The luxurious<\/span> Ahwahnee Lodge<\/span><\/a>, the \u201ccrown jewel of the National Park lodges,\u201d hosts an annual<\/span> Thanksgiving Day buffet dinner<\/span><\/a>. The nearby<\/span> Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite<\/span><\/a> also hosts a<\/span> full buffet<\/span><\/a> or a plated menu at<\/span> Jackalope\u2019s Bar and Grill<\/span><\/a>. The best way your family can work off the delicious Thanksgiving feast is by embarking on one of the many famous<\/span> Yosemite hikes.<\/span><\/a> Tenaya also show dive-in movies at their indoor pool.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yosemite in Autumn. Credit NPS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Want to show your children the largest tree in the world? Then you should consider a Thanksgiving family trip to Sequoia National Park, located in the southern Sierra Nevada just east of Visalia, California. In November, there will be fewer crowds as you take your family for a drive or a hike through the park, where children are amazed by the massive sequoia trees, including<\/span> General Sherman<\/span><\/a>, the largest tree on earth! <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On Thanksgiving Day, the nearby<\/span> Montecito Sequoia Lodge,<\/span><\/a> located in Giant Sequoia National Monument, hosts a<\/span> Thanksgiving feast<\/span><\/a> (prepared and cleaned by somebody else!) that is included in their all-inclusive packages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS! Most Fun Things To Do In Visalia For Families<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Located just north of Moab and bordered by the Colorado River,<\/span> Arches National Park<\/span><\/a> contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park has a<\/span> variety of hikes<\/span><\/a> available for all levels, many of which provide viewpoints of arches not visible from the roads. Arches is also a<\/span> certified dark sky park<\/span><\/a>, meaning the lack of light pollution enables families to have spectacular night sky views. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The<\/span> Sorrel River Ranch<\/span><\/a> provides a riverside escape that is the perfect place for families exploring Arches and the nearby region. The ranch also provides an annual<\/span> Thanksgiving dinner feast<\/span><\/a> with a guided national park tour.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Arches National Park at night. Credit NPS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A Thanksgiving vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains can be a great way to stretch your holiday travel budget without sacrificing fun. Fewer leaves on the trees mean you will have better views along the many<\/span> great hikes<\/span><\/a> available for all levels. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The<\/span> Fontana Village Resort and Marina<\/span><\/a> hosts a popular annual<\/span> Thanksgiving feast<\/span><\/a>. Multiple local restaurants are also open on Thanksgiving. Your family could find one to be the perfect destination to chill out and watch Thanksgiving football games.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Known for its beautiful fall foliage, Shenandoah National Park is an easy drive from the three airports around Washington, DC. By Thanksgiving, most of the leaves have fallen, opening up long views across the Blue Ridge Mountains from the overlooks along Skyline Drive. Shenandoah has several beautiful day hikes<\/a> that offer spectacular panoramic views. Skyline Drive stays open all year, but it can close on short notice for winter weather, so check conditions before you set out.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The historic Big Meadows Lodge<\/a>, built in 1939 from native stone and chestnut and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stays open later into the fall than Skyland. On Thanksgiving Day, the lodge hosts a Thanksgiving buffet<\/a> with soup and salad, a carving station, and holiday desserts, served in three seatings starting at 11:30 a.m. Seating is limited and tickets are required, so book early! The lodge closes for the season the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so your family can still stay for the long weekend.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For such an incredible international city, San Francisco has several low-cost and free things for families to do. The<\/span> Aquarium of the Bay<\/span><\/a>, located at the edge of Pier 39, is open on Thanksgiving and is a top destination for families. You can visit the<\/span> Twin Peaks summit<\/span><\/a> for panoramic views of the city or drive to the nearby<\/span> Muir Woods National Monument<\/span><\/a> to admire the towering iconic old-growth redwood trees. And, of course, a view of the Golden Gate Bridge should be on any visitor\u2019s list of destinations. Make sure to make reservations if you do this in advance, since they require them.<\/span><\/p>\n For a completely different Thanksgiving Day experience, an Indigenous People\u2019s Sunrise Gathering<\/a> takes place on Alcatraz Island every Thanksgiving, commemorating the 1969-1971 occupation of the island by the Indians of All Tribes. Perhaps more suitable for older children, this could be an exciting and valuable learning experience, although the early wake-up may be challenging. The ceremony is free, but<\/span> ferry tickets<\/span><\/a> cost around $12.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS! Fall In the San Francisco Bay Area: The Best Things To Do With Kids<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Golden City has several Thanksgiving feasts available for families who would rather leave the cooking to someone else. For a truly memorable holiday meal, the historic Palace Hotel<\/a> hosts Thanksgiving brunch and dinner beneath the stunning stained-glass ceiling of its Garden Court, one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city, complete with carving stations, a holiday dessert table, and live jazz. Families who book a room at the hotel can simply head downstairs for the feast!<\/p>\n For a more relaxed setting, the Park Chalet<\/a> at the western edge of Golden Gate Park serves a three-course Thanksgiving menu just steps from Ocean Beach, so your family can take a walk along the sand before or after dinner. And if you\u2019re spending the day near Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay, The Stinking Rose<\/a> in nearby North Beach serves a Thanksgiving dinner with its signature garlic-roasted turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, with a lower-priced option for kids. Thanksgiving reservations fill quickly in San Francisco, so book your table early!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Credit: Pixabay, Pexels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For skiers and non-skiers alike, November is an excellent cold weather trip to the Lake Tahoe area. Your family will encounter fewer crowds yet still be able to enjoy the great activities the area has to offer. Drive to Emerald Bay Lookout, located within<\/span> Emerald Bay State Park<\/span><\/a>, for the best lake views.<\/span>\n
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<\/p>\nSouthern California<\/span><\/h2>\n
Los Angeles<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat Dinner In Los Angeles<\/h4>\n
San Diego <\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat Dinner In San Diego<\/h4>\n
National Parks<\/span><\/h2>\n
Yosemite National Park, California<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat In Yosemite<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nSequoia National Park, California<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat In Sequoia<\/h4>\n
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Arches National Park, Utah<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay In Arches<\/h4>\n
![\"Arches](\"https:\/\/lafamilytravelwordpressbucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/19184117\/Arches.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina<\/span><\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat In The Smokies<\/h4>\n
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia<\/h3>\n
Where To Stay And Eat In Shenandoah<\/h4>\n
San Francisco, California<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Where To Stay And Eat In San Francisco<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nLake Tahoe, California<\/span><\/h2>\n