Things To Do Thanksgiving in Southern California

During Thanksgiving week, when schools are out, and families have time off, use this guide to plan day trips and activities to please the whole family. The guide includes a list of discounted amusement parks and free activities.

Spend a Day at Knotts Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is the most affordable theme park in Southern California. Please take advantage of our huge savings on Thanksgiving for adult and kids’ tickets. Treat the whole family to a fun day with our family pack tickets.

Take the Family to Legoland California

Legoland is a popular Southern California attraction for families. Legoland is more expensive than Knott’s Berry Farm. However, all the rides are geared toward kids up to 12 years old. No scary coasters here. Just lots of family fun.

Affordable and Fun Aquarium of the Pacific

AOP is a great place to visit over the Thanksgiving weekend. Kids and adults will love the aquarium’s touch tanks and be amazed by Shark Lagoon and the Penguin Habitat. Tickets are affordable, and there is plenty of nearby things to do and see, including harbor cruises, whale watching, Queen Mary, and an excellent selection of restaurants at Rainbow Lagoon.

Free Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend

Suppose you are looking for something that will not put a big dent in your budget. We have a vast list of free things to do in Southern California. A trip to Disneyland will cost hundreds of dollars. All of these destinations are free or nearly free. Just pack up the car and go.

Palm Springs for Thanksgiving Weekend

Palm Springs is less than a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Many things to do in Palm Springs can be found in and around the downtown center and along the famed Palm Canyon Drive, sometimes called the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert.” Things to do in and around Palm Springs include Palm Springs Tram, Whitewater Preserve, Tahquitz and Indian Canyons, Living Desert Zoo, Desert Hot Springs, plus many more attractions.

Holiday Events Start Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving kicks off the Chrismas Season, and plenty of Holiday Events start the day after Thanksgiving. We have compiled an extensive list of family activities to start the season with a smile.

Camp on the Beach or Visit for the Day

Camping is a popular activity over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Some of the most sort after campsites are along the coast. Reservations are a must. So plan if you want to stay on the beach. There is a chance to pick up a cancellation, be we highly recommend booking early if you’re going to camp anywhere near the beach. Jalama Beach,  Doheny State Beach,  Refugio State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach. If the campground is sold out, you can always visit for the day.

Take a Scenic San Diego Harbor Cruise

Learn some history and fun facts you never knew about San Diego Bay on this narrated water tour, plus save half off while doing it. If you take the 1-hour cruise, you must pick the North or South route. We have discounts for both one and two-hour bay cruises.

Thanksgiving  Road Trips From San Diego

All these trip ideas are within 100 miles of  San Diego. Pack up the car and head off for an adventure. All mileage estimates are from downtown San Diego. Travel time will depend on traffic.

Thanksgiving  Road Trips From Los Angeles

All of these trips are  100 miles or less from downtown Los Angeles. No theme parks on this list. These are the only fun places to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday. Outdoor adventures to family-friendly. With a few hidden gems you may not know about—LA Road Trips.

 Visit A Danish Village Near Santa Barbara

Solvang is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. Solvang is known for its Danish bakeries in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara. Have lunch, stock up on pastries, and enjoy the drive. Nearby attractions are plentiful; however, Solvang offers a full day of activities.

Holiday Shopping at an Outlet Mall Lots of Deals

Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season—most outlet malls are open late and offer deep discounts. Southern California welcomes two new outlet centers for this season—outlets at Tejon Ranch and San Clemente Outlets.

Take a Hike Along the Coast

Suppose you’re looking for a peaceful getaway over the Thanksgiving Holiday. It’s time to hit the trails. Southern California offers an almost endless supply of hiking trails, from mild to wild. Check out the list of the best places to hike in So Cal. Family day hikes, scenic hiking trails, and backcountry adventures.

Visit Hollywood For a Day

It gets wild on Hollywood Blvd, but it’s all part of the fun when you visit Hollywood. Visit Madame Tussauds wax museum. Take a bus tour of the movie star homes. Take a drive up Mount Hollywood to visit the Griffith Park Observatory. There is so much to do and see; it’s almost impossible to fit everything in one day.

Ride a Train Orange Empire Museum

Orange Empire Museum is a fun place for a family outing. Admission to the museum’s grounds is free. Visitors can purchase an all-day ticket for train and trolley car rides for a minimal cost. Streetcars run each weekend on the half-mile-long “Loop Line.” A passenger diesel or electric freight train runs the 1.5-mile mainline once a part of the Santa Fe Railroad.

Road Trip To Hearst Castle

Take a trip to California’s Central Coast and visit Hearst Castle at San Simeon. This colossal estate is about five miles inland and sits atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hearst Castle is surrounded by a 40,000-acre ranch, which the Hearst family still owns. If you are driving from San Diego or Los Angeles, plan on spending at least one night away.

Check Out La Jolla Cove in San Diego

The cove is home to the La Jolla Underwater Park; this scenic cove is a great place to go tide pooling, shell hunting, and swimming, or take in the warm rays of the California sun alongside sea lions, pelicans, and ground squirrels. We recommend taking a guided kayak tour of the seven sea caves for a fun adventure. You will get wet, but it is all part of the fun.

Thanksgiving Las Vegas Trip Things To Do

Las Vegas is a popular destination for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Especially if you have the whole week off. Enjoy a show, try your luck at the Casino, and then what? We have a great list of day trips from Las Vegas. There is so much more to see beyond the neon lights of the strip. Discover the other side of Vegas.

More Fun Things To Do Thanksgiving

• Visit a Botanical Garden

• Take A Trip to the Beach

• Death Valley Road Trip

• Unusual Places To Visit