Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara
Turkey, stuffing and pie galore! Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara never fails to impress. There is always a reason to give thanks for our sunny slice of paradise, from specially curated feasts to family-friendly athletic events. To ensure your bellies and spirits are full, we’ve compiled a list of the best Thanksgiving meals and events you won’t want to miss. Grab your loved ones and explore these scrumptious options.
Be sure to check back! More events will be added as details become available.
Thanksgiving Events
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Arranging Workshop, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.
Join Santa Barbara Wine Collective for a Thanksgiving-inspired, centerpiece-making workshop just in time for the holiday season. Master the art of layering flowers to create your own elegant centerpiece as Sarah from Wild West Florals demonstrates the art of floral arrangements. Tickets include all materials, professional instruction and a glass of sparkling wine.
Cost: $65/person.
Fall Flower Arrangement Workshop, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
Make the perfect fall arrangement for your holiday dinner table with Jackie from La Flora Divina at Night Lizard Brewing Company. Each ticket includes all arrangement materials, instructions and a beverage of choice (beer, seltzer, kombucha or soft drinks).
Cost: $55/person
Thanksgiving Wine Tour, Nov. 23, 2022 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Treat your palette the day before the big meal to a wine tour with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, where expert tour guides will conduct wine tastings at three local wineries, provide lunch and door-to-door shuttle service for a day in the Santa Ynez Valley. Your guide will discuss local history and insights about the region and what makes its wine so unique.
Cost: $25-$40/person. Varies depending on the selected tour.
Thanksgiving 4-Miler, Nov. 24, 2022 at 9 a.m.
Before the big feast of the day, enjoy a nice four-mile run through Santa Barbara. The Thanksgiving 4-Miler features a flat and fast course, starting along Hollister Avenue to Turnpike Road, leading to a stretch along the bike path and then winding through neighborhood streets to the finish at Thunderbird Park (on Walnut Avenue). Once you’ve finished the run, relax and pick up a pumpkin pie to enjoy post-meal.
Thanksgiving at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Nov. 24, 2022 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open on Thanksgiving Day, so get the family out of the house to visit your animal friends at the Santa Barbara Zoo!
Cost: General admission.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Paddle, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m.
Get out on the water with Paddle Sports Center this Thanksgiving for a morning paddle before the big meal. Cruise the coast with family and friends, and breathe in the fresh ocean air as you explore. Santa Barbara offers much to be grateful for!
Cost: $20/person plus the cost of equipment rentals.
Thanksgiving Menus
Thanksgiving Day at Caruso’s, Nov. 24, 2022, 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Give thanks at Caruso’s, located at Rosewood Miramar Beach. Conceived by Chef Massimo Falsini, the prix fixe Thanksgiving brunch and dinner menus are composed of intriguing interpretations of traditional holiday fare. Using seasonal and locally procured ingredients, each menu selection is influenced by Falsini’s Southern Italian heritage.
Cost: $185/adult, $75/child ages 4-12. Children under four dine for free. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Buffet in the Chandelier Ballroom, Nov. 24, 2022
Indulge in a coastal Thanksgiving gathering at Rosewood Miramar Beach. With two dining services offered (brunch is from 12-3 p.m. and dinner is from 4-7 p.m.), the Chandelier Ballroom provides a festive backdrop to a traditional Thanksgiving feast with regional twists, live music and themed activities for the kids.
Cost: $155/adult, $65/child ages 4-12; Children under four dine for free. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Buffet at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, Nov. 24, 2022 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Gather and give thanks with your friends and loved ones this Thanksgiving at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Executive Chef Yesica Arredondo and her team will be serving up a Thanksgiving buffet feast full of time-honored holiday favorites. This year’s menu is an ode to traditional Thanksgiving classics, infused with the bright, fresh flavors of California. From the fresh caught coastal seafood to the homemade cornbread stuffing with fall harvest stone fruits, guests will delight in every bite. Enjoy panoramic ocean views from our elegant Reagan Room and classic holiday music from renowned violinist Peter Blackwelder.
Cost: $115/adult, $50/child under 12 (children under 3 are free). Price subject to 8.75% sales tax and 20% service charge. 13.1% of service charge is gratuity for servers, 6.9% covers discretionary administrative costs for the resort. For reservations, call (805) 884-8526 or email [email protected].
Feast in the Forest at Cold Spring Tavern, Nov. 24, 2022 from 12-7 p.m.
Gather your loved ones for a rustic Thanksgiving feast in the forest at one of Santa Barbara County’s most iconic hidden gems, Cold Spring Tavern. Gobble up a prix-fixe menu with all the fixings. Menu items include roasted pistachio corn chowder, slow roasted turkey or prime rib, poached wild Alaskan salmon and desserts such as granny smith apple cobbler. Live music from Jeffery Pine can be enjoyed from 2-7 p.m.
Cost: $85/adult, $35/child ages 10 and under. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Buffet at Harbor Restaurant, Nov. 24, 2022 from 12-9 p.m.
This buffet will have all of your Thanksgiving favorites, including appetizers, soups, salads, a carving station and desserts. Along with the beloved Thanksgiving classics, the Harbor Restaurant will be serving up some fresh local seafood to make this a truly one-of-a-kind, seaside holiday experience in Santa Barbara. For those ages 21 and older, ticket prices include bottomless champagne and/or mimosas.
Cost: $95/adult, $45/child.
Thanksgiving at El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel, Nov. 24, 2022 from 1:30-7:30 p.m.
Offering a timeless sense of tranquility from its vantage point high in the foothills, El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel is one of Southern California’s most iconic hotels. This Thanksgiving, savor a sumptuous Thanksgiving meal with your friends and family by your side. This fine dining experience will include a menu full of traditional and non-traditional dishes ranging from roasted butternut squash and spinach salad, roasted diesel farm turkey and braised short ribs to desserts such as honeynut squash cheesecake, caramel apple cake and caramelized nut tart.
Cost: $125/person; $60 for children under 12 years old (children under five years old are free). Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Bouchon Santa Barbara, Nov. 24, 2022 from 3:30-8:30 p.m.
This Thanksgiving, enjoy seasonal wine country cuisine in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara at Bouchon. Enjoy a three-course meal featuring holiday favorites, including Bouchon’s mouth-watering Roast Turkey Feast, featuring white and dark turkey, ‘marbled mash’ of Yukon gold potatoes and yams, turkey confit-sourdough stuffing, garlic-sautéed Blue Lake green beans, pan gravy and orange-rosemary-cranberry compote.
Cost: $95/person
Thanksgiving Prix Fixe in The Revere Room, Nov. 24, 2022 from 5-9 p.m.
Join The Revere Room at Rosewood Miramar Beach this Thanksgiving for a feast highlighting locally sourced ingredients—making this holiday celebration a true farm-to-Thanksgiving table dining experience.
Cost: $125/adult, $55/child. Children under four dine for free. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Finch & Fork, Nov. 24, 2022 from 5:30-9 p.m.
This Thanksgiving, Finch & Fork will be serving elevated American fare with a three-course prix fixe menu expertly curated by its culinary team. Enjoy a selection of butternut squash soup, cider glazed Niman Ranch pork belly with sweet potato puree, Diestel turkey breast, roasted angus filet mignon, Ora king salmon and roasted winter squash. Don’t forget the dessert! Indulge your taste buds with a traditional pumpkin pie, pecan pie or pineapple, passionfruit and coconut sorbet. A wine-pairing add-on is available for guests ages 21 and older.
Cost: $100/person.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Coast & Olive, Nov. 24, 2022
Skip the mountain of dishes this year, and celebrate the season of giving at Coast & Olive. Indulge in all of the Thanksgiving classics paired with incredible wine and cocktails, and cheers to memorable times with family and friends!
Cost: Varies per menu item. Reservations recommended.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Convivo, Nov. 24, 2022
Toast to a Thanksgiving meal set alongside the Santa Barbara coastline and let Convivo take care of the cooking. The only decisions you’ll need to make are selecting between a three- or four-course menu. Get ready to sit back and give thanks for one incredible meal.
Cost: Three-course: $100/person, four-course: $125/person. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Plow + Angel, Nov. 24, 2022
Step into the cozy and rustic atmosphere of San Ysidro Ranch’s Plow + Angel this Thanksgiving holiday, where guests can choose their dish for each course of this three-course dining experience, with options ranging from old-time favorites to innovative seasonal dishes.
Cost: $125/person
Give Thanks at Stonehouse Restaurant, Nov. 24, 2022
This Thanksgiving, Stonehouse Restaurant Executive Chef Matt Johnson and his team at San Ysidro Ranch will be serving up a four-course fine dining experience, accented by fresh-picked herbs and produce from the chef’s organic garden.
Cost: Four-course: $195/person. Wine pairing add-on: $110/person. Reservations required.
Thanksgiving at Louie’s California Bistro, Nov. 24, 2022
For the ultimate historic Santa Barbara Thanksgiving meal, look no further than Louie’s California Bistro. Located in the Upham Hotel, California’s oldest continuously operating hotel, your Thanksgiving celebrations include remarkable historical architectural features such as vaulted ceilings and an extensive wrap-around veranda. Menu items for this special day will feature a choice of soup or salad, with entree selections of roasted turkey with stuffing, cranberry relish and mashed potatoes, or fresh salmon with a lemon mustard and caper beurre blanc and saffron rice. For dessert, top your meal off with pumpkin cheesecake with cinnamon whip cream. Hungry yet?
Cost: $75/person. Reservations recommended.
THANKSGIVING FOOD TO GO
“Everything but the Turkey” at Helena Avenue Bakery
Relish in a well-deserved break this holiday season and let Helena Avenue Bakery take care of the details. This takeout menu is guaranteed to upgrade your Thanksgiving meal, as it’s chock-full of savory sides and sweet treats. Choices include a navel orange and cranberry compote, turkey brine kit, sourdough bread stuffing kit, “take and bake” brioche rolls and porcini mushroom and black pepper gravy. All dishes come packaged in generous portions for four to six guests with easy instructions. For dessert, select from the bakery’s house-made apple cranberry pie, sweet potato pie and smoked pecan pie. These must-have treats will provide you with ample quality time with friends and family and fewer hours in the kitchen for the festive season.
Cost: Varies by menu item. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 at 2 p.m. Pick-ups are on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, between 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pies from Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
What could be better than pie on Thanksgiving Day? Ice cream pie, of course! Rori’s Artisanal Creamery is pleased to offer two delectable ice cream pies, perfect for your Thanksgiving Day dessert. The maple pecan pie features maple pecan ice cream, topped with a molasses orange whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. The cinnamon pumpkin pie combines Mary Ellen’s pumpkin pie ice cream with maple whipped cream and housemade marzipan candied pumpkins.
Cost: $60/pie. Orders must be placed by Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 and must be picked up by Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Seasonal Pies from Alessia Pâtisserie & Café
These seasonal pies from Alessia Pâtisserie & Café are the perfect indulgence for a Santa Barbara seaside Thanksgiving. Choose from a selection of pumpkin, apple or pecan pies.
Cost: $28-$38/pie. Orders can be placed online until Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 and must be picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Thanksgiving Pies from Gipsy Hill Bakery
Gipsy Hill Bakery’s divine seasonal pies are an homage to comfort and are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Pie options include pumpkin, chocolate pecan, classic lemon, sweet potato with a marshmallow meringue and vegan lemon meringue pies—all made with organic local produce.
Cost: Varies per pie. Orders can be placed online for pickup on Nov. 22 and 23, 2022.
Thanksgiving Pre-Order with Lilac Pâtisserie
Let Lilac Pâtisserie add the finishing touches to your Thanksgiving meal with a selection of seasonal gluten-free favorites, including apple, pecan, pumpkin, pumpkin cheesecake, quiche, pie shells, stuffing kits and assorted loaves and rolls.
Cost: Varies per menu item. Orders must be placed by Nov. 21, 2022.
Thanksgiving Pre-Order with Merci Montecito
Still looking for the perfect sides and desserts to complete your Thanksgiving meal? Merci Montecito is here to help! Pre-order from a selection of delectable savory sides from sourdough stuffing to turkey leg confit and kabocha squash soup. Don’t forget dessert with options like pumpkin cheesecake, Dutch apple pie and bourbon pecan pie.
Cost: Varies per menu item. Orders must be placed by Nov. 18, 2022 for pickup on Nov. 23, 2022.
Poe & Co. Thanksgiving
A decadent, made-to-order Thanksgiving feast is easier than you think! From drinks and appetizers to mains and dessert, the team at Poe & Co. has created a menu with all the fixings and more.
Cost: Varies per menu item.
