Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
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
Cooking Class: Sweet & Savory Holiday Pies, Nov. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Sharpen your pie-making skills just in time for the holidays with this hands-on cooking class with Apples to Zucchini Cooking School. Learn to make flaky, buttery crusts, transform Thanksgiving leftovers into savory pot pie and prepare two sweet desserts. Enjoy a multi-course meal and take home recipes to recreate your creations.
Cost: $125 per person
Thanksgiving 4-Miler, Nov. 26 at 9:05 a.m.
Join the 25th annual Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler. Kick off your holiday with a fun, pre-feast run along a scenic course that begins on Hollister Avenue, winds through Turnpike Road, a bike path and neighborhood streets, and finishes at Thunderbird Park. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the holiday spirit with family and friends before the big feast!
Cost: $40 per person
Thanksgiving at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Nov. 26 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 Wine Tour with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Kick off Thanksgiving weekend with a scenic escape to wine country. Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours handles every detail as you sip and savor your way through the Santa Ynez Valley, enjoying tastings at three local wineries, a delicious lunch, door-to-door shuttle service and expert insights from your guide and local winemakers.
Cost: $220 per person
Thanksgiving Menus
A Riviera Thanksgiving at El Encanto, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with sweeping Pacific Ocean views at El Encanto, where guests can choose between an elaborate holiday buffet featuring traditional favorites and indulgent additions or an intimate three-course prix fixe dinner showcasing seasonal Central Coast flavors.
Cost: $125-$180
Thanksgiving Buffet at Brass Bear, Nov. 26 from 12-7 p.m.
Gather the family for a Thanksgiving buffet at Brass Bear, featuring roasted turkey, prime rib with au jus, traditional holiday sides and pumpkin and pecan pies.
Cost: $75 per adult, $20 per child (ages three and under are free)
Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet at Finch & Fork, Nov. 26 from 12-7 p.m.
Gather with loved ones for a festive harvest buffet at Finch & Fork inside the Kimpton Canary Hotel. Enjoy a seasonal spread featuring a savory carving station, raw bar, soups, salads and decadent desserts — paired with hand-crafted cocktails, local wines and bubbles. Set in the warm, inviting atmosphere of downtown Santa Barbara’s favorite neighborhood restaurant, it’s the perfect place to celebrate and give thanks.
Cost: $125 per adult, $60 per child (12 and under)
Thanksgiving at The Stonehouse, Nov. 26 from 12-8 p.m.
Celebrate Thanksgiving at The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch with an elegant four-course holiday feast in a charming, historic setting. Elevate the experience with optional wine pairings for a memorable Thanksgiving celebration. Reservations are required.
Cost: $450 per adult, $150 per child
Thanksgiving Dinner at The Set, Nov. 26 from 3-10 p.m.
Celebrate Thanksgiving by the coast with a chef-crafted, family-style feast at The Set at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Enjoy oven-roasted turkey with squash and brioche stuffing, Yukon gold mashed potatoes and cranberry pear sauce — or opt for seasonal entrées like seared New York strip with red wine demi-glace or lemon herb salmon with citrus beurre blanc. End on a sweet note with pumpkin pie topped with candied pecans or a decadent brownie sundae.
Cost: Varies by menu item.
THANKSGIVING PRE-ORDERs
Thanksgiving Goodies at Goat Tree, available throughout November
Let Goat Tree handle dessert this Thanksgiving with pre-ordered pumpkin, apple and pecan pies available for $45 each, with pickup Nov. 25-26. Throughout November, enjoy holiday-inspired dishes including roasted turkey with classic sides and a Thanksgiving benedict with stuffing cakes, sage hollandaise and cranberry relish.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Everything but the Turkey at Helena Avenue Bakery, now through Nov. 20
Take the stress out of Thanksgiving hosting with Helena Avenue Bakery’s Everything But the Turkey menu. Choose from an à la carte selection of holiday favorites, including sourdough stuffing, take-and-bake Parker rolls, cranberry sauce and house-made pumpkin, pecan and apple pies. Preorders are available through Nov. 20, with pickup on Nov. 25, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Cost: Varies by menu item
Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pies from Rori’s
Elevate your Thanksgiving dessert with a special treat from Rori’s: ice cream pies! Choose from two delicious options — maple pecan pie, featuring maple pecan ice cream topped with molasses orange whipped cream and a caramel drizzle, or cinnamon pumpkin, made with Mary Ellen’s pumpkin pie ice cream, topped with maple whipped cream and housemade marzipan candied pumpkins.
Cost: TBA
