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Let these 20 local spots do all the cooking (and cleanup!)
Herb & Wood
James Tran
Give thanks with family at the Grand this Thanksgiving. At Amaya, they’ll be serving a three-course tasting menu inspired by fall’s most iconic flavors and holiday classics. Reservations required. $175 per person
5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Carmel Valley
Give your Thanksgiving meal a French twist at this Kensington mainstay. Available from noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, the three-course menu includes roasted turkey, salmon, beef short rib, duck confit, or mushroom ravioli for main entrée selections, each served with their own set of sides. Be sure to save room for one of four desserts, including crème brûlée, brioche bread pudding, and chocolate mousse. An exclusive pumpkin cocktail will also be on the menu to toast to this fall holiday. $69 for adults, $25 for children under 12
4090 Adams Avenue, Kensington
Caramel Apple Pie cocktail at Breakfast Republic
Make breakfast the main meal this year at Breakfast Republic. They’re offering fall specials on Thanksgiving, including the almond and fig French toast and their Caramel Apple Pie cocktail, made with caramel vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple cider, and caramel apple butter syrup. French toast $13, cocktail $10
Multiple locations
Travis Swikard’s Thanksgiving spread includes family-style dishes with a Callie twist, including turkey with Tuscan sage sausage and brown-butter-cranberry sauce, pumpkin ravioli, lamb shank, and slow-baked salmon. And since leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday, guests will also receive a leftover turkey sandwich to take home. Reservations are required for the family-style dinner served from noon to 6:30 p.m., and an à la carte menu will be available at the bar for walk-ins. $80 for adults with an optional $50 wine pairing; $35 for children 10 and under
1195 Island Avenue, East Village
Cardellino
James Tran
Wow your guests this year with a feast made up of dishes from each of Brad Wise’s Trust Restaurant Group restaurants. The roasted red beet salad comes from Fort Oak, The Wise Ox is serving up an Italian sausage stuffing, and from Trust itself, a cauliflower casserole—and that’s only a few of the dishes on the menu. Don’t worry, your meal also includes a 20-pound turkey sourced locally and ready for the oven. The feast serves six to eight people and must be ordered ahead of time to be picked up on November 24. $325
4033 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills
Take your pick from a Thanksgiving brunch or dinner at Estancia’s two restaurants: Greenfinch and Mustangs and Burros. Brunch is offered at Greenfinch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with mimosas, bloody marys, a French toast station, eggs made to order, and more. Beginning at 4 p.m., Mustangs and Burros is serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. Reservations are encouraged. Brunch is $85 for adults, free for children under five
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
This Mission Hills restaurant is offering a three-course set menu from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving featuring braised lamb shank, short rib, and a traditional roasted turkey plate served with all the classic sides. Save room for a slice of apple or pecan pie topped with homemade cinnamon whipped cream. $70 for adults, $25 for kids 10 and under
860 West Washington Street, Mission Hills
At Herb & Sea, Thanksgiving dinner main stars include herb-and-citrus-marinated turkey and red-wine-braised short rib. Pair that with family-style sides and starters like whipped butter mashed potatoes and kuri pumpkin soup, before digging into apple or pumpkin pie with chai spiced ice cream. The dinner is offered from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving and will also be available at Herb & Wood in Little Italy. Reservations required. $85 for adults, $35 for children
131 West D Street, Encinitas; 2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Juniper & Ivy
Take the taste of Juniper and Ivy home with you this year with their no-fuss Thanksgiving pickup meal. The Holiday Feast menu comes with turkey (raw but fully brined, trussed, and complete with baking instructions), sides like chestnut stuffing and sweet potato casserole, Parker House rolls, and Brussels sprouts with glazed carrots. Additional options like miso pumpkin pie, cocktail mixes, and a four-pack of sommelier-selected wines are available to round out your meal. Only 25 feasts are available and must be reserved to be picked up from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 24. $330 for the Holiday Feast (serves 6–8), $35 for pumpkin pie (serves 8–10), $100–$150 for wine pairings, $45–$68 for cocktail mixes
2228 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Pumpkin lobster bisque and braised pork belly accompany traditional Thanksgiving dishes on Jrdn’s three-course menu. You can also add desserts and wine pairings to toast to another holiday spent beside the beach. Available on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 8 p.m. Entrées start at $45
723 Felspar Street, Pacific Beach
The Pink Lady’s on-site restaurant is offering a three-course prix fixe menu this Thanksgiving. On chef Timothy Ralphs’s menu you’ll find festive dishes including curried kabocha squash soup, cornbread stuffing, beef tenderloin, and of course, turkey. Reservations are required. $95 for adults, $20–$36 for kids under 12
1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla
At this French-Californian fine dining restaurant, take your pick from a roasted turkey or pepper-crusted prime beef fillet for your main and pair it with classic veggie sides. Other Mille Fleurs staples will remain on the menu, including their wienerschnitzel and smoked sturgeon. Save room for one of their sweet treats, like pumpkin cheesecake or ginger-spiced crème brûlée. Starting at $89 per person, additional sides are $10 each
6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe
Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal with an impressive skyline backdrop at Mister A’s. The fine dining mainstay is serving a prix fixe menu with classics like roasted turkey and prime rib served alongside creative twists on traditional sides, including butternut squash agnolotti, beet salad, and mushroom risotto. There will also be wine pairings, and be sure to save room for some fall desserts (pumpkin crème brûlée, apple almond tart) to complete your holiday meal. Starting at $89 per person
2550 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill
Go for an Italian twist on Thanksgiving at Operacaffe. Their Italian-Style Turkey Plate comes with bacon-wrapped turkey filled with a lamb-beef blended stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. $26 per person
835 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Ranch 45
Ranch 45’s pick-up feast comes with main course choices of herb-crusted prime rib, smoked turkey legs, or smoked Cornish hen. Once you’ve made your pick, select your favorite sides (smashed potatoes, rainbow carrots, and green beans all accounted for) and sweet treats to complete your Thanksgiving meal. Orders are accepted online now through November 21 at 4 p.m.
512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach
Blackberry Nostalgia cocktail at Rancho Bernardo Inn
At Avant, guests can indulge in a four-course Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. with highlights like duck confit, squash lasagna, and a wagyu strip loin. At Veranda, their Thanksgiving specials include garden herb and apple stuffing and ginger-orange carrots, available from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Avant: $115 for adults, $55 for children under 12; Veranda: $45 per person
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Valencia is celebrating Thanksgiving the Southern California way with a festive outdoor lawn setup. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and a full buffet with delicious offerings like slow-roasted turkey, Faroe Islands salmon, short ribs, sides, and a selection of desserts. Reservations required. $165 for adults, $55 for children (no charge for kids under three)
5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
This La Mesa restaurant is offering both on-site and to-go options for Thanksgiving this year. Their smoked turkey is served alongside mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Preorder your takeout feast by November 18; the on-site meal will be served on November 25 while supplies last. Takeout options: $120 for 4–6 people or $230 for 8–12 people. On-site: $35 per person.
5465 Lake Murray Boulevard, La Mesa
Head to The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa for a filling Thanksgiving spread from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with dishes like a harvest vegetable coconut curry, pan-seared bass, and braised short rib. Classics are accounted for, too, like slow-roasted turkey, whipped potatoes, candied yams, and chocolate pecan pie. Reservations are encouraged. $98 for adults, $35 for children 12 and under
5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad
For the nontraditionalists, Valentina will be serving their classic menu of oysters, steak tartare, and steak frites for Thanksgiving, along with an extensive wine list featuring vinos from around the world. For those who still love a Thanksgiving feast, the restaurant will be offering a plate with mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, acorn squash, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Preorder on OpenTable; reservations are encouraged. $58 per person
810 North Coast Highway 101, Leucadia
This restaurant at the InterContinental San Diego is serving up bayfront views to pair with their Thanksgiving prix fixe feast. The three-course meal includes all the classics (pickle-brined turkey, autumn squash, sweet corn risotto), and dessert options like their pumpkin cheesecake. Reservations are encouraged. $75 for adults, $35 for children 12 and under, $35 per person wine pairings
PARTNER CONTENT
901 Bayfront Court, Embarcadero
Choose from more than 30 local restaurants offering holiday feasts for a sit-down or take-out meal with friends and family
It’s nearly Thanksgiving, and this year’s selection of prix-fixe, to-go, and specialty menus from restaurants in San Diego will satisfy any craving. Between mouthwatering turkey buffets, oven-ready prepared meals, and desserts you’ll be dreaming about for months, everyone can enjoy the only thing better than a home-cooked meal: One you don’t have to make yourself. Here are 30 San Diego restaurants—including some of the city’s best—that are serving Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Dinner Specials | Buffets | Take-Home Meals
Named after The Inn’s designer and architect, Lilian Rice, Lilian’s is serving a four-course dinner for $125 this Thanksgiving. The Rancho Santa Fe restaurant is offering options for each course, including perfectly fried and crispy squash blossoms, slow-roasted beets with creamy burrata, and a fall-off-the-bone 24-hour brandt beef short rib plate. Complement your meal with the restaurant’s iconic specialty drinks. Reservations are now available.
Cafe Champagne at Thornton Winery in Temecula will host an all-day Thanksgiving affair, during which attendees should expect a memorable experience where they can indulge in a choose-your-own three-course meal alongside award-winning wines. Classic entrees will include butter truffle roasted turkey with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, or butternut squash ravioli and focaccia bread. The meal will run from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and reservations are required via Opentable.
In Barrio Logan, the food-truck-turned-brick-and-mortar Lia’s Lumpia is renowned for its mouth-watering Filipino menu. Owner Spencer Hunter and his mother—the eponymous Lia—will be offering preorders for Thanksgiving Day to-go boxes until November 26. Will you get the pork belly deviled eggs or turkey holiday lumpia? The mango-glazed ham or cornish game hen adobo? Just make sure you save room for the pan de sal stuffing and persimmon green beans, maybe with a side of the toasted rice vanilla ice cream.
Founded by award-winning restaurateur and San Diego native Johnny Rivera, this Hillcrest, Michelin-guide darling will be open for brunch from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., serving a special of fried turkey, eggs, and pumpkin pecan caramel pancakes. Those who prefer a later Turkey day meal can join them for dinner starting at 11:30 a.m., or pick up one of Great Maple’s dinner boxes for two or four that includes a starter, salad, entree, and sweet from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. the same day. This year, there will also be a special pie pickup—key lime or pumpkin with gingersnap crust—on both Wednesday, November 27, and Thursday, November 28. For reservations and pickup information, visit here.
On November 14, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., some of San Diego’s most decorated and respected chefs will join together to prepare a meal of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, alongside carefully-selected wine pairings from The Prisoner Wine Company. Taste some of the city’s best of the best: duck carnitas from executive chef Roberto Alcocer of Valle Oceanside, dynamite lobster mac and cheese from executive chef Steven Ruiz at Lionfish, juicy turkey meatball with soy glaze from executive chef Brandon Sloan at Pendry San Diego, and pumpkin bars or a dark chocolate truffle torte for dessert. A portion of the proceeds will go to the San Diego Food Bank.
Julie Bogen is an experienced writer and digital strategist whose work has been featured in The Atlantic, The 19th News, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and more. She is passionate about storytelling that centers women and marginalized communities, and when not working she's either with her family or in a barre studio.
Give thanks to San Diego chefs putting a gourmet spin on your holiday meal
If you’re looking for a little extra something to be thankful for, San Diego’s only Michelin-starred restaurant is offering an eight-course dining experience, featuring holiday classics reimagined through the lens of California gastronomy prepared by chef William Bradley. The menu experience is $295 per person, with optional wine pairings available for $275. Service is from 5 to 8 p.m., and reservations for the terrace can be made via OpenTable.
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar | 858-314-1900
Enjoy a family-style three-course prix fixe menu at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Choose from three Thanksgiving dinner entrée options: traditional carved turkey dinner, slow-roasted prime rib, or winter vegetable hash. If you prefer to dine at home, take your Thanksgiving meal to go. The cost is $49 per adult, $28 per child. Preorder by Tuesday, November 24 at 11 a.m.
998 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay | 858-539-7635
No turkeys will be harmed for this restaurant’s vegan-friendly à la carte Thanksgiving menu, which is available throughout November. Items include cranberry roasted butternut squash and garnet yams, maple miso brussels sprouts, and a persimmon and pomegranate salad. Holiday pies are also available for pickup through online preorders.
1980 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 619-736-5077
Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu at Oceana Coastal Kitchen. For $59 per person, each dinner includes a Champagne toast as well as entrée options like oak-smoked turkey breast or Harris Ranch rib eye. Leave room for a dessert of classic pumpkin pie, baked-to-order brownie, or Grand Marnier crème brûlée. They also offer a family-style takeout option for parties of four or eight for $45 per person. Preorder by Tuesday, November 24 at 11 a.m.
3999 Mission Boulevard, Mission Bay | 858-539-8635
Celebrate Thanksgiving the San Diegan way, with ocean views, alfresco dining, and a four-course feast. The special will be offered on Thursday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at $95 per person. The menu includes spins on Thanksgiving classics like heritage-breed roasted turkey with whipped potatoes, green beans, and white pepper gravy, in addition to decadent offerings like an 1855 Beef prime rib and chocolate miso budino.
1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar | 858-793-6467
Whether you are hosting for two or for 12, Gelson’s Simply Delicious Dinners are precooked and ready to heat, serve, and enjoy at home. This year’s offerings include small, medium, and large whole roasted turkeys, half and whole spiral glazed hams, whole slow-roasted brisket, prime rib, and plant-based roast options. Order by November 24 and pick up November 20–December 1 at any of Gelson’s San Diego locations. Gelson’s will close early Thanksgiving Day, and all pickups that day should be completed by 1 p.m.
Multiple locations | 818-377-6494
The Lemon Grove eatery will be open for its first Thanksgiving, offering an all-day menu from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Giardino’s family-style menu features à la carte items meant for sharing. Choose from entrées like prime rib or butternut squash ravioli, and holiday sides and salads. And don’t forget wine to pair with your meal! Want to keep things traditional? The eatery is also offering a classic turkey dinner which you can enjoy there or take to go.
8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove | 619-825-7112
If someone with food allergies is joining you this Thanksgiving, don’t fret! This North Park bakery is all gluten free, offering everything from traditional pumpkin pie and pecan pie to other gluten-free items like pasta, multigrain dinner rolls, quiche, mini banana-bread loaves, and more. If you want to bake your own pie at home, the bakery is also selling an allergen-free vegan pie crust dry mix and vegan frozen pie crust (bottom crust only). Order online at least three days in advance.
4594 30th Street, North Park | 858-270-9863
Available for curbside pickup, this decadent family-style Thanksgiving feast includes chimney-roasted turkey with duck-fat-braised thighs, cornbread pecan stuffing, cranberry relish, pumpkin mousse, and more. The cost is $85 per person with a two-person minimum. Preorder by 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.
11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla |858-453-4420
Ramen lovers can still get in on the celebrations with one of Menya Ultra’s Thanksgiving home kit specials. Preorder a home kit, complete with broth, noodles, turkey, and classic ramen toppings, through their Google form by November 22.
8199 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont | 858-571-2010
8141 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Mira Mesa | 858-397-2247
Make a reservation at this ocean-view eatery to enjoy their popular Thanksgiving menu. For $65, the multicourse menu will include a choice of a starter and an entrée, such as oven-roasted free-range turkey with the fixings, slow-cooked Angus prime rib, zinfandel-braised beef short ribs, or Pacifica’s seafood classics. End on a sweet note with your choice of dessert. Kids 12 and under can select from the kids’ menu for $20.
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar | 858-792-0476
This Bankers Hill bistro will be offering Thanksgiving packages for takeout, which will include roasted butternut squash soup, roasted organic turkey, beef bourguignon, an assortment of sides, and two desserts. Prices range from $80 to $320 and can feed up to eight people.
Pickup times are from 12 to 3 p.m.
760 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-795-1501
Herb & Wood, Herb & Sea, and Animae are joining forces to offer a to-go meal combining all of chef Brian Malarkey’s Thanksgiving favorites, including herb- and citrus-marinated turkey, crème fraîche mashed potatoes and whipped butter, house country wheat stuffing, apple and pear pie, and more. The cost is $59 per person and is available for preorder at herbandwood.com. Pickup is at Herb & Wood.
2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 610-955-8495
Ranch 45’s à la carte Thanksgiving pickup menu is perfect for those picky eaters in the family. Customize your Thanksgiving feast with choices from herb-crusted prime rib and smoked turkey leg to smoked Cornish game hens, olive oil smashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and more. The butcher shop and eatery will be accepting orders up to 48 hours in advance.
512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach | 858-461-0092
Enjoy a four-course ice cream feast with flavors inspired by classic American Thanksgiving dishes, with a twist. The offerings include cranberry juniper sorbet, sweet potato casserole with maple pecans, roasted peach and sage cornbread stuffing, and salted caramel Thanksgiving turkey. Flavors are available by the scoop or pint at Salt & Straw shops, as well as online. Guests visiting Salt & Straw locations can also preorder in advance for either pickup or local delivery.
1670 India Street, Little Italy | 619-542-9394
3705 Caminito Court, Del Mar | 858-345-1792
For outdoor dining, delivery, or pickup, STK Steakhouse will be offering a menu with classic Thanksgiving dishes from November 26 through November 29, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy a roasted turkey special with all the fixings for $49 per adult or $29 per child 12 and under. For $100, they are also offering “Takeout Dinner for Two”: two prepared meals that come with pumpkin pie.
600 F Street, East Village | 619-354-5988
Chef Brad Wise’s Thanksgiving to-go features some of his family’s favorites, along with holiday classics. Feast on oven-roasted turkey, Italian sausage stuffing, and truffled macaroni and cheese. The meal also includes a 12-ounce bag of Cardellino’s house blend coffee beans and a recipe for a cranberry-infused cocktail. The meal is $295 and feeds two to eight people. Orders must be placed by November 19 and picked up on November 26 at Cardellino from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
4033 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills | 619-600-5311
STK Steakhouse
They'll do the dishes, too.
Just one more thing to be thankful for: a meal cooked by someone else. Forget slicing, dicing, basting, and clean-up thanks to these San Diego restaurants offering multi-course meals, prix fixe menus, and even buffets. They can’t guarantee an entirely stress-free turkey day, but at least someone else will do the dishes.
Guests will walk away stuffed from this three-course meal including a choice of a winter harvest salad or roasted butternut squash soup; a choice of top sirloin, herb crusted turkey breast and thigh, or wild salmon; and a third course of either pumpkin pie or rustic fall apple tart. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: $49 for adults | $20 for children ages 3 to 11
Address: 2223 El Cajon Boulevard
Want to kick off the holiday early? Spend time with friends at Louisiana Purchase’s Friendsgiving Chef’s Table enjoying Chef Quinnton “Q” Austin’s take on Thanksgiving from the south.
Date: November 19
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $100 per person
Address: 2305 University Avenue
Truck the whole family to this chic American eatery, where the following are on the menu: Spiced lobster bisque, marinated heirloom tomatoes, mini lump crab cakes, fresh roasted turkey, rosemary roasted prime rib, forest mushroom risotto, and sweet yams with toasted marshmallow. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: Brunch from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $49 for adults | $15 for children 13 and under | $25 optional wine pairing
Address: 1451 Washington Street
Options à la carte are endless at The Marine Room. Pick and choose appetizers, entrées, and sweets, including red walnut-crusted blue crab cake, Maine lobster bisque, ale-brined turkey breast, center cut filet mignon, heirloom carrot ginger risotto, gluten-free three-layered Callebaut chocolate mousse, salted caramel cheesecake, and espresso and vanilla bean cobblestone pie.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Price: Varies
Address: 2000 Spindrift Drive
Thanksgiving at Eddie V’s promises a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Got a picky eater who’s not in the mood for turkey? Their full dinner menu will be available as well. Reservations required.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $43 for adults | $15 for children
Address: 1270 Prospect Street
where to have thanksgiving in San Diego acqua
Photo by Walter Wilson/Crave Imagery
All the fall flavors are found in this four-course meal: Spiced pumpkin soup, mushroom ravioli, butternut squash risotto, and of course roasted turkey. Reservations required.
Date: November 28
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Price: $63 for adults | $19 for children
Address: Hilton San Diego Resort and Spa, 1775 East Mission Bay Drive
Spend Thanksgiving at the Bahia, accompanied by live piano, views of Mission Bay, and festive fare—including two carving stations, salmon, pork loin, butternut squash ravioli, and seasonal desserts. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: $56 for adults | $25 for children ages 5 to 11 | Free for children under 5
Address: 998 W Mission Bay Drive
The Duck Dive’s traditional turkey dinner is served all day until supplies run out. Call to learn more about their holiday partnerships with Foster Kids of San Diego, the Polinsky Center, and San Diego Foster Angels.
Date: November 22
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: $15 for traditional turkey dinner
Address: 4650 Mission Boulevard
Enjoy stunning views of Mission Bay and live acoustic guitar at the Catamaran’s annual Thanksgiving brunch buffet. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: $62 for adults | $25 for children ages 5 to 11 | Free for children under 5
Address: 3999 Mission Boulevard
Del Frisco’s will showcase a premium three-course menu with favorites such as slow roasted turkey breast with apple-sausage stuffing and all the trimmings, plus seasonal dessert options like pecan pie à la mode. Reservations required.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $59 per person
Address: 901 Bayfront Court, Suite 105
Head down to the Gaslamp for a delicious three-courser. Pick your starter and dessert, then enjoy a main course of andouille-stuffed turkey roulade with garlic mashed potatoes, brown ale biscuit stuffing, Brussels sprout casserole and roasted baby carrots.
Date: November 28
Time: Begins at 2 p.m., call for availability
Price: $45 per person
Address: 600 Fifth Avenue
Take a three-hour cruise around San Diego Bay with a Thanksgiving dinner buffet, plus champagne, wine, cocktails and a DJ.
Date: November 28
Time: Boarding at 2:30 p.m.
Prince: $104 per person
Address: Board at 1800 N. Harbor Drive
Put an Italian spin on Thanksgiving with both Cesarina’s specialty and regular menus. They’ll be serving two Thanksgiving-inspired pastas including Lasagna Zucca e Tacchino and Ravioli Patate e Taccino. Or, go traditional with Arrosto di Taccino, thinly sliced roasted turkey with homemade demi, sweet potato mash, fagiolini all’agro and cranberry sauce. By the end, you’ll be saying “grazie“—guaranteed. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: Dinner served from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Price: Varies
Address: 4161 Voltaire Street
Vessel Restaurant + Bar will offer a family style buffet. Highlights include both traditional and non-traditional dishes from butternut squash bisque and whipped Yukon Gold potatoes to heritage roast turkey, stuffing, crispy BBQ baby back ribs, lobster rolls, and 1855 Black Angus prime rib roasts. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: $75 for adults | $25 for children 12 and under
Address: 1551 Shelter Island Drive
The French bistro guarantees something for everyone: adults, kids, wine lovers, and even those hard-to-please-around-the-holidays vegetarians. This three-course prix fixe dinner includes Thanksgiving classics as well as French dishes. For dessert, enjoy almond Tuile, raspberry coulis, pecan and cranberry tart, brown butter apple mousseline or cinnamon orange sorbet. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $42 for adults | $19 for children | $18 optional wine pairing
Address: 3015 Adams Avenue
How about Thanksgiving en Français? All meals come with a starter, entrée, and dessert of choice. Indulge in classic wines or indulge in the special cocktail, The Pumpkin Pie Martini, crafted with Absolut vanilla vodka, pumpkin spice liqueur, Kahlua, butterscotch schnapps, and a crushed graham cracker rim. Reservations recommended.
Date: November 28
Time: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: $65 for adults | $19.95 for children 12 and under
Address: 4090 Adams Avenue
where to have thanksgiving dinner in San Diego Bobeau
BoBeauOB | Photo courtesy of Cohn Restaurant Group
From smoked turkey breast to shrimp and bacon mac and cheese, Cohn Restaurant Group owns and operates over 20 restaurants participating in Thanksgiving fun, including: Coasterra, Island Prime C-Level, The Prado, Vintana, Indigo Grill, and BO-beau kitchen + bar. Check out Cohn Restaurant Group for more details. Reservations recommended.
Where to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in San Diego
Thanksgiving brunch at the Catamaran | Photo courtesy of Evans Hotels
The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region
San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.
Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.
Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.
For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”
EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.
The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.
“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”
Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.
San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.
“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”
Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region.
Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.
Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.
This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.
Discover eateries, outings, and shops within this inland North County community
Just south of Lake Hodges near 4S Ranch and Poway, Rancho Bernardo is a suburban community that blends residential neighborhoods with industrial pockets, elevated by a decidedly diverse food scene.
Over 60 years ago, this North County neighborhood was once part of a family ranch. Since that time, big tech companies have taken up residence here, including Amazon, Sony Electronics, Oura Ring, HP, Teradata, and ASML. Rancho Bernardo Inn serves as a community hub, with locals frequently meeting at the hotel’s restaurants, golf course, and spa.
Whether it’s work or a round of golf that brings you to Rancho Bernardo, we’ve taken care of the agenda planning with our guide to the area’s best restaurants, activities, and shops.
Sample ingredients plucked straight from Rancho Bernardo Inn’s onsite garden and served at their signature restaurant Avant. One of the neighborhood’s most upscale dining options, they serve a French-inspired menu with nods to California, including many seafood options. Don’t miss their more casual sister restaurant Veranda for al fresco dining.
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
Wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas are standouts at The Kitchen, Bernardo Winery’s counter-service restaurant specializing in Sicilian flavors. Charcuterie boards and bruschetta make for great starters or snacks while wine tasting.
13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte
Fast-casual and family-owned eatery Bushfire Kitchen recently opened a location in Rancho Bernardo, serving sandwiches, bowls, salads, burgers, protein plates, and housemade empanadas. Bushfire prepares comfort food with healthy ingredients, and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
11962 Bernardo Plaza Drive, Suite 110
Some might call The Cork & Craft an overachiever. This gastropub has an in-house craft brewery and winery: Abnormal Beer and Wine. The more, the merrier. Their sushi menu is definitely worth exploring, but don’t miss other specialties like garlic noodles, chicken wings, and pork belly.
16990 Via Tazon
You don’t have to leave Rancho Bernardo to get a white tablecloth steakhouse experience. Carvers Steaks & Chops has prime rib (their best seller), filet, ribeye, porterhouse, New York strip, and other cuts, served alongside crab-stuffed mushrooms, wedge salad, French onion soup, potato skins, and other steakhouse specialties.
1940 Bernardo Plaza Drive
This no-frills Burmese restaurant is known for its traditional tea leaf salad that’s topped with sesame and sunflower seeds, garlic chips, peanuts, tomatoes, jalapeños, fried yellow beans, and fermented green tea leaf dressing. Tucked into a nondescript strip mall, Burma Place is a great takeout option when you want to eat garlic noodles, fried rice, chicken curry, and samosas from the comfort of your couch.
16719 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite A
Find authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Phở Ca Dao, including favorites like phở noodle soup, vermicelli noodles, broken rice dishes, and spring rolls. One of eight locations throughout San Diego, this family-owned chain uses robot servers for food delivery.
11808 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 100
It’s all about the sauce at fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant The Kebab Shop. Smothering your chicken shawarma, gyro, or falafels in garlic yogurt, cilantro jalapeno, fire chili, and dill yogurt sauce is practically a rite of passage. The hardest part is deciding whether to order a wrap, bowl, or salad.
11980 Bernardo Plaza Drive
Get a taste of South Asian flavors at Casa Lahori, a Pakistani restaurant noted for its grilled meat kabobs. Other best-selling dishes include beef nihari, chicken biryani, and shahi paneer— best enjoyed with naan bread.
11975 Bernardo Plaza Drive
Grill your own meat on the tabletop at Kangnam Korean BBQ, an interactive, all-you-can-eat experience that’s well-suited for large groups. Marinated beef bulgogi, grilled galbi short ribs, and spicy pork are served alongside traditional banchan dishes like kimchi, japchae glass noodles, and flavorful stews. Weekday lunch specials provide a nice discount on these filling meals.
11828 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 117–119
Dig in to your favorite curries and kebabs at Curry & More Indian Bistro. Most entrees are served with a choice of two side dishes, including basmati rice, potatoes with cumin, daal, naan, or mixed greens. Help offset the spice with one of their sweet mango or strawberry lassi drinks.
11808 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 123
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a San Diego-based writer who covers travel, dining, events, and culture. Her writing has been published in USA Today, Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor's Travel, Marie Claire, and HuffPost, among others.
The city's pet-friendly courses combine scenic greens, wagging tails, and a round that’s as much about your pup as your swing
Golf doesn’t have to mean stiff collars, pleated khakis, whisper-talking on the green, or pretending your sand trap fails aren’t actually hilarious. Around San Diego, a handful of rebel courses are quietly rewriting the rules of an afternoon round, making them more relaxed, more social, and yes, more dog-friendly. These are the fairways where leashed pups pad alongside their people; where a suspenseful search for a golf ball in the bushes or—no!no!no!no!no!—in the water hazards are part of the fun; where every polite golf clap comes with a smiling, panting audience. If your ideal golf day includes a walk, a drink, and your dog riding shotgun, this is your teeing ground.
For proof that a golf course can be approachable without being boring, look no further than Emerald Isle Golf Course in Oceanside. The executive course delivers consistently beautiful greens, rolling elevations, and just enough challenge to keep you engaged, not stressed—unless your pup breaks free and runs for the rolling elevations, in which case you’ll be very engaged and maybe a little stressed. Locals love holes like the canal carry on No. 3 and the wildlife-dotted pond on No. 16, while golden-hour sunsets steal the show most evenings. Dogs are genuinely welcome here, not an afterthought. Grab them a slice of watermelon from the clubhouse, pose in the cart for Instagram cameos with an Emerald Isle scarf (it doubles as an adorable bandana for your four-legged friend), or introduce them to the course’s resident pups like Bogey, the assistant director of instruction, and shop dogs Karl and Frank. Affordable, friendly, and no-frills, Emerald Isle feels like golf you and doggo can’t wait to play.
660 S El Camino Real, Oceanside
The Loma Club is where golf goes social. Set in Liberty Station, this historic 9-hole par-3 course trades country club stiffness for an easy, neighborhood energy that feels distinctly San Diego. The course is walkable and unintimidating, with skyline and harbor views doing most of the heavy lifting. The Loma Club is just dipping its paws into the dog-friendly trend, and welcomes them on the mini course and off the fairways. Though your pup is the epicenter of your world, the patio at Loma Club is the real star, hosting live music, trivia (even the smartest dogs are stumped), and cocktails that rival golf itself. You don’t even need clubs to enjoy it. Show up with your dog, wander the course, grab something from the clubhouse, and stay for hours. You’ll feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
2960 Truxtun Rd, San Diego
Calling Goat Hill Park a golf course almost undersells it. Known as the “People’s Park,” this historic Oceanside staple operates more like a community space where golf happens. Expect dogs strolling alongside the players, music streaming from magnetic speakers attached to golf carts, beginners smacking balls alongside serious talent, and locals and tourists sharing the same teeing grounds with a few four-legged besties trotting alongside. Saved from redevelopment in 2014, Goat Hill embraces a raw, unpolished look that’s both intentional and refreshing. With ocean views, a “19th-hole” fire-pit, and zero pretense, it’s golf at its most human…because: dogs.
2323 Goat Hill Dr, Oceanside
Ready to add your pup’s name to the illustrious list of golf greats? Same. At the iconic The Club at Omni La Costa, the vibe is equal parts championship-caliber and casually fabulous. Emerald fairways so perfect you’ll hesitate to step on them, palm-lined paths practically begging for a golden-hour strut, and rolling greens that ripple in the sun. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, your four-legged plus-one enters the chat: For members and overnight guests, the La Costa lifestyle rolls out the (very chic) welcome mat for your (leashed) pup, turning tee times into a social affair of breezy, citrus-kissed luxury and leisurely strolls. Really—what are you waiting for? Even your dog’s got a standing invite.
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results
While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.
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