There are many things for which to be thankful on Thanksgiving, including good food and San Diego's beautiful landmarks. Combine the two by dining at one of our local landmarks, from Balboa Park to Shelter Island and beyond.
The Prado at Balboa Park
(1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101)
Give thanks on Nov. 24 at The Prado in the heart of Balboa Park. This year, the iconic restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving feast from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The special three-course holiday menu includes Roasted Apple and Butternut Squash, Maple-Braised Turkey Leg and Pumpkin Pie Brulee, to name a few choices. A kid’s menu is also available. The meal is priced at $54.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids. Make reservations ahead of time by calling (619) 557-9441.
Hotel del Coronado
(1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118)
The Del’s oceanfront Ballroom and Crown Room will each offer Thanksgiving Day dining options, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., respectively. The buffet includes all of the trimmings, set to live musical entertainment. The menu includes a gourmet PB&J Station, a Del Winter Cheese Station, fancy salads, fish, short ribs and decadent desserts – just to give a taste of what’s on the table. Dinner in the Ballroom costs $110 for adults, $43 for kids ages 6 to 10 and free for kids 5 and under. Dinner in the Crown Room costs $125 for adults, $45 for kids ages 6 to 10 and free for kids 5 and under. Make reservations in advance by calling (619) 522-8490. The hotel’s other restaurants – 1500 OCEAN and Sheerwater – will also offer seasonal menus on Thanksgiving Day.
The Headquarters at Seaport
(789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101)
The Headquarters at Seaport – the historic site that formerly housed the headquarters of the San Diego Police Department – is now a marketplace filled with specialty shops and restaurants. On Thanksgiving Day, many of the eateries will open for the holiday, including Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Seasons 52 is offering a Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings including turkey raised on family farms without antibiotics, herb stuffing, maple-glazed butternut squash and housemade cranberry relish. The meal is priced at $27.95 for adults and $12.95 for a child’s portion. Reservations can be made online or by calling (619) 702-0052. Eddie V’s – which sits on the very site where the San Diego courthouse once stood – also invites patrons to celebrate Thanksgiving without lifting a finger. The elegant eatery will serve a traditional holiday feast from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that includes sliced turkey breast, brioche sage stuffing, hand-whipped potatoes and, to drink, a Cranberry Moscow Mule. The meal is priced at $38 for adults and $15 for kids. Make reservations online or by calling (619) 615-0281.
California Thanksgiving Getaways for 2016
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
(2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014)
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s Bing Crosby season is in full swing and on Thanksgiving Day, horse racing enthusiasts can also dine at the track. The Turf Club at Del Mar will serve a 3-course holiday brunch or dinner that includes bottomless mimosas or champagne. A $100 ticket gets you Turf Club admission and a table for the race day, plus the Thanksgiving meal. Children 17 and under get into the Turf Club for free with an adult; their meals can be ordered from the dining menu. Reservations can be made ahead of time online.
The US GRANT
(326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101)
The Grant Grill, located inside the historic US GRANT hotel in downtown San Diego, plans to offer two Thanksgiving Day dining options: a four-course turkey dinner or a buffet boasting seasonal dishes including roasted turkey breast with chestnut-apple stuffing and warm apple pies. The feast is paired with live music in the hotel’s Presidential Ballroom. Reservations are required; call (619) 744-2039. Dining is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and priced at $89 for adults, $79 for seniors and $39 for children 12 and under).
Local
The Westgate
(1055 2nd Ave. San Diego, CA 92101)
The Westgate Room inside the well-known downtown San Diego hotel will serve a four-course Thanksgiving dinner starting at 11 a.m., for $69 per person. Over in the hotel’s Le Fontainebleau Room, patrons can also enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday buffet, served from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., for $85 per person. Seating is limited, so make reservations ahead of time.
Mister A’s
(2550 5th Ave., #406, San Diego, CA 92103)
Scenic, elegant Mister A’s will offer a prix-fixe menu on Thanksgiving Day that includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Choices include: Macaroni & Cheese: A’s Style, Butter Roasted Maine Lobster Tail and Pumpkin Strudel with Chai Ice Cream. The holiday meal is $67.50 per person, plus 20% gratuity. Reserve your spot by calling (619) 239-1377. If you can, snag a window seat; the view of the San Diego skyline will take your breath away and leave you feeling thankful.
[WXPIC] Why We Love San Diego Gallery II
Bali Hai Restaurant
(2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106)
The Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island will host a Thanksgiving Day buffet with a Polynesian Flare from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 24. The mouthwatering menu includes Herb-Rubbed Turkey Breast With Rosemary Gravy and Char Siu-Glazed Hawaiian Ham, plus sides like Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and desserts like pie, cobbler and cheesecake. The holiday meal is priced at $46 for adults and $18 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids 5 and under dine for free. Reservations are strongly recommended by calling (619) 222-1181.
The Marine Room
(2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037)
For 75 years, this seaside staple in La Jolla has been known for its incredible views and the pounding surf that creates dramatic displays outside the restaurant’s windows. On Thanksgiving Day, The Marine Room will serve its holiday menu from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Selections include Wild Baja Prawn Cocktail ($18) and Julian Harvest Apple Cider-Brined Turkey Breast ($37), plus a list of Thanksgiving sweets ($12) such as the Five Spice Pumpkin Torte.
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
(2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101)One of San Diego’s best-known architectural landmarks on San Diego Bay (aka Beacon No. 9 on USCG Nautical Maps, in business since 1971) will also serve a Thanksgiving Day buffet with a host of scrumptious eats served against picturesque vistas of the bay, the downtown skyline and Coronado Island. The spread includes a carving seafood bar, carving station, starters and sides, entrées and desserts. The holiday buffet costs $44 for adults, $18 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and under. Reservations are highly recommended; call (619) 291-9110.
San Diego Zoo
(2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92101)
How about a little turkey at the zoo on Turkey Day? The San Diego Zoo will offer two dining options on Thanksgiving: the Treetops Thanksgiving Buffet and Albert’s Thanksgiving Dinner, both at Albert’s Restaurant. The buffet, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes a spread of Thanksgiving favorites, including prime rib, sides, salad, bread and a dessert bar. The buffet costs $46.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3 to 11. The second option, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is a three-course Thanksgiving feast with free-range turkey, prime beef short rib, vegetarian items and sides and desserts. The cost is $40.95 for adults; $14.95 for children ages 3 to 11. For both, paid admission into zoo is also required (for nonmembers). To make reservations, call (619) 557-3964 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
