Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Pleasant Hill

09/19/23

Enjoy Thanksgiving by taking a little getaway to delightful Pleasant Hill!

Thanksgiving in the East Bay Region

Ah, Thanksgiving! The air is crisp, the trees are rich with autumnal tones, and for most Americans it's a long holiday weekend. If you're always looking to strike out and have a little adventure, this is an ideal time to do it since so many people stay at home or travel to see their families. The guides and local experts at Stay Pleasant Hill have put together some suggestions for your long weekend.

Please do make sure to check with the ownership of the suggestions we make below, as hours may vary due to the holiday. No matter how you do, enjoy your holiday!

Credit: Napa Valley

Check out Our Local Wineries


Whether you are picking up a few bottles to bring your host or hostess for Thanksgiving Dinner, or you're looking for a fine wine to take back to your lodgings in Pleasant Hill, spending at the vineyards is a wonderful way to enjoy your holiday getaway.

Explore the local vineyards of Sonoma Valley, Livermore Valley, Napa Valley, and the Silverado Trail. Sip and celebrate with Brooklyn West Winery, Building 43 Winery, dash to Dashe Cellars, forge a find at Blacksmith Cellars, and enjoy some truly fine cuvees at Urban Legend Cellars.

Please do check ahead to see if hours have changed due to the holiday.

Enjoy a Thanksgiving getaway weekend in Pleasant Hill.

Dining Over Thanksgiving Weekend

We're very lucky to live in the part of the world we do! And part of that is because of the many diverse restaurants and eateries we have in Pleasant Hill and in nearby towns. If you are looking for a place to tuck into a traditional Thanksgiving menu, order food to take home to your hotel to pair with some of the wines you bought while tasting, or are no fan of turkey and prefer something different -- Pleasant Hill will no doubt leave you sated.

Local favorite Wence's has been treating locals and guests alike to a one-of-a-kind dining experience for almost a decade! If you find yourself more tempted by lamb and Greek-style dishes more so than cranberry sauce and ham, local chain Jack's Restaurant and Bar is sure to put a smile on your face. If Italian-American style cuisine, with a California twist, captures your fancy then you'll be smart to hit up WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano.

Just to remind you, be sure to check in with all local dining during your Thanksgiving Weekend stay in Pleasant Hill! Hours of operation may change due to the holiday.

Take a Side Trip to San Francisco

Most cities tend to be a bit more quiet on a major holiday. So, Thanksgiving Day & Weekend might be an excellent time to head over the bridge into the fabled City by the Bay. Luckily, several attractions plan to be open for locals, their out of town guests, and tourists alike.

The Golden Gate Bridge & Park is, if course, always open! The arms of the fabled bridge is ready to make your memories. As the weather in San Francisco and the surrounding region is fairly temperate even in late November, you can also visit the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. With a motto of, "Travel the World in 55 acres," prepare to see flora you may have never seen before.

Nearby, the San Francisco Bay Aquarium also plans to be open. Please visit the website and plan to preorder tickets, due to COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. If eating seafood is your favorite way to enjoy aquatic life, then historic Fisherman's Wharf is a must-see, must-do, must-dine experience. Check out the seafood dining options on their website.

Of course, please be sure to check in with the establishments you may visit to confirm Thanksgiving Week hours and availability!

Family Fun: Lions, & Tigers, & Science, & Thrills, & Rides!

For the kids -- and animal enthusiasts -- don't forget there are not one but two award-winning zoos nearby. We are close to the San Francisco Zoo and the Oakland Zoo as well. Both memorable experiences for the whole family and both open on Thanksgiving Day! Another opportunity to see animals is at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, part educational institution and part hospital for local wildlife. The whole family will get to see wildlife up close in the Exhibit Hall. Make sure to check-in with their website for Thanksgiving Weekend hours.

Now, for a really memorable Thanksgiving Day without Thanksgiving Dinner (as you may be used to having) you can pack up the family for some thrilling rides! Just a 20 mile drive from Pleasant Hill you'll find Six Flags Discovery Kingdom! Of course, they're open the day after Turkey Day if you wish to remain traditional.

Have you tried an escape room? If you and the family love adventure, and doing things together, the Red Door Escape Room located in nearby Concord may be a unique way to enjoy the long weekend. Thrills and chills are the name of the game when you and your family spend an afternoon putting your heads together. Please see the business website regarding times, ages restrictions, and other issues.

Shopping & a Movie

Thanksgiving and the following Black Friday beginning of the holiday shopping season prove two things: Americans love to eat and shop. In nearby Livermore you'll find San Francisco Premium Outlets. With more than 180 shops, you're sure to find something -- or many things -- you simply have to have. Leave room in your suitcase or, better yet, buy a new one at a Black Friday sale.

Of course you don't have to leave Pleasant Hill to get some great bargains -- for you or those on your gifting list. You'll find Shopping in Pleasant Hill offers a wide selection of both national chains and local, home-grown shops and boutiques. The shopping district also has plenty of dining options should you need refreshment to carry all those shopping bags and finds. And, if some in your party aren't keen to shop 'til they drop, Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD multiplex will keep them entertained. Of course check their site for showtimes.

In nearby Concord The Veranda is a shopping destination you'll be glad you checked out. The design is reminiscent of a Mediterranean village with plenty of shops, places to lunch, and experiences you'll be glad to have taken part of over your Thanksgiving holiday. The Veranda also has a movie theater in lieu of a baby, spouse, or partner-sitter if they're not in a shopping mood.