Get together with your family and consider doing it as a vacation for Thanksgiving. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving vacation ideas. What better way to give everyone in your family a new experience and an opportunity to try new food, beer, wine, and more? 

Even better is that you could be enjoying Thanksgiving weekend on a beach in Santa Barbara. It’s not that wild an idea, because there are plenty of Thanksgiving events, dining options, wineries, breweries, and more in downtown Santa Barbara. 

However, one of the best Thanksgiving vacation ideas is booking a place for your family with Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals. We have a place large enough to accommodate any family, making it easy for you to explore Santa Barbara’s unique events and its delicious food, wine, and beer scene.

Things To Do In Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is filled with energy. It’s not just families and friends coming together, but also the events and shopping experiences. Here is a peek at some of the best things to do throughout Thanksgiving weekend in Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Events During Thanksgiving

If you are looking for something to do on Thanksgiving or in the days that follow in Santa Barbara, consider checking out one or more of these events.

• Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler: This annual race is 4 miles long and starts early Thanksgiving morning. 
• ZooLights: The Santa Barbara Zoo hosts ZooLights through the holidays, an immersive experience featuring handcrafted silk-covered lanterns and other light shows.
• Small Business Saturday: If you want to get a head start on Christmas gift shopping, then Small Business Saturday in downtown Santa Barbara is a great place to find deals and unique things you can only find here.

Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Special Menus

A lot goes into a Thanksgiving meal, and when dinner rolls around, you might be exhausted. Try going out for dinner with the family at one of these Santa Barbara restaurants that feature special Thanksgiving menus.

• Finch & Fork: The restaurant is hosting a harvest buffet. It will feature “savory carving station, raw bar, soups, salads and decadent desserts” as well as seasonal cocktails and local wines and beers.
• Marisella: Enjoy an à la carte dinner menu with roasted turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, whipped potatoes, sweet potatoes, and brown butter gravy at Marisella.
• Caruso’s: Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant for Thanksgiving with Caruso’s. Here you will be treated to a five-course dinner that puts a local spin on a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Santa Barbara Thanksgiving Winery And Brewery Events

Grab a drink at the end of your day at one of the many excellent wine bars, wineries, or breweries in the Santa Barbara area.

• Pearl Social Cocktail Club: Some of the best cocktails in Santa Barbara are found at the Pearl Social Cocktail Club. This establishment also tends to host holiday-themed specialty drinks and more.
• Santa Ynez Wine Tour: Wine tours are a popular pull to the Santa Barbara area, and you can embark on a special tour when you sign up for the Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours. Enjoy three local wineries, lunch, and door-to-door shuttle service.
• Brass Bear Brewing: Enjoy some local brews and a Thanksgiving buffet at Brass Bear Brewing. It’s a family-friendly brewery with cocktails and food to dine on, too.

Bring The Family To Santa Barbara For Thanksgiving Weekend

The best Thanksgiving vacation ideas involve your family. Make this Thanksgiving extra special by booking directly with Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals. 

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals offers comfortable, charming, and fully furnished vacation rentals that provide a true home-away-from-home experience. Each property is conveniently close to all that Santa Barbara has to offer.

Book your stay today before properties fill up. Visit our website or call 805-617-0438 to speak with our friendly team and reserve the rental that’s ideal for your Santa Barbara escape.