Thanksgiving is a great holiday. Most businesses offer people a long, 4-day weekend to go do things. California has so many different places to visit and things to do, it is trully incredible. When it comes to California’s nature, you really have every choice you can imagine. Oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, jungles, deserts, small, medium and large cities. It is one of the few places in the world where you could go surfing waves in the morning and skiing down slopes in the afternoon, and be back home for dinner.
Things to do, Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
Grand Tour of LA. If you have never been to Los Angeles, or if you are new to the area, this tour is a must. It lasta 5 1/2 hours and starts at 9:30am. There is free hotel pickup as long as you are in the area. You will see all the important spots in LA including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Bowl, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, Miracle Mile, Olvera Street, China Town, Music Center, LA County Museum of Art, La Brea Tar Pits, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You will also have the opportunity to shop the LA stores of Rodeo Drive and check out the hip scene at the Sunset Strip. Tickets are $58 for adults, $40 for children (3-11), and children under 3 go for free.
Indoor Skydiving – This is definitely one of my favorites! Many people would love to have the thrill of skydiving, but don’t want to jump out of a plane. I can understand. It is a scary thought to jump from a plane 10,000 or 15,000 feet up in the air and hope your parachute works. Well, you can now experience the same feeling of skydiving, without the fear. It is a wind-tunnel that blows so much air from the bottom that you float. This is called Indoor Skydiving and it’s in Hollywood, California. There are several packages offered which are mostly the amount of time you would like to fly; 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 4 minutes. There are also packages for experienced flyers for 10, 20, 40, or 60 minutes.
Things to do, Thanksgiving in Orange County
Laguna Beach Kayak Eco-Tour – Laguna Beach is still considered a gem in Orange County. This kayak tour will most definitely be an unforgettable one. You will get to see beaches, sea cliffs, million dollar homes, birds, fish, and an up-close look at the famous seals of seal rock. The kayak trip lasts about 2 hours and departs at 10am. You will need to bring a swimsuit, t-shirt, towel, water, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera. This one is a blast and anyone over the age of 3 can do it.
Disneyland Park Hopper Discount Tickets – Disneyland is a great place to spend time with the family. The Park Hopper tickets offer you the ability to go multiple days to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Parks, and the Downtown Disney District. You can hop around from park to park whenever you like for the number of days you purchase (2, 3, 4, or 5 days). When you pre-purchase these tickets online, you save up to $40 per ticket!
Things to do, Thanksgiving in San Francisco
Whale Watching Cruise to Farallon Islands – In my opinion, whales are the most amazing creature in nature. They are huge, smart, and friendly. This 6 hour cruise in a 65 foot catamaran is perfect for the nature-lover. You could see blue humpbacks, gray whales, elephant seals, dolphin, porpoises, and abundant sea-bird colonies. You will also get the chance to see some breathtaking views of the Golden Gate bridge and the San Francisco shoreline.
San Francisco Segway Tour at Night – Sure, it is always fun to go out in San Francisco at night. But this is one way that is sure to create some great memories. The segway tour is 2 hours long and will allow you to explore the city by the bay at night and see the best views and some hidden locations. It is calm and exciting at the same time.
Things to do, Thanksgiving in San Diego
Downtown San Diego Bike Tour – Biking is a personal favorite. As a child I used to ride my bike nearly every day, now it is less often, but that’s not to stop one for getting out and doing it. This bike tour goes through Downtown San Diego, waterfront riding, and the historic Gaslamp district. It includes a multi-speed hybrid-type bicycle, helmet, water, snacks, and of course, a guide. For $45 per person (minimum of 2) you get 2-2 1/2 hours of riding and can’t go wrong.
First Flying Lessons – Alright, I know this one is a bit more for the thrill-seeker, but I just loved it. You get a pre-flight lesson that teaches you the basics of flying a plane. Then you get on the plane (a Varga VG-21) and get another lesson about the cockpit, and off you go. The main pilot always has control of the plane, but from time to time, he passes it on to you, who is sitting behind the pilot. There are 30 and 60 minute flights available, and I must recommend the 60 minute flight. You will wear a helmet and goggles and the only thing you need to bring with you is a camera.