Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving in Sonoma County

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Experience the magic of Thanksgiving in Sonoma County: vibrant fall foliage, farm-to-table delights, world-class wine, artisanal crafts, and a strong sense of community. Whether you dine out, prepare a locally sourced feast, or join in giving back, create cherished memories in Wine Country this holiday season!

1. Dine in at top-notch restaurants or savor takeout delights. 

  • Willie Bird's Restaurant: Your all-week thanksgiving Spot in Santa Rosa. Enjoy 'The Bird Special' ($24.95) any day of the week, complete with oven-roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, and cranberry sauce. Dine in or take home quart-sized Thanksgiving delights!
  • John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa: A Thanksgiving experience amidst vineyards. DINE IN: Surrounded by Vintners Resort's vineyards, savor farm-to-fork dishes paired with regional wines. A Thanksgiving feast to remember.
  • Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg: Craft your Thanksgiving menu. DINE IN: From 2-7 p.m., design your three-course holiday menu ($110/adult, $55/kids) with classics like pheasant tortellini and more. Perfect for groups; ask about private dining rooms.
  • Dawn Ranch, Guerneville: A rustic Thanksgiving feast. DINE IN: Enjoy a 3-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner at the Agriculture House in the restored 1905 Dawn Ranch resort. Feast on delights like pumpkin sage arancini, honey mustard slow-braised turkey ($65).
  • Drakes Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay: Coastal Thanksgiving delights. DINE IN: Savor a seasonally inspired prix fixe menu from 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. ($75/adult), with options like warm foraged mushroom bread pudding and rosemary-juniper berry brined turkey.
  • El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma: Thanksgiving To-Go. TAKE OUT: Pre-order the Thanksgiving Takeaway Feast by November 17th. Indulge in mixed greens, roasted free-range turkey, and individual pumpkin pies for $65/person (before tax).
  • Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen: Thanksgiving To-Go. TAKE OUT: Offering an extensive Thanksgiving Pickup Menu for pre-order, designed for parties of 8 at $600. Includes spatchcock turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
  • Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe, Sebastopol: Sides and trimmings to-go. TAKE OUT: Pascaline provides sides and trimmings in 6-guest servings, with options like pull-apart rolls, squash soup, glazed carrots, and pecan tart. No turkey on their menu, but consider salmon filet or slow-roasted pork loin. Order by November 20th at 4 p.m.
  • Tides Wharf Restaurant, Bodega Bay: Coastal Thanksgiving specials. DINE IN: Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Sonoma Coast with special dishes and traditional turkey with all the trimmings.
  • Salt & Stone, Kenwood: Thanksgiving celebration in Sonoma Valley. DINE IN: Join us on Thanksgiving for a traditional three-course menu from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Explore appetizers, oysters, and a holiday menu featuring turkey with sourdough stuffing and cranberry compote. Kids' menu available, and corkage is $20 per bottle.

2. Shop for farm-fresh ingredients and cook up your feast.

3. Get creative and set a beautiful table.

  • Dragonfly Floral, Healdsburg: Explore unique organic flowers, arrange a stunning centerpiece, or join a floral design class with loved ones.
  • California Sister Floral Design, Sebastopol: Visit this stylish shop at The Barlow for floral gifts, local flowers, and handmade items from Sonoma County.
  • Storia Home, Sebastopol: Find exquisite tableware curated by an interior designer, perfect for your Thanksgiving table setting.
  • Made Local Marketplace, Santa Rosa: Discover hand-crafted goods from local artists, including ceramic plates, candles, wood vessels, and table linens.

4. Lend a helping hand by volunteering and donating. 

  • Support Farm to Pantry's Thanksgiving Mission- Farm to Pantry, led by local chef/farmer Duskie Estes, fights food waste and helps marginalized families. They rescue surplus produce from 350+ farms and backyards in Sonoma County. You can make a difference by donating or volunteering for farm gleaning. Contact them at gleaning@farmtopantry.org or call 707-955-9898.

  • Join the Healdsburg Turkey Trot- Lace up your running shoes for a 5k run/walk on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, starting at 8 a.m. at the Healdsburg Running Company (333 Center Street). This event supports the 'Live Like Drew' Scholarship, aiding student athletes in pursuing their college dreams. Register by November 23 at 9 p.m. PT – $25 for adults, $20 for kids under 12.

  • Join the Great Thanksgiving Banquet- Hosted by the Redwood Gospel Mission, the annual community meal takes place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To make a donation (just $1.87 per meal), please reach out to Mariella Zapata at 707-578-1830. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Tina Karns at 707-578-1830.

  • Support Sonoma County Food Banks- This Thanksgiving, and throughout the year, make a difference in your community by donating to local food banks. Consider these options:
    F.I.S.H. (Friends in Service Here) of Santa Rosa
    Friends in Sonoma Helping, Sonoma
    Healdsburg Food Pantry, Healdsburg
    La Luz Center, Sonoma
    Redwood Empire Food Bank, Santa Rosa

    Your contributions go a long way in helping Sonoma County locals in need. 

So, there you have it—Thanksgiving in Sonoma County is like a warm, welcoming embrace. It's that time of year when the fall colors are painting the landscape, and we get to indulge in the freshest farm-to-table delights and top-notch wine. But it's more than just the food—it's about coming together as a community and spreading that holiday spirit. Whether you're a dine-out enthusiast, a culinary artist at home, or someone who wants to give back, Sonoma County has got something special in store for you. From bustling markets to artisanal crafts, this Thanksgiving, let's create memories that warm our hearts and make us appreciate the beauty of Wine Country and the joy of being together.

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