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Tips for planning your Thanksgiving holiday in Point Reyes. Where to stay and how to plan a perfect Thanksgiving dinner.

Whether you’re planning a family get together or a romantic getaway for two, Thanksgiving in Point Reyes is the perfect choice. Here are some tips to make your 2021 Thanksgiving celebration an unforgettable one.

Point Reyes Thanksgiving Lodging

Booking a room at a local bed and breakfast or renting a house or a cottage over the Thanksgiving holiday generally requires some advanced planning. We are so close to everything, San Francisco, the East Bay, Sacramento—this convenient location makes the villages of West Marin very popular on any holiday. Book as far in advance as you can.

If you weren’t able to make your plans in advance, you should sign up for newsletters from innkeepers and cottage rentals, or check their social media channels. If they offer a newsletter, they are likely to send out any last minute offers that way. You can also contact your top choices and ask to be put on their wait list.

The best plan is to plan ahead. Some of your favorite places to stay may be closed for Thanksgiving.

“We’re always open! We just had a massive firewood delivery so anyone who wants to spend the holidays snuggling in front of a wood stove with a mug of hot chocolate, come on down! And we always honor that 5% discount for stays of 5 or more nights, even during popular times like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s!”

Olema Cottages

Thanksgiving Dinner in Point Reyes

Restaurants

If you’re planning on eating out for Thanksgiving, lock down your reservation well in advance. Some excellent West Marin choices for Thanksgiving dinner are Saltwater Oyster Depot (Inverness), Nick’s Cove (Marshall), Parkside Cafe (Stinson Beach). But seriously, get your reservations in as soon as you get your lodging booked. Many restaurants sell out for Thanksgiving, so it’s best to book ahead.

Cooking Your Thanksgiving Meal in Point Reyes

If you rented a place with a kitchen, you may prefer to cook your own Thanksgiving feast. I recommend getting a really clear and realistic idea of just how well stocked your rental kitchen will be. While it might be completely serviceable for everyday cooking, not all kitchens will have a roasting rack large enough for a turkey, for instance.

Palace Market in Point Reyes Station is the main local grocery store. Palace carries Diestel, Organic Mary’s and Heritage Mary’s turkey. Their deli will also feature a full traditional cooked Thanksgiving menu all month. They recommend pre-ordering for turkeys and holiday deli fare.

Also check at Side Street Kitchen, where they have delicious side order pick ups the day before Thanksgiving, which will make your cooking to-do list a bit lighter. Side Street Kitchen will be cooking up mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce and much more for the holiday table this year. Call (415) 663-0303 to reserve yours. Click here to see this year’s pre-order menu and prices.

If you get your sides from Side Street Kitchen or Palace Market, you can focus on your main course and a few other favorite dishes you can ideally make ahead and bring with you.

Palace Market and IP Market are good places to pick up wine.

Thanksgiving Activities in Point Reyes

Crisp autumn days are perfect for hiking, biking and eating in West Marin. It’s a magical place to spend your Thanksgiving holiday. A big favorite over Thanksgiving weekend is Point Reyes Open Studios.