The Best U.S. Beach Towns for a Thanksgiving Getaway

If you aren’t lucky enough to live by the beach, how about skipping the usual stress that often comes with Thanksgiving? Instead, how about a getaway that promises beautiful views, fun outdoor activities, and time to relax? In many destinations, you won’t have to give up the turkey or pumpkin pie (and, even if you do, it may be worth switching out for some fresh seafood instead)! Depending on your location, you might be able to exchange chilly late fall weather for warmer temps and sunshine as well.

Whether you’re seeking a vibrant destination to gather with friends and family or a sun-drenched beach paradise to call your own, these towns—spanning from Hawaii and California to New England and the Florida Keys—are sure to inspire.

Honolulu offers idyllic temperatures around 80 degrees in late November, perfect for enjoying all of the island’s usual activities, from sunbathing on Waikiki beaches to surfing, paddleboarding, catamaran cruises, hiking to the summit of Diamond Head, exploring traditional Hawaiian culture, and more. At Thanksgiving, luaus offer fantastic feasts, hula performances, and sometimes even fire dancers. While menus typically feature kalua pigs, this time of year, it’s possible to find turkey and other dishes commonly enjoyed on the holiday.

If you take a day trip to the North Shore, you can watch expert surfers ride the massive waves as part of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing between mid-November and mid-December. On the day after Thanksgiving, November 28, 2025, the Waikiki Holiday Parade features local bands and bands from the mainland, various officials and dignitaries to march down torch-lit Kalakaua Avenue that runs along Waikiki Beach.

If you’re looking for a location with stunning scenery for a quiet holiday without the crowds, consider the little town of Hana at the end of the famous Road to Hana, one of the world’s most scenic drives. Traveling there is part of the adventure, with the scents of guava and ginger wafting in the salty sea air, while every corner brings another breathtaking visual from waterfalls and emerald pools to postcard-perfect beaches. 

Once in Hana, there are a handful of accommodation options, including the luxurious Hana-Maui Resort overlooking the bay on a secluded stretch of coastline. It offers one of the best spas on the island with a menu of traditional Hawaiian treatments using indigenous botanicals, an ocean-view pool, hot tub, and restaurant serving dishes made with local ingredients like tropical fruit and fresh-caught fish. No matter where you stay, you can explore the Hana Lava Tube, hike, and sunbathe while watching the powerful waves at Hamoa Beach.

While the weather may not be balmy in Monterey, it’s often mild around Thanksgiving with temperatures around the mid-60s, pleasant enough for beach strolls and even whale watching boat tours, with the chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, and occasionally both blue and fin whales. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit, providing the chance to see all sorts of marine life without heading out onto the water. When you want to get active, there are many trails for hiking, while the scenic 17-Mile Drive is one of the most popular routes for cycling. Plus, there are many outstanding golf courses throughout the area. 

There is no shortage of restaurants hosting special Thanksgiving dinners, from casual brewpubs like Peter B’s to the lavish buffet at the Monterey Marriott, where you can dine with a sweeping coastal view from the famous Ferrante’s Bay View Room.

San Diego is an ideal Thanksgiving destination with a mild climate all year-round, a wealth of things to do indoors and out, and some of the most spectacular beaches in the country, like Coronado, with 1.5 miles of sand that glitters like gold under the nearly always sunny skies. You can learn to surf, go boogie boarding, swim, and join those who gather every evening at dusk to witness the incredible sunsets. For easy access, stay at the historic Hotel del Coronado and enjoy a wealth of facilities too. Not only is there a world-class spa with signature ocean-inspired treatments, but live music performances and a restaurant serving a Thanksgiving meal for the holiday.

Of course, the city is also renowned for its many tourist attractions when you need a break from the beach, including Balboa Park, which is home to the San Diego Zoo, 17 museums, gardens, historic sites, and performing arts venues.

While you won’t be doing any sunbathing in Plymouth this time of year, you can bundle up and enjoy the beaches without the crowds, including long walks on the roughly three-mile stretch of Plymouth Beach. And, if you want more, Cape Cod is just a short drive away. But the main reason for a getaway here is to experience Thanksgiving like the pilgrims did. This is where they arrived on the Mayflower and where one of the first celebrations for giving thanks took place back in 1621, with the colonists and Wampanoag Indians sharing an autumn harvest feast. 

Today, the Plimoth Patuxet Museums complex of living history museums offers visitors a unique Thanksgiving dining experience that includes an immersive encounter with the past and a delicious buffet meal. It’s inspired by the menu served at the Harvard Club after President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a National Holiday, featuring classic roast turkey and traditional New England trimmings. Nearby, you can see Plymouth Rock and hop aboard the full-scale replica of the Mayflower with costumed guides leading tours.

Virginia Beach is likely to be a bit brisk in late November (averaging around 62 degrees), but the cooler weather is ideal for peaceful strolls with a three-mile-long boardwalk and approximately 38 miles of sandy coastline, as the Guinness World Record holder for the longest pleasure beach on Earth. There are oceanfront hotels if you want to enjoy the view from the comfort of your room, along with plenty of indoor attractions like the Virginia Aquarium. You won’t have to skip that delicious Thanksgiving dinner here either, with a long list of farm-to-table restaurants offering memorable holiday feasts. 

The state’s History Triangle, made up of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, is just over an hour’s drive away, providing the perfect day trip for delving into history. Jamestown is the site of the first permanent settlement in the Americas, founded back in 1607, with numerous attractions like a living history museum recreating life in the colony at Jamestown Settlement. In Colonial Williamsburg, costumed characters act out the details of life in the early years of America, while Yorktown offers a living history museum of the American Revolution, with indoor galleries and exhibits, and a recreated military encampment depicting life in the military during Colonial times.

The Outer Banks is the most popular destination for a beach vacation in North Carolina, as the country’s only barrier island chain, a string of islands that stretch for 45 miles with two national seashores, three state parks, a dozen nature reserves, and three national wildlife refuges. There are many beaches with dunes and soft, powdery sands, while wildlife, including sea turtles and migrating birds, is abundant. 

One of the best times to visit is in the fall, including around Thanksgiving, as the weather is mild, yet the summer crowds are long gone. While the water is a bit too chilly for swimming, there are many other things to do, from horseback riding along the surf to fishing, kite-flying, and gathering around a bonfire. The town of Nags Head Beach is known for its wide, sandy shores with over 40 public access points. You’ll have some good options for Thanksgiving meals, including the local favorite, Mulligan’s Grille, which offers the classic dishes, and Captain George’s Seafood Buffet for seafood lovers.

November in Myrtle Beach will be a bit warmer than the Outer Banks, with temperatures around the upper 60s to low 70s, although the Atlantic is too cool for swimming. It’s a great time to search for treasures like seashells while enjoying the sounds of the waves and the picturesque scenery, without many tourists around. For those who enjoy bluegrass music, this may be your perfect pick as the South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival is a time-honored Thanksgiving weekend tradition featuring three days of music with performances by more than 15 bands. 

For more holiday fun, there are local Turkey Trot races, a boat parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and plenty of restaurants offering traditional feasts.

For even warmer temperatures, St. Augustine enjoys an average high of 75 degrees in November and is renowned for its gorgeous beaches, like St. Augustine Beach, with two miles of soft white sands and a fishing pier. It’s located on Anastasia Island, connected by a historic bridge, and a wide range of shops and restaurants are nearby. The broader area has over 40 miles of shoreline and many other beaches for taking advantage of the warm November weather. 

Visiting St. Augustine at Thanksgiving also means the Nights of Lights will have begun, with the city illuminated by thousands of white lights, while the St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival typically takes place around the holiday too, perfect for finding unique Christmas gifts or souvenirs.

If you’re looking for a laid-back, Caribbean-like vibe for Thanksgiving, consider Islamorada in the Florida Keys. It’s another great spot for a tropical twist on Thanksgiving traditions, where you can even enjoy your holiday feast outdoors with an ocean breeze and warm temperatures. There are plenty of beaches to enjoy, including Founders Park, where you can picnic, relax, and swim or snorkel in the clear blue waters. As the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” you can even catch your own Thanksgiving dinner, but there will be plenty of eateries offering traditional dishes and seafood, such as Lazy Days Restaurant and the Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar.