Celebrate Thanksgiving in Sonoma County

The Bird, Santa Rosa

DINE IN or TAKE OUT: Turkey institution Willie Bird’s Restaurant has been reimagined as this cheerful Rincon Valley spot, where you can actually have Thanksgiving dinner any night of the week. “The Bird Special” ($24.95) features fresh oven-roasted turkey, old fashioned stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce. Dine in or order quart sizes of everything you’ll need for a great Thanksgiving meal.

John Ash & Co., Santa Rosa

DINE IN: Surrounded by the Vintners Resort‘s 92 acres of lush vineyards and landscaped gardens, John Ash & Co. was the first Sonoma County restaurant to introduce the concept of cooking seasonally with fresh, local foods and produce, then pairing these farm-to-fork recipes with wines from the region. Thanksgiving dinner here is an experience to feel thankful for.

Coast Kitchen, Jenner

DINE IN: Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu at the Timber Cove Resort‘s on-site restaurant. Options include local dressed oysters, Willie Bird turkey, and housemade cavatelli, with family-style sides like wild rice and mushroom stuffing. For dessert, choose from a duo of pecan apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake, or seasonal gelato or sorbet. $85 for adults, $40 for children 12 and under.

Dry Creek Kitchen, Healdsburg

DINE IN: On Thanksgiving Day from 2-7 p.m., you can craft your own three-course prix fixe menu of holiday classics ($110 per adult, $55 for kids under 12). Options include braised pheasant tortellini, a smoked pork chop, and apple tarte tartin, plus additional sides like herb roasted sweet potatoes. Dining with a big group? Inquire about their private dining rooms.

Dawn Ranch, Guerneville

DINE IN: At the Agriculture House restaurant of the restored 1905 Dawn Ranch resort, you can reserve a 3-course prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner feast on Thursday, November 24 from 1 to 6 p.m. The dining room features two fireplaces, and menu options include a pumpkin sage arancini starter, an arugula fig salad, and honey mustard slow braised turkey ($65).

Drakes Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay

DINE IN: This prix fixe, seasonally inspired menu will be served from 2:30 to 6:45 p.m ($75 per adult). Children’s prix-fix offerings are available from 2 to 6 p.m. ($30 per child). On the adult menu, choices include warm foraged mushroom bread pudding, rosemary-juniper berry brined and roasted turkey, and chocolate Budino.

El Dorado Kitchen, Sonoma

TAKE OUT: Available for pre-order by November 17th, the Thanksgiving Takeaway Feast includes mixed greens with apples, beets, cojita cheese, pickled red onion, pepitas, and sherry vinaigrette; roasted free-range turkey with potato puree, brioche stuffing, brussels sprouts, sage gravy, and cranberry compote; and individual pumpkin pies. $65 per person (before tax).

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Sonoma

DINE IN: At the hotel’s Sante Restaurant, enjoy a 3-course, family-style Thanksgiving dinner served with all the fixings ($125 per adult, $39 per child), plus optional wine pairings. Served from 1 to 7 p.m., the meal begins with a shared chilled seafood platter, and entree options include brined-and-basted turkey, lamb chops with pumpkin seed pesto, and potato parmesan gnocchi.

Flamingo Resort, Santa Rosa

DINE IN: This 10-acre mid-century resort offers not only a county-central location and a huge pool, but also a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. All dishes on the holiday menu ($35-$75 per person) use local ingredients, and options include pumpkin coconut bisque with vanilla oil, maple brined turkey with bourbon gravy, and spiced apple tart with almond streusel. Prepaid reservations required for parties of 2 to 12.

The Fig Cafe, Glen Ellen

DINE IN:  A three-course prix fixe meal will be served here from 1 to 6 p.m., including options like celery root bisque, roast turkey breast, mushroom risotto, and roasted pumpkin crisp. $60 for adults (add a wine pairing for $15) and $45 for children 10 and under. Make a reservation by calling 707-933-3000 or on resy.com. For more information, visit thefigcafe.com.

Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen

TAKE OUT: The restaurant will be closed for service on Thanksgiving Day, but they’re offering an extensive Thanksgiving Pickup Menu for pre-order. Designed for parties of 8, the $600 meal includes a whole spatchcock turkey, buttermilk mashed potatoes, sourdough-mushroom stuffing, and pumpkin pie, plus much more.

Layla Restaurant, Sonoma

DINE IN:  Three-course prix fixe menu served from 12 noon to 7 p.m., with options such as Swiss chard and feta phyllo pie, and beef tenderloin. Shared sides are buttered mashed potatoes, roasted acorn squash and smoked sweet potatoes. The pastry chef will offer a variety of choices for dessert. $110 for adults, $35 for children and $45 for wine pairings.

Pascaline Patisserie & Cafe, Sebastopol

TAKE OUT: You make the turkey, and Pascaline will take care of all the sides and trimmings in 6-guest servings. Give thanks for choices like Parker House pull-apart rolls ($28), butternut squash soup ($25), maple glazed carrots ($45), and bourbon pecan tart for 8 ($48). There’s no turkey on their menu,  but you could opt for 6-guest servings of salmon filet baked in puff pastry ($130) or slow-roasted pork loin with caramelized onions ($110). Place your order by November 20th at 4 p.m.

Salt & Stone, Kenwood

DINE IN: Celebrate Thanksgiving at this Sonoma Valley favorite with a traditional three-course menu served from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Additional offerings include raw and cooked oysters and a large array of appetizers, while holiday menu options include turkey served with sourdough stuffing and red wine cranberry compote. A kids’ holiday menu is available, and corkage is $20 per bottle.

Spoonbar, Healdsburg

DINE IN: Enjoy a prix fixe three-course menu at this artfully stylish spot from 2 to 7 p.m. Choices include Belgian endive and beet salad, tuna sashimi, brined Niman Ranch pork chop, and chocolate pot de creme. Children 12 and under can choose from a turkey dinner, cheeseburger and fries, or rigatoni with marinara. $79 for adults, $35 for children under 12.

Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa

TAKE OUT: Dinner for two from this Railroad Square institution starts at $145, plus add-ons like pumpkin pie, apple cake, and bread with garlic-dill butter. Appetizer options include a creamy tomato soup with olive oil and chives, and sides accompanying 16 ounces of butter-roasted turkey include chorizo sausage & blue cheese stuffing.

Tides Wharf Restaurant, Bodega Bay

DINE IN: Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Sonoma Coast with specials like seafood fettucini and cedar plank salmon, as well as the traditional roasted turkey with stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and seasonal vegetables.

Tips Roadside, Kenwood

TAKE OUT: Available for pre-order, to-go meals here serve four people for a total of $240. The meal package includes garlic and rosemary brined smoked turkey, sauteed Blue Lake green beans, candied yams, house mashed potatoes, toasted corn bread stuffing, turkey giblet gravy, brioche butter-top rolls, and burnt whiskey laced orange-cranberry compote. A “Just the Sides” option is available for $140, serving four people. Add-ons include a slow roasted prime rib, traditional pumpkin pie, classic molasses pecan pie, or for an additional cost, Disaronno caramel apple turnovers.

Wit & Wisdom Tavern, Sonoma

DINE IN or TAKE OUT: The only Wine Country restaurant of Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina (of Bourbon Steak and Stripsteak fame) is a very hot table for Thanksgiving. Served in-house from 1-7 p.m., dinner is $109 per person and includes options like sweet potato agnolotti, lobster pot pie, and Basque-style cheesecake with apples and caramel. Rather dine at home? A Take-and-Bake Turkey Dinner is also available for pre-order and pickup, at $245 for 4 people.

The Turkey

Willie Bird, Santa Rosa 

Legendary local poultry purveyor Willie Bird offers its free-range turkeys for pre-order at its Santa Rosa retail store (5350 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, closed Sundays) or the flagship of kitchen emporium Williams-Sonoma (599 Broadway, Sonoma)

Bud’s Custom Meats, Penngrove

In addition to free-range turkeys (including Willie Bird’s), Thanksgiving specialties here include hickory-apple smoked turkeys with Bud’s lemon garlic seasoning, and Tur-Duc-Hen, a boneless chicken and boneless duck stuffed with partially boned turkey and Creole pork dressing.

Victorian Farmstead Meat Company, Sebastopol

This sustainable farm pasture-raises its own turkeys (as well as beef, lamb, pork, and chickens). They recommend reserving Thanksgiving turkeys at least three weeks in advance.

Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma

This 250-acre sustainably managed farm specializes in chemical-free and pasture-raised meat and poultry. Turkeys here sell out quickly each year, so aim to get your order in by late October-early November.

The Pie

Whether your favorite Thanksgiving pie is pumpkin, pecan, apple or otherwise, you’ll find your slice of joy at these Sonoma County bakeries:

Basque Boulangerie Cafe, Sonoma

Petaluma Pie Company, Petaluma

Mom’s Apple Pie, Sebastopol

Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie, Santa Rosa & Healdsburg

Quail & Condor, Healdsburg

The Bread & Rolls

A great Thanksgiving meal includes a windfall of complex carbs. Make sure your meal gets on a roll by visiting these Sonoma County bakeries:

Basque Boulangerie Cafe, Sonoma

Boudin Bakery, Santa Rosa

Della Fattoria, Petaluma

Goguette Bread, Santa Rosa

Nightingale Breads, Forestville

Quail & Condor, Healdsburg

Wild Flour Bread, Freestone

The Wine(s) 

As you’ll learn in our Wine Guide for Thanksgiving, some of the most popular wines for the holiday meal include Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling. Click the links here to find great winery suggestions for each, or swing by some of our favorite Sonoma County wine shops, including Sonoma’s Best Wine Merchant and Bottle Barn.

Veggies, Fruit & All the Rest

Farmers Markets

The freshest produce in Sonoma County can be found at local farmers markets, but by November, most of them have closed for the season. Here are some markets that’ll be open still around Thanksgiving:

Healdsburg Saturday Farmers Market

North & Vine (one block west of the Plaza) — Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Petaluma East Side Farmers’ Market

320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma — Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market

1501 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa — Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market

Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (parking lot), Santa Rosa — Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sebastopol Farmers Market

Weeks Way, Downtown Sebastopol Plaza — Sundays, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market

241 West First Street, Sonoma — Fridays, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Independent Grocery Markets

If you prefer a one-stop shopping adventure for everything from a locally raised turkey to homemade pies, plus sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, butter, herbs, wines by small producers and much more, visit Sonoma County independent grocery markets such as:

Andy’s Produce Market, Sebastopol

Bohemian Market, Occidental

Dahlia & Sage Community Market, Cloverdale

Glen Ellen Village Market, Glen Ellen

Miracle Plum, Santa Rosa

Oliver’s Market, Santa Rosa, Cotati & Windsor

Penngrove Market, Penngrove

Petaluma’s 6th Annual Holiday Food Fair

Combining both a farmers market and independent grocery store experience, this annual holiday food fair will be held on Tuesday, November 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the ballroom of Hotel Petaluma. Sponsored by winery Barber Cellars, this food fair is designed to help you get your Thanksgiving table ready and help local food artisans continue to thrive. Purchase meat, charcuterie, cheese, jams, wine, whiskey, bread, pastries, chocolate, honey and more, direct from dozens of local makers.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Dragonfly Floral, Healdsburg

Full of unusual flowers, this organic flower farm is also a florist and floral school. You can either order a spectacular arrangement for your Thanksgiving table, or gather friends and family for a private class and each design your own.

California Sister Floral Design, Sebastopol

Set in The Barlow shopping and dining marketplace, this stylish shop offers floral- and plant-based gifts, floral supplies, handmade items from local artists, and local flowers sourced whenever possible from Sonoma County farms.

Thanksgiving Tableware

Storia Home, Sebastopol

Also in The Barlow, this beautiful home goods store has been curated by interior designer Gina Guiterrez, and includes dishes, flatware, serving pieces, and table linens made mostly by small local businesses. Need some Thanksgiving tablescape styling tips? Ask and ye shall receive.

Made Local Marketplace, Santa Rosa

Set within the Montgomery Village shopping and dining complex, this sprawling showcase for Sonoma County and North Bay artists, crafters, and producers offers unique, hand-crafted goods such as ceramic plates, tapered candles, wood vessels, and table linens.

Farm to Pantry

Led by local chef/farmer Duskie Estes, nonprofit Farm to Pantry goes onto more than 350 farms and backyards throughout Sonoma County, gleaning produce that would otherwise be discarded and sharing it with marginalized families. Support their efforts this Thanksgiving with a donation, or contact them to volunteer for a three-hour session of farm gleaning. ([email protected] or 707-955-9898)

Healdsburg Turkey Trot

This 5k run/walk through the streets of Healdsburg starts at the Healdsburg Running Company (333 Center Street) on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 at 8 a.m. Race organizers are raising money for the “Live Like Drew” (Drew Esquivel) Scholarship, which helps student athletes achieve the dream of attending college. Race registration closes Wednesday, November 23 at 9 p.m. PT, and costs $25 for adults, $20 for kids under 12.

Great Thanksgiving Banquet

Organized by the Redwood Gospel Mission, this annual community meal will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To donate ($1.87 per meal), contact Mariella Zapata at 707-578-1830 x 306. To volunteer, contact Tina Karns at 707-578-1830 x 314.

Sonoma County Food Banks

If you’d like to donate food or money to directly benefit Sonoma County locals this Thanksgiving (and beyond), check out these area food banks:

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