Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. United States
  3. California (CA)

California roadtrip thanksgiving weekend

We are flying into SFO from the UK on the 26 November and staying at an airport hotel for one night. We are then intending to travel north and hopefully reach Avenue of Giants on the 27 which we believe is Thanksgiving then travel back towards Napa Valley and hopefully stay for a couple of nights before heading south and finishing in Las Vegas for a family wedding 9 December. Concerned about traffic/closures of restaurants and hotels etc over the weekend. Also is the ‘north’ bit doable over that weekend? Many thanks

Thanks — that’s a great trip plan, and very thoughtful to consider how Thanksgiving weekend might affect travel, lodging, and dining. Here’s a detailed look at what to expect, plus some advice, and a few pros/cons for heading north to the Avenue of the Giants and then coming back via Napa.

1. Is the “north” bit (SFO → Avenue of the Giants → Napa) doable over Thanksgiving weekend?

Yes — it’s physically doable, but there are some trade-offs. You’ll be driving through popular tourist and rural areas during a major U.S. holiday weekend, which means more traffic, potential road congestion, and higher demand for hotels. On the other hand, because Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, some travel experts suggest that traffic on the day itself (Thursday) can be lighter than on the lead-up days.

Key considerations:

  • Traffic: According to INRIX / AAA data, Bay Area traffic can be very heavy in the days before Thanksgiving, especially on Wednesday afternoon. Planning to depart early on Thursday or adjusting your schedule to avoid peak congestion may help.
  • Enforcement: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) typically ramps up patrols over the Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), so be mindful of safe driving, seat-belt use, and road safety.
  • Weather / Road Conditions: While you’re mostly staying in coastal and redwood country (rather than high Sierra passes), winter weather can still be a factor in other parts of the state. There have been historical warnings of storms affecting mountain passes during Thanksgiving weekends. That said, routes to the Avenue of the Giants are generally more coastal and less likely to hit very high mountain passes than, say, a trip across the Sierra.

2. Will restaurants and hotels be closed over Thanksgiving?

Yes — there is a risk that some smaller, local restaurants may have limited hours, or even be closed, on Thanksgiving Day. But you’ll also find many chain restaurants, plus hotels and resorts likely open, especially in tourist-oriented areas.

Some specific things to expect and plan for:

  • Many travelers report that Asian restaurants (Chinese, Indian, etc.) often remain open over Thanksgiving in California.
  • Major chains and diners: Several chain restaurants are open on Thanksgiving. For example, Cracker Barrel is known to be open, according to recent holiday-hours reporting.
  • In more rural or small “hole-in-the-wall” towns, regular restaurants may be closed or operate on reduced menus, so having backup options or being flexible is wise.
  • For hotels, many will remain open (especially in tourist or national-park areas), but demand will be higher, so book early. Be sure your stops at Avenue of the Giants or in Napa are reserved well in advance.

3. Pros and Challenges of Your Route

  • Pros:
    • Scenic and less crowded once you leave the major metros – the redwood areas and the “Avenue of the Giants” are beautiful at that time.
    • Potential for off-peak road traffic on Thanksgiving Day if you time it right.
    • Napa Valley in late November can be quieter than in peak harvest season, giving you a more relaxed stay and maybe better hotel availability if booked early.
  • Challenges:
    • High demand for lodging — Thanksgiving is a popular travel holiday.
    • Some restaurants may shut or have limited hours; not every small town will have full-service dining.
    • Traffic risk, particularly before or after Thanksgiving, and potential for extra delays due to enforcement.

4. Tips to Make It Easier & More Enjoyable

  • Leave early or on Thanksgiving morning: Helps avoid the worst of the pre-holiday congestion.
  • Pre-book your hotels: Particularly for nights in the Avenue of the Giants area and Napa.
  • Plan your meals: Identify a few restaurants in towns you’ll pass through that are likely to be open. Also consider take-out options or picnic-style meals, especially in scenic spots.
  • Use real-time traffic tools: Use GPS / apps (e.g., Google Maps, Waze) to check traffic, especially as you leave the Bay Area.
  • Be flexible with your route: If traffic is heavy or some towns are crowded, be willing to adjust — maybe spend more time in a less-touristy spot, or skip something if needed.
  • Stay informed about road conditions: Even though you’re not going over high mountain passes, check road status just in case of unusual weather.

5. My Recommendation

Yes, go for the north stretch — the Avenue of the Giants is a highlight, and combining that with Napa makes for a very memorable trip. But to minimize stress, book your hotels and at least some restaurants ahead of time, allow for buffer in your driving times, and plan to eat meals in places you're confident will be open.

If you prefer a more relaxing holiday-eve plan, you could even consider skipping very rural stops in favor of staying in a larger town with more dining options, then driving into the Avenue of the Giants early the next day.

More California (CA) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Las Vegas
Many
Asia
country
India

Popular Destinations

Jiangjin Taigong Mountain Scenic Area
Qinpojian
Baoshan
Shenmulei Scenic Area

Popular Travel Questions