These festive races range from serious 10K/5K runs to family fun-walks. They take place statewide around Thanksgiving. Many events feature costumes, kids’ dashes, and charity tie-ins. Our team encourages anyone planning to run or walk to check the latest 2025 dates, times, and registration details. Many races sell out or offer early-bird pricing that ends in September. Also, be mindful that poor air quality or weather can force last-minute cancellations. Below is a current guide to the major California Turkey Trots for 2025, with dates, start times, and locations (and registration links when available).
Dana Point
NOV. 27: Dana Point Turkey Trot – 5K/10K/15K (combo) and 1-mile Kids Gobble Wobble at Dana Point Harbor. The 48th Annual event (Thanksgiving Day) starts at 7:00 AM at Dana Point Harbor (34571 Golden Lantern Ave). It draws huge crowds in festive costume and includes a health/fitness expo.
Register at the official website, turkeytrot.com, or Race Roster link.
San Jose (Silicon Valley)
NOV. 27: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot – 5K/10K races and kids’ run in Downtown San Jose. Billed as “the largest Thanksgiving Day race in America”, it starts at 8:30 AM from W. Santa Clara St & N. 1st St.
Register via the race website or RaceRoster.
Los Angeles
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NOV. 23 (Sunday): LA Classic Turkey Trot – 5K/5M/15K races in Griffith Park. Second annual Thanksgiving race on Nov. 23, 2025, at the Crystal Springs area (4800 Griffith Park Dr). Festive atmosphere with costumes encouraged. Signup LA Classic Turkey Trot!
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NOV. 27 (Thursday): Turkey Trot LA – 5K fun run/walk in Downtown L.A. (City Hall, 200 N. Spring St). A Thanksgiving Day charity run (benefiting the Midnight Mission) starting at 8:00 AM. Signup for the Turkey Trot La!
Encinitas
NOV. 27: Encinitas Turkey Trot – 5K/10K runs and costume contest, starting under the famous “ENCINITAS” sign on Coast Highway 101. The 10K begins at 7:30 AM and the 5K at 8:00 AM. Scenic seaside courses and a big fun run/walk atmosphere on Thanksgiving Day.
Register via the race website or RaceRoster.
Oakland
NOV. 27: Oakland Turkey Trot – 5K community run/walk around Lake Merritt (Eastshore Park, 550 El Embarcadero). The 8th annual event (8:00 AM start) features live music and is part race, part festival. Proceeds benefit local schools and food pantries.
Register for the Oakland Turkey Trot.
Folsom
NOV. 27: Folsom Turkey Trot – 5K and 10K races at Rodeo/Lions Park (403 Stafford Street, Folsom). On Thanksgiving morning, the flat, paved courses start at 8:50 AM (10K) and 9:10 AM (5K). This family-friendly run benefits local youth sports.
Register for the Folsom Turkey Trot.
Pacific Palisades
NOV. 27: Palisades Turkey Trot – 5K and 10K at Palisades Charter High School (15777 Bowdoin St). The 11th annual Thanksgiving run starts at 8:15 AM and welcomes walkers and runners of all ages. A costume contest and post-race pizza often follow.
Register for the Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot.
Claremont
NOV. 27: Claremont Turkey Trot – 5K run/walk and kids’ fun run (Memorial Park, Claremont). Scenic course around the park. Race starts about 8:00 AM (kids’ run ~7:30 AM). This Rotary-sponsored event is popular with families.
Register for the Claremont Turkey Trot.
Redlands
NOV. 27: Redlands Turkey Trot – 5K run and Kids 1K in downtown Redlands (Start at University St & Brockton Ave). The race starts at 8:00 AM, with a kids’ run at 7:30 AM. A Thanksgiving community event that supports local schools.
Register for the Redlands Turkey Trot.
Tustin (Orange County)
NOV. 27: Turkey Trot OC (Tustin) – 5K/1-Mile runs at Tustin (One Hope Drive). The 12th annual Orange County Turkey Trot (sponsored by OC Rescue Mission) begins at 8:00 AM. Family-friendly with post-race pie and prizes.
Register for the Turkey Trot OC (Tustin).
San Mateo
NOV. 27: Gobble Wobble (San Mateo) – 5K and 10K at Coyote Point Park, San Mateo. The morning runs start with the 10K at 8:05 AM and the 5K at 8:20 AM. Presented by ARunner’s Mind, it’s an 11th-year community trot on Thanksgiving morning.
Register for the San Mateo ARM Gobble Wobble.
Big Bear Lake
NOV. 27: Big Bear Turkey Trot – 3-mile (approx 5K) fun run at Meadow Park, Big Bear Lake. The 12th annual Thanksgiving morning race starts at 8:00 AM. Course loops in the alpine park with music, snacks, and a kids’ run.
Register for the Big Bear Lake Turkey Trot.
Fountain Valley (Mile Square Park)
NOV. 22: Feathered Feet Trot – 5K/10K/1M and kids dash at Mile Square Park. Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov 22, 2025) starting 9:00 AM (5K/10K). A family-friendly Orange County race complete with costumes and festive atmosphere.
Register for the Feathered Feet Trot.
Temecula
NOV. 27: Temecula Turkey Trot & Food Drive – 5K walk/run at Harveston (28582 Harveston Dr). Race day check-in at 7:00 AM for an 8:00 AM start. The community event (13th annual) encourages entrants to bring canned food (benefiting local pantries).
Register for the Temecula Turkey Trot & Food Drive.
Coalinga
NOV. 27: Coalinga Turkey Trot – inaugural 5K (and 2K fun walk) at Coalinga-Huron Sports Complex, 340 Cambridge Ave. The family-friendly race begins at 8:00 AM and is hosted by the Coalinga Lions Club.
Register for the Coalinga Turkey Trot.
Santa Cruz
NOV. 22: Santa Cruz Turkey Trot – 5K/10K (plus kids’ 1K) at Natural Bridges (2300 Delaware Ave). Start/finish by the state park, out-and-back along West Cliff. The 5K starts at 8:00 AM and the 10K at 8:30 AM. Scenic Pacific views on Thanksgiving Saturday.
Register for the Santa Cruz Turkey Trot.
Woodland
NOV. 27: Woodland Turkey Trot – 1K/5K/10K at Woodland Community & Senior Center. Runs and walks start at 8:00 AM (10K), 8:10 AM (5K), and 8:20 AM (1K). Proceeds support Yolo Food Bank and local charities.
Register for the Woodland Turkey Trot.
Solano County
NOV. 27: Solano Turkey Trot – 5K/10K and Kids Fun Run at Solano Community College, Fairfield. 10K starts at 8:00 AM and 5K at 8:20 AM. A Thanksgiving morning tradition (10th annual) benefiting Meals-on-Wheels and Suisun Kroc Center.
Register for the Solano Turkey Trot. New this year: there are only 2500 spots available. As of today, only 2,028 spots are left.
Long Beach (Belmont Shore area)
NOV. 15–16: Long Beach Gobble Wobble & Huffin’ for the Stuffin’ – back-to-back runs along the Long Beach beach path (start at 5400 E. Ocean Blvd). Huffin’ for the Stuffin’ (5K/10K/Half Marathon) is Sat, Nov 15, 2025; the Gobble Wobble (5K/10K/10M/Half) is Sun, Nov 16, 2025. Both events start about 7:30 AM, are chip-timed on scenic courses, and include awards and costume contests.
Register for the Long Beach Huffin’ for the Stuffin’.
Register for the Long Beach Gobble Wobble.
San Dimas
NOV. 15: LASD Turkey Trot 5K – Sheriff’s Department 5K at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas. Annual run at 8:00 AM (bonelli Park) on the Sunday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 15, 2025), benefitting LASAA charities.
Register for the LASD Turkey Trot 5K.
Santa Monica
NOV. 27: Turkey Day Trot – 5K and Family 1-Miler at Crescent Bay Park (2000 Ocean Ave). Thanksgiving morning (8:00 AM start) run on the Santa Monica beach bike path. A laid-back, untimed trot for all ages, supporting Su Casa domestic violence shelter.
Register for the Santa Monica Turkey Day Trot.
Palm Springs
NOV. 27: Wild Turkey Trot 5K – Palm Springs marathon runners’ event in downtown Palm Springs. Starts at 8:00 AM at Palm Canyon Dr & Tahquitz Canyon Way. Fast, flat certified course on city streets. All participants get a tech shirt, medal, turkey socks and hat; proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels.
Register for the Palm Springs Wild Turkey Trot 5K.
Irvine (Orange County)
NOV. 27: Irvine/OC Turkey Trot – 5K and 1-Mile runs at Irvine Valley College (5500 Irvine Center Dr). Turkey Dash 1-Miler at 7:30 AM and 5K at 8:00 AM. Family-friendly race (including kids’ Gobble Wobble at 9:10 AM) with post-race pie. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition in Irvine with thousands of participants.
Register for the Irvine/OC Turkey Trot.
Napa Valley
NOV. 27: Napa Valley Turkey Chase – 5K/10K at Napa Valley College (2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy). A fun, family run on Thanksgiving Day (8:00 AM start for 10K, 8:15 AM for 5K). The flat courses loop around the college and Napa River Trail.
Register for the Napa Valley Turkey Chase.
Bishop Ranch (San Ramon)
NOV. 27: Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot – 5K (and “Tiny Turkey” kids 0.05K) at City Center, Bishop Ranch (Lake Annabel). Thanksgiving morning run through the business park (start ~8:30 AM). Family event with wooden finisher medals, costumes encouraged, and proceeds to Contra Costa Food Bank.
Register for the Bishop Ranch Turkey Trot.
Davis
NOV. 22: Davis Turkey Trot – Half marathon, 10K, 5K, 2M, 1M, and kids’ runs at Civic Center Field, Davis. A big Thanksgiving Saturday event (Nov 22, 2025). The 5K starts at 8:05 AM, 10K at 9:00 AM. Timed chip-run courses on city streets; long-sleeve tech shirt and medal included.
Register for the Davis Turkey Trot.
Santa Rosa
NOV. 27: Santa Rosa Turkey Trot – 5K (and Tiny Turkey kids’ dash) around Old Courthouse Square. Thanksgiving morning race on downtown streets along the Santa Rosa Creek. Everyone starts together at 8:30 AM with festive costumes welcome. Proceeds benefit Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Register for the Santa Rosa Turkey Trot.
Enjoy the Turkey and the Turkey Trots!
Each of the above events has a dedicated registration site (linked above). Most still offer online signup (some with early-bird pricing or limited spots). Check the race websites for details and any updates. Whether you run for competition, charity, or fun, there’s a California Turkey Trot to fit your schedule and community. Enjoy the run, and then enjoy the turkey!
