Thanksgiving is meant to feel abundant: a generous table, everyone gathered together, and enough time to linger long after the plates are cleared.
At Terranea, the celebration is as elaborate as the occasion deserves, without asking you to orchestrate it yourself. Across 102 oceanfront acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Thanksgiving unfolds overlooking the Pacific, with the cooking, hosting, and planning left in practiced hands. Your only responsibility is the guest list.
Plan the Weekend Early
Thanksgiving is one of the year's most sought-after weekends, and accommodations designed for larger gatherings, including Villas, Casitas, and Bungalows, tend to be reserved first. For multigenerational stays or groups who want to stay close, planning early offers the most flexibility.
Thanksgiving in the Palos Verdes Grand Ballroom
The Palos Verdes Grand Ballroom becomes the holiday centerpiece, with a generous collection of seasonal stations to explore at your own pace. There are two buffet seatings to choose from: 1:30pm and 4:30pm.
- From the sea: West Coast oysters and lobster salad crostini begin the experience, followed by jumbo shrimp and king crab legs with green apple mignonette.
- From the carving board: Roasted turkey with giblet gravy is joined by honey-glazed spiral-cut ham and braised short rib over celery root purée.
- From the harvest: Brioche stuffing, kabocha squash with toasted pepitas, lavender-scented root vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, and pommes purée accompany Meyer lemon salmon with farro pilaf.
- From the garden: Pear and crispy prosciutto with blue cheese and pomegranate, wild rice and Brussels sprout salad with maple cabernet vinaigrette, and an autumn lettuce bar bring a lighter counterpoint to the table.
- For grazing: Prosciutto, mortadella, and soppressata are paired with local cheeses, house-made preserves, and warm Parker House rolls.
- For dessert: The finale moves from pecan and caramelized apple pies to brown butter pumpkin madeleines, chocolate-orange pot de crème, and mango curd tarts. Warm beignets with salted caramel gelato add a final flourish, while a pumpkin mousse parfait offers a vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free option.
Younger guests have a buffet of their own, with familiar favorites including spaghetti and meatballs, chicken tenders, and tater tots.
More Ways to Gather
Thanksgiving may center around the table, but the long weekend leaves plenty of room to gather in other ways. Across the resort, guests can begin the day with a guided coastal walk, paddle the shoreline, or discover the tide pools with a naturalist.
Afternoons might bring a private falconry experience, ocean-view archery, a round at The Links, or time by one of the resort's four pools. Those looking for a quieter pace can retreat to the 50,000-square-foot Spa at Terranea, where ocean-facing relaxation spaces, treatments, and the movement studio offer time to reset.
As the light softens, make your way to Catalina Point for views across the Pacific before settling around an outdoor fire pit as evening sets in.
A Place for Everyone to Stay
Terranea offers exceptional flexibility for groups traveling together.
Alongside guestrooms and suites, Bungalows, Villas, and Casitas offer additional space for families and friends to gather while still allowing each generation a measure of privacy. Everyone can stay close without spending every moment under the same roof.
This Thanksgiving is designed around togetherness, without asking everyone to move at the same pace.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Weekend
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Arriving Wednesday and departing Sunday leaves time to settle in before the holiday and enjoy the weekend without rushing home.
For larger parties, request adjoining accommodations or a Villa, Casita, or Bungalow when booking. Reservations for the Thanksgiving Buffet can be made here.