Best Places to Take OOT Thanksgiving Guests

When guests come to visit for the holidays, there's always the question of where to take them. If you'd rather eat raw turkey than drive down Lombard Street or visit Pier 39, here are some creative ways to entertain visiting family this season. 

Outdoorsy Options:

Hike Angel Island - Yes, it's a thing you can do! Angel Island is a state park, and has a wonderful trail system with heart-stopping views. The ferry ride to get there is a bonus. 

Take a Walking Tour - Whether it's learning Queer History in North Beach or chasing ghosts in Chinatown, neighborhood walking tours are a blast for locals and tourists alike. 

Play Golden Gate Park Bingo - How many of the park's treasures can you unlock in a day? The Shakespeare Garden, the Bison Paddock, the carousel, the Dutch windmills, the Chinese Pavillion… the list is almost endless. 

Lands End Trail - It's a classic for a reason. If you really want to show your loved ones what they're missing by not living in SF… this will probably do the trick. 

Indoorsy Options:

Wine and a Hidden Bocce Ball Court - The San Francisco Wine Society serves classic wines in a lux space just made for the season: think leather chairs by the fireplace. Their bocce ball court is a surprising delight in the middle of the FiDI. Reservations recommended. 

Great Star Theatre - If you've done "Dear San Francisco" (RIP Beach Blanket Babylon), it's time to check out the country's oldest Chinese theatre. They've always got a fresh, often cheeky, production underway, from live themed burlesque to indie film screenings. In December they're putting on a holiday cabaret spectacular. Hit up the iconic  R&G Lounge before the show!

Golden State Warriors - Tis the season! Got a family of sports fans? Turn off the TV and grab tickets to root on the Warriors in person at the spectacular Chase Center. 

Lunch at Restoration Hardware - Much more than a retail store, the Restoration Hardware Gallery is a feast for the senses. Enjoy caviar and champagne at the Palm Court in the breathtaking historic Bethlehem Steel Building, then take in the views from the rooftop park.