TURKEYS GALORE AND MORE: TOP THANKSGIVING DESTINATIONS IN SAN DIEGO’S INLAND REGIONS

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By Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

November 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for a traditional Thanksgiving feast—or a totally untraditional experience?  Our guides at East County Magazine have left no stone unturned in our quest for the most unusual, delightful and delectable offerings in San Diego’s inland regions this Thanksgiving weekend.  Here are our favorite finds:

Alpine: Gourmet dinner and all-night shopping at Viejas

The Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians invite you to celebrate Thanksgiving on the reservation. The award-winning Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino is offering a delicious Thanksgiving dinner complete with free-range turkey, Virginia bobwhite quail or buffalo prime rib along with butternut squash cappuccino, endive salad and dessert for $50. Then at 10 p.m., head across the street  to the Viejas Outlet Center’s “Beat the Madness Sale,” where all stores are open all night long—and offering super sales.  In addition, the outdoor ice rink will be open Thanksgiving day at 4 p.m. with late-night skating until 2 a.m. For more information, visit www.viejas.com.

Campo: All aboard the North Pole Express Nov. 25-26

Celebrate the holidays aboard the North Pole Limited, departing from the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s  Campo Depot. These train rides begin November 25-26 and continue into December. Santa’s Elves will serve cookies and hot chocolate, lead a sing-along of traditional Christmas carols, and read a famous Christmas train story as the Limited rockets toward the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop--where Santa Claus will board the train and visit with all children. The elves invite youngsters to wear pajamas and dress warmly. Plan on arriving 90-minutes early. Some days the train leaves at 7:00 p.m. and other days at 5:00 p.m. Visit the Santa Train page for fares and links to the on-line reservation system. www.psrm.org

El Cajon:  Three ways to indulge at Sycuan Casino

Don’t like turkey? No problem! Savor steak and lobster at the Wachena restaurant, or opt for more traditional fare at Paipa’s buffet which is also serving up a surf and turf buffet. The third option is smoked turkey and ham at the GameDay sports bar and grill, where sports fans can also relish rooting for their favorite teams while watching those holiday bowl games.  Prices range from $12.75 to $19.95, with discounts available if you use a Club Sycuan card, making this the best bargain Thanksgiving destination in town.  You can also try your luck at gaming opportunities throughout the newly remodeled casino. www.Sycuan.com.

 

Julian: Christmas Train Express through the Smith Ranch gold mine

The Smith Ranch invites you to take a one-mile ride aboard  an authentic mining train through an evergreen forest and into an 1870 gold mine. Watch for pick marks and quartz veins that led to gold. Rides include ringing of Christmas bells and surprises. Dress warm for the ride, which runs an hour and a half.  Reservations are required; early  reservations are recommended since many rides sold out last year. Cost: $15/adults, $12/children ages 3-12, free for age 2 or under with paid adult. Group discounts for 12 or more.  Call (760)765-2288, e-mail Greg Smith at greg@pioneerways.com or visit http://pioneerw.ipower.com//page15.html

 

 Julian: Mountain retreat at Pine Hills Lodge

Dine in a rustic log lodge in Julian, where the historic Pine Hills Lodge is offering a Thanksgiving buffet at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m.  Reservations are a must for this feast, which costs $40 per adult or $24.95 for children 10 and under.  Savor roast turkey or brown sugar and honey-glazed ham, apple and cranberry studded dressing, flavorful side dishes, warm holiday cobblers and pumpkin pie beside a roaring fire. Don’t be surprised if you spot some wild turkeys in the woods outside!  Call 760-765-1100 or visit www.pinehillslodge.com.

Julian: Old-fashioned holiday celebration at Living Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 26

Julian has several wonderful bed and breakfast inns, such as Pine Hills Lodge (above), Orchard Hill Country Inn, and Julian Meadows View Inn.  Enjoy a weekend in this historic mountain town, including a tree lighting in Julian’s Pioneer Park at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 26. Festivities start at 5pm with Christmas carols, followed by Santa’s arrival aboard a fire engine shortly before 6 p.m., when the tree will be lit.  Twinkling lights and garlands festoon the old Western buildings along Main Street, much as they did a century ago. Victorian carolers stroll the street, historic Gosskopf House is decked out in Victorian holiday finery, crafters and shopkeepers offer hand-made holiday gifts and horse-drawn carriages offer tours and a step back in time.  www.Julianca.com

 

Kensington: Ooh la la! Bon appétit at La Bleu Boheme

Cozy as a French farmhouse complete with wax-drenched candelabras, Bleu Boheme is cooking up a choice of entrees including turkey, king salmon and Bistro Filet Roquefort, along with pumpkin-hominy soup, salad, and rich desserts such as warm gingerbread with strawberry confiture or a crepe au crème brulee. View the full menu at http://bleuboheme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/Thanksgiving-2011.pdf . 

Ramona: Pomegranate Days at Oasis Camel Dairy Nov. 26-27

Want to feed pomegranates to a camel—or let the kids take a camel ride? One of East County’s most unique events takes place November 26-27, when the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona hosts Pomegranate Days. Guests can also enjoy an exotic bird show performance, petting zoo, and souvenir shopping including camel milk soaps and chocolates. Get ready for a humorous and up close hour with camels starting with a 1 p.m. tour each day. See the facilities and pastures where the camels live, and then take a seat in a comfortable chair while the tour comes to you. Several camels will come close to meet you, with lots of opportunities to touch these “ships of the desert.”  Tours cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for children ages 3 years and up. Camel rides for kids cost an additional $5; free miniature Baby Doll sheep feeding and petting are also available. All tours are approximately one hour.  http://www.cameldairy.com/POMEGRANATE_DAY.html

Rancho Bernardo Winery: Taste of the Season Nov. 26

On Saturday, Rancho Bernardo Winery invites you to sample complimentary holiday appetizers in each of the winery specialty shops, where you’ll also find unique gifts and specials. Grab a glass and shop in style! Admission is free to this event at the oldest winery n San Diego County, which has an entire village of unique stores ranging from a glass-blower’s shop to artist studios, craft and clothing stores.  Cheers! www.bernardowinery.com

Rancho Bernardo Inn: Petting zoo, pony rides and more

The Rancho Bernardo Inn has something for the whole family on Thanksgiving Day, including a petting zoo and pony rides for children from noon to 4 p.m. Dining options range from traditional to extravagant  between 2 and 8 p.m. The most indulgent option includes wine pairings and piano entertainment; others include a holiday buffet and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You can also take out holiday pies, such as apple ginger, chocolate bourbon pecan, local berry crumble, and pumpkin and orange spice—mmmm.  www.ranchobernardoinn.com

San Diego: Dixieland Jazz Festival Nov. 23-27

Tap your toes and put on your dancing shoes for the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival. The 32nd annual festival held at the Town & Country Resort in Mission Valley, features over 25 bands and guest artists from across the U.S. as well as bands with East County ties.
Dixie Express from La Mesa will be the ‘kick off’ band for the festival and play throughout the five-day event.  A Thanksgiving Day champagne buffet is also available; reservations are strongly recommended. http://www.dixielandjazzfestival.org/pdfs/TCad.pdf and www.dixielandjazzfestival.org.

San Pasqual: Feast with the beasts

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open Thanksgiving Day, November 24.  Chefs will be serving up a feast at the Hunte Nairobi Pavilion complete with choice of maple-glazed turkey breast, herb-crusted beef striploin, or butternut squash and sage lasagna as a main course.  View menu: http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/lanyourtrip/dining_thanksgiving.pdf.  Cost is $42.95 per adult, $15.95 for children ages 3-11, in addition to park admission.  Choose a safari package, such as a rolling safari or tram, enjoy wildlife shows, and leave the cooking to the pros.  For reservations, call 760-738-5055 and visit www.sdsafaipark.org for additional info.

Spring Valley: Smoked turkey and hot football

Cali Comfort Restaurant and Sports Bar in Spring Valley has acquired a smoker—so they’ll be slow-cooking smoked turkeys with all the fixings this year.  Take some home, or make a reservation since Cali’s is open Thanksgiving Day.  With plenty of big-screen TV’s, Cali’s is also a great place to watch those holiday football games and cheer with a friendly crowd.  “Let us keep your holiday season stress free—so you can be well-rested for Black Friday,” Cali’s suggests.  To reserve take out or dining space, call 619-337-0670 or visit www.calicomfortsd.com.

Valley Center: Craft Fair at Bates Nut Farm Nov. 25-27

Bates Nut Farm will host its annnual Santa’s Coming Craft Fair over Thanksgiving weekend. Approximately 80 artisans will be selling a variety of handmade crafts and fine art.Prepare yourself for a day of shopping with a hearty pancake breakfast served by the Valley Center Lions Club will be serving breakfast, followed by live entertainment and a BQ lunch from 12-3 p.m. You’ll also find over 5000 square feet of gifts on the 100-acre farm at the Farmer’s Daughter located in the original barn and the Bates gift shop. www.batesnutfarm.boz

Wynola:  Gourmet feast at Jeremy’s on the Hill—with a complete vegan alternative menu

Let a Cordon Bleu-trained chef do the cooking this Thanksgiving at Jeremy’s on the Hill, just outside of Julian.  Meat-lovers can savor cider-brined turkey, while vegetarians can whet their appetites with tofurkey and gravy and a vegan lentil-cinnamon soup.  Other tempting dishes include pumpkin jam and crostinis, apple-pumpkin cobbler and cherimoya ice cream.  A price fix menu ($28, or $27 for vegetarian) is available for whole tables.  Reserve space at www.jeremysonthehill.com.

 

 


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