Fun and Stress Free Date Ideas for Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday is a great time for a date that goes beyond the dinner and a movie routine. If you are not able to go home for Thanksgiving or if you are not responsible for setting up Thanksgiving dinner, you can enjoy an extended date. If you need to be home in time for Thanksgiving dinner, start your date early and adjust your schedule. Here are 5 Thanksgiving date ideas to get you started on planning your perfect date for the Holiday:

1. Go Biking
Whether you go biking on or off a bike trail, this can be a great adventure to experience together. Load up your back pack with a picnic lunch, plenty of water, snacks, extra clothing (for cooling down) and of course, a camera. Check your local area for bike paths or trails. Biking through historic parts of town or a large park such as Golden Gate Park in San Francisco can also be a very fun ride. If you are more adventurous, you may want to try a cycling tour together such as those described in my article "Cycling Guide to California's Other Wine Country: Santa Barbara County". Click here to read that article.

2. Sample Local Products Together
Fill up your gas tank and do a driving tour of local wineries or ranches. For example, for people in the Sacramento area try touring Apple Hill with its wineries, Christmas tree ranches, orchards, spa and vineyards. What better way to bond than through sharing some freshly baked apple pie and hot cider. To avoid surprises and disappointment, check ahead to see if any of the places you might like to stop will be closed. For Apple Hill, you can see a listing of hours and dates of operation by clicking here.

3. Go to the Beach
My family has an annual tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving at the beach in Santa Barbara, Ca. It would also make a great place for a Thanksgiving date. It's not likely to be crowded even with warm weather. If your beach will be colder, dress accordingly. There is something magical about walking along the beach with someone you are getting to know or love. Consider packing a Frisbee, a kite and a picnic lunch.

4. Go to the Mountains
The mountains are a great place to spend time together. Depending on the snow conditions, you can spend the day hiking or skiing together. For a more intimate date, try cross country skiing and packing a lunch. Whatever activity you plan, you can be sure it will be cold so bring warm clothes, snacks and/or lunch and a thermos of hot water to make hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Be sure to check weather conditions before you embark, you don't want to be caught out in the mountains in bad weather. If you are planning to spend the night, start booking your reservations now.

5. Attend a local or special event
Check the local area for parades, festivals and other special events. San Diego hosts an annual Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival. Santa Barbara offers two Thanksgiving Day runs: the 4 Miler and the 9 Trails Endurance Run (35 miles through Los Padres National Forest). Martha's Vineyard showcases its local artists during its Thanksgiving Festival. The Day after Thanksgiving, Yountville begins its Festival of Lights which includes free samples of food and wine from local merchants. See what you and your date might enjoy near you.

Thanksgiving can be a great time to get know someone special or strengthen the bond with the one that you love. These are a just a few ideas to get you started on creating that special Thanksgiving date.