Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Coastal Orange County

Thanksgiving 2026 brings elegant waterfront brunches, luxury resort celebrations, and memorable oceanfront dinners to Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach.

Thanksgiving has a familiar rhythm. The kitchen fills with the scent of roasting turkey, the dining table needs one last adjustment, and someone inevitably wonders whether everything will be ready before the guests arrive. There is comfort in those traditions, but there is also something appealing about celebrating the holiday with an ocean view and leaving the cooking to someone else.

Along the coastline from Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach, Thanksgiving takes on a distinctly Southern California character. Luxury resorts and waterfront restaurants pair seasonal menus with beautiful surroundings, creating celebrations that feel a little more special than the usual holiday dinner.

For Thursday, November 26, 2026, these eight coastal destinations offer everything from elaborate brunch buffets to intimate prix fixe dinners. Each has something memorable to offer, whether it's the elegance of Newport Harbor, the grandeur of a Mediterranean-inspired resort, or the simple pleasure of watching the Pacific while enjoying a beautifully prepared meal.

Huntington Beach Brings a Relaxed Elegance to Thanksgiving

Huntington Beach has always understood the pleasure of an unhurried day. Its wide beaches, coastal breezes, and laid-back personality create a refreshing contrast to the bustle of a traditional holiday gathering. Yet along Pacific Coast Highway, some of the area's most stylish resorts are preparing celebrations that bring a little extra sophistication to the occasion.

At Lōrea at Paséa Hotel & Spa, Thanksgiving takes on a contemporary California personality. Located across from the beach, the restaurant combines ocean views with cuisine inspired by regional ingredients and seasonal flavors.

Chef de Cuisine Dan Perry is preparing special Thanksgiving dinner selections alongside dishes from Lōrea's fall lunch and dinner menus. Reservations are available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., although the complete holiday menu and pricing have yet to be announced.

A short distance south, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa offers a grander celebration. With Spanish-inspired architecture, landscaped courtyards, and an impressive coastal setting, the property feels like a Mediterranean escape.

Its Thanksgiving Feast takes place in the Huntington Ballroom from noon to 4 p.m., featuring seasonal favorites and ocean views. The resort's spacious setting makes it particularly appealing for families gathering across generations.

Both destinations capture something distinctly Huntington Beach: the opportunity to enjoy an elegant holiday without losing the relaxed spirit of the coast.

Newport Beach Turns Thanksgiving Into a Waterfront Occasion

Continue south, and the scenery shifts toward Newport Beach's famous harbor. Yachts move across the water, elegant homes line the shoreline, and waterfront dining becomes part of the area's distinctive appeal.

At Balboa Bay Resort, Thanksgiving revolves around an abundant holiday table overlooking Newport Bay.

The resort's buffet, served in its Lighthouse event space from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brings together traditional favorites and more indulgent selections. Executive Chef Diego Bernal's celebration includes carving stations featuring turkey, prime rib, and salmon, alongside chilled seafood, seasonal accompaniments, and desserts. A complimentary wine-tasting station adds another festive touch.

The experience combines familiar Thanksgiving flavors with the elegance of harborfront dining. Instead of spending the afternoon managing a kitchen, guests can enjoy a leisurely celebration while looking across the bay.

Pricing is $155 per adult and $60 for children 12 and younger, plus service charges and tax. Indoor and outdoor seating are offered, although specific seating locations are not guaranteed. A seven-day cancellation policy applies.

For a more intimate experience, 21 Oceanfront offers a different interpretation of Thanksgiving near Newport Pier.

With its classic fine-dining atmosphere and oceanfront location, the restaurant brings an old-fashioned sense of occasion to the holiday. Its chef-prepared prix fixe dinner will be served from 1 to 8 p.m., featuring the comforting flavors of the season. The complete 2026 menu and price should be confirmed when reserving.

For couples or smaller gatherings, the appeal lies in a leisurely dinner, elegant surroundings, and the possibility of an oceanfront walk afterward.

While Balboa Bay celebrates the generosity of a grand buffet, 21 Oceanfront offers the quieter pleasure of a traditional restaurant experience beside the Pacific.

Pelican Hill Adds Mediterranean Grandeur to the Holiday

Beyond Newport Harbor, the coastline becomes quieter and more dramatic. Rolling hills rise above the ocean, introducing the secluded beauty of Newport Coast.

Overlooking this landscape, The Resort at Pelican Hill offers one of the area's most elaborate Thanksgiving celebrations.

Known for its Italian-inspired architecture and elegant surroundings, the resort is hosting a Thanksgiving brunch at Mar Vista from noon to 5 p.m.

The buffet includes breakfast favorites, artisan cheeses and charcuterie, fresh seafood and sushi, and carving stations featuring turkey, prime rib, and salmon. A children's buffet, desserts, live entertainment, and family activities make the occasion particularly appealing for larger gatherings.

Pricing is $245 per adult and $95 per child, plus an automatic 25% service fee and 2% booking fee. Event valet parking is listed at $15.

Guests should be aware that Pelican Hill begins a program of resort enhancements on November 2, 2026. Although the Thanksgiving brunch remains advertised, certain facilities and amenities may be unavailable, so confirming arrangements before booking is advisable.

For families who appreciate a generous holiday feast in a luxurious setting, Pelican Hill brings a sense of grandeur to the Thanksgiving table.

Laguna Beach Brings Thanksgiving Closer to the Pacific

Farther south, Newport Coast's elegant resorts give way to Laguna Beach's rocky coves, coastal bluffs, and artistic character. Here, the ocean feels closer, and the surrounding landscape becomes an essential part of the dining experience.

Perched above Main Beach, Las Brisas combines panoramic Pacific views with California cuisine influenced by Mexican coastal flavors.

Its Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner will be served from 3 to 8 p.m., priced at $125 per adult. A children's menu is available for $50.99, along with a family dinner package for four at $400.

The restaurant's location beside Heisler Park adds to its appeal. A stroll along the coastal pathways before dinner offers beautiful views of the shoreline and an opportunity to enjoy Laguna Beach's natural surroundings.

A little farther south, Splashes at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach offers an even closer connection to the Pacific.

Set immediately above the shoreline, Splashes is known for its oceanfront atmosphere, where panoramic views and the sound of the waves accompany the meal.

For Thanksgiving, Executive Chef Ron Fougeray is presenting a four-course prix fixe menu priced at $190 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. A separate children's menu is available.

Unlike the expansive buffets farther north, Splashes emphasizes a carefully composed meal in a setting that encourages guests to linger. For couples and smaller families seeking an elegant celebration beside the water, it offers a particularly appealing alternative.

Guests should confirm Thanksgiving service hours directly with the restaurant, as its website and reservation listing currently display different schedules.

Montage Laguna Beach Makes Thanksgiving an Occasion

The coastal journey reaches an elegant conclusion at Montage Laguna Beach, where landscaped grounds, refined architecture, and sweeping Pacific views create a memorable holiday setting.

Rather than offering just one Thanksgiving experience, Montage is preparing several ways to celebrate, from a traditional feast in its Grand Ballroom to holiday dining at The Loft and Studio Mediterranean.

At The Loft, guests can enjoy seasonal Thanksgiving dining overlooking the Pacific. The resort has published a four-course holiday tasting menu, although its broader festive announcement also references à la carte specials, making it worth confirming the available dining format when reserving.

Studio Mediterranean brings its own coastal character to the occasion, with Thanksgiving service from 4 to 9 p.m. Guests can choose à la carte dining or a family-style celebration for parties of eight or more, priced at $235 per adult and $55 per child, before additional charges. Live entertainment adds to the atmosphere.

Beyond the dining rooms, Montage will unveil a life-sized gingerbread display beginning November 23. Featuring a miniature recreation of the resort and ocean view, the installation will be accompanied by complimentary hot chocolate, cider, and cookies.

For guests who want Thanksgiving to feel like more than a restaurant reservation, Montage combines exceptional surroundings with the festive atmosphere of a luxury coastal escape.

Finding the Thanksgiving Experience That Feels Right

What makes this stretch of Southern California coastline so appealing is the variety of celebrations available within a relatively concentrated area.

Huntington Beach offers relaxed coastal luxury, Newport Beach brings waterfront elegance, Newport Coast adds a grander resort atmosphere, and Laguna Beach creates memorable dining experiences against dramatic Pacific views.

Families who enjoy an elaborate buffet may prefer Balboa Bay Resort or Pelican Hill, while couples seeking a quieter evening may gravitate toward 21 Oceanfront or Splashes. Montage offers several ways to turn the holiday into a luxury resort occasion.

As FINE explored in The Art of the Late-Summer Outdoor Dinner, memorable entertaining is often about spending less time managing the meal and more time enjoying the people around the table. Dining out simply allows everyone, including the usual host, to participate.

Thanksgiving reservations are strongly recommended. Before booking, guests should confirm final menus, prices, service charges, dietary accommodations, cancellation policies, and seating arrangements directly with each venue. Ocean-view tables are not always guaranteed.

The FINE Take

Thanksgiving has always been about gathering, gratitude, and the pleasure of sharing a memorable meal. Celebrating at a restaurant does not mean abandoning those traditions. Sometimes, it simply allows everyone to enjoy them a little more.

Along the coastline from Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach, that might mean brunch overlooking Newport Bay, an elegant feast at a luxury resort, or an intimate dinner beside the Pacific.

For those continuing the celebration at home, FINE's five fall cocktails worth making this season offer inspiration for one final holiday toast.

After all, the best Thanksgiving memories are rarely about who prepared the turkey. They're about the company, the conversations, and the pleasure of being somewhere special.

This year, that somewhere might just be beside the Pacific.

Related articles from FINE Magazine:

• San Diego Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
• Things to do With Family After Thanksgiving
• The San Diego Holiday Traditions That Bring Us Together