These are the Best Turkey Trots in San Diego in 2025
If you’d like to get some activity and movement in on Thanksgiving day before you feast with friends and family, check out the best turkey trots in San Diego.
Turkey Trots are an enduring Thanksgiving tradition generally involving a run or 5K race early in the morning of Thanksgiving. As the organizers of one Turkey Trot in San Diego point out, they’re a great way to “move your feet before you feast.”
Given the generally mild weather in November and the fact that San Diego wellness culture is so deeply ingrained in the city, Turkey Trots are a popular activity for families across America’s Finest City. These are the 5 best Turkeys Trots to check out in San Diego this year.
- Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K: A legendary turkey trot that raises money for food programs at homelessness services provider Father Joe’s Villages, this event takes place in beautiful Balboa Park and kicks off at 7:15 a.m.
- Encinitas Turkey Trot: For coastal North County residents, the Encinitas Turkey Trot kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at South Coast Highway 101 and West D Street. Along with providing pre-feast exercise and gorgeous ocean views, the event raises money for the Veterans Association of North County and the local Boy Scout troop.
- O’Side Turkey Trot: One of the larger turkey trots in North San Diego County, this run stretches through downtown Oceanside before ending at the beach. It kicks off at 6:45 a.m., with waves continuing to leave through 10:25 a.m. Proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital.
- The North County Turkey Trot: This event, which takes place at 4S Ranch Sports Park, blends a traditional 5K run with a kids 1K fun run. Funds raised help provide youth access to sports.
- Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble Trot: For longer-distance runners or those looking for more of a challenge, this event at 7:30 a.m. at Liberty Station offers 5K, 10K, and even half-marathon (13.1 miles) options for walkers and runners.
For more information or to register for the turkey trot you’re interested in, you can use a third-party race finder website like FindARace.com.
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
