Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and San Diego has a turkey trot for almost every corner of the county that morning, from a 7:00 a.m. start in Oceanside to 8:00 a.m. starts in Coronado and Escondido. Two dates matter right now. The North County Turkey Trot at 4S Ranch raises its prices after October 31, and the free Rancho San Pasqual race in Escondido gives a medal only to people who register before November 6. The Coronado race has a reputation for filling up, so I would not wait on that one either.
The five at a glance
| Race | Where | Start | Kids' run | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'side Turkey Trot | 330 N Coast Highway, Oceanside | 7:00 a.m. | Yes, check distance | Check race site |
| Run for Hope Thanksgiving Day 5K (Father Joe's Villages) | Balboa Park | Check race site | Check race site | Check race site |
| North County Turkey Trot | 4S Ranch Sports Park | 7:15 a.m. (10K), 7:30 a.m. (5K) | 1K at 8:45 a.m. | Price rises after Oct 31 |
| Coronado Turkey Trot 5K | Tidelands Park, Coronado | 8:00 a.m. | Ages 5 to 15 run the 5K; free Tiny Trotters for 5 and under | $68.84 adults, $31.74 ages 5 to 15 |
| Rancho San Pasqual Turkey Trot | 3192 Hidden Oaks Ln, Escondido | 8:00 a.m. | 1-mile Kids' Gobbler | Free |
I checked these on October 23, 2026. Prices include sign-up fees where listed, and race details can change, so confirm on each race's own page before you register.
Which one fits your morning
Coronado is the postcard version. The 5K starts and finishes at Tidelands Park and follows the Bayshore Bikeway with views of the bay and the Coronado Bridge. Proceeds support type 1 diabetes care at Rady Children's Hospital. Strollers are allowed with their own start section, but dogs and bikes are not. Leave extra time for bridge traffic on a holiday morning.
North County Turkey Trot is the biggest menu: a 10K at 7:15 a.m., a 5K at 7:30 a.m., and a kids' 1K at 8:45 a.m., so a family can stagger the morning. It runs from 4S Ranch Sports Park on 4S Ranch Parkway. The October 31 price change is the reason this post is going up now. Check northcountyturkeytrot.org for current pricing.
Oceanside's O'side Turkey Trot has the earliest listed start at 7:00 a.m. on North Coast Highway, with a 5K and a kids' run. Look up fees and the kids' distance on the race page.
The Run for Hope Thanksgiving Day 5K is San Diego's original turkey trot, now in its 25th year, and it benefits Father Joe's Villages. It fills Balboa Park with runners, walkers, and strollers. Start times and registration are at thanksgivingrun.org. If your family already plans on December Nights, this is a nice way to see the park without the evening crowd.
Rancho San Pasqual in Escondido is the free one. Register before November 6 for the medal, and note that the kids' run is a mile, not a quick sprint for a four-year-old.
A few things I would do the night before
Lay out clothes and a warm layer for the start line, because November mornings near the coast are colder than they look. Eat something small, pack water, and decide where everyone meets if the crowd swallows you. Parking and road closures are posted by each race closer to the day, so check the race page that week.
Walking, jogging, and everything in between
None of these races needs a training plan. Most of the field on any Thanksgiving morning is walking with a stroller, a cousin in town for the weekend, or a dog on a leash where the race allows it. Dog and stroller rules are set race by race, so read each page before you load the car. The earliest starts leave the most room for a late brunch, and the 8:00 a.m. races suit people who would rather not set an alarm for 5:30.
Close to the start lines
Each of these races sits in a different part of the county, which is a quiet reminder of how much range San Diego has. Coronado is an island community on the bay. Oceanside is a beach town on the northern coast. 4S Ranch and Escondido sit inland, and Balboa Park is minutes from downtown. If one of these mornings makes you curious about an area, compare them in our SD Communities Guide. Planning more holiday outings? See the Coronado holiday season guide.
Frequently asked questions
When are the San Diego turkey trots in 2026?
They are on Thursday, November 26, 2026, Thanksgiving morning, with start times from about 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Confirm times on each race's site.
Is there a free turkey trot in San Diego?
The Rancho San Pasqual Turkey Trot in Escondido is listed as free, with a medal for those who register before November 6. Coronado's Tiny Trotters race for kids 5 and under is also free.
Are there turkey trots with kids' runs?
Yes. North County has a kids' 1K, Rancho San Pasqual has a 1-mile kids' run, Coronado has free Tiny Trotters for ages 5 and under, and O'side lists a kids' run. Confirm distances and age limits with each race.
When does North County Turkey Trot pricing go up?
Prices are listed to rise after October 31, 2026, with late registration pricing after that. Confirm current pricing on the registration page.