Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots 2020 Guide: California

CALIFORNIA — While some established Thanksgiving turkey trots were scrapped this year in California, due to pandemic-related crowd restrictions, even more still are a go. Several organizers are opting for virtual formats — meaning you can run anytime or anywhere. (Treadmills may even count!)

Plus, a few races are scheduled as in-person, with staggered starts and other safety precautions planned.

And if you're debating whether to "gobble-wobble" in 2020 with most massive, festive extravaganzas having fallen by the wayside, keep in mind such local non-profits as food banks, homeless shelters, veterans groups and community centers still benefit from these runs' registration fees — even if races are virtual.

The traditional T-shirts, swag and finishers' medals are included with many sign-ups, too.

Peruse the list to see if any of the walk/runs suit your family, and Happy Thanksgiving, from Patch!

NOTE: Do follow the links for the latest updates from organizers in the event races are canceled at the last minute or put back on the calendar.

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ANAHEIM:

NOV. 26: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot: Angel Stadium. Staggered starts for solo, family or small-group runners.

• Staging area one block south of Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA

NOV. 26: Plymouth Rock 'n' Run Turkey Trot. Canceled.

• Yorba Regional Park, 7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA

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BELMONT SHORE:

NOV. 22-29: Justin Rudd's Annual Turkey Trot. Run, walk, bike, skate or wheel! Supports local charities.

• Virtual via Justin Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT), Belmont Shore/Long Beach, CA

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BENICIA:

NOV. 20-29: Hand Up Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Proceeds support local cancer patients who need a "Hand Up" along their journey.

• Virtual via Tim and Jeannie Hamann Foundation, Benicia, CA

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BURBANK:

NOV. 26: YMCA Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Kids' run included, along with 5K & 10K.

• Virtual via Burbank Community YMCA, 321 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA

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CLAREMONT:

NOV. 26-29: Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot. "Run/walk/bike on a course of your choosing."

• Virtual courtesy of Claremont Sunrise Rotary, Claremont, CA

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COACHELLA VALLEY:

NOV. 26-29: Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K For Martha’s Village & Kitchen. Benefits those suffering food insecurity and homelessness.

• Virtual: Run anytime, anywhere, Coachella Valley, CA

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CONCORD:

NOV. 21-28: Annual Concord Turkey Trot: Thanksgiving Week. Supports The Bay Compassion organization.

• Virtual, Concord, CA

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DANA POINT:

NOV. 22-28: Turkey Trot & Gobble Wobble. In its 43rd year. "Tradition can't be canceled!"

• Virtual in Dana Point & Orange County, CA

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ENCINITAS:

NOV. 26: 101 Virtual Turkey Trot & Food Drive. Benefits veterans & active duty.

• Virtual in Encinitas, CA

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FREMONT:

NOV. 26-28: Quarry Lakes Turkey Virtual Run. With options for "Little Turkeys," too!

• Virtual via Brazen Racing, East Bay, CA

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GLEN ELLEN:

NOV. 27: Turkey Waddle Hike. Hike through mixed evergreens on way to majestic ancient redwood.

• Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA

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IRVINE:

NOV. 26: Orange County Turkey Trot. In-person with staggered starts. Space is limited.

• Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA

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LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE:

NOV. 26: CCLCF 27th Thanksgiving Day VIRTUAL Run & Food Drive. It's the community center's biggest fundraiser of the year!

• Virtual in La Cañada Flintridge, CA

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LAFAYETTE:

NOV. 22: Turkey Trot Trail Run: Briones. Canceled.

• Briones Regional Park, 16 Bear Creek Rd, Lafayette, CA

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LONG BEACH:

NOV. 22-29: Justin Rudd's Annual Turkey Trot. Run, walk, bike, skate or wheel! Supports local charities.

• Virtual via Justin Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT), Long Beach, CA

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LOS ANGELES:

NOV. 25-29: Turkey Trot Los Angeles. Event supports The Midnight Mission and homeless individuals.

• Virtual format throughout Greater L.A., CA

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

NOV. 26-29: MVHS Boosters' Spartan Turkey Trot. Prizes to top finishers & proceeds benefit MVHS athletics department.

• Run/walk anytime/anywhere via Mountain View High School Sports Boosters, Mountain View, CA

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NAPA:

NOV. 23-29: Thanksgiving 'Turkey Chase' - "Race proceeds will continue to support local charities, who need your support now more than ever."

• Virtual throughout Napa Valley, CA

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NOVATO:

NOV. 26: Bank of Marin Turkey Trot. Canceled.

• Ignacio Boulevard, Novato, CA

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OAKLAND:

NOV. 26: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot: 'VirtuALL' - With finishers' medals for adults & kids. Stomper's Stomp for ages 2-8.

• Virtual in Oakland, CA

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OCEANSIDE:

NOV. 14-29: Frontwave Credit Union Oceanside Turkey Trot 5 Mile. "Come Move Your Feet Before You Eat® on Thanksgiving morning on the most beautiful course in San Diego County."

• Virtual courtesy of Frontwave Credit Union, Oceanside, CA

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PACIFIC PALISADES:

NOV. 26: Palisades Funding Turkey Trot. Canceled.

• Palisades Charter High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades, CA

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PALM SPRINGS:

NOV. 26-DEC. 31: Wild Turkey Trot 5K. Proceeds support Mizell Center Meals on Wheels program.

• Virtual via Palm Springs Marathon Runners, Palm Springs, CA

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PASADENA:

NOV. 25-27: Rose Bowl Turkey Trot. Fees go to Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. Suggested route is 5K loop around stadium.

• Virtual via Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA

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PERRIS:

NOV. 21-DEC. 5: MVRRC 7th Annual Turkey Trot 5K. Finisher medals to all participants.

• Virtual via Moreno Valley Road Runners Club, Perris, CA

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PETALUMA:

NOV. 26: Turkey Trot 2020. Plans were in the works. Follow links for updates.

• Virtual via City of Petaluma, CA

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PIEDMONT:

Through NOV. 28: Piedmont Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger hunt puts fun twist on this one.

• Virtual throughout Piedmont, CA

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PLEASANT HILL:

NOV. 22: Turkey Trot Trail Run: Briones. Canceled.

• Briones Regional Park, 16 Bear Creek Rd, Lafayette, CA

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PLEASANTON:

NOV. 26-29: Tri-Valley Turkey Burn. "Customize your 2020 TVTB bib with your own special Thanksgiving message to show everybody exactly what they're thankful for."

• Vitual via Pleasanton North Rotary Club, Pleasanton, CA

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RANCHO BERNARDO:

NOV. 26: Paul Poulson Turkey Trot. Thanksgiving morning 'unofficial' run/walk on trails of Lake Hodges.

• Lake Hodges, Rancho Bernardo, CA

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RANCHO MISSION VIEJO:

NOV. 21-28: Turkey Trot On The Ranch. With multiple race routes, including exclusive trail access on The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo

• The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, 28811 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA

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RICHMOND:

NOV. 26-28: Nitro Turkey Virtual Run. With options for "Little Turkeys," too!

• Virtual via Brazen Racing, East Bay, CA

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RIVERSIDE:

NOV. 26: 6th Annual Riverside Turkey Trot. Event begins Thanksgiving morning with online National Anthem, warm-up & runners' count-down.

• Virtual in Riverside County/Inland Empire, CA

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SACRAMENTO:

NOV. 26: Thanksgiving Run To Feed The Hungry. Supports families in need.

• Virtual via Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, 3333 3rd Ave., Sacramento, CA

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SAN BERNARDINO:

NOV. 26: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Portion of proceeds go to San Bernardino County emergency response and relief efforts.

• Virtual in San Bernardino/Inland Empire, CA

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SAN CARLOS:

NOV. 23-29: Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble 5K Fun Run. Prize for most spirited Thanksgiving running outfit!

• Virtual format via City of San Carlos, CA

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SAN DIEGO:

NOV. 26- DEC. 1: Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving 5K. "Different race, same impact: To feed people in need."

• "5K Your Way" Virtual Format, San Diego, CA

NOV. 26-30: Thanksgiving Day Thank You Run 5K. Organizers this year are partnering with nationwide America’s Turkey Trot™.

• Run anytime, anywhere, San Diego County, CA

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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:

NOV. 21- 29: Drumstick Dash LA for Hope Of Valley. Funds raised provide hot meals for homeless men, women and children.

• Virtual via Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, Mission Hills, CA

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SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 21-26: 18th Annual San FranTurkey Trot. Benefits San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.

• Virtual: Pick any route to run or walk: San Francisco/Marin, CA

NOV. 26: Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary's Trot For Turkeys. Registration fee funds sponsorship of rescued turkeys at sanctuary.

• Virtual: Run/walk anywhere SF Bay Area, CA

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SAN GABRIEL:

NOV.: 45th Annual Turkey Trot. 10K, 5K & 1K on predetermined route or anywhere.

• Race is virtual via City of San Gabriel, CA

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 21-29: Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. "A great virtual experience along with some awesome race swag!"

• Anywhere you’d like to run or walk, Silicon Valley, CA & nearby

Through NOV. 30: Zoom Turkey Trot. 5K, 10K & half-maraton options.

• Virtual: Run anywhere, anytime, San Jose, CA

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO:

NOV. 21-28: Turkey Trot On The Ranch. With multiple race routes, including exclusive trail access on The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo

• The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, 28811 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, CA

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SAN MATEO:

NOV. 26-29: 'Gobble Wobble' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Proceeds go to Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit. Usually held at Coyote Point.

• Virtual via A Runner's Mind, 1111 Howard Ave., Burlingame, CA

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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY:

NOV. 22-26: 9th Annual Thanksgiving 'Run For Pie'- Benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. One sign-up option includes family craft pack.

• Virtual via Fleet Feet, 7960 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA

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SANTA MONICA:

NOV. 26: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot: Crescent Bay Park. Several race options along scenic beach route.

• Crescent Bay Park, 2000 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA

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SOLANO COUNTY:

NOV. 21-29: Thanksgiving 'Turkey Trot' Virtual Run/Walk. Supports Meals on Wheels of Solano County & Salvation Army Kroc Center in Suisun City.

• Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Kids' 1-Mile Fun Run: Anywhere, Solano County, CA

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 14-22: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. For all ages & medals to top finishers.

• Virtual via City of South San Francisco, CA

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THOUSAND OAKS:

NOV. 26: Conejo Valley YMCA Turkey Day Dash. Canceled.

• Conejo Valley & Miller Family YMCAs, 4031 N Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA

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TORRANCE:

NOV. 26: Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot. Canceled.

• Sam's Club Parking Lot, 2601 Skypark Drive, Torrance, CA

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TUSTIN:

NOV. 26-29: Orange County Rescue Mission Turkey Trot. For all ages.

• Virtual via Orange County Rescue Mission, 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, CA

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UPLAND:

NOV. 23-29: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K & Kiddie Trot. Funds support Upland High School’s Boys and Girls Cross Country Team.

• Virtual via City of Upland, CA

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VENTURA:

NOV. 26: Turkey Trot: Thanksgiving Day. Food donations for Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Food Drive accepted during T-shirt pick-up.

• Run anytime, anywhere Ventura, CA & Nearby

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WALNUT CREEK:

NOV. 23-29: Forma Gym Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Supports Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Clara.

• Virtual via Forma Gym, 1908 Olympic Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA

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