Turkey Trots 2022: Guide To The Best In California This Thanksgiving

CALIFORNIA — It's time to trot!

Registration is underway for 2022 Thanksgiving Turkey Trots, a turkey-day tradition for many runners, walkers and families throughout California — and often key fundraisers for area nonprofits.

Thanksgiving this year falls on Nov. 24. But do note: Not all races are scheduled for that Thursday.

So move your feet before you eat, enjoy family-bonding time, and support local charities and causes.

Peruse our annual guide to some of the best Turkey Trots in the region. Find runs and walks near you. And Happy Thanksgiving, from Patch!

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ANAHEIM:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot 5K/10K & Fun Run. With awards, bling, a flat course & pilgrim-themed entertainment.

NOV. 24: 'Plymouth Rock N' Run' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: CANCELED. The Research for Cure fundraiser is not planned for 2022.

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ALTADENA:

NOV. 1-24: Five Acres Turkey Trot - Virtual. Run, walk or "treadmill" to support the organization's foster care, adoption, deaf services, therapeutic residential care & mental/behavioral health programs.

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BELMONT SHORE:

NOV. 24: Justin Rudd Turkey Trot & Kids Wingding. The annual "Hot to (Turkey) Trot in Long Beach" benefits the Community Action Team's charitable efforts.

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BENICIA:

NOV. 24: 'Hand Up' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Costume Contest. Supports Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation serving patients fighting cancer.

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BIG BEAR LAKE:

NOV. 24: Big Bear Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day. With costume contest, too. Benefits local food pantries & Open Air Big Bear.

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BURBANK:

NOV. 24: Community YMCA Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids Race. "Get ready for SoCal's biggest & best Thanksgiving tradition."

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CLAREMONT:

NOV. 24: Sunrise Rotary Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. A scenic course through tree-lined streets of Claremont Colleges & historic neighborhoods.

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CONCORD:

NOV. 24: Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa Turkey Trot 5K. Sponsored this year by Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union. With Kids' Run, too!

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CORONADO:

NOV. 24: Rady Children’s Hospital Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Typically sells out each year, so register soon.

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DANA POINT:

NOV. 24: Annual Turkey Trot & Kids Gobble Wobble. Flat, scenic course is perfect for families & all ages.

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DAVIS:

NOV. 19: Annual Turkey Trot, Kids' Run & Dog Jog. Multiple distances for every age group and ability. Fido can be part of this one, too!

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ENCINITAS:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Costume Contest. Kick off your holiday with early morning walk/run along the beautiful Pacific coast.

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FAIRFIELD:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Day Solano Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Supports Solano Hearts United, Meals on Wheels of Solano County & Suisun City Salvation Army KROC Center.

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FALLBROOK:

NOV. 24: Village Rotary Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot: Grand Tradition Estate. Start turkey day with 5K stroll, walk or run through estate & gardens and Los Jilgueros Preserve.

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FOLSOM:

NOV. 24: Turkey Trot 5K & 10K. Helps fund Twin Lakes Food Bank, Never In Our Town Youth Scholarship & trails.

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FREMONT:

NOV. 26: Quarry Turkey Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Little Turkeys Race. Find your turkey feathers. Costumes encouraged!

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4S RANCH:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving 'Thank You' & Kid Runs For Helen's Closet. Helen's Closet provides comfort equipment to terminally ill ALS patients.

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GLEN ELLEN:

NOV. 25: Turkey Waddle Hike, Jack London State Historic Park. Sold out.

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HEALDSBURG:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk. In quaint downtown & raises money for the "Live Like Drew" Drew Esquivel Scholarship.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH:

NOV. 24: Turkey Wobble 5K, 10K & Kids' Run. "On one of the most beautiful beaches in America!" Raises funds to help provide clean water to those in need.

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IRVINE:

NOV. 24: Orange County Turkey Trot 5K, 1-Mile Dash & Kids' Gobble Wobble. Walker- & stroller-friendly, with slice of pie at the finish line!

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LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE:

NOV. 24: CCLCF Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive: 5K & Kid’s Mile. The biggest fundraiser of the year for the Community Center & a favorite event for locals.

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LONG BEACH:

NOV. 24: Justin Rudd Turkey Trot & Kids Wingding. The annual "Hot to (Turkey) Trot in Long Beach" benefits the Community Action Team's charitable efforts.

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LOS ANGELES:

NOV. 24: Turkey Trot L.A. For Midnight Mission: 5K, 10K & Kids' Widdle Wobble. "Don’t miss LA’s best Thanksgiving tradition!"

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MAMMOTH LAKES:

NOV. 24: Mammoth Lakes Turkey Trot 2K. Family-friendly run with cider & cocoa at the finish line.

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MENIFEE:

NOV. 24: Inland Valley Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. For runners & walkers of all ages. Benefits Menifee Valley Community Cupboard.

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MORAGA:

NOV. 24: Moraga Country Club Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Contributions go to Food Banks of Contra Costa & Solano Counties.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW:

NOV. 24: MVHS Spartan Turkey Trot 5K, 1 Mile & Kids' Races. All ages invited. Benefits Mountain View High School's athletics, teams & clubs.

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NAPA:

NOV. 24: Napa Valley Turkey Chase & Kids' Dash. "Race proceeds will continue to support local charities, who need your support now more than ever."

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NORTH HOLLYWOOD:

NOV. 24: Hope Of Valley Rescue Drumstick Dash LA & Lil Gobbler Kids Run. "Move Your Feet, So Others Can Eat" is the motto for this San Fernando Valley tradition.

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NOVATO:

NOV. 24: Bank Of Marin Turkey Trot. Register soon, as race typically sells out.

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OAKLAND:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Run For Wildlife: Lake Merritt. "The best of Oakland awaits on Thanksgiving Day!"

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OCEANSIDE:

NOV. 24: O'side Turkey Trot. "With over two miles of beautiful ocean views & finishing near the historic Oceanside Pier."

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PACIFIC PALISADES:

NOV. 24: Palisades Development Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Back after a two-year hiatus!

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PALM DESERT:

NOV. 24: Fortem Financial Thanksgiving Day 5K For Martha's Village & Kitchen. Kid- and pet-friendly with expo, doggie stations, beer garden & kids' zone.

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PALM SPRINGS:

NOV. 24: Wild Turkey Trot 5K. Portion of proceeds supports Mizell Center's Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors.

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PASADENA:

NOV. 24: 5th Annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot. "Trot before you gobble, and help preserve, protect & enhance the Rose Bowl Stadium!"

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PERRIS:

NOV. 19: Moreno Valley Road Runners Club Turkey Trot & Little Trotters Trot. Enjoy a historic course along the Lake Perris Dam.

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PIEDMONT:

NOV. 24: Turkey Trot 5K Walk/Run. "Fast Turkeys, Slow Turkeys, Walking Turkeys and those pushing strollers or bringing Fido! All are welcome!"

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PLEASANTON:

NOV. 24: Tri-Valley 'Turkey Burn' Thanksgiving: Ken Mercer Sports Park. Community tradition also includes a food drive for Tri-Valley Haven.

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RANCHO MISSION VIEJO:

NOV. 24: Turkey Trot On Ranch & Little Gobbler's Run. "Gobble up the scenic beauty and pick your own pace!"

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REDLANDS:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Course winds from Sylvan Park through the streets of Redlands & parts of the University of Redlands campus.

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RIVERSIDE:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot, Kids' Mini Trot & 1-Mile Roller Skate. The roller skate disco division is new this year and open to all ages & abilities.

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ROSEVILLE:

NOV. 24: Annual Turkey Trot - Thanksgiving Day. Non-perishable food donations will go to Saint Vincent DePaul to fight community hunger.

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SACRAMENTO:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving 'Run To Feed The Hungry' - Family-friendly event & dollars raised go to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

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SAINT HELENA:

NOV. 24: St. Helena Hospital Foundation AHEAD Turkey Trot: Crane Park. Includes costume contest & pumpkin pie raffle.

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SAN BERNARDINO:

NOV. 24: Turkey Trot 5K & 10K. Course goes through San Bernardino International Airport.

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SAN DIEGO:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving 'Thank You' & Kid Runs For Helen's Closet: 4S Ranch. Helen's Closet provides comfort equipment to terminally ill ALS patients.

NOV. 24: Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: Balboa Park. Provide funds for feeding the homeless through the organization's meal program.

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SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 24: SF Turkey Trot & Kids' Gobbler Chase: Golden Gate Park. Runs include 5-mile Trail Trot & 3-mile Pilgrim Promenade.

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SAN GABRIEL:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot - 5K & 10K Walk/Run & Kids' 1K. Proceeds go toward enhancing youth programs.

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SAN JOSE:

NOV. 24: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, Costume Contest & Kids' Fun Run. With costume contest & kids' fun zone, too.

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SAN MATEO:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble Run, Kids' Dash & Pancake Breakfast: Coyote Point. Kids’ Dash supports the Lakas Shimizu Foundation.

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SAN PABLO:

NOV. 24: Nitro Turkey Trot & Little Turkeys Run: Point Pinole Shoreline Park. Course features bay views, plus canned-food drive will benefit Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano.

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SANTA CRUZ:

NOV. 19: SC Track Club Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. A run with spectacular ocean views.

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving 'Run For Pie' & Kids' Turkey Chase 1/2-Mile Race. In Soquel, with pumpkin pie for finishers! Supports Second Harvest Food Bank.

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SANTA MONICA:

NOV. 26: Adoption Project 5K Turkey Trot: Palisades Park. Money raised supports LevittQuinn's Adoption Project to protect vulnerable children from entering foster care.

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SANTA ROSA:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, Costume Contest & Tiny Turkey Run. Includes games, fun & supports Redwood Empire Food Bank.

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SEAL BEACH:

NOV. 19: Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Kids' 1K 'Don't Be A Turkey' - Proceeds to help supply 300-plus holiday meals for families in need.

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SIMI VALLEY:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving Day 5K. Course runs along Arroyo bike path & Arroyo Creek.

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SOQUEL:

NOV. 24: Thanksgiving 'Run For Pie' & Kids' Turkey Chase 1/2-Mile Race. Pumpkin pie for finishers! Supports Second Harvest Food Bank.

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SOUTH EL MONTE:

NOV. 19: 5K Turkey Dash & 1K Trot. Registration underway.

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SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO:

NOV. 19: Annual Thanksgiving Fun Run. A community tradition in its 49th year.

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TEMECULA:

NOV. 24: Harvest Honey 5K Fun Run. Hosted by Batch Mead with Mead Garden After Party featuring drinks, food, games & giveaways. Supports honey bee health & vitality.

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TOLUCA LAKE:

NOV. 20: TLHOA Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Fall festival follows event.

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TORRANCE:

NOV. 24: Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run. Canned food drive and raffle drawing also planned.

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TUSTIN:

NOV. 24: O.C. Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Goal is to raise funds to provide 50,000 meals for hungry & homeless of Orange County.

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UPLAND:

NOV. 24: Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K & 1K Kids' Dash. Supports Upland High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Team.

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VENTURA:

NOV. 24: Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot & Kids' Run. Accompanying food drive to aid Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Food Drive.

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WALNUT CREEK:

NOV. 24: Forma Gym Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Kids' Fun Run. Event includes Warriors Dance Team performance.

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AND CHECK OUT THESE THANKSGIVING RECIPES FROM PATCH:

• Pumpkin Pie Martini: The Perfect Thanksgiving Cocktail
• Fabulous For Fall: Creamy Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
• 'Burnt Husk Corn Salsa' Recipe: Fire Up The Grill!