Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s the time of year for giving back, spending time with family, and eating really delicious food! (In no particular order).
Some families argue over whose turn it is to cook the turkey, open their home, and be diligent hosts. But what if you did something different this year? Instead of doing the regular back and forth between family houses, you could book a 30A vacation rental and spend Thanksgiving on the beach!
There are many perks to traveling for your turkey day meal. Nobody has to work hard to make their home presentable (our rentals come sparkling clean!), you can choose a property with enough room for everyone (some of our homes can sleep up to 20 guests), and you’ll be just steps away from beachside paradise the whole time. That alone makes the holidays a bit more exciting!
Whether you and your loved ones are trying something new this year with a destination Thanksgiving or you’re back to repeat traditions, we’re excited to see you! In this piece, we’ll detail our favorite ways to spend a 30A Thanksgiving, from the best dining options to where you should go on Black Friday. Let’s get to it!
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Top Restaurants for a 30A Thanksgiving
If you’re sick and tired of making your own turkey every year, there’s a solution for that! These 30A restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and serve delicious meals that the locals can’t stop talking about.
Take it Home:
These to-go options are excellent if you want the ease of restaurant-made food without the sit-down atmosphere. Take it easy this Thanksgiving!
Fall Events to Attend
While autumn in 30A isn’t as crisp as states further north, we still like to get into the holiday spirit with fun fall activities like our annual Turkey Trot. These are our favorite fall events happening right around Thanksgiving!
Sandestin Turkey Trot
There’s nothing like getting in a nice run before your dinner, and this race gives you plenty of time to digest! It’s on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so you’ll be more than ready for your meal on Thursday.
- When: Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, 7-11 AM
- Where: Baytowne Marina
- Distance: 5K/1 Mile Fun Walk & Run
30A Thanksgiving Day Race & Fun Run
Maybe you want to be traditional and run your turkey trot on Thanksgiving itself. If that’s the case, the 30A Thanksgiving Day Race & Fun Run is the perfect race for you.
- When: Thursday, November 27th, 2025, 7 AM
- Where: Rosemary Beach
- Distance: 10K, 5K, or 1 Mile
Harbor Docks FREE Thanksgiving Feast
Join in for a free Thanksgiving feast at Harbor Docks from 11 AM to 5 PM on Thanksgiving Day! It’s a delicious meal with all your home-cooked favorites. Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce…our mouths are already watering!
The meal is free, but if you’d like to donate, the proceeds will benefit Emerald Coast Food Rescue and Food For Thought. What a great way to enjoy time with family and support a good cause!
- When: Thursday, November 17th, 2025, 11 AM – 5 PM
- Where: Harbor Docks (Destin)
Seaside Holiday Parade and Turn On the Town
We know you’re here for Thanksgiving, but hey, time moves fast! The Saturday after Thanksgiving, you can attend Seaside’s annual holiday parade and Christmas tree lighting to get into the festive spirit as we head into the remainder of the year. You’ll be dazzled by the holiday lights, Christmas carols, and joyous mirth!
- When: Saturday, November 29th, 2025, 3 PM – 8 PM
- Where: 2227 E County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Holiday Shopping Guide
We all know the most famous shopping day of the year happens the day after Thanksgiving. If you’re a big Black Friday shopper, you can still get your retail therapy here on 30A! Since most of the stores here are small boutiques, you won’t have the same big box experience as you would in a big city shopping mall. However, several local businesses still have sales, and most start even before Black Friday! Your best bet to find savings is to find the company you want to support, and then see if they’re running any sales. The town center in Seaside is one fantastic place to find boutique stores!
Find a Large Group Rental Everyone in the Family Can Enjoy
Okay, so maybe you’re into the Thanksgiving away from home idea, but you’re thinking, “There’s no way my whole family can fit in a vacation rental.” We get it! When you have a big family, space is of the essence.
Luckily for you, we have an impressive selection of large group rentals with more than enough room for the whole family! Some even sleep up to 20 people. Now that’s a full house!
Book Your 30A Thanksgiving Getaway Directly with Benchmark Management!
Enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal in 5 Bed, 4.5 Bath Large Group Rental, "Lynda Lou's".
Have we convinced you to join us for Thanksgiving yet? We can’t emphasize enough how special it is to spend the holiday by the beach with those you love most. Benchmark has a fantastic selection of vacation properties, even if you don’t need a rental large enough to host 20 people!
No matter what you’re looking for, we’re confident you’ll find the right fit amongst our impressive display of Emerald Coast vacation rentals. You and your family can search by area, amenity, or take a peek through all of our available rentals! Whether you want a pet-friendly home so Fido can be there for the holidays or you want to ensure you have an oceanfront view, we know you’ll find a fantastic fit in our vacation rental catalog.
If you’re ready to have an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience, it’s time to get your 30A trip booked! We certainly can’t wait to see you when you get here. Browse our available Emerald Coast vacation rentals now and get ready for the best holiday season yet!