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15 Fun SF Bay Area Turkey Trot Races 2025
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: November 5, 2025
If you want to burn a few calories before indulging this Thanksgiving, these SF Bay Area turkey trot races offer a fun opportunity to move your feet before you eat.
Most of them take place on Thanksgiving morning unless I've noted a different date. My list includes top options in San Francisco, the East Bay, San Jose, and North Bay/wine country.
Many include costume contests and also often benefit local charities. Some encourage participants to donate canned food and other goods.
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1. San Francisco Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Golden Gate Park's Polo Field in San Francisco
Race Length: 5-mile run, 3-mile walk, 100-meter kids gobbler chase
A run in gorgeous Golden Gate Park has to be the most beautiful and wonderful way to start out your Thanksgiving morning.
Costumes are highly recommended and so is your best silly attitude. Entry includes a fun T-shirt and a quirky good time with lots of turkey humor.
This race has limited capacity and usually sells out mid-November, so make sure to register early, as there is no race day registration.
>> More on SF's annual race and registration details
2. Thanksgiving Turkey Gobble Trot in San Francisco
Date: 11/29, 2025
Start Time: 7:30, 8, and 8:30 am waves (first come, first serve)
Starting Location: Crissy Field in San Francisco
Race Length: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and a family 1-mile fun run
This is the only one of the SF Bay Area turkey trot races that offers a half marathon (13.1-mile) option.
The race starts and ends on San Francisco's northern waterfront at scenic Crissy Field, which offers views of the bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Registration includes a T-shirt, finisher's medal, and finisher's towel or giveaway, as well as a digital training pack.
NOTE: Unlike the other turkey trots listed on this page, this race takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
>> Sign up here
3. Concord California Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Newhall Park
Race Length: 5K run/walk
Our list of Bay Area turkey trot races outside of SF begins in Downtown Concord in Newhall Park. This race is limited to only 1,850 people, so that you will be able to enjoy your race without the crowds.
Make sure to register in advance and not miss out. Each participant receives a T-shirt and medal.
Awards are given for age groups and top three finishers.
>> Visit their site to register
4. Healdsburg Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Healdsburg Running Company at 333 Center Street
Race Length: 5K run/walk
Run through the gorgeous town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, which neighbors Napa wine country about an hour north of San Francisco.
Registration includes a T-shirt. The event benefits local student-athletes, helping them get to college.
5. Bank of Marin Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: College of Marin at 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato
Race Length: 5K, 10K, and 1 mile (youth)
Enjoy the beautiful open space trails of Marin county as you walk or run this race. It takes place in scenic wooded hills just a half-hour north of Muir Woods or 45 minutes north of SF.
The annual event benefits the local education foundation supporting wellness, literacy, visual and performing arts, and technology for all of the Novato public schools.
>> Visit their site for details
More Things to Do in the SF Bay This Holiday
In addition to these Turkey Trot races, you will also find several other fun things to do around the SF Bay Area this weekend. Here are a few of my top picks.
6. Carmel Valley Athletic Club’s Turkey Trot
Start Time: 9 am
Starting Location: Carmel Valley Athletic Club at 27050 Rancho San Carlos in Carmel
Race Length: 5K run/walk
This Thanksgiving, discover the beautiful South Bank Trail in Carmel Valley, a gorgeous wine region in the Monterey area about two hours south of SF.
This is a non-competitive fun run where strollers are welcome if you want to bring along your young ones.
All of the proceeds of this annual event go to the Monterey Food Bank.
7. Spartan Turkey Trot in Mountain View
Start Time: 8:30 am
Starting Location: Mountain View High School at 3535 Truman Avenue
Race Length: 5K, 1 mile, and kids fun run
Unlike most of the SF Bay Area Turkey Trot races, this race is held entirely on a high school track, as all the proceeds benefit the school's athletic programs.
Since it is on a track, there are no pets or baby strollers allowed for this race. However, kids are encouraged to participate in this fun community event.
The Silicon Valley city of Mountain View is about 45 minutes south of San Francisco, just 15 minutes from the 49ers Levi's Stadium.
>> More details on their website
8. Napa Valley Turkey Chase
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Napa Valley College at 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa
Race Length: 5K, 10K
This Turkey Trot encourages you to walk, jog, or run at your own speed and just enjoy the scenery before you fill up on food this Thanksgiving.
The course runs around Napa Valley College and the Napa River Trail in this beautiful, family-friendly wine country capital.
Make sure to dress appropriately as this event will happen rain or shine.
9. Oakland Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8:30 am
Starting Location: Lake Merritt Pergola
Race Length: 5K
This 5K starts at the beautiful Lake Merritt Pergola and winds around the lake during the course. It also has an opening ceremony that includes special guests to inspire you this Thanksgiving.
This is the only one of the SF Bay Area turkey trot races that offers VIP tickets with a mimosa bar, private gear check, and other special refreshments.
>> Details for the Oakland Turkey Trot
10. Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving Run in San Pablo
Start Time: 8:45 am
Starting Location: Point Pinole Regional Park, San Pablo
Race Length: 5K, 10K, and 100-yard Little Turkeys Run
These family-friendly 5K and 10K races are both loop courses run primarily on fire trails throughout the park with just a few hills.
On a clear day, the views from this SF Bay Area turkey trot race will allow you to see up to 5 bridges and 6 counties!
Registration includes a T-shirt, a finisher's medal, and water stations. There are also awards for age divisions from 8 to 90 years old.
11. Santa Cruz
Date: 11/22, 2025
Start Time: 7:45 am
Starting Location: Natural Bridges Drive at Delaware Avenue (near the back entrance to Natural Bridges State Park)
Race Length: 5K, 10K, and kids 1K
This scenic 5 or 10K run takes you through the state park and then out to West Cliff for spectacular ocean views.
It's a flat, fast, out-and-back course and a family-friendly event in which everyone will have fun burning off their pre-Thanksgiving calories.
NOTE: This is the only one of the SF Bay Area turkey trot races that does not take place on the Thanksgiving holiday (Thursday), but rather the Saturday before.
>> Sign up here
12. Bret Harte's Run Turkey Run in San Jose
Start Time: 8:30 am
Starting Location: Leland High School at 6677 Camden Avenue, San Jose
Race Length: 5K and 10K walk/run
If you are looking for one of the more goofy of the SF Bay Area turkey trot races, you've come to the right place. Many of the runners dress up and wear interesting costumes so you can be sure to get a laugh while you are running either the 5 or 10K course.
The course for the annual Run Turkey Run is both flat and paved. It is a family-friendly event, so be sure to sign up the whole crew and support each other during your run.
13. Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8:30 am
Starting Location: W Santa Clara Street at N 1st Street in downtown San Jose
Race Length: 5K, 10K, and kids fun run
This annual Silicon Valley event has to be one of the most diverse SF Bay Area turkey trot races, since there is not only a 5K and 10K, but also a CEO/Executive race and other fun competitions, including a costume contest and "fittest firm" competition among companies.
After you finish, you can check out the festival and see some of the best gear out there. The family-friendly walk/run course takes you through San Jose's downtown neighborhoods and businesses and benefits local organizations.
The event takes place just a few blocks from the SAP Center, where the NHL Sharks play.
>> Register for this year's race
14. Solano Turkey Trot
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Solano Community College at 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield
Race Length: 5K walk/run, 10K run, and kids fun run
If you've never been to beautiful Suisun Valley, you are in for a treat with this race, located about an hour northwest of SF not far from Napa Valley. This race will take you on a two-lane road through vineyards, fields, and farmlands.
This race is somewhat serious compared to many of the other SF Bay Area turkey trot races and entrants will be lined up according to their pace.
However, it's still a fun, family-friendly event that includes a costume contest, post-race refreshments, a T-shirt, finisher's medal, and more.
15. Forma Gym Turkey Trot in Walnut Creek
Start Time: 8 am
Starting Location: Civic Park at 1375 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek
Race Length: 5K, 10K, and kids fun run
The last of the SF Bay Area turkey trot races is located in the East Bay, just over half an hour from SF. The flat course runs through beautiful downtown Walnut Creek, with the 10K continuing out of town to the Iron Horse Trail.
The community event includes finisher's medals, aid stations, and chip timing, and will take place rain or shine.
>> Register on their official site
More Fun Things to Do This Holiday Weekend
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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