Thanksgiving in Los Angeles is typically a sunny day just like every other in Southern California. In addition to the traditional ways to spend the holiday with a huge meal with family and the requisite Macy's Day Parade and sporting events on television, there are a myriad of other ways to spend a day in the City of Angels.
Theme parks, such as Universal Studios Hollywood, are a great way to spend a holiday because there are fewer people in attendance which means shorter lines and more activities. Universal Studios offers fun for the entire family--rides, shows and the famous back lot tour for film and television enthusiasts. There is no need to purchase tickets in advance, but look for special promotions on the web to save money on admission.
Feeding the homeless is a great way for people to show gratitude for the things they have in their life. There are several organizations that feed the homeless on Thanksgiving that would appreciate your helping hands, such as Midnight Mission (midnightmission.org), Food on Foot (foodonfoot.org) and the Downtown's Women's Center (dwcweb.org). These organizations have several volunteer opportunities that include cooking, serving and deliver food to those in need.
Because the fall weather in Los Angeles is typically warm and dry, Thanksgiving is a great day to enjoy the great outdoors. Los Angeles is home to the 53-mile network of trails, fire roads and bridle paths of sprawling Griffith Park that hikers can explore from sun-up until sundown. Sights such as the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory and the Los Angeles cityscape are visible from different sections of the hikes. Best part, it's free and it'll make you feel less guilty about eating a big Thanksgiving dinner.
