Blog Posts by Sunset Magazine

Feasts big and small celebrate the flavors the West, from a traditional ranch feast to island fare and vegetarian delights.

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Best Thanksgiving sides

Best Thanksgiving desserts

8 creative fall tables

It's the absolute best time to be outdoors, when some of our unique landscapes come brilliantly alive.

Camping's secret season

Kelsey Sheofsky, co-owner of Shelter Co. luxury camping service, shares her reasons why this is the best month to take your weekend getaway outside.

The fire becomes the camp centerpiece. "Mornings start with coffee around the fire," says Sheofsky. Evenings mean dinner, stories, and games around the fire.

You have the place to yourself. Most campgrounds have ample availability, and though higher-altitude locations are getting cold, many desert, coastal, and lowland forest areas "actually become more enjoyable in fall, because you don't sweat to death," says Sheofsky.

Food is for lingering. Out are summer's grab-and-go sandwiches and chips. In is anything that warms you. Tomato soup with grilled cheese. Pancakes. Hot cornbread. Anything grilled. Cocoa all day long.

There's more time to enjoy the night. Look up-the fall sky has

Fire up your backyard for outdoor living with these stylish ideas for firepits.

More from Sunset:

Romantic garden lights

50+ landscaping ideas with stone

Great ideas for outdoor rooms

It's a perfect time to explore the coast towns, tasting rooms, foodie havens, and natural wonders.

Take away all the food, family, and football, and what is Thanksgiving, really? Four full days. We suggest you use them wisely--and warmly.

1. Rancho Pescadero

An hour north of the carnivalesque crowds in Cabo, Rancho Pescadero is the Baja beauty that steals our hearts over and over again. Turkey Day here is all about downward dog in the glossy yoga pavillion, following sea turtle tracks on the deserted beach, and sun-soaked dozing by the pool. Throw in the hosted Fiesta al Fresco in the garden-where plain old gravy and mashed give way to a mariachi-serenaded spread of epazote-spiced turkey and fresh veggies from the garden-and the thanks will be flowing. A slew of new suites means you and your pals can have the run of the place, and on your third poolside margarita, you'll turn to them and slur: "You guys are like, the best family I've ever had." From $185 U.S. ranchopescadero.com

2. Mojave Sands Motel

Does the thought of candied yams and the Detroit Lions

Dive into apple season with apple oven cake, pie, crisp, galette, muffins, applesauce, rolls, salads, and more

Make your living room a space you never want to leave with these cool design and decorating ideas.

These charming spots are perfect for a cozy, romantic escape.

Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County, CA
We love the fresh, luxurious rooms and friendly vibe at Farmhouse Inn, between the vineyards of Sonoma and the coastal redwoods. The restaurant is a can't-miss and the small spa beautifully redone. Refreshingly, instead of charging for every little thing, the place piles on extras like a big breakfast, a s'mores bar, and a bath-salts bar.

More about Farmhouse Inn

Inn Paradiso
At Inn Paradiso, a revamped B&B near downtown, the artist-owners converted a barn into three spacious guest rooms with creature comforts like line-dried sheets, handmade soap, iPod docks, and breakfast that comes largely from the organic garden.

More about Inn Paradiso

Rusty Parrot Lodge, Jackson Hole, WY
The Rusty Parrot Lodge is an outpost of absolute luxury 20 minutes from Jackson's slopes. It makes a great base for wandering the galleries in town and seeing the spectacle of