White water rafting would certainly interest me -- but not Thanksgiving weekend :-)

I've been to all the places you mentioned -- and it's good to give the OP choices, this is just my own very humble personal opinion.

Point Reyes if you like to hike and explore. There's lots of nooks and crannies. Point Reyes Station is great for foodies and there's a "destination" restaurant there--Osteria Stellina-- the reviews have been outstanding.

There's Bolinas and Stinson to visit, and Mt. Tam.

Maybe you can get used wetsuits for you and your kid. When in Rome...

Another possibility is the San Luis Obispo area. There's lots of possibilities there. Hearst Castle and IMAX, elephant seals, Downtown SLO, Paso Robles, kayaking in Morro Bay (really fun and safe). Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, you'll have things to do. If the weather's bad at Point Reyes, you're more stuck. Cayucos tends to have the best hotel deals.

[I think the time frame is too early for the elephant seals; Ana Neuvo is a lot closer to San Francisco if seeing them was something you wanted to do but still pretty early]

Sorry, but I can't imagine spending 3 days in Sacramento and the Gold Country (and yes I've been to both on more than one occasion). I think half a day in Sacramento, and half a day in the Gold Country on your way to somewhere else is warranted, but not on their own. Flame me all you want, but I'd be totally bored.
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Agree sf7307 and I have family living there. The only thing that has excited me was the State capitol, other than that,zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Correction, Davis is a cute little town.

One of my favorite areas to visit in November is Nevada City and the area beyond on Highway 49. The Fall colors are amazing and rival the New Hampshire Fall colors. The 49'er miners and families brought seedlings with them from Back East and you will see the result of this prolific planting all along the highway between Nevada City and Downieville. The weather is crisp and cold in Nevada City, but wear hat, scarf, gloves and enjoy the crunching leaves while you walk through town viewing historic relics of the Gold Rush era. It's a great little town for visiotrs.

I was at Drake's Beach, Inverness, last weekend, and the bull seals were going at each other then. So Thanksgiving is not too early in that region.

BTW, if you are in that area, we were there for a very special dinner at Drake's Beach Cafe. It is a cafe during the day, and a restaurant at night. The chef prepares a fixe prix (sp?) meal, and you must make a reservation.

The little place seats about 20 people. There were 11 people there the night we were. It is amazing food and it sits right on the beach with gorgeous views of the water and the little cove.

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<<<The only thing that has excited me was the State capitol>>>

Ha Ha -- "excited" might be a little bit of an overstatement. "interesting" maybe. "worth seeing" surely. But "exciting", I don't think so :-)

The elephant seals are in San Simeon in November. It's mostly females, but the males start coming in as early as late November.

http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/calendar.htm

Additionally, if someone is already going to Hearst Castle, the elephant seal rookery is a very easy stop. Ano Nuevo takes more effort.

PeaceOut:

What was on the menu when you ate at Drake's Beach Cafe last weekend? Were there choices or only one set menu? We're headed to northern Calif for a week over Thanksgiving and they don't have a website!