Friendsgiving by the Bay

“These moments are precious;” shares a SDSU graduate student, “school’s crazy and I'm grateful that this (community) isn’t.”

Friendsgiving with college students near Mission Bay in San Diego feels like the perfect blend of coastal chill and festive energy. A table set on the grassy bluff adorned with Mexican blankets and patio chairs on a warm afternoon after a week of rain.  As guests arrived, the sun arched across the three palms near Bahia Point as the sun began to set over the water, painting everything gold. Students arrived with mismatched potluck dishes—stuffing made in tiny dorm kitchens, store-bought pies, and a story about an ambitious attempt at homemade mac and cheese while deli-bought mashed potatoes presents among the other dishes.  Music drifts from a passing boat, laughter carries across the bay, and everyone settles into that easy, relaxed vibe that only comes from being surrounded by people who feel like family away from home.

As evening rolls in, conversation grows while distant lights dance across the water and the air gets just cool enough for sweatshirts and jackets. Stories from the semester—late-night study sessions, spontaneous trips, our Spring Retreat, and inside jokes—get passed around along with second helpings of food. The sound of kayakers and distant bonfires makes the whole scene feel uniquely San Diego. By the end of the night, as the city lights shimmer on the water, the group realizes that Friendsgiving isn’t just a holiday substitute—it’s a reminder of the community they’ve built together in a place that already feels a little like home.