Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Christmas falls on a Friday this year. If you're trying to get the whole family under one roof, start looking now. Houses that sleep 10 or more and can seat everyone at one table are the first to go.
Before you book any house, check five things: the ovens, the seats, the actual bed list, the bathrooms and the house rules. Below is what to look for, and how our house above Millerton Lake answers each one, so you can compare.
1. Can you cook the whole meal?
One oven means the turkey wins and everything else waits. Look for two ovens, a real range and a fridge with room for a bird and the leftovers. Also check how far the grocery store is.
Our house: Gaggenau double ovens, a gas range and a Nespresso machine. Gas and a convenience store are about 15 minutes away; full grocery stores are about 30 minutes, in Clovis. Shop on the way in.
2. Does everyone fit at one table?
“Sleeps 12” doesn't mean “seats 12.” Count the chairs in the photos.
Our house: the glass-walled dining room seats 8 and the breakfast nook next to it seats 4, so 12 inside. If the afternoon is warm, there are two more tables outside on the terrace, for 8 and 6.
3. Who sleeps where?
Ask for the bed list, not the bedroom count. Two twin beds and a sofa are not the same as a queen for grandma.
Our house: sleeps 11.
- Primary suite: king bed, fireplace, private balcony, and a dressing room big enough for a travel crib.
- Two upstairs bedrooms with queen beds, sharing a large patio.
- A main-floor bedroom with a queen, so nobody has to do stairs.
- The kids' loft on the third floor: three twin beds, beanbags, books and games. It has no door, so sound carries. One mom called it “an awesome bonus.”
4. How many bathrooms?
Eleven people and one shower makes for a long morning.
Our house: three bathrooms, including the primary bath with a soaking tub, a separate shower and a separate toilet room.
5. Read the house rules before you fall for the photos
Minimum nights, check-in time, guest limits and pets are where holiday plans fall apart.
Our house: 2-night minimum, check-in 4 pm, check-out 11 am, up to 11 overnight guests.
Good to know before you arrive
- Cell service is spotty on the hill, but the Starlink wifi is strong, so video calls with the relatives who couldn't come work fine.
- Save your entry codes before you drive up, in case you lose signal. Arriving after dark? Come in through the garage.
- The windows have no curtains. The views are the point, but bedrooms get bright early. Light sleepers should pack an eye mask.
- There are three fireplaces: in the living room, in the primary bedroom and outside on the patio.
Good dates for 2026
| Thanksgiving | Wednesday, Nov 25 to Sunday, Nov 29 |
| Christmas | Thursday, Dec 24 to Sunday, Dec 27 |
| New Year | Wednesday, Dec 30 to Friday, Jan 1 (2-night minimum) |
Check these dates on our live calendar. Booking on our own site skips the Airbnb and VRBO service fees.
What to do between meals
- Walk down to Millerton Lake. It's about 10 minutes from the house.
- Hike Pincushion Peak to earn the pie: about 2.7 miles round trip and 870 feet of climbing, starting near the house at the South Finegold picnic area.
- Drive up to China Peak, about 75 minutes, if the kids want snow.
- Table Mountain Casino is 15 minutes away for a dinner out or a show.
- Stay up for the stars. There are no streetlights up here.
One family summed it up: “Perfect lake house for a large family. Our family had a wonderful time relaxing, we hope to return again!”
Planning a team holiday get-together instead?
December is a good month to get your team out of the office for a day. We host day retreats Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, for 20 people comfortably, with Starlink wifi and a large TV for a year-end review. Bring your own caterer. For an evening holiday party, up to 50 guests, lights out at 10 pm. Ask about rates and dates for your team.
See the corporate retreat details or ask about a December date.