Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you have a grand old time with family and friends this weekend. For those of you sticking around in town, there's plenty to do, eat, and see in San Francisco. From swanky staycations to seasonal cocktails, here are some of my favorite picks for the weekend. If all else fails, just pop Love Actually into your DVD player and get in the holiday spirit.

• Taste 10 pumpkin-filled treats, from pumpkin-seed salsa to pumpkin pancakes.
• Get in the spirit by relaxing at one of San Francisco's cozy bars with fireplaces.
• Lace up your skates and do a loop around a holiday skating rink.
• Make a last-minute reservation at one of these restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner!
• Dine on scrumptious, in-season squash dishes around town!
• Whip up a batch of cookies with a yummy cookie mix from an SF bakery.
• Treat yourself to a staycation at a hip local hotel.
• Knock back a few of these absolutely delicious nutmeg-dusted cocktails!
• Pick up a Thanksgiving pie from one of five local patisseries.
• Attempt the Whole Beasts' recipe for turkey cassoulet!
• Spend your morning or evening at one of these nontraditional Thanksgiving events.
• Visit the Westin St. Francis's 1,200 lb. holiday sugar castle.
• Shop all of the fabulous Black Friday sales! And treat yourself to something nice.
• Pencil a free cardio bootcamp session into your calendar to keep off the holiday weight.
• Stay warm and toasty this weekend with one of these six flaming dishes around town.

A new Southern-themed restaurant and bar, Tupelo, opened last week in the former Mojito space in North Beach at 1337 Grant St. I recently caught up with co-owner Derek Mattson and manager Teague Kernan to hear about what's in store for the spot. From mouthwatering dishes like Creole shrimp and grits, a cozy vibe, and live music on the horizon, there's no question it'll be a hot spot in time. Read our interview below to learn more about Tupelo!

PopSugar SF: What's the backstory behind this? How did the two of you come together to open Tupelo?

Derek Mattson: Teague and I have known each other for about 15 years. We’ve probably been talking about opening a place for 14 of them. We started thinking about it more seriously a year ago and looked at several potential locations/venues. None of them felt right from a neighborhood standpoint or one that felt like it would live up to our vision for Tupelo. When we heard that Mojito was going on the market, we felt that it was the perfect space for what we wanted. Big space, full kitchen, entertainment (at least it was).

PS SF: How did you settle on the location? Were you eyeing North Beach from the start?

Teague Kernan: As Derek mentioned, we looked at several locations prior to Mojito coming on the market. I am also a musician and have probably played at Mojito 100 times over the last seven years. We wanted (and still want) to continue the great legacy of live entertainment that has existed here for over 50 years. Janis Joplin played her first San Francisco gigs here, and Steve Martin began his stand-up career here. The list is very long of great entertainers who have played here, and we hope it will continue to grow once (if) we can get our entertainment permit.

PS SF: Teague, I know you're a former Buccaneer (2155 Polk St., 415-673-8023) bartender . . . What's essential to a great bar?

TK: It is not terribly difficult to build a good bar. It takes a varied selection of libations, ambiance and interesting decor, prompt service, and cleanliness. To make a great bar, you need an intelligent, engaging staff. That, in my opinion, is the single most important element in making a bar "great." That is what keeps people coming back.

PS SF: I'm a New Orleans expat, so I'm psyched to see some more Southern cuisine in the city! What made you decide on this menu? Are either of you from the South?

DM: Given that we were setting up shop in North Beach, right next to an Irish Pub, we wanted to put a place together that was uniquely American. The name Tupelo evokes the Deep South, but also has a rich musical heritage (i.e., birthplace of Elvis; Van Morrison, Nick Cave, and John Lee Hooker have all made songs about Tupelo). Soul food was the perfect fit.

Continue reading to hear about the menu, live music, and Teague's favorite North Beach spots!

Executive Pastry Chef Jean-François Houdré of the Westin St. Francis (335 Powell St., 415-397-7000) unveiled his signature 15-foot, rotating holiday sugar castle in the hotel's main lobby this morning, and it will be on display through Jan. 3, 2012, for your eyes to see! The castle, which resembles a French château, was originally created in 2005 and grows larger and more spectacular every year. The extraordinary creation weighs more than 1,200 pounds and features more than 20 grand circular towers, more than 20 rooms, glowing windows, and a running train. This year, a second train was added, as well as a lifelike replica of a medieval French village with intricately constructed homes, a church, a bakery, and stores — with illuminated windows and surrounded by a magical forest. Sounds like the perfect respite from a long day of shopping the Black Friday sales in Union Square!

• Take the first look at 4505 Meats chef Ryan Farr's new book, Whole Beast Butchery. — Eater
• SF cooking instructor offer sage advice: just put the f**king turkey in the oven. — GrubStreet SF
• Find out the best ways to spend Thanksgiving in wine country. — 7x7
• Manresa's David Kinch is named the GQ Chef of the Year. — SFist
• Locavore catering company Gastronaut shares six killer Thanksgiving side recipes. — Refinery29 SF
• Head to Sausalito Gourmet for a seriously relaxing lunch. — SF Gate

When you wake up Friday morning from your tryptophan haze, throw back an espresso, put on a pair of comfortable shoes, and pull out your credit card, because the Black Friday sales are coming! Retailers all around town are offering crazy discounts on everything from skis to sweaters. Here are some must-shop sales happening in San Francisco this weekend. I'll be continually updating this as more are announced!

Acrimony (333 Hayes St., 415-861-1025) and ACRE/SF (301 Union St., 415-875-9590): Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27, save 15 percent off orders of $200 or less with the code BF15, 20 percent off orders between $200 and $600 with the code BF20, and 25 percent off orders of $600 or more with the code BF25. Valid in-store or online at these sister stores. Save 60 to 80 percent off past seasons collections all weekend at ACRE/SF.

AllSaints (140 Geary St., 415-762-0702): Save 25 percent off select items in store on Black Friday.

Ashbury Skies (SF-based online retailer): Save $50 on any order through Monday, Nov. 28, with the coupon code LUSTHAVE11.

Ben Sherman (55 Stockton St., 415-593-0671): Receive a free gift with every purchase on Black Friday!

Cary Lane (560 Laguna St., 415-896-4210): Everything in-store will be reduced by 40 percent Friday, Nov. 25.

Conifer (2848 Webster St., 415-922-1892): Saturday, Nov. 26, through Monday, Nov. 28, save 50 percent off sweaters and apparel by Rachel Comey, Organic by John Patrick, Lover, Steven Alan, Lauren Moffatt, Built by Wendy, and Acne Jeans.

Continue reading for more sales!