Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

California Wine Festival: 2026 Event in Carlsbad, CA - Everything You Need to Know (and 2024 Review)

Local WallyComment
Wine glass at Carlsbad's California Wine Festival

There’s plenty more where this came from!

If you like wine, if you love wine, then you won’t want to miss The California Wine Festival, held every June in Carlsbad, CA at the Aviara Park Hyatt Resort. Think rows and rows of booths with bottles and bottles of wine sprinkled with food stands to make sure you don’t go hungry and live music to set the vibe.

I just left this years event and already looking forward to it’s return in 2026. In fact, lets get that ticket stuff out of the way. If you want tickets to the 2026 event then click the button below and click it early as there’s typically early bird discounts which are worth taking advantage of.

Wine Fest? Or Wine and Food fest?

The California Wine Festival is mainly a wine festival with the majority of the booths handing out wine, gloriously good wine. You’ll find food, for sure, but whereas a wine and food festival typically has a 50/50 mix of wine and food booths at the California Wine Festival you’ll find mainly wine and a handful of booths with food in the main section, and more food options in the VIP section. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of food at the event but think noshing local bites versus celebrity chefs vieing for your tastebuds.

In the standard area you’ll find Senior Grubbys handing out delicious carnitas tacos, Mendocino Farms with a “fried chicken” sando, and my favorite San Diego bread from Sadie Rose. All the food is unlimited and lines are short so go ahead and grab another. And there were other options, including wood fired pizza, Kerrygold cheese, and my favorite stand……

Jeni’s Ice Cream!

Jeni’s Ice Cream! I know, you’re wondering why I’m eating ice cream at a wine festival but Jenni’s ice cream is the absolute best. I kept going back again and again - I mean, come on, a scoop of Jeni’s is like $6 or $7 bucks so I figure I ate at least $50 worth of ice cream and have no regrets.

Welcome to the vip tent

A lot of VIP tents at events like this are questionably worth it but at the California Wine Festival it’s a no-brainer because this is where they have the tables, the bar with lots of great wines and nearly a line, and lots more food. Lots.

The ahi poke from Bluewater Grill was outstanding and Prager Bros makes some of the best pizza in San Diego, both got repeat visits from myself and my friends. Ahh yes, for sure make sure you grab friends to this event because it’s just a super fun and chill way to enjoy a San Diego sunny afternoon, you know, the kind with the cool ocean breezes that makes you feel like you’re on vacation living the life at a top notch resort. This is San Diego living. And I had to smile when I saw a group of bachelorettes at the event all filling their glasses and having the best bachelorette party ever - that’s brilliant!

So much wine, plenty of time!

Four hours and over 30 wineries, each of them with at least four different wines to try, do the math and that means you could theoretically try 120 different wines.. Of course that’s one strategy but I like to seek out wineries or wine regions I like and take my time. Bouchaine Vineyards and Caymus from Napa were there, both excellent wines and well worth my time, Lots of Paso wines too, I mean, just a lot of really great wines to try and I’m pretty sure by the end you’ll leave with a giant smile.

Is the california wine festival worth it?

Yes, for sure it’s worth it. You might know that I also write a guide on Napa called NapaTouristGuide.com as well as PasoWineryGuide.com so I know a little bit about wine and tasting fees and it’s pretty easy in Napa to spend $50 pp to taste at one winery. So considering you get to taste at over 30 wineries and you get unlimited food and you get free parking there’s no wonder that this is one of my favorite events in San Diego.

And while I’ve been talking about the Saturday Beachside event (which btw isn’t really near the beach but close enough for marketing), there’s also the sunset event the night before if you want to get all fancy and taste the very best and eat as many oysters as a sea otter on an empty stomach. That event is epic but we’ll save that for another time. Just get tickets, go, and you will thank me later.

PRIDE YOGA AND DANCE PARTY at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Local WallyComment

The San Diego Symphony, in collaboration with Fit Athletic, is proud to announce the return of Pride Yoga and Dance Party at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park™  on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in celebration of International Pride Month. Now in its fourth year, this FREE, community-centered event invites guests to come together for an evening of movement, music, and celebration.

The evening begins with a one-hour, all-levels yoga class on the lawn at 7:00 PM, led by Fit Athletic’sViktoria Talbot. Participants will enjoy sweeping views from Coronado Island to downtown San Diego and a stunning golden hour sunset over the bay.

Following yoga, The Rady Shell will transform into a high-energy dance party featuring the return of crowd-favorite DJs DJ Sassy and DJ Dova. Bars open at 6:00 PM, with a selection of cocktails available for purchase throughout the event.

Pride Yoga and Dance Party at The Rady Shell

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

6:00 PM – Gates and Bars Open

7:00 PM – Yoga on the Lawn with Viktoria Talbot

8:00 PM – Dance Party with DJ Sassy & DJ Dova

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Full details and sign-up information are available at www.TheShell.org.

Additional Pride Week programming at The Rady Shell includes:

July 17 – Marvel Studios’ The Infinity Saga Concert Experience 

July 19 – Disney’s The Lion King in Concert 

July 20 – UNITE! Music Festival presents The Sea Party


Carladbad's California Wine Festival Returns June 20-21, 2025 - A Weekend of Wine, Gourmet Food and Fun - Worth It!

Local WallyComment

Everything You Need to Know About San Diego’s Favorite Wine Fest!

AT A GLANCE: Two events, the Friday evening “Sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting” and the Saturday “Beachside Wine Festival” where you walk from booth to booth for unlimited wine and food samples.

TICKETS: Tickets to the Beachside event start at $85 (early bird prices right now) and the Sunset Tasting starts at $125. Combo tickets are $235. GET TICKETS NOW at the lower price.

LOCATION: Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Resort (official site)

OFFICIAL LOCAL WALLY OPINION: I love this event. OK, yes, there are larger wine and food festivals in San Diego but this one is just right - Not so small that you feel like you’ve seen it all after a few minutes, but not so large that you find yourself fighting crowds just to get a sample.

The food in the past has been great and the wines top notch. You do know I also write wine guides for Napa and Paso, right?? So I know a bit about wine and the wines here will impress - you’re sure to find a few new favorites.

TOP SECRET: Free parking and the ocean breeze and coastal vibe is well represented. You’ll love this location at the Aviara Parkside Resort.

Festival Details

Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting

Friday, June 20 | 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa – The Gardens

The festival kicks off with the exclusive Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, featuring limited-production and reserve wines from renowned California wine regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles and beyond. Guests will begin their evening with a champagne reception before sampling rare wines and enjoying gourmet appetizers from celebrated North San Diego County restaurants. The evening also includes a silent auction benefiting a local charitable organization. Live entertainment will set the tone for an elegant evening under the stars.

Beachside Wine Festival 

Saturday, June 21 | 1 – 4 p.m. (VIP Entry at 12 p.m.)

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa – Heron Lawn

The festivities continue Saturday with the Beachside Wine Festival, a vibrant afternoon offering tastings from hundreds of premium California wineries and regional craft breweries, paired with delicious bites from local culinary hotspots. Set against panoramic views of lush rolling hills and the Pacific Ocean, the event features live music, creating the ultimate coastal wine tasting experience. VIP guests will enjoy early access at noon, featuring exclusive reserve wines and additional gourmet food options.

Festival Sponsors & Highlights

  • Sponsors: High Flyer Wines/Priest Ranch, Kaleo Marketing, System Pavers, DreamFinder Travel & Virgin Voyages, Wine Spectator, Renewal by Andersen, Piper Sonoma, Park Hyatt Aviara, Andy Gump, Icelandic Glacial, Melin.

  • Restaurants & Food Purveyors: aficio22, Aquamar/California Rolls, Butterfly Brittles, Carlsbad Cookie Company, Chipz Happen, Farm Fresh Home Foods, Gino Angelini Authentic Italian Sauces, Goufrais Southern California – Cocoa Confection, Icelandic Glacial, Inferno Woodfired Kitchen, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Kerrygold, p.o.p. candy co., Prager Brothers Artisan Breads, Waterloo Sparkling Water, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamics, Señor Grubby's and Grubby's Poke, Ponto Lago.

  • Wineries: Ackerman Family Vineyards, Adobe Road Winery, Akash Winery & Vineyards, Archer Roose Wines, Barlow Vineyards, Bouchaine Vineyards, Burtech Family Vineyard, Carol Shelton Wines, Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery, Caymus Vineyards, Cuvaison, Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Double Bond Wine, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Harvey and Harriet, Hawk & Horse Vineyards, High Flyer Wines/Priest Ranch, Kubani Wines, Michael David Winery, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Pasmosa, Quench + Temper, Ramona Valley Vineyards Association, The Vinho, Vinera Wine Society, Wilson Creek Winery, Wine Guy & Wine Gal, Ysidro.

Carlsbad Wine Festival at Aviara Resort, June 20-21, 2025

Local WallyComment

California Wine Festival returns to Carlsbad Aviara Resort June 20-21, 2025

Let’s get right down to it. The California Wine Festival is one of my most favorite events in San Diego. Unlike some wine and food festivals where the crowds are big and the food and wine portions small, the Carlsbad event is just right. The crowds and venue are large enough but not too large, and the food and wine options plentiful and wonderful.

SUNSET RARE & RESERVE TASTING

Friday, June 20, 2025 - 6:30-9pm

Guests are invited sip on fine wines and taste a variety of delicacies  at the beautiful Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa's newly renovated Lawn.  This is an elegant VIP event for true fine wine lovers, located in one of San Diego County's most beautiful coastal cities – Carlsbad. The limited number of tickets sell out quickly (due to the rarity of the wines being poured). A champagne reception is just the prelude to an evening of sampling hard-to-find trophy wines, some already out of circulation and impossible to find are poured, to an adoring crowd dressed in their finest casual/elegant resort wear.

BEACHSIDE WINE FESTIVAL

Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 1-4pm (VIPs 12pm)

The quintessential California wine tasting experience – sun, sea, food, wine and music – all come together at this sun-splashed wine fest overlooking lush rolling hills with the shimmering Pacific beyond at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort's Heron Lawn.  By 1:00 pm the joint is jumping at this Camelot-like white-topped tent village.  Wine oenophiles  will find hundreds of fine wines, regional craft brews and a dizzying variety of foods to sample. Artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, as well as shellfish, salads,chocolates, cakes, and more! A live band keeps the beat for this all-day feast for the senses where wine and food are king and queen.

TICKET INFO TO THE CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL AT CARLSBAD’S PARK HYATT IN AVIARA

You can select either the Friday Sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting event, an upscale sort of affair, or the Saturday Beachside Wine Festival, a more casual “go booth to booth” experience. Both are wonderful but the Saturday event gets a big thumbs up from me. Come on, you’re in coastal Carlsbad, you’re enjoying the sunshine and there’s wine and food at every booth just begging you to try it. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday?

Who Won the BEST TACOS at the 2024 SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FEST???

Local WallyComment

This isn’t your average food festival with tiny bites of average food - The Grand Fiesta knocks it out of the park!

If you went to the SD Food + Wine Fest’s GRAND FIESTA, aka Taco TKO, and if you were like me, you ate a ton of tacos. I mean, dozens of tacos, all of them with delicious gourmet ingredients. And if you’re like me, you were sipping some ultra high class mescal and sipping lots of Baja Wine. Look, I’m just saying that my memory of the event is blurry other than a general overview that I had a REALLY good time! I’m going to tell you all about it but before we go too far if you’re wondering if you should go to the next Grand Fiesta then click this button so you can get all of the info on next years event. But spoiler alert - this is my favorite food festival in San Diego so yeah, go!

At the SD Food + Wine Fest’s Grand Fiesta - not to be confused with the Grand Tasting event held the day before on San Diego Bay - there are rows and rows of booths all making fresh tacos and handing them out and hoping they get your vote for San Diego’s best taco. No crummy mini bites, no generic taco stand taco, these are designed for serious taco fans.

Rows and rows of booths handing out tacos and beverages with live music in the background.

As you taste the tacos you get to vote for your favorites and this year the People voted top taco to Chef Ilean Padilla from Mexica Fe for the Desert Taco made with beef and miso mole and ashed chiles, with green salsa consisting of tomatillo, avocado, cambray onion, soy bean sprouts and lime on a homemade flour tortilla.

To be totally honest when I got this taco I sort of wondered if it really qualified as a taco since the form factor looked a lot like a skinny burrito. But taco or not, it knocked me out and I agree with the Peoples Choice, this one was the incredible. Good job, may I have another? Of course you can! This is the Grand Fiesta!

Judges’ Choice for the 2nd year in a row was Chef Marcus Twilegar of Palmys Pacific Beach. Chef Marcus scored high marks from the judges for his Guajillo braised short rib taco with brussels sprouts, crispy sunchoke, queso Oaxaca on a hand pressed corn tortilla. OK, sue me, I didn’t get that photo nor did I get that taco but come on, there were so many tacos and have you ever tried to hold a taco and a margarita and take a photo? It’s hard, really hard!

I did however get a nice photo of the Judges Second Place winner - Del’s Hideout with their Smoked pork belly taco with citrus marinated tomatoes and onions, avocado mash, aji crema and cilantro microgreens. It was pretty, pretty good.

And here we are, EVERY WINNER FROM THE 2024 GRAND FIESTA

  • People’s Choice First Place Grand Prize Winner
    Chef Ilean Padilla – Mexica Fé
    Taco description: Beef and miso mole and ashed chiles, with green salsa made of tomatillo, avocado, cambray onion, soy bean sprouts, and lime on a homemade flour tortilla

  • People’s Choice Second Place Winner
    Chef Ben Diaz – Corkfire Kitchen
    Taco description: Lamb Rib Birria-Queso Taco, Salsa Roja, Huitlacoche Salad

  • People’s Choice Third Place Winner
    Chef Juan Saad – Alchemy
    Taco description: Taco Zarandeado with adobo marinated Mexican shrimp zarandeado, Jamaica pickled onions, chile toreado crema, and a recado negro pineapple salsa, garnished with micro cilantro

  • Judges’ Choice First Place Grand Prize Winner
    Chef Marcus Twilegar – Palmys Pacific Beach
    Guajillo braised short rib, brussel sprout, crispy sunchoke, queso Oaxaca, hand pressed corn tortilla

  • Judges’ Choice Second Place Winner
    Chef Martin Juarez – Del’s Hideout
    Smoked pork belly taco with citrus marinated tomatoes and onions, avocado mash, aji crema and cilantro microgreens

  • Judges’ Choice Third Place Winner
    Chef Lucio A Hernandez – EMMA Baja French
    SHRIMP TACO (capeado or la parrilla), chintextile aioli, avocado, spicy leaves, fried shrimp and lacto-fermented mushroom powder, lime, brown butter macha sauce

But really, everyone was a winner at the Grand Fiesta. I really love this event - it’s priced low enough so you don’t have to think too hard about it (hey, a lot of food events can be big bucks so I appreciate that), and what’s not to love about a sunny San Diego afternoon eating taco after taco like you’re Homer Simpson? Located at the huge park at Liberty Station, it’s never been super crowded so you can just walk up and get a taco, and another, and another. Wait, I want a drink. Baja wines or something else? Let’s try them all!

So congrats to the winners, and really, kudos to everyone who was there who made the Grand Fiesta so much fun. The San Diego Food + Wine Festival is the best in the nation and it’s right here in our backyard. The Grand Fiesta is so San Diego, the perfect afternoon in our perfect city. Mark your calendar for next November and come back in the fall when the event info gets posted. Just don’t miss it! It’s that good!

San Diego Food + Wine Fest 2025: Let's Start with a Review of 2024

Local WallyComment

Everyone’s having a great time at the San Diego Food + Wine Fest

Not a day goes by that I don’t count my blessings to live here in San Diego. As if living by incredible beaches and basking in non-stop sunshine wasn’t enough, we also are home to the SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL, an annual event that happens every November. I’ll tell you all about it but if you’re thinking about coming to the 2025 event stop thinking and just do it because there is no way you’re not going to be blown away if it’s anything like past events.

Come hungry to the SD Food + Wine Fest

Let me give you a quick overview of the event for your 2025 game plan. The event this year took place the first week of November. The Grand Tasting event is the one most people think of when you mention the San Diego Food + Wine Fest. This is the event held outside on the bay near Seaport Village where you’ll find scores of booths handing out gourmet samples, unlimited wine and beverages, where the scent of wood burning BBQ’s fill the air mixed with the sounds of live music - all with stunning views of San Diego Bay. Take a look - no drooling!

You’ll find plenty of exceptional wines - I couldn’t get enough of the Pinot Noirs from Sangiacomo winery which is located in south Sonoma. If you haven’t been there make sure it’s on your itinerary next time you visit Napa and Sonoma because their wines are exceptional. Ask for Joanna or Meghan and tell them you’re friends with Local Wally if you want to be treated like a VIP. Did you know I also write NapaTouristGuide.com? So trust me, this is great wine!

Joanna pouring Sangiacomo Wines at the San Diego Food + Wine Festival

Paso Robles was also represented, as were wineries from Baja California, Temecula, everyone was there. Wines were unlimited and there were no snarky comments or judgement if you kept coming back for more. And more. And yes, spirits and beer and cocktails were there as well with manageable lines so you never had to wait too long to get a refill.

Truffles! Lowes Coronado always does a great job at this event.

As for the food, someone was calling out “who wants truffles?” if that gives you an idea of the food qualify. Lowes Coronado had pillowy soft gnocci topped with fragrant truffle shavings. Not truffle oil, that’s so amateur. The real deal. I gulped that down like my dog grabs treats and moved on because there was so much good food this year. Bone marrow, tacos, and my favorite bite, the pork belly skewers grilled and served with a stone fruit glaze from Huntress from the Gaslamp District that knocked my socks off. Best thing I ate for sure, but plenty of other runner ups for sure.

I like anything on a stick, especially if it’s grilled pork belly from Huntress Steakhouse

I’ve been to this event every year for the past 15 years and this was by far the best event. It gets better every year and there’s no reason to believe that 2025 isn’t going to be even better. Look, trust me, get some friends and go. It’s worth every penny. And if you can swing it then splurge on the VIP tent because while the food and wine at the standard event is incredible, the VIP tent really kicks it up a notch. Plus, the live band is in the tent and the dance floor is calling - go ahead, have another glass of Chateau Montelena and show them you can still do the moonwalk.

And there’s more to the San Diego Food + Wine Fest!

The Grand Tasting is what everyone talks about but prior to that Saturday event is a week of excursions and dinners and wine tasting events. Check out their schedule but if gourmet dinners, trips to Baja wine country, or just food strolls through San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods sound interesting you’ll want to pay special attention to these events.

And every year there’s The Grand Decant, a wine tasting event featuring the best of the best and held indoors on Friday evening before the main event. Think of this as Christmas Eve of the SD Food + Wine Fest. It’s fun, there’s a ton of wine, a few gourmet snacks, and a good way to whet the appetite for what’s to come on the weekend.

It’s Taco Time on Sunday at the San Diego Food + Wine Fest

the grand fiesta and taco tko is on sunday

After the Grand Tasting event on Saturday you would think that you’ve had enough but then you find out that there’s The Grand Fiesta on Sunday featuring dozens of tacos, tequilas, cocktails, and Baja Wines and all of a sudden you’re ready to go again.

Held at the big park at Liberty Station, The Grand Fiesta is similar to The Grand Tasting but features just tacos - and I’m not talking Robertos or Wallybertos level, I’m talking about gourmet tacos that are competing for your vote for best taco in San Diego. There’s not just a Birria taco, there’s a Birria with Mac and Cheese taco from Krispy Boz Tacos and it was so decadently delicious that I split it with my wife - and instantly regretted not getting one for myself (back in line, Wally).

Some of the tacos looked like works of art too delicious to eat - but ate them I did and every bite was worth it.

The Grand Fiesta is one of my most favorite foodie events and it’s a bit less expensive than The Grand Tasting. Super casual and relaxed, no long lines, live music, and if you love tacos then there’s no way you’re not going to love this event. Seriously, bring a bunch of friends and there’s no way you’re not going to have a good time. And yes, I would like to try some Mezcal. Which one? All of them please.

WRAP IT UP WALLY!

We are so lucky to live here in San Diego. But sometimes it’s easy to forget how wonderful it is here. If you need a reminder then buy tickets to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival in 2025. You’ll leave full and happy with a huge smile on your face as you impatiently wait for another year to pass so you can do it again. I know because I just got home and couldn’t wait to share this with you.

San Diego "TacoFest" is Coming Nov 10, 2025, at Liberty Station: San Diego Wine + Food Fest

eventsLocal WallyComment
San Diego Wine Food Fest Taco TKO

SAN DIEGO WINE + FOOD FEST TACOFEST GRAND FIESTA IS COMING NOV 10, 2025

The Lowdown in One Bite: Dozens of booths handing out gourmet tacos along with unlimited Baja wines and spirits make for a grand finale to the San Diego Wine + Food Fest. Held on Nov 10, 2025, at the large Ingram Plaza park in Liberty Station, it’s a laid back fun event where you sample taco after taco and get to vote who makes the best in the San Diego Taco TKO.

How Much Does it Cost? The general ticket is$109 and gets you three hours of unlimited tacos and drinks.

Is the San Diego Wine and Food Fest Grand Fiesta TacoFest WORTH IT?? I’ve been to many wine and food festivals and “Taste of…” events and this by far my favorite for overall value and culinary enjoyment. The tacos are insane with dozens of chefs putting their best taco forward and every taco is elevated to new levels of deliciousness. If you love tacos (if you live in San Diego of course you do), this event is for you. Unlike a lot of food events where the bites are Costco sample size, at the Grand Fiesta you’ll find full sized tacos along with fully packed street tacos. They’ll be rolling you out like a giant burrito if you try them all.

What to Expect at San Diego’s Wine + Food Fest Grand Fiesta?? The vibe is oh so friendly and relaxed. A leisurely walk past the booths, grab a taco, any taco, that looks tasty and a beverage to wash it down. Sit back and do some people watching, listen to the live music, go back for more. The lines are short or non-existent at the booths so there’s no pressure to get back in line. And the food, you might find a carne asada or carnitas taco but trust me when I say that it will be one of the BEST you’ve ever had. I’ve gone to this event for the past few years and seriously have only had maybe one taco that I would call a dud - and it was barely a dud, just hard to compete when the stand next to you is grilling octopus and lobster. Wait…Seriously??

Grab Some Friends - Treat Yourself to a Grand Fiesta! If you’ve never been to a wine and food festival then start with this one. It’s fun, it’s easy, and I guarantee in the end you’ll going to want to come back again next year. It’s a fun social event so get some friends together and let’s kick off this holiday season right - with tacos, lots and lots of tacos!

LAS CUATRO MILPAS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS: FAKE NEWS!

Local WallyComment

By now we should know that you have to fact check things you hear on social media and the news. No, they are not eating the dogs and double NO, Las Cuatro Milpas is not going out of business. The story was posted on a San Diego blogsite and soon went viral but I am here to tell you that it’s fake news, totally untrue, and that the BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO will still be served at Las Cuatro Milpas for years to come. Hopefully forever.

BUT WAIT!!! In Jan 2025 Las Cuatro Milpas had health colde violations that closed down the restaurant. The issues weren’t nothing - major vermin issue as the one that caught everyone’s attatention and for a while it seemed like the end. The real end. But they are back open and passed the latest health code inspection. So not to worry, look the other way, and let’s pretend nothing happened. Look, I always said that a good taco shop should have a bit of danger to it. Today so many taco shops are gentrified and cater to suburbanites and that is not Las Cuatro Milpas. And that’s find with me. Now back to the original story.

For those of you who don’t know about this little hole in the wall joint it’s located at 1857 Logan Ave in San Diego, a not so touristy area of town. If Anthony Bourdain were still alive it would be the type of place he would love, a local non-touristy spot that simply puts out the best food possible at prices that seem like it’s still 1990. $5 for a Tamal floating in a bowl of rice and beans? Hot sauce that is authentically spicy and not watered down for gringos? A line of people grasping their cash like it’s their last dollar waiting for their spot at the counter to order? Yes, it’s cash only, no, there’s no frilly margaritas or booze of any kind, and no, it’s not the least bit fancy. But locals all know this is the place. Thank God it’s not closing.

So grab your cash (no credit cards, no venmo) and get in line and get ready for the best Mexican food, possibly the best meal, in all of San Diego. I love you Las Cuatro Milpas.

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2025: Bigger than Ever (Plus my GRIPE about the 2024 Event)

Local WallyComment

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival is COMING BACK n 2025 and you’re not going to want to miss it. Mark your calendars and block out the first week of OCT 2025 right now so you won’t be double booking the date once it’s announced. My educated guess is it will be OCT 4th and 5th, 2025, but it could be the weekend before or after. Look, just block it out and click this button below for updates.

What is the del mar wine + food fest???

The Del Mar Wine + Food Fest features dozens and dozens of San Diego’s BEST restaurants and chefs along with plenty of top notch California (and beyond) wines all set out for you to sample. But don’t think this is like your standard “Taste of San Diego” street fair. At the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival you can expect gourmet bites that show off the skills and ingredients. Want to see?

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DEL MAR WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL?

Two glorious days in the sunshine fields of the Del Mar Surf Sports Park, formerly known as the Del Mar Polo Fields. Rows and rows of booths handing out near full size portions of everything from Pastrami sandwiches to sushi, every plate is prepared with a sense of artistry and finesse that you don’t expect at a food festival. No no no, this is not like a Costco sample! And the people watching is nearly as much fun as the tastings.

file this under: my biggest gripe and complaint on the del mar wine + food festival

So much food, so much wine, so many beverages. I’ve been to many food festivals where the long lines led to a tiny “happy size” bite, sort of like getting one Skittle when you were expecting a handful. The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival isn’t like that. And that’s my biggest complaint - too much food! Too much wine!! Every plate was huge, big ole bites, giant portions, full size mescal margaritas, which meant that I either had to be super selective or eat until I was ready to burst.

OK, so I ate until I was ready to burst but next year I’m going to try a different strategy and not eat breakfast, not even a crumb. I might even resort to a salad the night before. I mean it, the food is so good that you will be bummed out when you have to pass up another bite of fresh sashimi or say “no thanks” to more BBQ’d waghu beef. Caviar? No, too stuffed. Damn it!

SPLURGE ON THE VIP TENT - YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

Seems like every event these days has a VIP tent and some are worth it, some are not. For the Del Mar Wine + Food Fest it’s definitely worth it starting with the fun vibe of a live band at the VIP Reception to the upgraded wines and food in the tent. Unlimited oysters that would make a hungry otter happy, all freshly shucked. Champagne, caviar, duck liver pate, it’s everything you wished it could be. Add to it the VIP restrooms (fancy), the VIP parking (nice), and just being a VIP if only for a weekend. I feel so special.

SUM IT UP, WALLY

I really like the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. The site is huge and the crowds manageable so unlike some events where it’s like walking down the Midway at the Del Mar Fair on the Fourth of July, the Del Mar event is sophisticated and civilized. Lines are short - the longest line was for the insanely good ice cream and event that only took 5 minutes. Most of the booths were walk up ready with plates ready to go.

So mark your calendars and check back for when tickets go on sale. The Del Mar Wine and Food Festival is coming back in 2025 and you’re going to want to be there.

TEMECULA 2 FOR 1 PASS: $39 PER COUPLE, CHEAPER THAN GROUPON OFFER

Local WallyComment

WHY PAY FULL PRICE FOR TEMECULA WINE TASTINGS??

Use the Priority Wine Pass to get discount deals all over Temecula. And guess what? I have it CHEAPER THAN GROUPON at just $39. Groupon charges $44.85 for the exact same pass - well, not exactly the same price because if you buy it through me you get my FREE CONCIERGE SERVICE where I can help you pick wineries and plan your itinerary. Get it on Groupon and you are on your own as they have no concierge service. Heck, they have no service at all!

HERE ARE ALL OF THE TEMECULA DEALS AS OF OCT 2024

Bel Vino Winery: 2 for 1 tasting (except Saturdays) ($18 Savings)

Cougar Vineyard & Winery: 25% off 90 minute tour, tasting and food pairing with reservation ($20 Savings)

Danza del Sol Winery: 2 for 1 Tastings and 10% off Bottle Purchases. ($25 Savings)

Falkner Winery: 10% off wine purchases

Long Shadow Ranch: Monday thru Thursday BEFORE 2pm receive $10 off purchase of TWO tastings and 20% off all bottles purchased. ($10 Savings)

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery: 50% off Wine Tastings Sunday through Friday (Saturdays excluded) & 10% off Pairings Food Truck and Wine Purchases every day (inclusive of wine by the glass and bottles) ($25 Savings)

Mount Palomar Winery: 2 for 1 tastings on Sunday thru Friday and $10 off tastings on Saturdays.

Masia de la Vinya: 2 for 1 Tasting and 10% Off Wine Purchases ($25 Savings)

Maurice Car’rie Winery & Ultimate Vineyards: Monday-Friday: 2 for 1 tastings Saturday-Sunday: $10 off regular price tasting, $15 off private wine tour & tasting Every day: 10% off wine bottle purchases ($25 Savings)

Monte De Oro Winery: 2 for 1 Tastings and 10% off wine AND bistro purchases! ($22 Savings)

Oak Mountain Winery: 2 for 1 Tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Poggio Leano Winery and Vineyard: Purchase two "Poggio Leano Wine Tasting for 5 tastings + Chef's appetizer" and receive a FREE bottle of our sparkling Bollicine. Valid Saturday and Sunday between 12-4PM. ($46 Savings)

Raul Ramirez Winery: 2 for 1 tastings Wednesday-Friday ONLY. 10% off wine purchases daily. ($30 Savings)

Ramona Ranch Winery: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off Bottle Purchases ($13 Savings)

Wiens Family Cellars: 2 for 1 tasting ($30 Savings)