The San Diego Food and Wine Festival returns for its 21st year in a row with so many events that it’s hard to keep track so as your local expert whose been to this event nearly every year since 2004 let me cut right to the chase.
The Grand Tasting: Nov 8, 2025
This is the event most people think of when you mention the San Diego Wine & Food Fest. Held in the huge grassy area behind Seaport Village, officially called Embarcadero Marina Park North, it’s rows and rows of food and wine stands featuring chef driven food and top notch wines and spirits. This is no lousy “that’s it?” event, think live music smoke from the grills, chefs with tweezers, it’s the best of the best when it comes to food festivals.
Tickets start at around $215 and if you’re wondering if it’s worth it, the short answer is yes. This is more than a food sample fest, it’s a food and wine event that will take your mind off the world and remind you of how good living here in San Diego is.
The Grand Fiesta: Nov 9, 2025
Sometimes called the Taco TKO or TacoFest, this is a lower key event featuring just tacos and wines from Mexico, along with live music and plenty of tequila and beer options. If you live in San Diego then you know we have great Mexican food so expect gourmet quality tacos at this laid back event. Honestly, I LOVE this event because it’s so easy to just hang out with friends and enjoy the ambiance and food. This event, held at the giant park at Liberty Station, has tickets that start at $158 per person.
The Grand Decant: Nov 7th, 2025
In inside event held the night before the Grand Tasting event, the Grand Decant is a massive exploration of luxury wine and spirits featuring wines from around the world. Small bites but this is mainly a wine event for wine lovers. There’s even a very exclusive LUX event for those seeking the ultimate intimate wine tasting experience, limited to just 50 guests. Tickets start at $292 per person.
more San Diego food + Wine Festival events
And if that wasn’t enough there are events in the week prior that include dinners at Mr. A’s, a Louis Latour Signature dinner, and a Culinary Cinema Series held in partnership with the Coronado Island Film Festival.
My advice if you haven’t been to this event before? Get some friends and go to the Grand Tasting. Come hungry, get there on time, and get ready for some amazing food and drinks. Pro Tip: Take the trolley or Coaster and enjoy the short walk to the event space and avoid parking and driving.
