All The Ways You Can Celebrate Wine In San Diego
Not that you needed an excuse to drink wine, but May 25th is National Wine Day – a day to celebrate the form of grapes we love the most. To get you started on your celebration, we’ve rounded up a list of all the best things you can do in San Diego that involve wine.
Drink up!
Explore the local wine scene on a wine tour
Choose between a walking, train, or chauffeured tour for a deep dive into San Diego’s best boutique, family-owned, and urban wineries.
While their focus is on food, Epicurean San Diego offers a South Bay tour, which ends the day at Seaport Village’s San Pasqual Winery for a guided tasting.
Temecula Valley Cable Car Wine Tours
If you’re feeling ambitious, head up to Temecula to embark on a winery tour on a restored 1914 San Francisco cable car.
For a custom Baja experience, book a private tour for you and up to 10 friends to explore the best wine Valle de Guadalupe has to offer.
Stay local with a wine flight from one of San Diego’s urban wineries
While less famous than Temecula and Valle de Guadalupe, San Diego has a blossoming wine scene. Check out our latest post to find a local winery that fits your taste buds: Beer’d Out? Wine Your Way Through One Of These San Diego Wineries
Keep it casual at a wine bar
If a wine tour or vineyard doesn’t fit into your schedule, drink your wine on your time – at a wine bar with a nice cheese and charcuterie board.
Some of our favorites:
Wet Stone – 1927 Fourth Avenue, Bankers Hill
Highlighting the best of South America with Peruvian ceviche, churrasco, and Sangria, Wet Stone has a rotating wine list offering interesting and robust South American wines.
The Rose Wine Bar and Bottle Shop – 2219 30th Street, South Park
This South Park staple favors the adventurous with interesting bottles from Eastern Europe, Spain, France and a delicious food menu to go along with it.
Grape Smuggler – 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
This Liberty Public Market spot carries hundreds of wines from every corner of the globe. Sip on a favorite or try something new while snacking on some charcuterie or tapas at their tapas bar.
Vino Carta – 2161 India Street, Little Italy
With a focus on small, family-run producers, and natural wines, this Little Italy wine shop is the perfect spot for a tasting and education session.
The 3rd Corner – 2265 Bacon St, Ocean Beach
A wine shop and bistro, this upscale eatery has a quaint atmosphere and an expansive selection of wine.
Pick up a bottle and take it with you
If you’re just looking to bring a bottle to your final destination, these wine shops offer a great selection and a knowledgeable staff:
- Bird Rock Fine Wine – 5687 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla
- Holiday Wine Cellar – 302 West Mission Avenue, Escondido
- La Costa Wine Co. – 7750 El Camino Real, Carlsbad
- Meritage Wine Market – 162 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas
- Wine Bank – 363 Fifth Avenue, Downtown
- The Wine Connection – 2650 Via de la Valle, Del Mar
- Bine & Vine Bottle Shop – 3334 Adams Ave, North Park
Unleash your artistic side with a side of wine
Pick up a bottle at one of the shops above, grab some friends, or take yourself on a solo date, and paint. Nothing helps the creative juices flow more than a large glass of wine.
- Pinot’s Palette – 2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 106, Liberty Station
- CeramiCafe – 3435 Del Mar Heights Road, Del Mar
- Missus Pots – 4225 Oceanside Blvd Suite D, Oceanside
- Wine & Paint Social – Various Locations, or plan your own event
- Paint Vineyard – 10035 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite G, Scripps Ranch
- Wine & Canvas – Various Locations, check their event calendar
Bring your favorite bottle to a park for sunset
There are several parks around San Diego that allow alcohol during certain hours. For a complete list, visit the San Diego Government website. Our favorite parks for a sunset wine session are:
Balboa Park
Alcohol permitted in: Botanical Building East Lawn, Botanical Building West Lawn, Federal Building Lawn, House of Pacific Relations Lawn, International Lawn, Mall Lawn, Moreton Bay Fig Lawn, Pan American Plaza Lawn, Recital Hall Lawn. No alcohol allowed from 8pm – noon.
Collier Neighborhood Park – 2351 Soto Street, Ocean Beach
Tecolote Community Park – 4675 Tecolote Road, Mission Bay
Presidio Park – 2811 Jackson Street, Old Town
Pioneer Park – 1521 Washington Place, Mission Hills
