Treat Yourself to 60+ Spirits Brands Above the La Jolla Coast
The San Diego Spirits Festival has been at this for 17 years, and it still books the best room in the city. The whole operation takes over the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, where the tasting tables sit a block from the water and the view does half the work.
More than 60 premium spirits brands pour across the weekend, alongside local restaurants and caterers, live music, and cocktails built on site that disappear when the weekend does.
Start With Uncle Nearest and Work Your Way to Condesa Gin
The 2026 pour list runs deep: Uncle Nearest, Adictivo Tequila, Ole Smoky Whiskey, Tanduay Rum, Blanco Muerte, Dady’O Mezcal, Tanteo Tequila, Sovereign Brands, Condesa Gin, and Noche Vida Tequila, with boutique producers and craft distillers filling in around them.
Tastings are unlimited, which sounds like a dare but really just means you can take your time. Work through the new releases, then circle back for the festival-exclusive cocktails the mixologists are shaking behind the tables.
Local Chefs Keep You Upright Between Pours
San Diego restaurants and caterers handle the food side, so you are not tasting mezcal on an empty stomach. Live music runs throughout both days.
Founder Liz Edwards has grown this into one of the bigger spirits weekends on the West Coast, and more chefs, brands, and programming get announced as September gets closer.
See you there!
Seventeen years in, this weekend still earns its place on the fall calendar. Bring a friend, pace yourself, and let the Pacific handle the atmosphere.
📆 September 26 – 27, 2026 | 2 PM – 5 PM
📍 700 Prospect Street, La Jolla
🎟️ Grab your tickets here
ℹ️ Find more details here
See you there, San Diego!
