Some food events ask for an evening. This one asks for a passport. The Baja Culinary Expedition is back as part of the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, and it takes up a full day on the other side of the border in Valle de Guadalupe.

Pick-up is at Moniker General in Liberty Station, drop-off is back in the same spot, and everything in between is covered by the ticket.

Hosted by the Guy Who Knows Everyone in the Valle

Fernando Gaxiola, founder of Baja Wine + Food, builds the itinerary and hosts the day himself. That is the whole reason this works the way it does.

The winemakers and chefs on this route open up because of who is asking. You get access that comes from relationships rather than reservations, which makes the day feel less like a tour and more like being someone’s guest.

Reserve Pours at Baja’s Oldest Winery

The group gets a private experience at Bodegas de Santo Tomás, the oldest winery in Baja, with reserve bottles poured by the people who made them.

That alone would carry a morning. Here it is the first stop.

Lunch at Villa Torél, Dinner by Diego Hernández

Lunch is at Villa Torél. The afternoon shifts to Fireside at MIRA Earth Studios, and dinner comes from chef Diego Hernández, with premium and reserve regional wines poured alongside the food. Michelin-recognized cooking turns up on the route, too.

One day, one route, built around the people who turned Valle de Guadalupe into the wine region everyone now drives down for.

Pack Your Passport Before Anything Else

A valid passport is required, full stop. The trip is 21 and over, and no infants or children are allowed, so this is not the family outing.

Security screening and a bag check are part of the day, and it runs rain or shine. Tickets are $660 per person and cover the whole thing, from the first pour to the drive home.

See you there!

Valle de Guadalupe is closer than most San Diegans treat it. This is the easiest way to spend a day there, passport stamped, glass full, and somebody else driving.

📆 Thursday, November 5 | 7:30 AM – 10 PM
📍 2860 Sims Rd, San Diego
ℹ️ See what it’s all about here

See you there, San Diego!