Much like the architects who worked on the museum’s previous redesigns, Annabelle Selldorf incorporated existing architectural features into the reimagined space. The property doubled in size and nearly quadrupled its gallery spaces, making room for both permanent and special exhibits.
There’s no wrong turn inside the Museum of Contemporary Art’s La Jolla flagship. The new floor plan of the modern, massive, four-year expansion naturally guides you down a “choose your own art adventure,” across spacious maplewood and concrete floors, past airy special exhibit halls and quiet side rooms, before a large-scale Warhol and across to a Lichtenstein. Around 200 works of art are on display—and that’s not even counting the windows on the ocean, which the museum’s previous incarnation lacked.
Architect Annabelle Selldorf’s guiding principle was to maximize the museum’s gallery space and seamlessly blend it with the existing structure and its environment. There’s no better example of that than the reimagined entry, now on the east side of the building. It’s bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows that hug the museum’s Moreton Bay fig tree, and it’s design driven—Italian travertine panels line the building’s exterior and continue into an interior wall of the reception, bringing the outside in. Elsewhere, more rooms were carved out (the property doubled in size and nearly quadrupled its gallery spaces), ceilings were lifted (some top off at 20 feet), and custom-made elements add subtle wow moments, like the floating interior staircase made of precast concrete slabs that were pieced together like a puzzle.
Director and CEO Kathryn Kanjo
Architect Annabelle Selldorf
Most of all, the museum recognizes place more than ever before. Almost every room has a peek to the outside: On one end, it may be the tall, narrow windows or floor-to-ceiling ones that overlook the passersby on Prospect Street; on the other, the ocean acts as the background art as you make your way through each room.
Director and CEO Kathryn Kanjo sees it as a reorientation. “The building is designed to invite you in,” she says. “But there are all of these different moments to reestablish yourself once you’re in the space, whether it’s noticing the village you just walked in from or stepping out onto one of the terraces overlooking the ocean.”
The museum’s new entry is located on the east side of the building, facing Prospect Street, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Italian travertine panels along the walls both inside and out
Studio Maha
Much like the architects who worked on the museum’s previous redesigns, Selldorf incorporated existing architectural features, using what was already there in a way that still feels cohesive. In that sense, the renovation feels like an ode to the museum’s 80-year history (most of it woman-run)—and its future, as it encourages visitors to not only view art in a traditional sense, but to really be a part of it. Look to the former parking lot, which is now a peaceful outdoor public art space with gathering points tucked in throughout.
“The beauty is that you can have your experience with the individual artwork, but you can also come here to seek out an artful respite, a place for reflection,” says Kanjo.
“It’s an intellectual experience and a connecting experience, for yourself and to share with others.”
Tschabalala Self, Evening, 2019
She adds that the museum can now have its permanent collection on display alongside special exhibitions; previously, they only had room for one or the other. Come April, when the doors officially reopen, you can see that harmonious relationship at work in the special exhibit Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1960s.
The La Valencia Hotel is celebrating its 95th anniversary, and we’re planning on sipping (pinkies up) inside the Mediterranean Room. Yes, it’s the return of springtime tea service, which comes complete with a complimentary champagne flute and a menu that boasts items of the sweet, salty and savory variety. Pair French DAMMANN Frères teas with bakery items like macarons, quiche, and a variety of mini pastries. There’s also smoked salmon and the tea time essential: finger sandwiches. Seating times for La Valencia’s tea service repeat every Thursday and Friday from 11:00-11:30 a.m. until May 6. Tables are $75 and can be reserved here.
Come sample foods from over 35 Hillcrest restaurants with tastes and treats to satisfy any and all palates. Everything from fine-dining staples and cultural delicacies, to cafe and neighborhood favorites, all will be included in the assorted walking tour. All attendees will also receive complimentary shuttle access, which runs every 15 minutes, so people can venture through the stops around the neighborhood on their own self-guided path. Early bird tickets are $30, and $40 on the day of the event, which includes a map of participating locations, a Fabulous Hillcrest Lanyard, and access to the Taste of Hillcrest app.
1051 University Avenue, 535 Robinson Avenue, Hillcrest
The reopening of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s flagship location after a four-year renovation is a big deal. At the reopening this Saturday in La Jolla, take advantage of the architectural tours that highlight the newest additions and browse the recently added collection galleries, which includes the Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1960s special exhibition making its West Coast debut after a highly acclaimed run in Houston. While observing the all-day performance lineup, enjoy complimentary bites from Urban Kitchen Group and feel free to purchase from a selection of wine and beer. Entry is free for all, with extra perks included for museum members.
Spend the weekend just a couple of blocks away from the Pacific Ocean at the Encinitas Spring Street Fair. Held in the town’s bustling downtown, the fun will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and feature concerts on multiple stages from groups such as Synrgy, Party Foul and the iconic band The Farmers, a fixture of the San Diego rock scene since the 1980s. Drinks will be provided by Ballast Point, Stone Brewing and PRP Wine International, with food from Escondidio’s Frida’s Street Tacos, so come hungry.
Julian Teas is hosting its inaugural April in Paris Teas this weekend with 2 seatings each day. The French-infused menu boasts a four course feast with an array of finger sandwiches, a choice of french onion or house pumpkin soup, scones and finished with a sweet-filled dessert tray. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available as well with advanced notice. Seating occurs at 11:30 and 1:30 with limited availability so call or email to reserve a table.
Hoping to capture the spirit and charm of luscious fields of lilacs of decades past, family-run farm Fort Cross is hosting a nearly month-long festival to celebrate the acres of blooming lilac groves in East County. There are lots of nature-themed activities planned, like tomahawk throwing, hoedowns, and don’t forget the lovely lilacs (available to peruse, purchase and plant). From live jug band music to the luscious nature loop, the pastoral history of the region will be preserved and celebrated for all attendees to see.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with tacos, tequila and live mariachi music from some of the best at their craft. The fun starts at 12:30 p.m. with a tacos and tequila reception for VIP ticket holders and transitions to a large-scale mariachi show in the concert hall of the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. This year’s featured artists include Mariachi Champaña Nevin, soprano Monica Abrego, and a Ballet Folklórico performance from Jose Jaimes, the director of the Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts, for the eighth straight year. Tickets can be found here.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Fans of remarkable artistry, live sports, and foodie-friendly excursions are all eating particularly well this week. The Civic Theatre will present eight performances of the stage comedy Oh, Mary!, while the city’s streets and MTS Blue Line stations will host another edition of Trolley Dances. As they chase their first World Series crown, the Padres will kick off a best-of-three Wild Card series with the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park, and over at Snapdragon Stadium, Mexican soccer rivals Cruz Azul and Club América will face off in an exhibition match. Last but certainly not least, unleash your appetites for the Taste of North Park, Mexico in a Bottle, and the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival, where five days of culinary experiences await.
Sample the neighborhood cuisine and culture alike during the Taste of North Park. Beginning Saturday at 11 a.m., check in at North Park Mini Park then check out more than 65 unique tastes, including over 50 food stops, across local delis, bistros, dessert shops, and more, plus live music, art activations, and local business pop-ups. Eventgoers can enjoy all-inclusive tastes until 3:30 p.m. and sips through 4 p.m. Food & sip tickets (21-plus) are still available for $65, but—like the food-only and shareable tickets—they are expected to sell out before Saturday.
Check-in: 3812 29th Street, North Park
Rancho BEERnardo Festival
October 3
For one afternoon each fall, Rancho Bernardo becomes Rancho BEERnardo, complete with a festival highlighting local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. This Saturday from 2-5 p.m. during the 21-plus Rancho BEERnardo Festival, attendees can sample from over 35 drinkmakers at Webb Park while enjoying food vendors and live music, all to raise money for the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club. Ticket options include general admission ($65) and VIP entry ($90), which grants early arrival at 1 p.m.; designated driver admission ($10) is also available.
11666 Avena Place, Rancho Bernardo
Le Salon de Musiques: Grand Opening at La Jolla Woman’s Club
October 4
Few things get more classic—or in this case, Enlightened—than the Le Salon de Musiques, kicking off its new season with a Grand Opening concert this Sunday (4 p.m.). The first monthly show of the 2026-2027 calendar at the La Jolla Woman’s Club will showcase more obscure works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Hiller, played by violinist Martin Chalifour, violist Carson Rick, cellist Allan Hon, and pianist Xiao Chen. After the performance, audience members will be joined by the musicians for a high tea buffet with French champagne. Tickets are $69 for students and $120 for the general public; full season passes ($864) are also on sale.
7791 Draper Avenue, La Jolla
Mexico in a Bottle at Bread & Salt
October 4
Mexican craft spirits and the storied traditions that bind them are the focus of the 21-plus Mexico in a Bottle festival, returning to Bread & Salt this Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Attendees can try sips and hear stories from distillers of Mexican mezcal, tequila, whiskey, rum, gin, and more. There will also be music from DJ Mafondo, art and craft vendors, panels on Peruvian agave and mezcal education, and vendors showcasing Oaxacan, Sinaloan, and Mayan cuisine. General admission ($82) is all-inclusive and can be purchased here.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
It’s finally fall, and although it may not feel like it (our ceiling fans are this close to flying off their hinges), San Diego is ringing in the cozy season with a heap of fun events. Whether you’re wanting to find your new favorite outfit at Fashion Week, cheer at the Oceanside Shock’s home debut, or practice meditation at the Strength in the City Festival, these are the best things to do in October.
Go beyond the menu during the Taste of North Park, with over 50 food samples and 15 beverage stops, plus live music and art-driven programming to keep all the senses engaged.
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Cross the Coronado Bridge—and bring your appetite—for A Taste of Coronado, an island-wide culinary jaunt in support of beloved businesses and the Promises2Kids nonprofit.
Courtesy of La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
10/8–11/1
In the Roustabouts Theatre Co.’s newest comedy at Scripps Ranch Theatre, roommate beef has no age limit. In “Ripcord,” a feud between Abby and Marilyn escalates to absurd heights.
10 & 11
Pay it forward to local public schools with each pet adoption, purchased piece of art—from over 170 artists—and sip of wine, beer, or spirits at the free La Jolla Art & Wine Festival.
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Those in search of creativity and community can find both at Other Places Art Fair South, a free showcase for independent artists and galleries at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Photo Credit: @gabephelan
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
9/30–10/4
Where can you play pickleball with celebs, sample local eats (including that place you’ve always been meaning to try), and take part in the scenic and delicious Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park? There’s only one answer: the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival.
2–4
Sashay your way through the 19th annual Fashion Week San Diego, home to stunning runway couture, fall designer collections, and a trunk show—perfect for shopping for your new look.
9 & 10
Dance to Y2K throwbacks all weekend long during Ocean Beach Oktoberfest, which includes a beach party, a stein-holding competition, a brat-eating contest, and for VIP attendees, a custom “OB2K Oktoberfest” liter mug.
First comes the sting, then comes the shock. San Diego County’s newest sports franchise, Oceanside Shock, will make its home debut in the Federal Prospects Hockey League versus the Fresno Falcons at Frontwave Arena.
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Working out is just one part of this Waterfront Park wellness experience. Practice meditation, play bingo, and recover with sauna zones during the Strength in the City Festival.
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At the 25th annual Oceanside DÍa de los Muertos Festival, the Day of the Dead is alive and well. Walk through a chalk cemetery and Por Siempre Car Club’s decorative trunk altars during the free event.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, the walk between food tents can take a while. You might stop to watch a chef competition, get pulled toward the DJ, or find yourself playing mini golf before you remember which bite you were after.
Across the Del Mar Polo Fields, there’s also line dancing, a 1961 red Beetle ready for photos, and an aviation-themed pop-up with Reno Tahoe chefs and mixologists. Need a slower stretch? Check out the wellness stops or browse the shops. Here’s what to look for as you make your way through the festival’s zones:
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
VIP First Bites & First Sips
VIP ticket holders get a head start, with the VIP Reception running from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serving first bites, first sips, and a few surprises before the Grand Tasting officially gets going. Champagne Telmont will make the festival’s first pour, while Cohn Restaurant Group brings carajillos alongside pours from Karl Strauss, Licor 43, Tap Truck San Diego, Bebemos Tequila, and Devil’s Grin Gin.
The bites are just as good. Celebrity chef Beau MacMillan will serve a first bite, while Warung RieRie is bringing one of its highly coveted dishes. Yes, this is the restaurant that currently has an eight-month waitlist. You’ll also find bites from The Shellfish Affair, The Waverly, Wolf in the Woods, Dora Ristorante, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, An’s Gelato, Pacific 333, Vintana, and more.
And because every good first act needs a soundtrack, there will be live painting and music, with Courtney Govan bringing live jazz to the reception. It’s the perfect opening act before the main event.
Live Cooking & Culinary Moments
During the VIP Reception, chefs Tommy Gomes and Jeff Roberto will conduct a live ahi cutting. Plant Paradise brings another culinary angle, with celebrity chef Zuliya Khawaja joining the plant-based lineup. The area combines chef talent with plant-forward restaurants and brands, giving guests a chance to see just how creative plant-based cooking can get.
Throughout the weekend, The Stage keeps the cooking demonstrations coming, with celebrities and chefs sharing techniques, recipes, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who plans to actually cook something when they get home. Before you know it, you’re watching a chef demo, casting your awards vote, and sipping mezcal on the grass with friends you just met in line.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
DJs, Music, & The Party
At the Grand Tasting, dancing just sort of… happens. A DJ drops the right song. Someone’s holding a taco in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The country zone breaks into a two-step. Friends convince friends. Strangers become temporary dance partners. By the end of the day, everyone’s forgotten they were ever worried about looking cool.
DJ TENAX will be spinning in Plant Paradise, bringing house, techno, and UKG to an open-air dance floor that’s hard to leave. Chris Cantore, a veteran San Diego broadcaster, takes over the VIP Tent, while BootScootin Line Dance and PVO Events bring country-style line dancing to the Polo Fields, so you can work off your tasting itinerary one two-step at a time.
Then a live guitar hum in the distance leads you to a fuchsia boa over at the Pride Zone, where you’ll find yourself covered in sequins and having the lawn party of a lifetime.
Sports, Tailgates, & Games
Not every activity at the festival requires a tasting glass (although it’s certainly encouraged).
The Matchday Experience brings San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC into the Grand Tasting, complete with interactive tents and plenty of game-day energy. Athletic Brewing is also sharing activation space with San Diego Wave FC, bringing a fun nonalcoholic option into the mix.
For golf fans, the Los Angeles Golf Club is bringing a Dryve Box golf simulator to the festival. And if your competitive streak is less fairway and more miniature windmill, SD Pop Up Mini Golf has you covered.
The Beach Zone gets in on the action, too, with surfing-inspired elements and Playavole paddle courts. Hemlock Hats and other California brands add to the coastal atmosphere, but the real draw is having somewhere to actually play. And don’t worry, you can cool down in COOLA’s turquoise beach chairs, too, and when your bestie suggests reapplying sunscreen, obviously you do. Basically, there are plenty of ways to work up an appetite between tastings.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Photo Ops & Instagram Moments
You’re going to want to take photos, and the festival has made that extremely easy.
A Timeless Day is bringing multiple photo moments to the Grand Tasting, including a 1961 red Beetle at The Italian Getaway and a teal VW bus in The Beach Zone. For something a little more polished than the standard group selfie, head to the Locals Zone for Pixster Photo Booth and San Diego’s version of a Glam-Bot, complete with a grass red carpet.
Bebemos Tequila is also bringing back its festival-favorite hidden speakeasy. If there’s ever a time for a photo, it’s here. Otherwise, people might not believe you. The speakeasy serves bone marrow shots straight from the bone, with candlelight, a lounge area that makes it hard to believe you’re in a tent outside, and little orange shot glasses. This is “first slide of your festival photo dump” material.
You can also grab your squad and head to LaCroix’s bright and ridiculously cute setup, or swing by San Diego Magazine’s area, where you might stop for a photo in front of the larger-than-life SD Magazine sign and find yourself watching a painting come to life.
But really, you’re in Del Mar. The ocean is essentially your backdrop, and every zone gives you an excuse to stop for the obligatory “totally candid” photo. And yes, the best strategy is to get the group shot before everyone has been sampling wine for three hours.
Shop, Browse, & Take Something Home
The Grand Tasting also doubles as a little shopping excursion, with local makers, fashion, vintage finds, jewelry, and lifestyle brands scattered throughout the grounds. Smoke Revival Vintage Vault brings the thrill of vintage treasure hunting, while Nortte Hats and Hemlock Hat Company make a pretty good case for leaving with a new accessory.
Keep an eye out for jewelry and creative vendors, too, including Iris Studio Jewelry and New Nightfall Jewelry, plus local artists and makers featured throughout the festival.
You can come for an all day food and wine festival, but still leave with something shiny you definitely did not plan to buy.
Wellness & Reset Moments
We know, at some point, even the most dedicated grazer has to come up for air. The Novo Dia Wellness Zone is designed for exactly that, bringing together mocktails, coffee, hydration, wellness brands, and even bites from Parakeet Cafe.
Step away from the food and drink frenzy for a few minutes, relax in the shade, try some skincare, stretch with prAna, and maybe grab some Instant Hydration Electrolytes before round three.
There’s also nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses at Green Air Botanicals while devouring a dairy-free cheese dip. It’s less about disappearing from the party and more about making sure you have enough energy to keep going.
The zones give you somewhere to wander, and the activities give you a reason to keep going. So grab your tasting glass, check the schedule, and leave a little room in your afternoon for something you didn’t plan on doing. At Del Mar Wine & Food, that’s usually where things get interesting.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
At Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting, everyone has their own goals for the day. One friend wants oysters and Champagne. Another heard there’s line dancing. Someone disappeared into Taco Alley. The food person is making a beeline for every chef demo, the golf friend has found the simulator, and someone else is already settled into a beach chair with a mezcal cocktail and has announced they’re “never leaving.”
Consider yourself zoned in.
This year, the Grand Tasting turns the Del Mar Polo Fields into a full-blown foodie wonderland, with chef showdowns, wellness escapes, art installations, lawn games, music, and plenty of magazine-worthy plates. But the zones are where everyone gets to play their own way. You might sip your way through the SLO Zone, accidentally spend the afternoon behind the DJ booth in Plant Paradise, or live out your best beach day in The Beach Zone.
With 100-plus chefs and restaurants, 150-plus wineries, breweries, distilleries, and drink makers, plus a whole lot more happening in between, there’s no shortage of ways to spend the weekend. And with the Grand Tasting taking place October 3 and 4, there’s actually time to explore.
Because the problem with bringing your favorite people to an adult playground is that everyone wants to play differently. Luckily, you get two days to figure it out. Here’s where to start:
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
The Beef Experience
The Beef Experience, presented by Brandt Beef – One World Beef, is for the people who believe a food festival is a perfectly reasonable excuse to build an entire afternoon around meat. Brandt Beef brings its signature fare to the Polo Fields alongside a seriously stacked lineup of local favorites, from Tanner’s Prime Burgers and Ranch 45 to Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, Order Fire Barbecue, Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen, The Pit BBQ, Aloha Rib Shack, and more.
And then there’s the tent you might almost miss.
Tucked into Brandt Beef Alley, Bebemos Tequila has set up what looks, from the outside, like a fairly unassuming tent. Walk inside, though, and you’ll find a full little speakeasy lounge, complete with a bar and one very dramatic tequila trick. The team lights the shots right in front of you before pouring them straight into guests’ mouths. Candlelight, fire, tequila, barbecue. Suddenly, your casual afternoon tasting has taken a turn.
Grab a plate of Brandt Beef tallow fries, chase it with a pour from Bebemos Tequila or Tap Truck San Diego, and maybe browse Nortte Hats while you recover. The rules are simple: follow the smoke, trust the grill, and maybe don’t make dinner plans afterward.
The Beach Zone
For the friend who thinks every good afternoon should involve a little sunshine, a cold drink, and nowhere to be, there’s The Beach Zone. Presented by Reef Lifestyle, this laid-back corner brings the San Diego summer fantasy to the Polo Fields, complete with coastal bites, beach-inspired brands, and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
Grab bites from Duke’s La Jolla, Jake’s Del Mar, Lofty Coffee Co., Dang Brother Pizza Co., and Coral Del Mar, then cool off with Summer Club, Volley, Surfside Iced Tea and Lemonade + Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Mezo Mezoritas, Roseade Wine Spritzer, Pinkys, and more. Hemlock Hat Co., Coola, Sambazon, Playavole, Shibumi Shade, Spritz del Conte, and Out of the Woods add a little retail therapy to the mix, because the Grand Tasting obviously needs shopping, too.
And yes, there’s a photo op. Find the teal VW bus from A Timeless Day, gather your favorite people, and pretend you’ve spent the afternoon cruising the California coast instead of wandering around a wine and food festival.
It’s an area filled with surf-inspired games, your next favorite beach accessory, and a drink in hand. Basically, San Diego summer, condensed into one very convenient patch of grass.
Courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Pride Zone
Neon boas, glitter-filled drinks, and enough food to make choosing a single dinner impossible. The Pride Zone presented by San Diego Pride is bringing the energy, gathering some of San Diego’s favorite restaurants, bars, breweries, and sweet spots in one very colorful corner of the Polo Fields. Expect bites and beverages from Cary Q Wines, Gossip Grill, Rootdown & Es Okay, T’Maro Brands, and more.
Plant Paradise
Plant Paradise is your green oasis, but don’t expect it to be particularly peaceful. DJ Tenax returns with house, techno, UKG, and the kind of set that can turn a quick stop into an hour on the open-air dance floor. As Green Air Botanicals sets the mood, grab a cocktail from Mission Craft Cocktails, Makku, or San Hagen Tequila, and a bite from the sprawling lineup of plant-based bites and snacks from some of San Diego’s vegan favorites.
Kindred, Nourish Eats, The Plot, Maya’s Cookies and more. There’s also a full lineup of brands to snack your way through, including Aficio 22, Bücha Hard Kombucha, Nichols Farms, Nuts For Cheese.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
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