Things to Do in San Diego at a Distance in January

Slip into the moment: You’re strolling through Surf Sports Park in the fall outfit you’ve been dying to wear, maybe even snagging some handmade jewelry with rare natural gemstones from Timka Jewelry while sipping locally made hard kombucha and snacking on Michelin-starred must-try meals from San Diego restaurants. In the background, celebrity chefs mingle by small parties with DJs spinning and professional athletes passing by floral photo ops that are basically made to be framed. You pause for a wine pour that looks almost too good to drink and catch acclaimed talents like Jackson Kalb collaborating with Quixote. 

This is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival—one of SoCal’s premiere food and drink events showcasing the unique culinary experiences infused with San Diego’s fitness and wellness culture. If you’re heading to the fest this year, we put together an insider’s guide to all the standout activations at the Grand Tasting taking place from September 13 & 14. Here’s what not to miss:

Sips, Tastings & Photo-Ops

Across Saturday and Sunday, festival-goers can wander the grounds to enjoy activations from sponsors like LaCroix, Landmark Vineyards, Justin Wines, and Clink. These pop-ups will be offering food and drink tastings, goodie-bags, and little surprises that make wandering the festival half the fun.

Clink will be pouring a mix of wines in the picnic area just outside the VIP tent, while Justin, Landmark, and Lewis wines will host tastings nearby. Heaven Hill Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vago, will be outside the beach area near Feeding San Diego, and LaCroix will be available throughout the grounds with sparkling water and an Instagram-worthy floral photo-op near the Locals zone. 

You can also catch San Simeon wines outside the VIP tent, Spritz in the beach area, Peroni and Blue Moon outside VIP, The Grill Dads throwing tailgate-style parties with Grillin’ Time canned cocktails flowing from branded coolers, and The Los Angeles Golf Club Dryvebox giving everyone the chance to test their swing on a golf simulator. Follow your taste buds, your camera, or your curiosity and you’re guaranteed to run into something worthy of a pause at every turn.

Exclusive Chef Collabs

Chef collabs at the Del Mar Wine + Food fest mix flavor, personalities, and a little bit of culinary chaos in the best way. After all, how often do you catch two acclaimed talents sharing the same space? On Saturday, Jackson Kalb teams up with Quixote, while Jet Tila links with Serea and Lionfish for a full-on takeover of the Culinary Comp Zone. Both days feature Fox Point partnering with Haven’s Mawa McQueen in the VIP area, while Plant Paradise joins forces with Nichols Farms and chef Zuliya Khawaja. 

And this is just some of many prime celebrity-spotting opportunities. Your favorite chefs will be sprinkled all across the weekend’s lineup. Get the full lowdown on where to find them here. 

Local Bites & Cooking Demonstrations 

Beyond the zones, the weekend features some of the best SoCal names in the food and drink industry including A+M Catering, Amalfi Cucina Italiana, Quixote, Glass Box, Rosemarie’s Buns & Brews, Bianchi Winery, Rootdown Wine Cellars, and more. Saturday brings the star power of STK Steakhouse, Jake’s Del Mar, ARLO San Diego, and Provisional Kitchen, while Sunday turns the spotlight to Lana Restaurant, Waverly, Flame & Flavor, and Seasons 52. Click here to see the full list of participating restaurants.

Kyoku Knives will also make its mark as a headline sponsor throughout the festival, with chef Jeff Roberto breaking down sushi, sashimi, and Wagyu beef during the Sushi on a Roll activation in the VIP Reception Area. He’ll be joined by Brian Malarkey (Top Chef, Herb & Wood, Animae) and Tommy “The Fishmonger” Gomes (Outdoor Channel) so be sure to get your cameras ready. 

Games, DJs & Tailgates

Field games and foodie finds galore, throughout the weekend, attendees can catch some wiffle ball and classic ballpark eats at Ballpark in the Park, dive into a soccer experience with San Diego Wave FC or join tailgate enthusiasts with SDFC and DirecTV. Or, keep the celebration going with DJs spinning at the Mountain experience.

At Street Fleet Alley, find local food trucks and street food pop-ups serving their best fare. Plus, this year, Baja and Paso Robles head to San Diego to showcase their local breweries, restaurants, and lifestyle brands—keep an eye out for their activations. 

Everywhere you turn, you’ll find art installations, local food, celebrity chefs, TV personalities, and unique pop-ups. It’s what the Grand Tasting is all about: living your best life, one sip, bite, and beat at a time.

The Del Mar Wine and Food Festival returns for its third year from September 10–14—a weeklong celebration of food, drink, and wellness culminating in the Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday. Once again, the VIP tent is back with big names, Michelin-worthy bites, and exclusive pours from some of the state’s best wineries and beverage makers.

On September 13 and 14, the Grand Tasting will feature more than 120 restaurants and 150 international wine, spirits, and beverage producers gathered together at Surf Sports Park for an epic foodie gathering. Guests can sip and sample drinks and bites while mingling with Food Network stars, renowned chefs, and professional athletes, including the stars of San Diego Wave FC.

For the full experience, attendees can nab a VIP pass for exclusive perks and early access to all the fun. VIP tickets are $445 per day and include all the following goodies: 

Grand Tasting VIP Details

Surprise Tasting

On both days, food critic and Food Network judge Troy Johnson will be hosting a private tasting for VIP ticket holders to kick things off. Come early to see what he’s cooking up.

First Glass

The Tap Truck will be serving a selection of beers and cocktails on tap, while Goldeneye will be pouring sparkling wine to mark the start of the festival.

DJ Sets

Back again, longtime San Diego radio personality Chris Cantore will be spinning vinyl records in the VIP tent on both days. 

VIP Reception

VIP ticket holders get access into the festival 30 minutes before the Early Entry ticket holders and 90 minutes before the GA ticket holders, plus will receive exclusive access to the First Bites & Sips reception area from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Expect curated bites like fresh rolled pasta from former World Pasta Champion Chef Accursio Lota of Cori Pasitifico on Saturday and a surprise from San Diego’s most popular masked chef pop-up Cow by Bear on Sunday. Both days will also feature fare from Outdoor Channel’s Fishmonger star Tommy Gomes as he teams up with Sushi on a Roll chef Jeff Roberto to serve up freshly sliced sashimi. 

Joining them both days will be Warung RieRie, a backyard restaurant concept with a yearlong waitlist dishing up Indonesian flavors and San Diego catering company Shellfish Affair serving up oysters on the half shell.

VIP Bites

After enjoying the First Bites and Sips area, VIP guests are granted all access to rest of the Grand Tasting, including a VIP tent offering exclusive food options from chef Drew Deckman from 31THIRTYONE by Deckman’s, chef Phillip Esteban from Wildlour, celebrity chef Lauren Lawless, Amalfi Llama, Books & Records, California English, Garibaldi, Haven Farm + Table, Little Frenchie, Stake Chophouse & Bar, and the Avenue Fish & Oyster Company on both days. 

Saturday will also feature Chef Brad Wise and Trust Restaurant Group’s new concept A’L’ouest, Cowboy Star, Ember & Rye, Estancia La Jolla, Juniper and Ivy, Kimme Omakase, Kingfisher, and the Marine Room.

Sunday will feature chef Jason Knibb and Nine-Ten, chef Aron Schwartz from APS Hospitality Group, chef Tim Kolanko from Urban Kitchen Group, chef Karen Krasne from Extraordinary Desserts, Amaya at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Mister A’s, Ponto Lago, and the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

VIP Sips

VIP guests will be treated to sips by Michael Voltaggio’s Marcado 28 Tequila, chef Javier Plascencia’s Animalón Artisanal Mezcal, luxury wines from legendary winemaker David Ramey from Ramey Wine Cellars, Aperture, Austin Hope, Boich Family Cellar, Bricoleur Vineyards, Browne Family Wines, Calera, Cuvaison, J. Lohr, Kobrand Wine, Kosta Browne, German Wine Collection, Magna Carta Cellars, Marine Layer Wines, The Setting Wines, Panier, Perchance Estates, Rombauer Vineyards & Winery, Santa Barbara Winery, Vinos Finos de California, pours from Despacio Mezcal, and Whiskey in the Wild.

Mark your calendars for October 2–7, 2024, and prepare to indulge in a week-long celebration of San Diego’s vibrant food and wine scene at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival!

Now in its second year, San Diego’s premier food and wine event will feature a diverse array of bites, sips, and experiences. Attendees can look forward to sampling world-class cuisine from local restaurants, mingling with celebrity chefs, and savoring some of California’s finest wines and craft beverages.

Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival offers something for everyone—from casual tastings to high-end dining experiences. Not sure where to start? Click the links below each question for more details, including event schedules, participating chefs, where to see celebs, and ticket information:

BUY TICKETS

What is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• The 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Why Attend the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• Celebrity-Stacked Headliners Announced at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Where to See Celebs at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

What Events are Happening at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• A Guide to the Events at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Fest
• The VIP Experience at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Wine Legends Head to San Diego This October

BUY TICKETS

Listen: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Chefs on Happy Half Hour

Last year’s exclusive lineup featured some of our favorite chefs and food people. This year, some of our faves return for the big event. Learn more about a few of those returning guests on Happy Half Hour with host Troy Johnson:

• Javier Plascencia Talks Michelin Stars & Caesar Salad’s 100th
• Cardellino Owner Brad Wise on Truffles, Caviar & Butchering
• The Salt-of-the-Earth Star Power of Catherine McCord
• The Life of Failed Umpire Drew Deckman
• The Next Big Thing: New School American Cheese
• It’s Our 200th Episode! We Celebrate with Chef Brian Malarkey
• Getting Real With Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless

Watch: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Video Series

In case you missed it last year, check out our 2023 video series featuring some of the restaurants showcasing their fare again at this year’s event:

• Rosemarie’s Burgers
• Ambrogio by Acquerello
• ARLO
• Beeside Balcony
• Civico 1845
• Fish Guts
• George’s at the Cove
• Kingfisher
• Little Frenchie
• Matsu
• Nine-Ten
• Parfait Paris
• Tribute Pizza

Frequently Asked Questions

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Where to Buy Del Mar Wine + Food Festival tickets

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Tickets

If wine is a love language, if “wine cellar” riles up your Zillow emotions, or if you’ve simply heard of wine and have an interest in being in the room with the best of it, circle Oct. 3-5 on your calendar.

Crates of rare, ogled, oh-dang wines are being loaded onto trucks and planes on their way to San Diego—1er Grand Crus, cult loves, bottles not sent to restaurants but saved up for gatherings like this. It’s the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, and sommelier/winemaker Ted Glennon has pulled some of the country’s top somms, winemakers, farmers, and thinkers into town. Names like Mark Bright, David Ramey, Ian Cauble, Shelley Lindgren, David Lynch, and a host of others.

For three days they’ll post up at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, share tastes of rare and raved-about wines that define the wine world, and tell their stories. Here’s the lineup:

Thursday, Oct 3

In the Boardroom with Mark Bright + Benchmark Wines

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for serious wine people. Limited to 10 guests. The rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Mark Bright of world-famous Saison restaurant in San Francisco has selected the wines that move him the most, to share with a few friends. Get tickets.

Blind Tasting with The Masters: Ian Cauble + June Rodil

Blind taste test amazing wines with the best wine tasters in the country—a panel of master sommeliers. Led by Ian Cauble (he won the “Best Young Sommelier in the World” competition in Athens, Greece, and was one of the stars of the documentary SOMM) and June Rodil (one of 26 women in the Americas to earn a Master Sommelier credential). How the hell can a sommelier taste a glass of wine with zero knowledge and name the grape; the part of the world it’s grown in; the appellation, sometimes even the hill, or the winemaker, and whether or not that winemaker is a side sleeper? Well, sometimes they nail it, sometimes they fail. Here’s a chance to watch some of the best in the U.S. try their hand at it. Get tickets.

Friday, October 4

In The Boardroom With Ian Cauble + Benchmark Wine Group

The second in the series, 10 guests max. This is the rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Arguably the most beloved sommelier in the U.S. and one of the stars of the documentary film SOMM, Ian Cauble has selected the wines that excite him the most for you to try. Don’t miss out on these rare gems. Get tickets.

My Life in 8 Glasses With David Ramey

Hailed as “The Professor of Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, Ramey is a pioneering American winemaker who has spent his life elevating California wines. Ramey’s chardonnays and cabs are celebrated and acclaimed worldwide. He’ll take the audience through eight wines that defined his life. Get tickets.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Three of the next generation of wine minds come together to share what they’re seeing for the future. Where’s next? What’s happening at the forefront of the industry? What are they drinking? They’ve selected eight wines that define the “now.” The trio is made up of Femi Oyediran, Amanda McCrossin, and Fahara Zamorano.

Oyediran was Food and Wine’s “Top Sommelier 2019” and is the owner of Graft Wine Shop and Bar. McCrossin a.k.a. @SommVivant on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, left the dining room to spread the wine gospel on social media, and a half million-plus followers have tuned in. Zamorano, owner of Nite Thyme wine bar in LA, was named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in 2016. Get tickets.

Apertivo Italiano With Shelley Lindgren And David Lynch

Two wine legends and James Beard Award–winners: San Francisco restaurateur Shelley Lindgren (A16, SPQR) and her dear friend David Lynch (author of Vino Italiano and importer) have selected bottles to share while they tell the stories from a life in wine. Get tickets.

Great Cabernet Terroirs

Cabernet sauvignon is the most famous wine in history, but what really is the DNA of a great cab? Ted Glennon leads a killer group of heavy-hitters to taste and share insight: David Ramey, Jay James MS and Decanter Magazine’s California editor, Jonathan Cristaldi will showcase wines from Bordeaux to Chile, Napa, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Get tickets.

The Pyramid Valley Story With Steve Smith

Named as one of Decanter’s “50 Most Influential People for the Next Millennium,” winemaker and master somm Steve Smith unveils the first public tasting of the 2022 Botanical Collection. His session focuses on the most sought-after wines from New Zealand. Since their initial release in 2006, the Botanical Collection has created a new dimension for NZ wine. Get tickets.

A Perfect Wine

What’s the deal with the “points” scoring system that every wine shop touts? Is there a perfect wine? Three of the industry’s top minds from different parts of the industry—the critic (Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi), the sommelier (t), and winemaker (David Ramsey) each have their own ideas about what makes a wine perfect. They’ll poke a little fun at the scoring system, and share some of their near-perfect wines. Get tickets.

Saturday, October 5

Trip The Fizz Fantastic With Ted Glennon 

Dig bubbles? Same. Champagne started the category, but now there’s a whole solar system of great bubbles. Beverage director Ted Glennon (former wine director of the Hotel del Coronado and beverage director of Pebble Beach Wine + Food) leads a panel of rising-star talent to take us on a fizz-tacular voyage through nine new worlds of great sparkling wine. Get tickets.

For the second year in a row, The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival will be bringing some of SoCal’s biggest names in food and drink to the lawn at Del Mar’s Surf Sports Park for the fest’s Grand Tasting events. And, if you want to get close to your favorite celebrity chefs, TV personalities, and local culinary talent, special events, curated wine experiences, and immersive lifestyle activities are going down throughout the week. To find out where the celebs will be from October 2–7, check out our guide below:

Thursday, October 3

Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb & Jason McLeod

Trattoria di Prato 

On Thursday, acclaimed chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb, and Jason McLeod will host a four-course Italian dinner on the lawn at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. An award-winning chef and best-selling author, DiSpirito has worked in some of the best restaurants in the country, including the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Jardin des Sens in France. 

Joining him will be Top Chef alum Jackson Kalb, who launched his own catering company at the age of 12. Today, Kalb is chef and owner of Jame Enoteca, Jemma, and Ospi in LA, chef and partner of Wake&Late, a private chef, and a caterer. He’s also working to secure funding for his flagship concept, Workshop Restaurant.

With over 25 years of culinary experience, chef Jason McLeod rounds out the talent for the exclusive event. His skills earned him two Michelin stars in Chicago, and in 2022, he became the culinary consultant for Clique Hospitality in Las Vegas. Tickets are priced at $300 per person.

Friday, October 4

Drew Brees & Kyle Cooke

Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle

Former pro football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees will host the annual Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament on Friday, October 4. The event, benefiting Feeding San Diego, will also feature other celebrity participants, including tennis champs CoCo Vandeweghe and James Blake; Olympian Chase Budinger; San Diego Padres alums Mark Loretta and Tim Stauffer; Shannon Mac Milan, legendary Hall of Fame USA Women’s Soccer Player and current VP of the San Diego Wave FC; San Diego Wave FC; the San Diego Padres; and Alicia Gwynn. Plus, Summer House’s Kyle Cooke will hit the courts with Lover Boy, his line of sparkling hard teas, spritzes, and cocktails. Food Network host Catherine McCord and The Grill Dads will be onsite as well, serving up delicious bites for the afternoon. Tickets start at $125 to spectate or up to $500 to play a round with a pro. 

Maneet Chauhan

The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego 

Catch award-winning chef, television personality, and author Maneet Chauhan at the Night of Divine Art + Cuisine event on Friday, October 4. A judge on Food Network’s Chopped, Chauhan is also the first-ever two-time winner of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, in which she competed against renowned chefs from across the country. The sunset dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. and includes four courses and wine pairings. Tickets are priced at $300.

Jason McLeod

Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Join some of the top Napa wine producers for a walkaround tasting experience at Rancho Santa Fe hosted by chef and restaurateur Jason McLeod and the culinary team at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. On Friday, October 4, guests can sample some of the wine country’s best pours. Tickets are priced at $225 per person.

Beau MacMillan, Matt Carter & Rene Andrade

Private La Jolla Estate

Get ready to don your best western flair and beachy elegance at the Coastal Cowboy dinner presented by Experience Scottsdale and co-hosted by James and Ryane Shields. Join acclaimed chefs Beau MacMillan (Guy’s Grocery Games, Next Iron Chef), Matt Carter, and Rene Andrade (James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef in the Southwest”) for a family-style tasting event at a private estate in La Jolla. Not able to attend? MacMillan will also be at Saturday’s Grand Tasting event, so be sure to grab your tickets. Tickets for the dinner are priced at $550.

Saturday, October 5

Claudia Sandoval & Aarti Sequiera

Private Estate in Rancho Santa Fe

On Saturday, chefs Claudia Sandoval (MasterChef) and Aarti Sequiera (The Next Food Network Star) will host a tasting experience incorporating spices from around the world in their Spice Girls Dinner. Born and raised in San Diego, Sandoval got her passion for food from her mother and grandmother, who both taught her how to cook. After winning the sixth season of MasterChef, she later became a judge on the Food Network and recently launched her own celebrity chef meal delivery service. She is also a bestselling author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. Sequiera, known as “The Spice Queen,” was the 2010 winner of Food Network Star. Tickets are priced at $500 per person.

Sunday, October 6

Brian Malarkey & Javier Plascencia

Moonlight Beach & Herb & Sea