San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Returns Nov. 6–8, 2026

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is set to return Nov. 6–8, 2026, bringing three days of tastings, chef-driven events, and coastal culinary showcases to one of Southern California’s most established food and wine celebrations.

Now in its latest edition, the festival continues to draw national attention for its blend of high-end cuisine, local San Diego flavors, and waterfront atmosphere anchored in the heart of downtown and the bayfront.

The festival traditionally unfolds across multiple venues, with the San Diego Bay serving as its backdrop. Guests can expect a full schedule of curated tastings, winemaker-led pours, chef demonstrations, and intimate pairing dinners spread throughout the weekend.

The main event, the Grand Tasting, remains the centerpiece of the festival. Typically held along the Embarcadero, it brings together hundreds of wineries, breweries, and restaurants in a walkable open-air setting overlooking the water. Attendees move between stations sampling dishes from some of San Diego’s most recognized chefs alongside national and international culinary names.

One of the defining elements of the festival is its emphasis on chef participation. Local restaurants from neighborhoods such as Little Italy, North Park, and La Jolla are expected to be heavily represented, offering signature dishes alongside collaborative tasting plates created specifically for the event.

Live cooking demonstrations and panel discussions are also expected to return, giving attendees a closer look at emerging culinary trends, sustainability in food sourcing, and the evolving role of California cuisine on the global stage.

As its name suggests, wine remains at the center of the festival. Producers from Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and international regions typically participate, with curated tastings designed to highlight both established labels and smaller boutique wineries.

In recent years, the festival has expanded its spirits and cocktail programming as well, incorporating craft distilleries, mixology showcases, and pairing experiences that reflect San Diego’s growing cocktail culture.

In addition to the Grand Tasting, the festival is expected to feature a series of ticketed dinners, late-night events, and themed experiences throughout the weekend. These often include chef collaborations, waterfront dinners, and exclusive winery-hosted gatherings at restaurants and hotels across downtown San Diego.

Each year, these smaller events tend to sell out quickly, drawing attendees looking for more intimate experiences beyond the larger festival grounds.

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has steadily grown into one of the largest culinary festivals on the West Coast. Its combination of coastal setting, strong local restaurant participation, and national culinary talent has made it a key stop on the fall food and wine calendar.

For the city, the event also serves as a major tourism driver, filling hotels along the waterfront and bringing visitors from across the country for a weekend centered on dining, tasting, and coastal atmosphere.