I’m all happy as I just returned from the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad, CA, held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. This annual event happens every June and while tickets are not yet available for 2024 you need to make room in your busy schedule now to make sure you go. I’m serious, this is really a great event.

CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL 2024, SAN DIEGO EVENT, TICKET INFO AND UPDATES

CA WINE FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

What is it?: It’s a wine and food festival where you get unlimited glasses of wine and food snacks held at the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. There are two events, the “rare wines” sunset event held the evening before, and the main event where you walk from booth to booth to get the samples.

When is it?: Held annually in June, tickets for 2024 will be announced soon. Go to their official site to get more info.

How much does it cost?: The Beachside Wine Fest (aka the walk from booth to booth to sip and snack event) is $105 pp, but currently has a $75 early bird deal good until June 13th. Get that ticket!! The Sunset Tasting Event (the classy one) is $140 pp, discounted to $105 for early birds.

Where can I get tickets: Go to their Official Site to get tickets to either of their two events.

With so many Wine and Food Fests in San Diego (along with countless “taste of San Diego” local events, why does the CA Wine Festival in Carlsbad rank as one of my top picks? Because unlike some of the other mega events, the CA Wine Festival is, well, relaxed might be a good way to describe it. With the other events my watch is lighting up saying “CALM DOWN - YOU’RE STRESSED OUT” the moment I try to figure out where to park, but with the CA Wine Fest parking is easy - and free. Nothing makes me more happy than free parking right next to the event.

And while the event isn’t as huge as some of the other wine and food fests in San Diego, it’s big enough. I mean, how much wine can you seriously sample in an afternoon? With ridiculously short lines you can try them all if you are up for that (spit buckets available, and the grass didn’t seem to mind a splash here and there).

If all of this wine was making you hungry you only had to step aside to pick up any number of delectable eats - not “bites”, not “samples”, but full sized tacos, hot out of the oil fried chicken, all you can eat wood fired pizza. This is real food portions, not Costco size samples. And. No. Lines. I like that. Really like that.

I didn’t forget the wine. Obviously there were plenty to keep you busy for the afternoon as you sauntered around the event, took in some live music, and enjoyed the sunshine that was cooled with a coastal breeze. Napa was there, Paso was there, San Diego was there, hey, France was there too and everyone serving was clearly having fun.

And in case you were wondering if this event is WORTH IT, if you’ve been to a Napa winery lately the tastings are running on average $40 per person and even Temecula is charging $20+ per person. So yes, walk to a couple of booths, grab some lunch, how can it NOT be worth it? And that’s not even factoring in how much fun the event is.

So yes, I LOVE the CA Wine Festival in Carlsbad and think you will too. Look, I’m not saying I won’t be at all of the other wine and food festivals in San Diego because each one is fun and unique but I am saying that the CA Wine Fest in Carlsbad definitely has a spot on my calendar next June 2024.

Come back soon for more info on 2024 tickets!