San Diego Wine & Food Festival versus Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

We are so damn lucky in San Diego. We have numerous wine and food festivals throughout the year, so many that it’s hard to choose which ones to go to. As we round the corner this Fall of 2024 there are two of the biggest festivals coming - First up is the Del Mar Wine + Food Fest with their Grand Tasting event held over two days on Oct 5th and 6th, then followed by the San Diego Wine + Food Festival with their Grand Tasting event on Nov. 2nd.

With two competing large festivals, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s break it down.

DEL MAR WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL

• Grand Tasting Oct 5th and 6th, 2023. Additional events such as chef dining experiences starting Oct 2nd.

• Location: Grand Tasting at Del Mar Surf Sports Park, aka the polo fields. MAP

• Overview: Two days of Grand Tasting with some different food vendors on each day. Tickets range from $165 for standard admission to $425 for access to the VIP tent for either Sat or Sun. Coming both days will cost $275 for standard admission and $775 for VIP. And yes, there’s early entry options as well. HERE’S THE OFFICIAL TICKET INFO

• THE LOWDOWN: This is the second year for this event but last year the crowds were very manageable and the food quality off the charts. The VIP tent was pricey but worth it which is not always true at other events. A lot of people came for both days last year which doubles the fun but not the price.

• Wally Says: The photos below should show you what I’m talking about when I say the food at this event is over the top. While so many “food festivals” leave you feeling a bit hungry and trigger that haunting “was that worth it?” question as you walk back to your car, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival goes overboard with insanely good food and huge portions to boot. Lobster roll? OK, I’ll have another. Wait, a full size prime beef burger? Yes please. Oh no, oysters? More than an otter can eat? Sushi that’s not a California Roll? Bone Marrow with a shooter?? The list goes on and on and on and every bite was so delicious. All thriller, no filler.

• PRO’S: Easy parking, huge event space so you’re not bumping into people around you, food is easily the best I’ve ever had at an Wine and Food Fest.

• CON’S: Not on the water, vibe is a tad more restrained outside of the VIP tent but that could change this year as the word gets out what a great event this is.

SAN DIEGO WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL

• Grand Tasting Nov 9th with other foodie events such as a Michelin Guide Baja food and wine expedition and cooking classes starting Nov 2nd.

• Grand Fiesta Nov 10th at Liberty Station park. A smaller festival featuring just tacos and plenty of beverages and live music.

• Location: The Grand Tasting is the big event and held at Embarcadero Marina Park North, also known as the big grassy area behind Seaport Village and on the bay. MAP

  The Grand Fiesta is held at Liberty Station Ingram Plaza which is the big park in the middle, can’t miss it. MAP

• Overview: This is the 20th anniversary for this event so expect them to pull out all stops to make this the most impressive event ever. The week starts with plenty chef lunch and dinner experiences, trips to Baja, San Diego neighborhood food tours, but the Saturday Grand Tasting is the event that most people think of when you mention the San Diego Wine and Food Fest. Standard admission is $215 and of course there’s an early entry option for about $50 more which is always worth it. The VIP tent gets you additional food and drinks and access to the dance floor with live music and is $370. HERE;S THEIR OFFICIAL TICKET INFO

  The Grand Fiesta, aka Taco TKO, is my favorite smaller event, a very manageable festival with so many tacos there is no way you can try them all. The standard admission is $106.50. You can get early entry if you just can’t get enough tacos or consider it if you want to just hang out with the live music and friends all day.

• THE LOWDOWN: This is the wine and food fest that started it all and if I’m being honest it got a bit “light” during the Covid period, which can be expected. But last year they bounced back with an incredible and impressive spread and tons and tons of good wines, beers and spirits to try. I think they’re going to be hard to beat this year since it’s their 20th anniversary. My hopes and expectations are high and I’m pretty confident they’ll exceed them.

  As for the Grand Fiesta what’s not to love about tons of tacos in a laid back setting?

• Wally Says: Celebrity chefs, a beautiful bay side setting, glorious San Diego fall weather, and lots and lots of great wines and food bites make this a San Diego essential event. It’s like a giant party with unlimited hors d'oeuvres and stellar people watching. This is the original San Diego food and wine festival and I expect great things from them on their 20th anniversary. Don’t pass over their events the happening the week before - some very cool options ranging from Thai cooking classes to exploring the culinary scene in some of San Diego’s iconic neighborhoods.

• PRO’S: Great location and people watching, has a strong San Diego vibe that’s fun whether you’re in your 20’s or 70’s. Feels like a celebration event.

• CON’S: Can get crowded and the food tends to be more happy sized (which is not necessarily a bad thing if you want to try it all). Parking can be expensive if you don’t Uber (highly recommended!)

which is better? the del mar wine + food festival or the San Diego Wine & Food Festival?

You don’t really expect me to answer that, right? I mean, both are really, really good options and if your calendar is free and your budget says YES then do both. I think you’ll find that each one has a bit of something unique to offer that makes them both worthwhile. Being only the second year, after blowing it out last year I expect that Del Mar will be even better this year as they really want to put their name on the map. But come on, this is the 20th anniversary for the San Diego Wine and Food Fest so I am ready for them to really do some over the top stuff.

I will say that the San Diego Bay location is hard to beat so if I would give them an extra point there. There’s something so traditional, at least in a San Diego way, to tasting wine and savoring the sunshine (and food) right on the bay before the holiday season starts. In some ways it does signal the kickoff of the holidays.

But Del Mar is no slouch and the food, oh my God, the food was just so insanely good last year that I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. And if crowd size is a consideration the event is held on such a large area that you can spread out with very quick lines for food and drink, which is nice.

I guess I’m going to have to take the easy way out and tell you that both festivals are worth your time and money and if you only go to one, well, don’t worry too much about it as both are so good that there really is no wrong decision here.

DID YOU GO TO EITHER EVENT LAST YEAR? Leave a comment below!