Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

events

San Diego "TacoFest" is Coming Nov 10, 2025, at Liberty Station: San Diego Wine + Food Fest

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San Diego Wine Food Fest Taco TKO

SAN DIEGO WINE + FOOD FEST TACOFEST GRAND FIESTA IS COMING NOV 10, 2025

The Lowdown in One Bite: Dozens of booths handing out gourmet tacos along with unlimited Baja wines and spirits make for a grand finale to the San Diego Wine + Food Fest. Held on Nov 10, 2025, at the large Ingram Plaza park in Liberty Station, it’s a laid back fun event where you sample taco after taco and get to vote who makes the best in the San Diego Taco TKO.

How Much Does it Cost? The general ticket is$109 and gets you three hours of unlimited tacos and drinks.

Is the San Diego Wine and Food Fest Grand Fiesta TacoFest WORTH IT?? I’ve been to many wine and food festivals and “Taste of…” events and this by far my favorite for overall value and culinary enjoyment. The tacos are insane with dozens of chefs putting their best taco forward and every taco is elevated to new levels of deliciousness. If you love tacos (if you live in San Diego of course you do), this event is for you. Unlike a lot of food events where the bites are Costco sample size, at the Grand Fiesta you’ll find full sized tacos along with fully packed street tacos. They’ll be rolling you out like a giant burrito if you try them all.

What to Expect at San Diego’s Wine + Food Fest Grand Fiesta?? The vibe is oh so friendly and relaxed. A leisurely walk past the booths, grab a taco, any taco, that looks tasty and a beverage to wash it down. Sit back and do some people watching, listen to the live music, go back for more. The lines are short or non-existent at the booths so there’s no pressure to get back in line. And the food, you might find a carne asada or carnitas taco but trust me when I say that it will be one of the BEST you’ve ever had. I’ve gone to this event for the past few years and seriously have only had maybe one taco that I would call a dud - and it was barely a dud, just hard to compete when the stand next to you is grilling octopus and lobster. Wait…Seriously??

Grab Some Friends - Treat Yourself to a Grand Fiesta! If you’ve never been to a wine and food festival then start with this one. It’s fun, it’s easy, and I guarantee in the end you’ll going to want to come back again next year. It’s a fun social event so get some friends together and let’s kick off this holiday season right - with tacos, lots and lots of tacos!

Advance Info on 20th ANNIVERSARY SAN DIEGO WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL 2024 aka SD Bayfest

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Every year around mid November is the San Diego Wine and Food Festival, a week long celebration of gourmet food and wine adventures with THE GRAND TASTING on Saturday as the main event. The Grand Tasting is booths and booths of food and wine, all yours for the taking. Every year has been incredible and 2023 really knocked it out of the park but I anticipate that THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY of the SD Wine and Food Fest will be the BEST ever and you won’t want to wait to get tickets as it will guaranteed sell out.

HERE’S THE LATEST INFO ON THE SD WINE AND FOOD FEST 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024

DATE: To be determined but I would bet The Grand Tasting will be on Saturday, Nov 9th, 2024. This makes the Grand Fiesta, aka Taco TKO, on Sunday, Nov 10th, with the various food and restaurant experiences the week before.

PRICING: Basic tickets were $250 last year but I suspect the pricing will increase in 2024, especially since their main competition, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, has tickets in the $400 range. If you can swing it the VIP experience is the way to go. You get in an hour earlier plus you gain entrance to additional food bites, the higher end stuff like caviar and oysters and for the VIPs. You want to do this if you can.

As more info is available I’ll update this. Of course you can always click the info button to be magically transported to the official website. Ahh, the internet is so cool.

Where are all the oysters??? Well, I helped empty a few. Don’t worry, plenty more coming!

WANT A REVIEW OF THE 2023 SAN DIEGO WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL TO SEE IF IT’S WORTH IT? Click here to read my review and check out the photos!

San Diego's Gator By The Bay May 11-14, 2023 | Live Music, Dance, Food at a Glance

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San Diego's Gator By The Bay May 11-14, 2023 | Live Music, Dance, Food at a Glance

WHAT IS IT? A multi-day festival held at Spanish Landing, the grassy area on the bay across from the airport that feature San Diego’s version of a Mardi Gras celebration with live music, food, and dancing.

WHEN IS IT? May 11-14, 2023. There are activities everyday. Thursday and Friday are evening events, and Sat and Sun are all day and into the evening.

WAIT. WHAT IS THIS AGAIN? Think of this as an non-stop music festival with multiple stages surrounded by food stands selling authentic New Orleans food (and plenty of other options). Toss in some dance lessons, cooking lessons, pop ups selling typical street fair goodies, and people really getting into it (I mean, really getting into it!) and you have Gator by the Bay.

HOW MUCH IS IT? There are plenty of ticket options but if you just wanted to check it on on a Saturday the tickets are $65 and on Sunday they are $60.

IS IT KID FRIENDLY? Yes, and kids 17 and under are free with a paid adult. Don’t worry, people have fun at this event (yes, there are adult beverages) but tops stay on, if that’s your concern :-)

I DON’T DANCE, WILL I LIKE THIS EVENT? Sure, if you like music and enjoy eating crawfish and other New Orleans delights then a couple of hours strolling the grounds is great fun. Stop for some bites, grab a beer, stand back and listen to some music, sounds like the perfect San Diego day to me.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? If you plan on listening to music a folding chair is nice - Costco has some that fold small enough to fit into a backpack right now that are perfect for this sort of thing. Or just bring a blanket. Sunscreen, you know the drill.

OK, LET’S BE HONEST, IS THIS CRINGE-Y OR AUTHENTIC? I know where you are coming from - I once booked tickets on what I thought was a Star of India authentic sailing adventure and ended up on a fake pirate ship with “cast members” yelling lots of “ahoy, mateys”. This is not that. I’ve been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras many times and this is about as close as you’re going to get without jumping on a plane. The food is authentic, the music is authentic, and the crowd is just plain crazy (in a very fun way).

Gator By The Bay May 11-14, 2023 - Live Music, Dance, Food - Zydeco, Crawfish, Family Fun

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What’s that New Orleans Mardi Gras event in San Diego called again? Oh right, Gator by the Bay. This annual event will be held May 11-14th, 2023, and the family fun event you should not miss!

GATOR BY THE BAY AT A GLANCE:

GATOR BY THE BAY is a music and food festival held on Spanish Landing, the grassy area overlooking the bay next to the airport. Expect delicious and authentic New Orlean’s foods like heaps of boiled crawfish and po’boy sandwiches along with music that will make you think you are back on Bourbon Street.

IS IT FAMILY FRIENDLY? Yes, unlike the real Mardi Gras this is a family friendly event - kids under 17 are let in free with a paid adult. There’s even early bird ticket discounts so get your tix early - here’s the link to all of the ticket prices.

DANCE TO THE MUSIC: With 7 stages of rotating music acts you’re bound to find something that makes you want to get out there and dance. What, you can’t dance? Then take a FREE dance lesson and join in the fun. Here’s the updated line up of music acts.

TAKE A NEW ORLEANS COOKING CLASS: Learn the secrets of authentic New Orlean’s cooking complete with samples at the end.

TRY SOME NEW FOODS: You’ll find all of your New Orleans favorites from spicy crawfish to powdery sugared beignets, come hungry because there is so much you will want to try. PRO TIP: If you are going to get the crawfish (you should) I recommend you bring along some disposable food friendly plastic gloves as they can get a bit messy to eat. I know, this is a bit nerdy but trust me on this! Target has a box of these for less than $5.

MORE GATOR BY THE BAY TIPS!

  1. Bring a small folding chair or blanket if you plan to listen to some music. People come early to stake out their spots so if there is a music act you want to see make sure you plan ahead. Here’s the music line up.

  2. Parking is a bit of a pain so park at Liberty Station and take an Uber in. Or ride your bike in - there’s free bike valet for the first 120 bikes. You could also park at the airport but make sure you make reservations.

  3. You CANNOT bring COOLERS, TENTS, POP-UPs, LARGE UMBRELLAS, OUTSIDE ALCOHOL or PETS. You CAN bring low back lawn chairs, blanket, personal umbrella and one small bottle of water.

  4. Buy your tickets EARLY so you can get the early bird discount.


San Diego Wine + Food Fest 2022 Event: Worlds of Wine with JRDN Restaurant in Pacific Beach

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WHAT IS IT? A foodie five-course dinner paired with comparative old and new world wines!

WHEN IS IT? November 9, 2022 | 6 PM - 9 PM

WHERE IS IT? JRDN Restaurant at Tower23 Hotel, 723 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA 92109

A SPECTACULAR DINING EVENT!

Sip + dine through time + wine regions as the JRDN team presents a five-course dinner paired with comparative old and new world wines. Hosted by Master Sommelier, Nick Hetzel, and Paul Hodges, Import Specialist, this dinner features incredible wines and an exquisite menu curated by JRDN Executive Chef, Stephen Gage.

MENU:

First Course + Pairing:

Ama-Ebi Nigiri with Preserved Citrus, Yuzu Corn Kosho

Vincent Girardin, Chassagne-Montrachet V.V. Burgundy France 2018 + Capensis, Silene, Chardonnay, Stellenbosch South Africa 2018

 

Second Course + Pairing:

Black Trumpet Mushroom Gnocchi with Prune Agrodolce, Egg Yolk, Bottarga

Massolino, Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy 2020 + Brewer-Clifton, Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara 2021

 

Third Course + Pairing:

House Made Sausage with Lentils, Parsnip, Cherry Mustard

Famille Perrin, La Gille, Gigondas, Rhone Valley, France 2019 + Yangarra Estate Vineyard, Ovitelli, Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia 2019

 

Fourth Course + Pairing:

Lamb Loin with Squash Tagine, Marinated Olives, Pomegranate, Labneh

Château-La-Gaffelière, Dame de Gaffelière Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 + Stonestreet, Estate Cuvée, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma 2012

How to Get Discount Tickets to the San Diego Wine and Food Fest 2022 - Cheap Tickets!

Food Festivals, eventsLocal WallyComment

San Diego Wine and Food Festival : Discount Tickets?? Yes!!

Discount Tickets to the San Diego Wine and Food Fest!

If you’re reading this then you probably already know that the San Diego Wine + Food Festival is THE food and wine event of the year. No lie, this event will blow your mind and taste buds and you’ll leave with a huge smile on your face like you just did something spectacular, which of course you did. But let’s face it - with inflation taking a bite out of the budget you need a break, and here it is:

GET FOUR TICKETS TO THE SAN DIEGO WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL FOR THE DISCOUNT PRICE OF $550! That’s right, four tickets would normally set you back $600 but for a limited time you can get four tickets for $550, a nice little discount that makes the event even better.

And just in case your friends give you that hesitation look here’s all the info you need to push them over the edge:

  1. The Grand Tasting Event is Nov. 12 and runs from 12 to 3. It’s on the Embarcadero area behind Seaport Village. There you will find a small city of booths handing out gourmet bites, high end wines, spirits and beer. This is not your typical “Taste of ….” event where they cheap out and hand out tiny cups of pasta with marinara sauce. These are delicious gourmet bites worthy of a Top Chef competition. They even use tweezers to place the micro greens just right on your bite, just like on TV!

  2. The event is super fun with live music, sunshine, and plenty of that San Diego vibe that we’ve been missing for the past few years. It simply is the most fun event of the year.

  3. It ALWAYS sells out so don’t wait too long.

San Diego Wine and Food Festival 2022 Line Up: Nov. 9-13, 2022 - Get Tickets Now!

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The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival invites you to Arrive at Awesome this November 9-13 with its 18th annual bi-national festival and culinary celebration. The award-winning San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is one of the country's most talked about events in wine and food and tickets are now available for the five-day celebration. This year the festival will return to pre-pandemic activities including the action-packed Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 12 located at San Diego's Port and stunning Embarcadero, and new events including various wine dinners, interactive expeditions, and a Latin American inspired Grand Fiesta.

"The 18th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival brings locals and visitors alike to sunny San Diego to experience Southern California's diverse culinary landscape and the flavors inspired by San Diego's multinational influences," says Festival Co-Producer, Michelle Metter. "Surrounded by beach towns, laid-back coastal cities, and bustling urban centers, the festival takes attendees across the city to experience San Diego's cultural diversity, buzzing culinary scene, and signature flavor: Awesome."

Anchored in San Diego, California, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival welcomes over 11,000 attendees and highlights over 60 nationally recognized and locally celebrated chefs, legendary winemakers, guest mixologists, award-winning authors, distillers, sommeliers, brewmasters, artisans and taste makers, and more. Additionally, the festival includes hundreds of domestic and international wine, beer, and spirit producers to taste from throughout the festival's multi-day experience. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival also features an immersive cross border experience to Valle de Guadalupe, producing the only bi-national food and wine festival in the country.

As the 2019 winner of USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best General Food Festival in North America, this festival is one of the country's most anticipated events in wine and food. Attendees can expect to experience memorable wine dinners, immersive expeditions, a walk around wine tasting at the Grand Decant, and taste extraordinary dishes made by worldwide chefs and unique wine, beer, and spirit tastings at the famous Grand Tasting.

The two newest additions to the festival this year are the Grand Fiesta, highlighting Latin inspired cuisine, wine, beer, and spirits along with the signature Taco TKO competition. and the Grand Decadent LUX experience.

Taking place on the final day of the festival, the Grand Fiesta features live performances, immersive brand experiences including a spirits of Mexico pavilion, unique wine and spirit samplings, and crafted culinary stations curated by award- winning chefs from San Diego, Baja and beyond.

The Grand Decant LUX experience is an exclusive and VIP tasting that will only be open to 50 ticket holders, allowing you to experience highly sought after cult wines and rare vintages. This VIP experience will include music, private chefs, exclusive lounge seating, caviar, dessert, and a fortified wine station.

To purchase tickets and preview the schedule of events and featured celebrities, visit the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival at https://www.sandiegowineclassic.com/tickets.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL®

Travel to San Diego and Arrive at Awesome®. The 18th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival® is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 9-13, 2022, the award-winning festival raises funds for culinary, oenology and hospitality scholarships and grants, and has awarded over $595,000 to individuals or nonprofits through previous events. For more information visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com. This festival is produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Events & PR.

Media Contact:

Kristen Slizgi kristen.slizgi@fastforwardevents.com

Is the San Diego Wine and Food Festival 2022 Worth It?

Food Festivals, eventsLocal WallyComment

The San Diego Wine + Food Festival, aka San Diego Wine Classic , is an annual multi-day event held every November. This year it takes place November 9th-13th, 2022, with the Grand Tasting Event on November 12th. Let me cut to the chase - The Grand Tasting is the key event, the giant wine and food festival held on the giant grassy area behind Seaport Village sometimes called The Embarcadero. If you googlemap Malibu Farms (previously The Harbor House restaurant) you will be at the right place.

The Grand Tasting event features hundreds of booths (OK, I never counted them, but a lot!) all handing out samples of gourmet bites, glasses of wine, or sips of spirits. It lasts from noon until 3, though you can get in an hour early if you want to beat the crowds, and there’s an extra cost VIP tent that kicks it all up a notch.

For serious foodies there are events in the week prior to the Grand Tasting but when people talk about the San Diego Wine and Food Fest they usually mean this event.

Is The San Diego Wine + Food Fest Worth It?

The standard 4 hour ticket is $150. The early entry ticket is $200. The VIP ticket is $300. And a special four-pack of standard tickets is discounted to $550. The event always sells out. Look, that’s a lot of money, right, and my job isn’t to convince you to part with your cash but $150 doesn’t seem nearly as outrageous as it once did. I mean, I just went to to the movies and spent $26 for a ticket, $20 for a lousy glass of wine, and $17 for a chicken sandwich. Oh yeah, and the popcorn was another $10. So after tip I spent $90 to see Tom Cruise fly a jet while smiling. OK, this was at Cineopolis but that’s the movie theater near my house so don’t judge.

To compare, I could have gone to the San Diego Wine + Food Fest and done this:

Let’s compare again - Top Gun was about $90 for two hours of mind numbing distraction and average food. If my math is correct that’s $45 an hour. The San Diego Wine + Food Festival is $150 for three hours of non-stop foodie adventure with unlimited bites and sips from dozens and dozens of booths, hanging out in the San Diego sunshine surrounded by tons of fun people, dancing to the live music (too much wine, OK), and having one of those “best times of my life” experiences. More math - that’s $50 an hour. Compared with $45 for a movie that’s going to be on HBO by next month??? Is this even a debate?

So I guess I’m saying, YES, it’s worth it and YES, you should get tickets and go. I’ve gone every year for over 10 years in a row and it’s become one of my favorite things to do in San Diego. Oh sure, there are other “food fests” though out the year but none come close to the San Diego Food and Wine Festival. You have to trust me on this, get tickets and you won’t regret it. This is the ultimate San Diego experience.

San Diego Symphony Announces 2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING at THE RADY SHELL! Kick Off the Holidays San Diego Style!

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San Diego Symphony Announces
2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING at
THE RADY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK

 The San Diego Symphony will perform another year of its Noel, Noel holiday concerts at its bayfront home, and feature two holiday movies in concert
for audiences to enjoy 

  SAN DIEGO (September 12, 2022) – Today, the San Diego Symphony announced programming for its beloved holiday series, which begins November 19, 2022. The Symphony will return to its bayfront home, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, for the majority of its holiday programming. This year's spectacular lineup includes the return of the Symphony's signature and adored Noel, Noel concerts, as well as performances of How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Movie in Concert and Love Actually: Movie in Concert, and the Symphony will present the Vienna Boys Choir in Concert at the Balboa Theatre.

 To kick off this year’s season of festive musical favorites, the Vienna Boys Choir make their return to San Diego in a San Diego Symphony presentation of Christmas in Vienna at the Balboa Theatre on November 19th at 7:30 PM. The illustrious group of young musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. Christmas in Vienna showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and, of course, holiday favorites. Tickets range from $20 to $75 at www.TheShell.org. 

 Additionally, this December the San Diego Symphony is thrilled to present three performances of its annual Noel, Noel concerts on the San Diego bay, following last year’s successful sold-out run at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for the first time ever. The Symphony invites friends and families to Jacobs Park for three show-stopping performances, December 9-11, 2022 (December 9 & 10 begin at 7:30 PM and December 11 begins at 5:00 PM.) Conducted by Christopher Dragon, directed by Jonathan Gilmer, featuring the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Master Chorale, and the San Diego Children’s Choir, audiences will experience an all-new story and script, full of cozy holiday moments, popular tunes, and jolly spirit.  All are invited to come early for holiday activations throughout the park, including themed food and beverage delights. Tickets range from $20 to $95 and are on sale today at www.TheShell.org. 

 

And to round out the December offerings this year, Holiday Movies in Concert are back for another year at The Rady Shell, conducted by Thiago Tiberio and with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. On December 17th at 6:00 PM in a presentation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Movie in Concert, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra brings you on a wild ride back to Whoville where Cindy Lou Who takes matters into her own hands and turns the Grinch’s world upside down, inside out and funny side up in her search for the true meaning of Christmas.  Later in the month, on December 21st at 7:00 PM the beloved holiday classic, Love Actually: Movie in Concert comes to The Rady Shell stage for a one-night-only performance. Spend the evening with your favorite holiday “rom-com” characters and get swept up in the magic of one of the most iconic Christmas Movie soundtracks of all time, as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs Craig Armstrong's evocative score, with the film being projected onto the large screens at The Rady Shell. Tickets for both Movies in Concert range from $20 to $95 and are on sale today at www.TheShell.org. 

On a budget? Sit outside the venue at a free seat, but come early - super duper early as these areas are highly sought after.

Local Wally’s Pro Tips for Seeing a Show at The Rady Shell

  1. While all the seats are pretty great, the tables in front allow you to pre-order food which will be delivered straight to your table.

  2. If you do a table pay attention to which direction your seats face if you want to have the table in front of you, versus behind you. Tables seat four.

  3. Come early and forget about trying to find cheap parking. Just park in the Convention Center parking lot - and park as close as you can to the exits as it can really back up when everyone tries to leave at the same time.

  4. I’ve eaten there twice and both times the food was really good. The pizzas are single size even though the box looks like it’s sharable. The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich was delicious but a bit of a messy eat so perhaps not the best choice for first date night.

  5. No outside food allowed but you can bring in a blanket, highly recommended even if you think it’s going to be a warm night. You are on the bay, remember. You can bring in folding beach chairs if you opt for the lawn seats in the back. I saw both beach and camping height chairs, but I’d go with the lower chairs if you have then so you don’t block the view of people behind you.

  6. If you go super cheap and sit outside the venue for a free seat you’ll still get great sound and the screens are large enough to enjoy the show - but get there super early as there are only a handful of really good viewing areas. Of course, the lawn area inside is pretty affordable so think twice about trying to nab a free seat. But even if you just come out on a show night to walk around and hear the music outside the venue it’s a fun vibe and that hot dog cart sure smelled great!

Plenty of food options at the Rady Shell - Come early to avoid parking hassles and relax with some great San Diego style bites like gourmet pizza or aKorean Fried Chicken sandwich by Top Chef Richard Blais.

 About the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1910, the San Diego Symphony is the oldest orchestra in California and one of the largest and most significant cultural organizations in San Diego. The Orchestra performs for more than 250,000 people each season, offering a wide variety of programming at its two much-loved venues, Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego (now under renovation) and The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on San Diego Bay. In early 2018, the San Diego Symphony announced the appointment of Rafael Payare as music director. Payare leads the orchestra’s 82 full-time musicians, graduates of the finest and most celebrated music schools in the United States and abroad. The San Diego Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the San Diego Opera each season, as well as performing at several regional performing arts and community centers. For more than 30 years, the San Diego Symphony has provided comprehensive learning and community engagement programs reaching more than 65,000 students annually and bringing innovative programming to San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods and schools. For more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org.

 About The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

The centerpiece of the 3.7-acre public Jacobs Park developed and managed by the San Diego Symphony on the city’s scenic Embarcadero, The Rady Shell is the first permanent outdoor venue in the San Diego Symphony’s century-long history, designed to host more than 100 concerts and events year-round. The venue has been developed in partnership with the Unified Port of San Diego with 96% of the $85 million cost raised privately by the Symphony.

As innovative in design as it is spectacular in setting, offering 360 degrees of year-round music, sky and sea, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is an unprecedented resource for the Symphony’s expanded schedule of diverse outdoor concerts, including classical concerts and an exciting roster of commissioned works and premieres programmed by San Diego Symphony Music Director Rafael Payare as well as performances by international touring artists and free programs.  The venue will be available year-round for non-profit community groups, schools and individuals. Jacobs Park, owned and managed by the Symphony, surrounds the performance space with walkways, dining pavilions and recreational facilities in the heart of the Embarcadero and is accessible to the public for free on most days of the year.

Gator by the Bay is BACK on May 11-14, 2023

Food Festivals, events, press releases, Things to Do in San Diego, Things to Eat San DiegoLocal WallyComment

Gator by the Bay in San Diego is coming May 11-14, 2023

My very first trip to New Orleans was actually my very first big business trip. Someone had the great idea to hold a convention over Mardi Gras week and somehow I was selected to run the booth. That night I walked Bourbon Street with a red cup of tequila in my hand and a hurricane in the other and had the most fun I’ve ever had. Well, at least until the next morning when I had to get up to run the booth and then later get on a plane to come home, all with a massive hangover.

Still, that didn’t dissuade me from visiting again though perhaps a bit more restraint as I got older. And now we fast forward to 2023 and damn do I want to travel but dammit that travel is so expensive these days. That’s why I am so happy that San Diego is once again hosting GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL, the largest celebration of everything that makes a trip to New Orleans so great - meaning food, music, dancing, and just plain fun for the entire family. You deserve it. We all deserve it! It’s like the best of Mardi Gras without having to jump on a plane.

"Gator By The Bay is a one-of-a-kind event that brings joy and lasting memories to people of all ages," says Festival Producer Peter Oliver. "Each year over 15,000 passionate enthusiasts attend this event to get a taste of Louisiana's rich culture on the West Coast. After two years of dormancy we are happy to be back with all the fan-favorite Mardi Gras experiences including samples of the history, food, music, dancing, and more."

WHAT TO EXPECT AT GATOR BY THE BAY?

Hosting everything from A to Zydeco, this four-day, family-friendly event features more than 100 live musical acts and special performances. Here’s the complete music line up. The event includes over 10,000 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana, a chef-led gumbo cook-off, flowing libations, seven stages – five with wooden dance floors, a Mardi Gras costume parade, and a full weekend of fun to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend. Each day during Gator By The Bay brings new experiences, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments at every corner with activities designed for music lovers, food enthusiasts, dancers, and more.

Gator By The Bay kicks is like a four day weekend, kicking off Thursday, May 11, 2023 with an evening concert, followed by three full days of nonstop crawfish sucking and New Orleans celebration. You’ll want to plan out which day or days you want to attend, or heck, just get the multi-day pass and enjoy it all. You can also go deluxe and get a VIP pass for reserved seating at the main stages, catered lunch, even upgraded restrooms(!). Look, just click the button below to get all of the info. Trust me, this is one of San Diego’s most fun events of the year!

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO GATOR BY THE BAY? Wait, Early Bird Discounts???

There are several ways to experience Gator By The Bay, including single day, multi-day and hotel ticket packages. Early bird pricing is available if you get your tickets NOW!

  • Thursday Evening Concert: $45 early bird ticket, $55 gate. Deluxe dinner tickets also available.

  • Single Day Friday: $50 early bird ticket, $65 gate

  • Single Day Saturday: $60 early bird ticket, $75 gate

  • Single Day Sunday: $55 early bird ticket, $70 gate

  • Three-Day Pass: $165 early bird ticket, $205 standard

  • Four-Day Pass: $210 early bird ticket, $250 standard

  • Patron Single Day VIP Experience: $220 Sat early bird, $210 Sun early bird, $420 both days early bird. After that it’s $240 Sat, $230 Sun, $459 both days. What’s included in the Patron Pass? Click here for more details.