Top 10 North County summer food, brew fests
As the temperature rises this summer, so does the number of outdoor festivals that celebrate local food and drinks. Here’s a list of what’s on tap through August in North County.
The Toast of the Coast Wine Festival: The annual wine festival at San Diego County Fair returns, with tastings of 110 wines from more than 80 wineries from Eureka to Baja. Higher-priced tickets including food bites from culinary vendors. Two tasting sessions, Noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. June 13. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $62-$90 (includes fair admission). $10 parking.
Julian Dance & Backcountry BBQ: Sons of the American Legion 468 hosts its ninth annual family festival featuring live music by the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Freight Shakers and Shotgun Wedding along with a barbecue. 2 to 10 p.m. June 13. Menghini Winery, 1150 Julian Orchard Drive, Julian. $20, adults. $5, children. (760) 765-0126,
Del Mar Village Summer Solstice: The Del Mar Village Association hosts its annual gourmet tastings event with local restaurants, bars, wineries and spirits purveyors, live music and a silent auction. 5-8 p.m. June 18. Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd., Del Mar. $75.
San Diego International Beer Festival: San Diego County Fair hosts this celebration of craft brewing, with five sessions of tastings of more than 400 beers. Sessions, 5 to 9 p.m. June 19. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. June 20. 1 to 5 p.m. June 21. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $62-$105 per session (some tickets include fair admission). $10 parking.
Taste of Vista on Main Street: Vista Village Business Association hosts its seventh annual celebration of Vista’s culinary scene. The four-hour food festival features tastes by local restaurants as well as craft beers, wines and live entertainment. 4 to 8 p.m. June 24. Main Street, Vista. $20, food only. $25, food and drinks. Children 6-12 are $5. Children 4 and under are free.
Distilled San Diego Spirits & Cocktail Festival: San Diego County Fair hosts this celebration of craft cocktails with tastings, bartender competitions and live music. 1 to 5 p.m. June 27. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $39, includes fair admission and wristband for 10 pours. $10 parking.
Stone 19th Anniversary Celebration and Invitational Beer Festival?: Stone Brewing hosts its annual celebration of craft beer with more than 60 breweries’ suds on tap at Cal State San Marcos. Complimentary food will be offered. All proceeds benefit local charities. 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 14. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 15. 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos. $80 for Friday reception. $35-$45 on Saturday.
Taste of San Marcos: The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce hosts a celebration of restaurants, breweries, wineries caterers and bakers. 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 15. Old California Restaurant Row, Via Vera Cruz at San Marcos Boulevard. (760) 744-1270.
Valley Center Food Truck Festival: Fifteen gourmet food trucks will gather at Bates Nut Farm for the annual food summit, which will include live entertainment, kids activities, craft booths and a beer garden. 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15. 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center. Free.
Taste of MainStreet: Encinitas 101 MainStreet hosts its 26th annual downtown culinary tour, with dozens of tastings by restaurants and bars, with “sip stops” and live music. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. Price TBA.
Source: DiscoverSD
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