Downtown San Diego Brewery Tour

Downtown San Diego Brewery Tour

Local Brews and Views

What to Expect on the Downtown San Diego Brewery Tour

  • Guided walking tour through East Village and the Gaslamp Quarter, two of Downtown San Diego’s most vibrant neighborhoods
  • Visit 3 local breweries or tasting rooms, each offering curated craft beer tastings
  • Sample a variety of beer styles, from classic lagers and pale ales to hop-forward IPAs and seasonal releases
  • Enjoy a popular San Diego food item at one stop (not a full meal)
  • Learn about San Diego’s craft beer culture and how the city became one of the top beer destinations in the country
  • Hear stories about Downtown San Diego’s history, including its evolution from a port town to a thriving urban center
  • Pass by notable landmarks such as Petco Park, the Convention Center, and the city’s major entertainment districts
  • Meet brewery staff and gain insight into the brewing process and the stories behind the beers
  • Walk at a relaxed pace with plenty of time to sit, taste, and explore
  • Receive insider recommendations for restaurants, bars, and nightlife to enjoy after the tour

Downtown San Diego is a great place to visit for dining, drinks, and entertainment. These lively neighborhoods are home to some of the San Diego breweries that people can’t stop talking about. Many condominiums, high–rises, and hotels are sprinkled throughout the area; therefore, there is no shortage of places to gather for locals and visitors alike. The San Diego Brewery Tour is a walking tour of 3 local breweries and/or tasting rooms. Many of the breweries in Downtown are the second or third locations, which attests to the success of each of the ones we visit. This drink tour is a thoughtful blend of education, interaction, and (of course) exceptional San Diego beer.

You’ll learn about the history of beer making in San Diego, and how our city became so enamored with the art form. As you walk from brewery to brewery, your San Diego tour guide will share fun facts about the historic Downtown area. You’ll learn how the city began as a bustling port town, and how it continues to grow and progress. Each brewery is unique in its own way, from the types of beers that are served, to the theme of each venue, to the local touches found at each brewery. Taste an array of beers, and elevate your beer knowledge by understanding what differentiates one beer from another. At one of the breweries, you’ll be served one of San Diego’s most favorite food items that pairs perfectly with the beer.

A Glimpse into the Downtown Brewery Tour

Explore the vibrant world of craft beer in Downtown with our captivating fun drink tour in San Diego. You won’t simply drink and dash from one taproom to the next. Instead, you’ll have an amazing guided experience that stands apart from typical bar adventures. Immerse yourself in a journey that combines the art of the brewing process with the charm of downtown discovery.

  • Visit 3 local breweries – Embark on a delightful adventure as you visit three unique breweries during the beer tour. Each brewery offers a distinct atmosphere and an array of flavors that showcase the city’s brewing prowess.
  • Taste a local bite at one of the stops – Indulge yourself with a culinary treat at one of our carefully selected stops. These local bites have been thoughtfully chosen for optimal food pairing, enhancing a beer lover‘s tasting experience during the tour.
  • Visit and learn about Petco Park – Uncover the fascinating relationship between baseball and brewing as you explore Petco Park. Delve into the history and culture of this iconic landmark, discovering how it intersects with San Diego‘s love for craft beer.
  • Get to know the beer makers – Connect with at least one passionate San Diegan in a tasting room who brings beer to life. Engage in conversations with the beer makers themselves and gain insight into their craft, their stories, and the dedication they pour into every brew.

The Downtown brewery beer tour takes place throughout the streets of East Village and the Gaslamp Quarter – just blocks away from the Convention Center, Petco Park, and San Diego’s largest hotels. It’s the perfect activity for beer enthusiasts (or novices) to get an intimate visit to some of the most popular breweries in the city’s vibrant beer scene, and can easily be paired with a Gaslamp Quarter food tour for a full taste of San Diego. Enjoy the Downtown restaurants before or after a tour with so many types and styles of restaurants to choose from in the area. Or perhaps, you’d like to book your tour before a comedy show at one of the comedy clubs in Downtown, or before ending at a bar/restaurant for live music or dueling pianos. Downtown has so much to offer groups, and we can help navigate your time in this colorful neighborhood.

Skyscrapers glowing at golden hour during a downtown San Diego brewery tour

Urban landscape

Downtown is an energetic area, and so many bars, restaurants and breweries line the streets. Marvel at the hi-rises that make up the city skyline as you taste San Diego craft beer from local breweries.

Ocean Beach Brewery Tours

Petco Park

As we walk throughout the Downtown area, we will stop at Petco Park for a brief description and glance at what makes this ballpark one of the most beautiful in the country.

Group of people sitting around table on san diego brewery tour

Friendly tasting rooms!

San Diego breweries are run by the friendliest and most passionate people! You’ll get a glimpse into their world as you connect with the top beer aficionados in the city!

FAQs

Yes! You can book a private tour for groups of ten or more, and currently we are only booking private groups for this tour. Please reach out to us online or by phone to discuss logistics, details, and preferences. The price per person is $94, the same as a regular tour. We also include a 20% service charge for fees, taxes, and gratuity.

We’ll visit three breweries where you’ll receive various samplings. If you wish to order more beer than what’s included in the tour offering, you are more than welcome to do so. Just let your tour guide know, so they can budget time accordingly.

While a full-sized meal is not provided on the tour, we do provide a light snack at one of the brewery stops.

Yes. All guests who plan to participate in beer tastings must bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing they are at least 21 years old. Breweries may refuse service to anyone who cannot provide acceptable identification, and no refunds can be issued for missed tastings due to a lack of ID.

This tour combines craft beer, urban history, and major city landmarks. It’s an excellent choice for guests staying Downtown or attending events near the Convention Center, Petco Park, or the Gaslamp Quarter.

We offer brewery tours across several of San Diego’s most distinctive neighborhoods, including:

Each tour offers a different mix of craft beer, local culture, and neighborhood character.

Our San Diego Tour Guides

Our San Diego Tour Guides

Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city. 

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories. 

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.

headshot of tour guide kaylee killebrew

Kaylee Killebrew

Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide

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Magdalene Medofer - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: my whole life, I was born here.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: meeting new folks and sharing San Diego with them.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: Barrio Logan, I love the history of Chicano Park, the eclectic artisan shops, and extensive food scene.  The weekend is the best time to explore and watch the lowrider car clubs cruise the neighborhood and visit the shops.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Artifact at the Mingei in Balboa Park.  Any dish off their international food menu will blow your mind.  They also host monthly themed dinners that highlight a particular cuisine and region.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Go for a hike at Cuyamaca State Park and swim at Green Valley Falls.

headshot of tour guide magdalene medofer

Magdalene Medofer

Tour Guide

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Aparna Thakur - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 1 ½ years!

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people, showing them around and telling stories and history of the city.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is: La Jolla because of its beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping as well as abundance of sea life.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Brigantine

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Watching sunset in point loma Ocean Beach

headshot of tour guide aparna thakur

Aparna Thakur

Tour Guide

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Raul Torres Valadez - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: One year recently and also when I was a teenager.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting new people.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Pacific Beach and Coronado.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: Oscar’s Mexican seafood and Birrieria la Huasteca.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: Hike in the canyons.

headshot of tour guide raul torres valadez

Raul Torres Valadez

Tour Guide

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Ben Schorr - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: 5 years, I quickly fell in love with this city. 

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is: Meeting people from all over the world, making them laugh, showing them some of my favorite spots and creating meaningful memories. 

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  Hillcrest or Old Town. Both are walkable and friendly places with endless restaurants, bars, coffee shops etc. You can find me in Old Town most weekends.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is: This is a tough choice, for atmosphere and cocktails probably InsideOUT or Coasterra. For Breakfast…Morning Glory or Great Maple. For Dinner, Queenstown, Underbelly or Bronx Pizza. There are way too many options to choose from!

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: To Read on the beach, host dinner parties with friends or scope out new happy hour spots.

headshot of tour guide ben schorr

Ben Schorr

Tour Guide

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Bleu Ford - Tour Guide

I’ve lived in San Diego for: A long time!  I moved to San Diego in 1986 so I have lived here for most of my life.  I consider it my adopted home town.

My favorite thing about being a tour guide is:  I love both meeting new people and sharing knowledge about this beautiful city.  After retiring from USPS I wanted to do work that brings me joy and I have found that being a guide.  I love getting a laugh from a group or seeing the spark of excitement when I share a bit of San Diego’s colorful history.

My favorite San Diego neighborhood is:  I am partial to my own hood, North Park.  I love living here!  We lost so many great places due to Covid but it warms my heart to see that this neighborhood is returning to being a vibrant and fun place.  It always seems like there is something new or some fun event happening.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is:  A few of my go-to favs are Buona Forchetta in South Park for relaxed patio dining with great food Jimmy Carter’s in Hillcrest for the comfortable and colorful ambiance and great Mexican comfort food and Shwarma Guys food truck (which parks regularly at 30th and Grape in South Park).  It is my go-to “I’m super hungry and too tired to cook” take home.  It always hits the spot.

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is: I recently got an e-bike and my new love is re-discovering the uptown area on two wheels.  It is pretty amazing how differently you see the city on a bike.  I love strolling through Balboa Park with my wife.  We are so lucky to have this awesome park with such a rich history so close to our home.  Finally, you can’t beat an early morning walk along the harbor.  The waterfront is beautiful in the morning quiet with a bit of fog hanging in the air.

headshot of tour guide bleu ford

Bleu Ford

Tour Guide

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