North Park Brewery Tour: Raise a Glass to San Diego’s Coolest Neighborhood

North Park Brewery Tour: Raise a Glass to San Diego’s Coolest Neighborhood

Drink Up San Diego’s Hipster Scene

What to Expect on the North Park Brewery Tour

  • Guided walking tour through North Park, one of San Diego’s most creative and brewery-rich neighborhoods
  • Visit 3 local breweries, each offering curated craft beer tastings
  • Sample a variety of beer styles, from hop-forward IPAs to experimental and seasonal releases
  • Enjoy a light snack to complement the tastings (not a full meal)
  • Learn about San Diego’s craft beer culture, brewing techniques, and the stories behind each brewery
  • Explore North Park’s vibrant mix of street art, coffee shops, boutiques, and local culture
  • Walk at a relaxed pace with time to sit, taste, and discover the neighborhood
  • Receive personalized beer recommendations and insider tips from your guide
  • Ideal for both craft beer enthusiasts and guests new to San Diego’s brewery scene

Craft Beer, Culture, and San Diego Community On Tap

Whether you’re a street art lover or craft beer connoisseur, San Diego’s trendiest North Park neighborhood is brewing bold new experiences and an abundance of fun. Join our North Park beer tour to taste the vibrant culture of this innovative, nationally renowned neighborhood firsthand. We’ll stop at three local breweries for special local beer tastings and a hand-selected snack, and make countless memories along the way for beer lovers and beer nerds alike.

Skip the tourist hotspots and see San Diego’s beer culture like a bona fide San Diegan. Discover hidden gems in the streets of San Diego’s North Park with the help of our expert tour guides. From laidback coffee shops and street-style art boutiques to storied breweries and upscale pubs, our North Park Beerucation Tour combines sights, sips, and stories for a one-of-a-kind beer adventure. Beer fans can talk beer, learn about different styles, and explore how local craft makers brew award-winning flavors.

  • City sights on every street: There’s always something new around the corner in North Park. Add that charming art gallery to your bucket list, ask your excellent tour guide for the story behind the coffee bar, tasting room, or drop into an indie boutique for a sweet souvenir. With so many breweries in San Diego, this area offers a variety of craft beers in one walkable district.
  • Recommendations designed for you: Our professional tour guides are here to create your best San Diego beer experience. Ask them for destinations to visit, must-know local brewery stories, personalized beer recommendations, food pairing ideas, and more. Guests frequently recommend this tour for its insider access and high-quality tastings of award-winning brews.
  • Stories to sip on: Learn about the history of various breweries and sip on the stories only a San Diegan would know. You’ll hear what it takes to start a successful brewery, insights into the brewing process, and what makes San Diego one of the top beer cities in the world. We’ve handcrafted an authentic, informative experience to show you where the neighborhood’s been, and where it’s going.

North Park Beerucation Tours can be booked for private groups of 10 or more guests. They’re anything but ordinary, and for a more elevated experience, we can sprinkle some unique offerings tailored just for you! Contact us to discuss and book another tour in the future.

North Park Beer

Diverse beer tasting experiences

Learn about Southern California’s strong craft beer tradition through a rich variety of international and local beer samplings. From pale ale to darkly rich porters to big beer flavors of imperial style, our local partners carefully curate an eclectic sampling of suds for an authentically San Diego experience. Expect a mix of taster-style pours, seasonal highlights, and signature brews from some of the best breweries in the area. North Park is home to fan favorites like Fall Brewing and Modern Times, showcasing why San Diego is the beer capital of California.

Ocean Beach Brewery Tours

An art museum on the sidewalk

Enjoy the electrifying street art in San Diego’s trendiest neighborhood. Learn the stories behind iconic pieces and capture picture-perfect memories to last. The experience blends naturally with the emerging local beer scene, giving guests a well-rounded sense of what makes North Park unique.

San Diego Fish Taco

Unforgettable local flavors

We partner with established local drinking and dining institutions passionate about sharing the unique flavors of Southern California. Taste a local, iconic bite at one of the breweries or at a restaurant, pairing food and beer for added enjoyment. Expect thoughtful food choices that enhance both the tastings and the overall time on the tour. It’s an adventure for those who love different beers and want to experience the world of beer firsthand.

Check out what people say about our Brewery Tours!

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Jena Large profile picture
Jena Large
272 days ago
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Nicole was fantastic to work with! She was able to work with our large groups to provide both a food and brewery tour for our employees while on our company retreat!
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Jon Jaques
544 days ago
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Great brewery tour with So Diego Tours/Kayleen. Super friendly, accommodating, and flexible. Would highly recommend for any groups looking for a SD brewery tour that can be relaxed/casual if need be!
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Debbie Gonzalez profile picture
Debbie Gonzalez
640 days ago
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Blerta was so much fun. So knowledgeable with the history of the brothels and the food and restaurants on the tour was so good. The beer and drinks was amazing. Thank you! So worth it!
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Angela Chuquimia profile picture
Angela Chuquimia
641 days ago
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Benedict was the best guide! He made it so fun and had so many interesting stories. All the food was amazing as well. Larger servings than I would expect and great cocktails and beer. Exceeded all expectations! Thank you Ben!
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Bert Smith profile picture
Bert Smith
985 days ago
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We had a great experience with Amy as our guide. The food stops were all well thought out, locally owned restaurants. The drinks were perfect-beer, sangria, margarita. Amy was not just a great tour guide but she really knew the history of Gas Lamp district, San Diego and other neighboring cities. We learned a lot from her. We would book with her again and again.
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James Davis profile picture
James Davis
1182 days ago
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Good tour. But after eating heavy food and drinking beer, sangria, and mules and beer, it's tough to end on ice cream. Loved hearing the history of the city. Tour guide was entertaining but couldn't hear her because of city noise. Maybe a megaphone?
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Lorna tillotson
1668 days ago
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My 19 year old daughter, UCSD student, and I went on the Little Italy tour with Kirk, the most knowledgeable and fun lovin tour guide ever!! We had a blast, and besides the family bonding time we ate such delicious food. Definitely nice size portions. Our tour started off at the fountain in downtown little Italy and we proceeded to Sorrento Restaurant. I had a very nice red wine. The bottle was opened at the table and allowed to air. My daughter said. “ it was the best Bolognese pasta” and competed with the family owned restaurants in Italy. Yum Yum. My favorite go to pizza joint is now Mr. Moto. After trying their pesto spicy tomato I will be a regular. Too full to think, we ambled over to the Queenstown restaurant and pub and had a big slider and nice IPA beer. Dare I say, it was too good and nothing was left on my plate. I also tried the sangri which is too good to pass up. Great conversation, and so many interesting facts about San Diego and the area of Little Italy. Even if you are a long time resident, you will still be amazed! For instance, I learned where the expression “taste like chicken” came from and now am prepared for Jeopardy. We capped off the evening with a delicious gelato. Kirk was so enthusiastic about the long standing history and takes pride in making sure his clients are happy, well fed, and entertained. Best part, Kirk showed us some secret dance places. You are in for a treat. Great great value for money, super fun date night activity, girl friend bonding time, and/or for a mother/daughter date. I can’t wait to book an Old Town tour. #motherdaughteroutings #datenight
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Louis Wade profile picture
Louis Wade
1672 days ago
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This was fund. Stephon (sp?) worked very hard - high energy, and spoke loudly enough to be heard! He gave us some fun history of the city. Enjoyed that! The restaurants were a mixed bag. Meze was great, with excellent drink (Greek Sangria, who knew?) and food sample. Knotty Barrel not so much. Fried cauliflower with jarred sweet-hot chili sauce tasted good, but for the price, we should have gotten something more than just that. The beer sample was good, though just a very small pour (maybe 3 ounces). The last taco place was hole-in-the-wall, which I generally like, but the tacos were mediocre - battered, fried fish, and nothing special (I do love "san diego" tacos, and know a much better place. The beer selection there was way too limited. The 4th place, a little ice cream shop, was good - again, nothing special but good (though I've never met an ice cream I didn't like, unless it's a flavor I don't like!). Overall, fun, interesting, but probably not worth $75 each.
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Tyler Stellpflue profile picture
Tyler Stellpflue
1745 days ago
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+0
Recently went on the brewery tour in North park and it was so much fun. Our guide Stephan was great he was very knowledgeable and really catered to the our group from answering all of our questions to giving us cool little history facts. All three breweries were really cool and all different. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

North Park Brewery Tour FAQS

Yes! You can book a private tour in North Park 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. We also include a 20% service charge for fees, taxes, and gratuity. Groups often finish wanting to see you on another tour as they explore another tour in the future across the city’s incredible beer scene.

We’ll visit three breweries where you’ll receive various samplings. These craft breweries highlight San Diego’s beer scene with a tasting of different styles. 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, the breweries we visit may serve some light snack pairings with the beer samples. We’ll end our North Park Beerucation Tour in San Diego at a local taco shop for some popular Mexican street food. You may consider staying past the end of the tour and having a larger meal there. Depending on the schedule and destinations, you may also be able to purchase food along the way. 

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.

Absolutely. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just beginning to explore craft beer, your guide and brewery hosts will explain beer styles, ingredients, and brewing techniques in an approachable way.

North Park combines craft beer, street art, and neighborhood culture. It’s an excellent choice for guests who want to experience San Diego’s creative side while enjoying some of the city’s most innovative breweries.

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. Check out all our San Diego brewery tours to explore all available beer tours.

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Bleu Ford

Tour Guide

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