Best San Diego Brewery Tours – Recommended by a Local

When you think of San Diego, you probably think of white sand beaches and bright blue skies, but the city has so much more to offer, including its fantastic breweries. With over 150 breweries, it’s home to more breweries than anywhere else in California. It’s no wonder San Diego is classified as a beer enthusiast’s paradise.

My husband Greg and I love beer. We have been brewing beer at home for many years. We also love checking out new breweries as well as hanging out at our local favorites here in San Diego. Over the years, we have done a few brewery tours in San Diego as well. We love that we don’t have to worry about a designated driver and how easy it is to organize. We have wasted precious time trying to decide which breweries to go to, in which order, and guestimating how much an Uber or Lift is going to cost etc. With a tour, you just hop on the bus and enjoy and you know exactly how much it will cost before you go.

Whether looking to tour multiple breweries where you can sample many beers throughout San Diego, or a local tour to a lesser-known establishment that specializes in craft beer, you’re spoiled for choice.

To get a real feel for the California beer culture, join one of these San Diego brewery tours that offer unforgettable days out.

The Best San Diego Brewery Tours

North Park Beerucation Tour

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 53 Star Reviews
“Such a fun experience! The tour is thorough and delicious. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to have a locals experience of North Park breweries.”

The San Diego neighborhood of North Park is referred to as a mecca for lovers of one or two brews. North Park was once a district filled with dirty old street cars, but it has received much rejuvenation over the years. The introduction of ample hipsters looking to leave their footprint on the area has resulted in a huge increase in breweries popping up. Nobody’s complaining.

Embark on a beer-tasting experience like no other! Try different craft brews at three to four award-winning breweries, all of which are known for their version of the good stuff. A local beer expert will be by your side at all times. The guide will provide a wide range of knowledge and supply delicious snacks that complement each drink. Nothing goes better with a pint than a tasty bite to eat.

One thing you can’t complain about on this beer tour in San Diego is that all beverages and snacks are included. Drink up, folks, this is definitely one of the best brewery tours in San Diego!

The North Park Beerucation Tour lasts approximately three hours. Don’t be afraid to ask your guide any questions, they know everything there is to know about San Diego beer. It’s not just all about drinking, you know.

Unfortunately, there’s no pick-up included with this tour. Although, fortunately, there’s a central meeting point that suits all parties at University Avenue.

Small Group Brewery Hopping Tour

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“Best time ever celebrated my daughters bday with family. Mike was awesome. We are locals but our city has a lot to offer so gota take advantage of site seeing what we forget is here. Thx Mike”

Learn about San Diego’s craft brew scene by signing up for this small group brewery tour of San Diego. You’ll be taken to three unique, local breweries to learn about the work that goes into making their special product. To make things even better, one flight of beer samples at each bar will be included in your reservation. Yes, you heard that correctly.

The four-hour San Diego beer tour has space for up to ten people. If you have a decent number of people looking to learn all about craft breweries, this is the one for you.

You’ll be picked up by an enthusiastic driver/tour guide who knows a thing or two about beer. Their vehicle isn’t just any vehicle, it’s an open-air motor. Therefore, expect the fresh sea breeze to hit your face when driving down the coast. Fresh bottled water will be provided during your journey, but who wants that when there’s booze waiting ahead?

Usually, the time spent at each brewery varies. During this beer tour of San Diego you’ll spend roughly an hour in the first spot, 45 minutes in the second, and finish off in the final spot with the remaining time. There’s a huge possibility you’ll forget what time it is by then.

By choosing this tour, there’s a possibility you could end up at some of the best breweries in San Diego. Mike Hess, Belching Beaver, Fall Brewing, Rip Current Brewing, Modern Times, Thorn St Brewery, Half Door Brewery, and Ballast Point are among the options. 

Pickup from various hotels in San Diego is available upon request. Alternatively, the meeting point is in front of the Whiskey Girl bar, an easy location that everyone can get to.

Cruise And Booze Through North Coast’s Craft Breweries

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Reviews
“WOW! What a fun day! Seriously, I cannot stress this enough… WHAT A FUN DAY!”

Take off on a drinking journey to see North County’s most exciting craft breweries. Enjoy a half-day San Diego brewery tour in a vintage VW Vanagon and visit three noteworthy craft establishments.

Your brewery tour in San Diego will either begin at one of the agreed-upon meeting points or if your hotel is on the pickup list, you’re in luck. The first stop will be Wild Barrel Brewing. Here your guide will take you on a tour of the vicinity and there will be time to order some beers at the site’s bar. It’s going to be hard to get you guys out of there.

Next up is Wildbrew Vista. Allow your guide to take you to the cold room and catch a glimpse of the equipment used to maintain quality. It’s an eye-opening experience that gives you a good idea of the work that goes into keeping the product at the proper temperature at all times.

Finally, visit the award-winning Jacked Up Brewery owned by a lovely guy named Michale. Explore the facility while listening to his favorite music, and finish things up with a flight of beers produced by Michale’s brewery on the tour operator. Beers to that, folks!

Some alcohol, snacks, and water are included with your booking. Although at the breweries, you’ll have to do beer tastings at your own expense. Please note that at the first two places you stop, you’ll have to pay for an admission fee ticket.

This private San Diego brewery tour lasts for four and a half hours. Once finished, you’ll be dropped back at the meeting point, where you can continue drinking beer.

All-Inclusive Brewery Tour In A Fire Truck

This brewery tour can be fully customized to your needs and is a fun choice whether you’re having a bachelor party or looking to organize a corporate team-building day out. You choose a time and what breweries you’d like to visit, and the company does all of the work.

Hotel pick-up is available from various properties in San Diego. Just be sure to check out the list to make sure yours is on it before booking. Once the company confirms it, you’re good to go. On the day of the excursion, your guide will arrive in a flashy red fire truck with some welcome beers and bottled water to kick things off the right way.

If you haven’t got much knowledge about breweries in San Diego, the tour company will provide you with a couple of itineraries, and you can decide which ones you’d like to go to out of the suggestions. 

There’s an exciting route on their tour description, which includes a visit to Mission Brewery, which was once a Wonderbread Factory. Then you’ll head on to the Belching Beaver North Park, famed for its peanut butter stout, before finishing up for a round of beers at Thorn Street Brewery.

All alcoholic beverages are included in the price. If you have somebody in your group under the age of 21, they can still come along but won’t be able to consume any alcohol.

Beer Tasting And Brewery Tour In San Diego By Motorcycle Sidecar

Dive deep into San Diego’s beer scene by joining this two-and-a-half-hour brewery tour by motorcycle sidecar. Zoom through the city streets between three breweries accompanied by an experienced driver who knows the city streets like nobody else. Start at Stone Brewing Tap Room – Kettner, where the brewery’s host will look after you. 

Learn about its interesting background history and enjoy a flight of beers poured right in front of you. Afterward, your driver will escort you to Ballast Point Brewing in Little Italy, known for their massive selection of local beers. Of course, you’ll get to try some out for yourselves. Finally, you’ll end up at the Coronado Brewing Company San Diego Tasting Room to chat with some of the company’s brewers over some of their beer. Feel free to ask them all the questions you have about the industry.

The private tour departs from out the front of Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa. Your driver will be parked there waiting for you. All transport and beers are included in the price, so the only other expense you could have is if you want to grab some food at one of the breweries.

It’s possible to tailor the itinerary in whatever way you like. You can contact the company for more information.

Whether local or enjoying a trip to San Diego, any of these San Diego beer tours is a great way to spend an afternoon. With so many fun San Diego brewery tours to choose from, which will you join first!?

We have only scratched the surface regarding brewery tours in San Diego. It’s well-known that the city takes real pride in its beer and breweries. So whichever of our picks you choose from our list, you’re in for a great experience where you’ll learn a lot and have the chance to try out a couple of new beers you can add to your shopping list.

Up for more libations? Check out the Best Distilleries in San Diego or the Best San Diego Wineries and these interesting California Beer Stats.

Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Anastasia Rybina