San Diego’s drinking tours offer genuine experiences for every taste and budget. After exploring countless options across the region, standout choices include the intimate craft brewery tours in North Park – perfect for understanding the city’s booming beer culture. Downtown bar crawls provide an efficiently organized night out with skip-the-line benefits at popular venues. The cross-border Tijuana Beer and Taco expedition remains a favorite, combining authentic Mexican street food with rising Baja breweries.
For the best value and culture, we particularly love the North Coast brewery circuit. It showcases smaller, family-run operations where visitors can chat directly with brewmasters.
These carefully selected tours represent the finest drinking experiences in San Diego:
Good To Know
- San Diego Brewery Tours offer guided visits to three local breweries with tasting flights, ideal for team-building and family outings.
- Tijuana Taco and Craft Beer Tour provides a 6-hour excursion with authentic tacos and craft beers in Tijuana, led by experienced guides.
- Bar Tours in San Diego, such as the Drink, Ride, Sing & Dance! tour, visit popular downtown bars with free welcome drinks and discounts.
- Baja Craft Beer Experiences offer a small-group Baja Craft Beer Tasting tour with private transportation from San Diego and visits to unique locations.
- Unique Drinking Adventures include the Slammin San Diego Bar Crawl, a self-guided scavenger hunt through local bars, and the Intro to Mexican Craft Beer tour.
San Diego Brewery Tour
For those seeking an immersive craft beer experience, the San Diego Brewery Tour is a must-try. Boasting a 96% recommendation rate from 47 reviews, this small-group tour takes participants to three local breweries, providing tasting flights at each stop.
Guided by an enthusiastic driver, the tour offers an open-air vehicle for safe beer-tasting and an opportunity to learn about different beer types and breweries. Customers have praised the knowledgeable guide, Mike, and the tour’s fun, informative, and accommodating nature.
Highly recommended for craft beer enthusiasts, the San Diego Brewery Tour is a great option for team-building and family outings, allowing travelers to discover new areas of the city.
Read our full review: San Diego Brewery Tour Review
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Stepping away from the craft beer scene of San Diego, the Tijuana Taco and Craft Beer Tour offers a unique opportunity to take in the vibrant culinary and beverage culture of Tijuana, Mexico.
This 6-hour excursion showcases the city’s authentic tacos and locally crafted beers, led by knowledgeable guides like Tadeo and Victor. Priced at $130 per person, the tour includes food tastings, two flights or pints of craft beer, and transportation between the meeting point in San Diego and the endpoint in Tijuana.
With a maximum group size of 12, the experience promises a personalized and relaxed exploration of the border city. Proper documentation, such as a passport or birth certificate, is required for the border crossing.
Read our full review: Shared 6 Hours Tijuana Taco and Craft Beer Tour Review
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Drink, Ride, Sing, & Dance! Bar Tour (4 Bars Included)
On the Drink, Ride, Sing and Dance Bar Tour in San Diego, travelers can embark on a lively 21+ adventure that takes them to four popular bars in the city’s vibrant downtown.
With a maximum of 25 participants, the tour offers a free welcome drink at the starting point and discounts on drinks at the local bars.
The tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation is nearby.
According to reviews, the tour guide, Natalie, ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
With a perfect 5-star rating and a 100% recommendation rate, this bar tour is a must-try for those seeking a fun and lively night out in San Diego.
Read our full review: Drink, Ride, Sing, & Dance!” Bar Tour (4 Bars Included) Review
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San Diego: North Coast Small-Group Half-Day Craft Brewery Tour
Guests embark on a small-group craft brewery tour along San Diego’s North Coast, offering a chance to sample a variety of locally-produced beers.
The “Cruise & Booze Brewery Tours” experience is priced from $149.00 and runs from 10/22/2020 to 12/1/2025, with operating hours from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
The tour includes private transportation, a complimentary beer from a local brewery, and bottled water, though guests pay for additional beer tastings and food at each brewery stop.
The tour meets at three locations – San Diego, Oceanside, and Escondido, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.
While reviews average 4.0 out of 5, there are no 5-star ratings recorded.
Read our full review: San Diego: North Coast Small-Group Half-Day Craft Brewery Tour Review
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Pacific Beach Bar Tour in San Diego
The Pacific Beach Bar Tour in San Diego provides an evening of exploration through the vibrant nightlife scene of this lively coastal neighborhood.
Offered by San Diego Nightlife Tours, the 3-hour tour kicks off at 9 PM from Thrusters Lounge, where guests receive a welcome drink.
Over the course of the evening, the group visits several local bars, with alcoholic beverages included.
The tour is accessible, with wheelchair-friendly surfaces, and is open to those 21 and over.
With a maximum of 30 participants, the Pacific Beach Bar Tour offers an intimate and immersive way to experience San Diego’s lively bar scene.
The tour ends at PB Avenue, leaving guests free to continue their night on the town.
Read our full review: Pacific Beach Bar Tour in San Diego Review
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Baja Craft Beer Tasting
For those seeking a deeper dive into Mexico’s vibrant craft beer scene, the Baja Craft Beer Tasting tour offers an immersive experience.
Led by an expert guide, this small-group tour provides private transportation from San Diego to several local breweries. Participants can sample craft beers, enjoy an included lunch, and make new friends.
The tour visits unique locations not easily found on one’s own. Priced at $124.80 per person, the experience includes all alcoholic beverages, transportation, and gratuities.
With a perfect 5-star rating based on 6 reviews, this tour is a must for beer enthusiasts looking to explore the craft brews of Baja California.
Read our full review: Baja Craft Beer Tasting Review
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San Diego Beer Adventure: Half-Day Tour
On this immersive San Diego Beer Adventure, guests embark on a half-day journey to explore the city’s thriving craft beer scene. Priced from $616.59 per group, this private tour offers guided tastings at multiple breweries, led by a professional local guide.
Transportation to and from the pickup location is included, making it a convenient and hassle-free experience. Though not wheelchair accessible, the tour is near public transportation.
With a 5-star rating based on reviews, this beer adventure is sure to sell out, so booking in advance is recommended. Refunds aren’t available if the tour is canceled.
Read our full review: San Diego Beer Adventure: Half-Day Tour Review
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Baja Craft Beer Hope From San Diego
Baja Craft Beer Hope From San Diego is a five-hour tour that takes visitors on a craft beer adventure across the border into Mexico.
The tour departs from San Diego and includes alcoholic beverages, lunch, and private transportation. With a maximum of 12 travelers, the small-group experience provides a more personalized tour.
Participants will visit several craft breweries in Baja California, sampling unique beers along the way.
While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, it’s near public transportation and suitable for most travelers, excluding those with certain medical conditions.
With a perfect 5-star rating based on reviews, this tour offers an excellent opportunity to explore the vibrant craft beer scene in the Baja region.
Read our full review: Baja Craft Beer Hope From San Diego Review
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San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin San Diego Bar Crawl
Designed for adventurous travelers, the Slammin San Diego Bar Crawl offers a self-guided scavenger hunt that immerses participants in the vibrant bar scene of the city.
Organized by Lets Roam, this private activity allows groups to explore San Diego’s top bars at their own pace using a smartphone app.
The tour includes access to maps, photo challenges, riddles, and leaderboards, as well as individual roles for each player. Participants can capture digital copies of their adventure hunt photos and receive phone, email, or chat support throughout the experience.
With moderate physical fitness required, the Slammin San Diego Bar Crawl provides a unique and exciting way to discover the city’s lively drinking culture.
Read our full review: San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin San Diego Bar Crawl Review
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Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego
Visitors exploring San Diego’s vibrant beer scene can embark on a Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour, a private activity that offers an immersive experience.
For $215 per person, participants enjoy tastings at multiple local breweries and snacks along the way. The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but service animals are allowed. Infants must sit on laps, and the tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious medical conditions.
With a 5.0 rating from a single review, the tour provides an opportunity to learn about San Diego’s history and sample a variety of craft beers.
The tour starts and ends at Liberty Station, and staff are available to assist participants as needed.
Read our full review: Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego Review
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Intro to Mexican Craft Beer From San Diego
San Diego’s craft beer enthusiasts can embark on an exciting day trip across the border to explore Tijuana’s burgeoning Mexican craft beer scene.
The Craft Beer Tour includes transportation, lunch, and 3-4 flights of craft beer, as well as visits to Avenida Revolución, the Millenium Arch, and one of Tijuana’s oldest breweries.
The small-group tour, limited to 12 travelers, starts at 2:00 PM and ends at the Sentri border crossing.
Inclusions cover accommodation, a Mexican meal and drink, bottled water, and souvenirs.
A valid passport and moderate physical fitness are required.
Priced at £75.73 per person, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Read our full review: Intro to Mexican Craft Beer From San Diego Review
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The Sum Up
San Diego offers a variety of exciting drinking tours that cater to different interests. From brewery tours and craft beer tastings to Tijuana taco and bar crawl experiences, there’s something for every type of drinker. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or simply looking to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife, these tours provide a great way to discover San Diego’s thriving drinking scene.