North County San Diego Events
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival 2026
Every fall, food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and culinary travelers gather in North County San Diego for one of the region’s most anticipated events: the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival. Held September 30 through October 4, 2026, this San Diego food and wine festival features renowned chefs, world-class wineries, local restaurants, and unforgettable tasting experiences, making it the perfect excuse for a coastal getaway.
Located just minutes from the Surf Sports Park (formerly the San Diego Polo Fields), Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle offers a peaceful boutique retreat where guests can experience the excitement of the festival while enjoying resort-style amenities, championship golf, wellness experiences, and the relaxed charm of Rancho Santa Fe.
Whether you’re visiting for the Grand Tasting or planning a long weekend of exceptional food and wine, here’s everything you need to know before your stay.
Images courtesy of Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
WHERE TO STAY
hotels near Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
Festival weekends are busy throughout North County, making where you stay just as important as the events you attend.
Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle offers the perfect balance of convenience and relaxation. Located only four minutes from the Surf Sports Park without traffic and 1.1 miles away, the hotel keeps you close to the festival while offering an escape from the crowds at the end of the day.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy:
- Boutique accommodations in Rancho Santa Fe
- Championship golf and practice facilities
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Resort-style pool and hot tub
- Restorative treatments at Verde, Guesthouse’s onsite Spa
- Coastal California dining at Gather Coastal Kitchen
- Easy access to Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Rancho Santa Fe
After an afternoon of tastings, return to the hotel to relax by the pool, enjoy dinner, or unwind with a spa treatment before another day exploring Del Mar and North County San Diego.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
The Del Mar Wine & Food Festival is a multi-day celebration of San Diego’s vibrant culinary scene, bringing together award-winning chefs, celebrated restaurants, acclaimed wineries, breweries, distilleries, and artisan food producers.
The 2026 festival takes place September 30 through October 4, with events hosted throughout Del Mar and the surrounding North County San Diego communities.
In addition to showcasing exceptional food and beverages, the festival supports Feeding San Diego with a celebrity pickleball event, helping provide meals to local families through rescued and recovered food.
From intimate chef dinners and educational tastings to large-scale culinary events, the festival offers something for every type of food lover.
Experience the Del Mar Grand Tasting
The signature event of the festival is the Grand Tasting, taking place on Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Surf Sports Park.
Guests can expect:
- Hundreds of wines, beers, and spirits to sample
- Signature dishes from some of Southern California’s top restaurants
- Live culinary demonstrations
- Celebrity chef appearances
- Premium VIP experiences
- Live entertainment
Because the Grand Tasting is one of the festival’s most popular events, tickets often sell out well in advance. Booking both your festival tickets and hotel accommodations early is highly recommended.
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival Events
While the Grand Tasting draws the biggest crowds, the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival includes a full lineup of events throughout the week, from intimate chef dinners to educational tastings and after-hours celebrations.
Look for:
- Chef-hosted dinners featuring multi-course menus from award-winning restaurants
- Educational tastings led by winemakers, brewers, and spirits producers
- VIP experiences with premium access and exclusive pours
- Live entertainment and after parties, including Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle’s own Grand Tasting After Party
Because the full event schedule and ticket availability change each year, visit the official Del Mar Wine & Food Festival’s website for the current lineup and to reserve your spot before events sell out.
Grand Tasting After Party at Guesthouse
Nightcap-The Official After Party
Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle is proud to partner with the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival and host the Grand Tasting After Party, Saturday, October 3 from 5-9 PM.
After spending the afternoon discovering incredible wines and cuisine, continue the celebration in the relaxed setting of Rancho Santa Fe. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow festival-goers while enjoying the warm hospitality and elevated atmosphere that define Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle.
Getting to the Festival
Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle is conveniently located just 1.1 miles away from Surf Sports Park, making it easy to attend events throughout the festival. Without traffic, it is a 4-minute drive.
Guests can drive or take a rideshare service, with Uber and Lyft readily available throughout festival weekend. Traffic increases before major events, so plan to leave the hotel a little early to allow extra travel time.
Returning to the hotel after the day’s festivities is just as convenient, allowing you to skip the congestion of staying directly in the event area.
Make a Weekend of It
One of the best parts of staying at Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle is everything waiting beyond the festival itself.
During your stay, consider exploring:
- Del Mar Beach for sunset walks along the coast
- Rancho Santa Fe Village and its charming boutiques and cafés
- Cedros Avenue Design District in nearby Solana Beach
- Championship golf at La Valle Coastal Club
- Tennis and pickleball on property
- A relaxing massage or facial at Verde
- Dining throughout Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas
With so much to experience nearby, it’s easy to turn your festival visit into a memorable long weekend.
where to stay near Surf Sports Park
The Del Mar Wine & Food Festival is one of North County’s most popular fall events, and accommodations fill quickly throughout the area.
To secure your preferred room and enjoy the best availability, we recommend reserving your stay as soon as your festival plans are confirmed.
Whether you’re visiting for a single afternoon or extending your stay to explore the California coast, Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle provides the perfect home base for a weekend of exceptional food, wine, and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 Del Mar Wine & Food Festival takes place from September 30 through October 4, with events held throughout Del Mar and North County San Diego.
The Grand Tasting at the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival takes place over two days on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and Sunday, October 4, 2026. It is held at the Surf Sports Park (14989 Via De La Valle) in Del Mar.
Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle is approximately a 4 to 10-minute drive from the Surf Sports Park, depending on traffic. It is only 1.1 miles away!
The festival is a 21-and-over event, so children, including infants and kids in strollers, are not permitted at any festival venue. Pets are welcome only if they’re certified service animals; other pets should stay home for the day.
Yes. The Grand Tasting is the festival’s signature event, and tickets often sell out before the festival begins. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.
Guests can enjoy nearby beaches, championship golf, shopping, spa treatments, Rancho Santa Fe Village, Del Mar Racetrack (during the fall season), Cedros Avenue Design District, and many of North County San Diego’s top restaurants.
Guesthouse Hotel at La Valle combines boutique accommodations with resort-style amenities, including golf, tennis, pickleball, a pool, Verde Spa, and Gather Coastal Kitchen. Its location just minutes from the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival makes it an ideal choice for visitors looking to enjoy the event while relaxing in one of North County’s most inviting destinations.
The Del Mar Wine & Food Festival is being held at the Surf Sports Park. The address is 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014.
