Known in San Diego as the Capital of Craft, this hipster neighborhood has tasting rooms, beer bars and breweries lining the streets.  A neighborhood that began over 100 years ago has transformed from a rundown suburb, to one of the area’s most recognizable beer destinations. In addition to a wide variety of beer options, North Park has a bustling nightlife scene, coffee shops galore, eclectic art galleries and an awesome lineup of venues with live music. The area is a foodie’s paradise featuring some of the most unique eateries in the City – all within walking distance or a short bike ride of one another. From north to south, we’ll tell you about our favorite breweries in North Park!

Want to experience it for yourself – book a North Park brewery tour with So Diego where you’ll be led on a 2.5-hour experience filled with beer, history, art and did we say beer!  If you’d prefer to go solo and do it at your own pace, you can walk or catch the City’s #2 bus which travels from downtown along the entire length of 30^th Street (or Beer Street as it’s known to the locals). If you do choose to start your beer extravaganza downtown, here’s a list of other things to do in downtown San Diego before you hit the famed North Park! Don’t forget that for a $5 1-Day Pass, you can hop on and off that #2bus as many times as you’d please.

Fall Brewing Company

Their tasting room located inside the brewery is known for good times, friendship and a great selection of beers. They pay homage to the punk rock scene from the décor to the beer names and music. They are kid friendly, dog friendly and if you’re hungry, local food trucks rotate in front of the venue, or you can bring in something of your own. The friendly bartenders are happy to talk about the wide variety of beers and their beer making process. They also offer samplers at great prices. Our favorite ale – Green Hat IPA.

Poor House Brewing Company

This brewery may look a little nondescript on the exterior but inside you’ll find a cozy spot where the “beertenders” know the regulars by name.  They have fast service with great prices and for entertainment they feature local sports on the TV, a pool table, darts and shuffleboard. Offering happy hour $1 off pints Monday – Friday from 2:00 – 7:00 pm they also have free peanuts and pretzels and on Thursday nights at 5:00 pm, free pizza with the purchase of a pint!  Our favorite brew – 30 Hops IPA.

Belching Beaver Brewery – North Park Tasting Room

This tasting room is an outpost of their production facility located in Vista, CA. They offer a variety of beers for every palate from easy-drinking blondes, triple IPAs to barrel-aged beers, you’re almost guaranteed to find one (or many) that you love. The tasting room has an open-air feel with counter seating along roll-up doors that offer a floor to ceiling view out to the sidewalk. Our favorite brew – Peanut Butter Milk Stout, try it in served as a beer float – yep with ice cream!

Rip Current Brewing

This satellite tasting room (brewery is located in San Marcos) is positioned in the middle of bustling 30th Street and offers a large selection of beers and specialty guest beers on 29 taps. They share their space with Craft House a restaurant offering delicious seasonal local food. Because they have a full restaurant, they do not allow pets other than service animals. They’ve won multiple awards for their beers over the years including the 2015 Small Brewing Company of the Year Award! Our favorite brew – Choppy Surf Czech Style Pilsner.

Second Chance Beer Co. – North Park Beer Lounge

Seize. Sip. Enjoy. This craft brewery was founded in 2015 with a collective spirit built on expanding expectations while crafting exceptional beers of the highest quality.  They brew their beers in Carmel Mountain and opened this location in 2017. Their lounge-style atmosphere with local wall art has cozy setting offering an open-air feel, couches, games and bar tables with a great patio.  They do not serve food but allow you to bring in your own. Our favorite brew – Seize the IPA.

North Park Beer Co.

This brewery opened its doors just over two years ago after renovating a historic department store building into what is now an almost 8,000 sq. ft. craftsman-style tasting room, restaurant and brewery that conjures the arts and crafts architectural styles of North Park. Having started out in the garage of their North Park home, this husband and wife duo have come pretty far. They offer a full restaurant (Mastiff Sausage Company) on site that serves up some tasty food including a great weekend brunch as well as wine and a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Check-out their mezzanine level if you want to play darts or shuffleboard. Our favorite brew – Hop-Fu! IPA (the single most award-winning homebrew recipe in history)!

Mike Hess Brewing

This 12,500 sq. ft. brewery and tasting room is located in the heart of North Park.  As you walk into the tasting room, look down for a birds eye view into the brewery which includes the production equipment and canning lines.  This dog and family friendly location is a great spot to grab a beer with friends while catching a game on one of the TVs or playing darts or a board game. They have rotating food trucks outside and on Mondays and Tuesdays, bring in your Mike Hess glassware for $4 pints all day!  Our favorite brew – Into the Sunset Blood Orange IPA.

Modern Times Beer – North Park Flavordome

Offering the most eclectic décor of all the breweries in North Park, this small tasting room has 16 beers on tap that include their core beers as well as pilot batches and experimental pours – who knows you might be tasting the next award-winning brew!  Their brewery started in Point Loma and they now have 4 additional tasting rooms (3 in San Diego, 1 in LA and 1 in Portland)! They don’t serve food but allow you to bring in your own and have partnered with some of the local restaurants to deliver directly to your table!  They allow small children (under the age of 13) and dogs are permitted on their patio. In addition to beer, they also roast their own coffee which you can purchase at the tasting room. Our favorite brew – Lomaland Czech Saaz.

Thorn Brewing

Located a few blocks to the east of 30th Street, this tasting room is tucked into the neighborhood and offers a cozy pub feel inside with a patio out back.  The brewery started in North Park but has since moved their production facility to Barrio Logan (where there is also a tasting room). They have rotating food trucks out front or you can bring in your own food (or order something to go from the BBQ joint next door which we recommend).  Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed, and kids can come anytime before 8:00 pm. Our favorite brew – Cocomotive Coconut Porter. If you’re interested in a change of pace while still hanging in North Park, check out some of the other trendy bars, restaurants and lounges that North Park has to offer!

We know you are thirsty after hearing about all these amazing places – grab some friends and book a tour with So Diego Tours!  In addition to sampling some great beer, you’ll get up close and personal with the brewing process and you’ll learn how a run-down area like North Park blossomed into the trendy place it is today.