Family owned and operated
Explore the San Diego wine scene with us!
It’s no secret that people come to San Diego for the beaches and nice weather, but what many people don’t realize is that we have quite a large farming community of orchards, flower fields and vineyards. Wine making has seen a comeback to the region for the past 15 years, and we have an incredible list of local Southern California wineries that are quaint, family owned and operated, and producing quality wines. Wine lovers can taste locally made wine from urban wineries, steps away from the beach, or drive out to the countryside and enjoy wine overlooking the vineyards and rolling hills. We love sharing this side of San Diego because there is so much history with farming in our city, and the places we visit are breathtaking, not to mention that the people running the wineries are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic to share their stories. Our winery tours will have you exploring the sights and areas of San Diego that you may not have heard of in travel publications.
About San Diego Wine Tours:
So Diego is passionate about sharing the many facets of our city, and the wine community and our wineries is one of them. Allow us to create an experience that is both insightful, tasty, and beautiful!
Explore more on a private wine tour with us! – So Diego handles all of the planning so you don’t have to. We plan the logistics at each location, and with our connections, have access to areas and wineries that may not be open to the general public. On our tours, we visit up to 4 different locations, giving you a diverse experience.
We love history – We believe that a real good experience is done better when you understand the “why” behind the action. Whether it’s getting an understanding of why and how the winery region began, or why a vintner decided to open up in an urban metropolis, or why the art scene is so big in La Jolla, we enjoy sharing fascinating stories, and deepening your appreciation of San Diego.
Meet the experts – On our tours, we coordinate for our groups to get to know the people behind the magic. Meet vintners and/or owners of the wineries, and listen as they share their stories of how they came to make their dreams into reality.
Urban Wine Tasting Tour
Urban wine makers purchase fruit from various vineyards throughout California, and set up their production in the middle of a bustling neighborhood. Don’t expect to visit vineyards or wine country on this tour, but get to know various neighborhoods of the city, ranging from Solana Beach to Downtown San Diego. On this wine tasting adventure, you’ll see daily life throughout the city, and learn about the process of making wine as you taste award winning wine created from quality grapes sourced from the best vineyards.
Vino Vino Little Italy
Explore one of San Diego’s best neighborhoods for dining and strolling on a wine tour! Learn about the history of the Italians who flocked to San Diego, and how they shaped the fishing industry in San Diego. Visit an urban winery and tasting rooms, and taste wine from California, Italy and small production wineries from around the world. If your group is less than 10 people, this walking tour is readily available and can be booked Friday through Sunday. Groups greater than 10 will need to book a private tour.
Escondido Winery Tour
Step away from the city life, and into an oasis of greenery, rolling hills, and farms just 45 minutes from Downtown, San Diego. Just a stone’s throw away from Temecula wine country are the incredible vineyards in Escondido. Escondido offers diverse wine tasting experiences from over 20 wineries. We enjoy introducing guests to the vintners and give ample time to relax and enjoy the grounds while they taste award winning wines.
La Jolla Art and Wine
Enjoy exploring this seaside neighborhood and its art culture and history on a tour with us. Visit 3 diverse art galleries where you will speak to a representative about some of the works and artists that are showcased. Learn about collecting and appreciating the different art forms represented, and taste 3 locally produced wines at one of the galleries.
FAQS
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.
Kaylee Killebrew
Kaylee Killebrew - Tour Guide
Read BioMagdalene 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.
Magdalene Medofer
Tour Guide
Read BioAparna 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
Aparna Thakur
Tour Guide
Read BioRaul 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.
Raul Torres Valadez
Tour Guide
Read BioBen 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.
Ben Schorr
Tour Guide
Read BioBleu 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.
Bleu Ford
Tour Guide
Read Bio