Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in San Diego with family-friendly fiestas, all-you-can-eat tacos, tequila tastings and more.
Edited by Eva Scattergood.
EVENTS
Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo
May 4-6. Celebrate all weekend long in San Diego’s historic neighborhood of Old Town. Highlights include four stages with live entertainment, a beer and margarita garden and the Lowrider Lane car show. Be sure to check out the variety of food and retail vendors, as well as the children’s area featuring Wells Fargo stagecoach rides. F 4-10 p.m.; Sa 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. San Diego Avenue between Conde and Twiggs, Old Town, 619.291.4903. cincodemayooldtown.com
Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park
May 5. Experience a family-friendly fiesta filled with Mexican music and dance performances, colorful horseback riders, strolling mariachis, a fashion show of traditional Mexican dress, hands-on activity booths for kids, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and more. The day-long Cinco de Mayo celebration culminates with a 5 p.m. concert in Spreckels Organ Pavilion, featuring crowd-favorite Jarabe Mexicano, accompanied by the SDSU School of Music Percussion Ensemble. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego. balboaparkconservancy.org
DINING
Casa de Bandini
May 5. Spice up your fiesta with the carnitas taco sampler paired with a Cazadores paloma. The celebration will be complete with live mariachi music and dancers, along with drink specials both Friday and Saturday. Casa de Bandini in the Forum, 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.634.3443. casadebandini.com
Coasterra
May 5. Enjoy downtown skylines views from the water as you indulge in an all-you-can-eat modern Mexican spread. Choose from chili rubbed tri tip, chorizo and potato quesadillas, seafood paella and all the street tacos you want. Pair this with a specialty margarita or a classic like Deb’s Coconut Marg. Two drink tickets and a tequila tasting are included with each ticket. 1-4 p.m. $35. Coasterra, 880 Harbor Island Dr., Harbor Island, 619.814.1300. Tickets
Curadero
May 5. Sample one of Curadero’s new agave-focused cocktails, like Let’s Hear It For Chamoy, with el jimador reposado, mango, lemon, serrano and chamoy. If you’re hungry, order something from chef Brad Kraten’s menu; highlights include a variety of ceviches, tacos and housemade guac. Curadero, 1047 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.515.3003. curadero.com
Del Sur Mexican Cantina
May 5. Head on over to South Park for a kid- and dog-friendly Cinco de Mayo. Sip on $6 house margaritas while enjoying taco plates, enchiladas and burritos with vegan and vegetarian options available, complete with live music. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Del Sur Mexican Cantina, 2301 30th St., South Park, 619.501.0643. delsurmexicancantina.com
Jalisco Cantina
May 5. Visit Oceanside’s first tequila bar, named after the home of the blue agave plant, to celebrate this holiday. Here you’ll find an exclusive selection of some of the finest tequilas and mezcals in the world. Sip on tasting flights of these spirits or toast with house specialty margaritas like the Cilantro Smash, Mango Serrano or the Pineapple Jalapeño. 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Jalisco Cantina, 213 N. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 760.429.1679. thejaliscocantina.com
Puesto
May 5. Stop by Puesto to try a new take on their signature “Puesto Perfect” margarita, which will be on special at $12 per margarita or $50 per pitcher. If tequila isn’t your thing, try the beer-based cocktail “El Rey del Patio” featuring cucumbers, tomatillos, jalapenos and fresh squeezed lime juice. All of Puesto’s signature tacos will be available, complete with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Puesto, 789 W. Harbor Dr., downtown, 619.233.8880. eatpuesto.com
Waterbar
May 5. Spend your Cinco de Mayo ocean-front at Waterbar. Highlights include homemade churros, a blended margarita bar and street taco special made with your choice of grilled rockfish, chipotle-braised beef, shredded chicken, veggie or shrimp with salsa roja, ancho crema, shredded cabbage and salsa vinaigrette. Waterbar, 4325 Ocean Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.888.4343. waterbarsd.com
