San Diego Guide to Oktoberfest

Bust out your lederhosen, the German spirit of Oktoberfest is alive and well in San Diego. Check out our guide to Oktoberfest to make the most of the German-inspired events happening in San Diego.

Oktoberfest at Searsucker 
Sept. 26. Searsucker Del Mar and Ballast Point have teamed up to create a German-inspired menu that features Chef Brian Malarkey’s dishes along with an assortment of Ballast Point’s popular brews, including Longfin Lager, Sculpin IPA Cocktail, Ballast Point Oktoberfest and Victory at Sea Porter. 6:30 p.m. $60. Searsucker Del Mar, 12995 El Camino Real, Del Mar. 619.723.2801. searsucker.com

Oktoberfest Dance Festival
Sept. 28-29. Head to Balboa Park for a dance workshop and Oktoberfest celebration for the whole family featuring free dance lessons, live performances, children’s activities and vendors selling crafts and vintage goods. Hosted by five different international folk dance clubs, the Oktoberfest Dance Festival in Balboa Park is meant to encourage dancing as a social recreation. Food will be available for purchase. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Balboa Park Club, 2144 Pan American Road W., San Diego. 619.276.1765. oktoberfestdancefestival

Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Sept. 27-Oct. 6. Bratwurst, potato pancakes and sauerkraut are just some of the authentic German dishes to indulge in at Oktoberfest. Wash it all down with a large selection of German beers and liquors in a Bavaria-style beer garden. Oktoberfest includes traditional folk dancing performances, games and contests, and music from Guggenbach-Buam, a group of talented musicians in traditional attire hailing from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. There are also vendor and craft booths, and an interactive kids’ zone. A parade and ceremonial tapping of the wooden keg will take place at 4 p.m. each Saturday. German American Societies of San Diego, 1017 South Mollison Ave., El Cajon. 619.442.6637. oktoberfestelcajon.com 

La Mesa Oktoberfest
Oct. 4-6. This beloved La Mesa tradition is dedicated to family, friends, great food and entertainment. The three-day festival features more than 400 vendors offering goods and services, great food, children activities, entertainment and of course, good ol’ German brats and cold beer. Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa. lmvma.com/SeasonalEvents/Oktoberfest

Junior League San Diego’s Oktoberfest
Oct. 12. Junior League of San Diego for its first Oktoberfest—an afternoon of beer, brats and Bavarian Fun! Wear your lederhosen and dirndls; best dressed will be crowned Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest. Along side live music raffle prizes, test  your arm strength in the beer stein-holding contest. The world record is 20 minutes….how long can you hold your beer? 2-6 p.m. $35. Quality Social, 789 6th Ave, San Diego. 619.234.2253. jlsd.org

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Oct. 11-12.  OB Oktoberfest will be packed with live music, food vendors, a beer garden and traditional Oktoberfest contests including bratwurst-eating and stein-holding competitions. There will also be a Miss Oktoberfest contest and the annual sausage toss competition, which boasts a $10,000 cash reward. Don’t miss the Beer Garden Band Slam on Friday night—the competition crowns the best cover or tribute band at the beach. There will be a free shuttle running between 710 Beach Club, The Local, True North Tavern and the festival. Friday 4-10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Ocean Beach. OBOktoberfest.com

OktoberWest
Oct. 12. Chef Eugenio Martignago puts a farm-to-table twist on Oktoberfest by combining h is fall harvest with traditional German flavors for the fourth annual OktoberWest. Dishes include whole rotisserie slow-cooked suckling pig, house-made bratwurst, traditional German spaetzle pasta with parmesan cheese and butter, and weiner schnitzel in a lemon caper sauce. Tickets include generous food and drink samples. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $35-40/pp. 21+. Bistro West, West Steak and Seafood, and West Inn & Suites, 4960 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad. westinnandsuites.com

Oktoberfest at Mille Fleurs 
Through Oct. 31. Chef Martin Woesle will take his guests palates on a savory tour of his native Germany with this special Oktoberfest celebration. Throughout October, Mille Fleurs will offer daily specials showcasing a variety of traditional German cuisine, including sauerkraut, speckknodel, herring, black forest ham, headcheese, smoked trout, warm potato salad, suckling pig, crackling pig skin, pork chop, blaukraut, authentic pretzels, venison bratwurst, apple strudel, pumpkin tart and many more traditional German dishes. The restaurant will also offer German wine pairings and festive beers to further enhance the German experience experiences. Mille Fleurs, 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe. 858.756.3085. millefleurs.com

Oktoberfest at Lazy Dog
Through Nov. 1. Mission Valley’s newest addition is bringing the spirit of Germany to San Diego with special Oktoberfest food and drink offerings. Celebrate with a beer sampler highlighting “Old World” or “New World” variations of Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest and Dunkel brews paired with schnitzel made with a pretzel crust and served with German potato salad and a house-made green apple, Napa cabbage krout. Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, 1202 Camino Del Rio N., Mission Valley. 619.481.6191. lazydogrestaurants.com/location