Tis the season of lederhosen, beer, bratwursts, Bavarian pretzels and all things German. We’ve rounded up the top the best places to celebrate Oktoberfest in San Diego.
Edited by Lisa Kelley
Coronado Oktoberfest
Sept. 17-21; 24-45. Hotel del Coronado’s sun deck transforms into a Bavarian-style beer garden featuring specialty Karl Strauss brews plus bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, schnitzel and more. Admission is free; food and drink for purchase. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
Sally’s OktoBIERfest
Sept. 24-25. The patio of Sally’s Fish House & Bar transforms into Hofbrauhaus Sally’s for the inaugural OktoBIERfest event. Enjoy free admission and specialty pricing on craft brews, traditional brats and more, while enjoying waterfront views, lawn games and live music. The event is open to all ages and is dog friendly. One Market Pl., downtown, 619.358.6740. sallyssandiego.com
Quartyard
Sept. 25. East Village’s playground hosts an Oktoberfest celebration featuring 20+ beers on tap, live music from Kalifornia Krauts, beer-infused sausages from S&M Sausages & Meat, pretzels from SD Gorilla Grubb and gourmet pizza from Buona Forchetta. Lederhosens and canine pals are encouraged. 1102 Market St., East Village. quartyardsd.com
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Sept. 25. Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe with German beer, savory brats, tasty pretzels, live music by Haute Chile Productions and a kids zone. The free event is open to the public from 3-7 p.m. 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.1131. theinnatrsf.com
La Mesa Oktoberfest
Sept. 30-Oct. 2. This 43rd annual family-friendly event brings the best of German culture, food, dance and more to the San Diego community. The event is free to the public and features a street festival atmosphere with over 100 vendors, activities and live entertainment. La Mesa Blvd., between Spring St. and Fourth St., La Mesa. thelamesaoktoberfest.com
Oktoberfest in El Cajon
Sept. 30-Oct. 9. Oomph! Join the German festivities at El Cajon’s annual Oktoberfest celebration. The first two weekends in October feature games, food, beer, crafts and even live music by German band Guggenbach-Buam. $10/pp. 1017 S. Mollison Ave., El Cajon, 619.442.6637. germanclubsandiego.org
CRAFToberfest
Oct. 1-9. Liberty Public Market is going all out with a nine-day CRAFToberfest celebration showcasing German-specific beers from Bottlecraft as well as the best Bavarian bites and sips the market has to offer. Enjoy patio games, customized market beer mugs, beer pairings and tastings and more throughout the market. 2820 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station, 619.487.9346. libertypublicmarket.com
Carlsbad Oktoberfest
Oct. 1. The Carlsbad Rotary North County’s longest running Oktoberfest, featuring costume contests, music, games, rides, food and craft beers. Enjoy favorite foods like apple strudel, pretzels, kettle korn, pumpkin pie and more. Tickets include meal and admission. 12 noon-10 p.m. $15/pp. Holiday Park, Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad. rotaryoktoberfest.org
Oktoberfest at Tin Roof
Oct. 1. The Junior League of San Diego hosts the 4th annual Oktoberfest celebration at Tin Roof. Enjoy music and games, raffle prizes, beer stein holding contests and costume contests. Ticket includes admission and a beer. $25/pp. 401 G St., Gaslamp Quarter. jlsd.org
Oktoberfest Encinitas
Oct. 2. The 21st annual Encinitas Oktoberfest features fun for the entire family. Celebrate all day long with more than 200 vendors, authentic German cuisine, a ceremonial parade, live entertainment and craft beer garden with local brews. Nosh on Tarantino gourmet sausages, then tap your feet along to the music and dances performed by Hammerstein Musik Bavaria and The Gemütlichkeit Alpine Dancers. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mountain Vista Dr. and El Camino Real, Encinitas. encinitasoktoberfest.com
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest
Oct. 7-8. Perhaps San Diego’s wildest Oktoberfest celebration, the Ocean Beach festivities feature live bands, bratwurst-eating and stein-holding contests, a sausage toss and more. For beer garden access, a ticket includes unlimited tastings and a signature mug. Newport Avenue and Abbot St., near the Ocean Beach Pier, Ocean Beach, 619.224.4906. oboktoberfest.com
Quad AleHouse & Gaslamp Tavern
Fridays in October. In celebration of national pretzel month, Quad AleHouse and Gaslamp Tavern will offer a special jumbo Bavarian pretzel for just $7 each Friday in October. The oversized pretzel is served with beer cheese and mustard dipping sauces. 868 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.239.3339. quadalehouse.com; gaslamptavern.com
