The Best San Diego Breweries

The brewery scene in San Diego can’t be beat. From industrial-sized breweries to more intimate spaces, you can find plenty of great places to grab a top-tier craft beer all around town. In fact, there are more than 150 breweries in San Diego County – the most of any county in the US. Since you probably don’t have quite enough time on your hands to visit all 150+, I’m breaking down some of the best San Diego Breweries (from the POV of a local).

The 7 Best San Diego Breweries

Let’s talk about some of the best breweries in San Diego. Keep in mind that many breweries have multiple locations throughout the county – I’ve noted their locations so you can find the closest one to you.

Modern Times – Encinitas, Point Loma, and North Park

Modern Times has three locations throughout the county, each with its own name: The Far West Lounge (Encinitas), Lomaland Fermentorium (Point Loma), and Flavordome (North Park). The popular brewery is known for its wide range of beer selections and fun, uniquely decked out spaces. 

What’s on Tap: Modern Times especially excels when it comes to IPAs and sours. Fruitlands (gose) is one of my all-time favorites, and I’m also a huge fan of Orderville (hazy IPA) and Space Ways (IPA). Not your vibe? They have a huge draft menu with plenty of great options, including lagers, wheat ales, and stouts. They also have hard seltzers and alcoholic kombuchas. 

What Else?: While the Point Loma and North Park locations are drinks only, the Encinitas location is also a full-service restaurant. They have a fully plant-based menu – their “chicken” sandwich is insanely delicious. At all locations, you can also pick up coffee beans and canned cold-brews in-store!

Vibe: Each space is different, but you can always expect eclectic and out-of-the-box decor when visiting any Modern Times location. At the Encinitas space, you’re transported into a funky 1970s living room, complete with felt TV dinner trays on the walls.

Culture Brewing Co. – Solana Beach and Encinitas

If you’re on the hunt for some great breweries in North San Diego County, look no further than Culture Brewing Co. This craft brewery has locations in the beach towns of Solana Beach and Encinitas. Both spots are ideally located near plenty of shops, restaurants, and beaches, so you can make a whole day around your brewery visit.

What’s on Tap: While the draft list may not be huge, you won’t have any issue finding your favorite type of beer on the menu. They have brown ales, cream ales, blondes, sours, lagers, IPAs, and more. 

What Else?: The Solana Beach location often has food trucks in the back, and both locations regularly have weekly specials and community events (like yoga classes accompanied with beer!). Check out their calendar to see what’s happening. 

Vibe: Culture has your classic, small industrial brewery feel. Both locations have large windows at the storefront that are open during nice weather (AKA pretty much all the time), so you can enjoy some fresh air as you sip on your beer of choice. The Solana Beach location also has a back patio. 

Thinking of checking out Culture Brewing and Modern Times in Encinitas? Plan a whole day around it! There are tons of fun things to do in Encinitas.

Pure Project – Carlsbad, Vista, Miramar, North Park, and Balboa Park 

Pure Project – which opened its first location in Miramar in 2016 – is one of the top newer San Diego breweries. The brewery uses sustainably-sourced ingredients and donates 1% of all sales to environmental non-profit organizations.

What’s on Tap: Pure Project offers beers influenced by the founders’ experiences in Costa Rica. You’ll see a range of styles with tropical flavors. I loved the Murkshake with Strawberries (IPA) when I last went. There are plenty of other IPAs, as well as stouts, cream ales, sours, blondes, and practically everything in between. 

What Else?: The original location in Miramar is small and very popular, so be prepared to stand on busy weekends! 

Vibe: At Pure Project, the founders brought a little bit of Costa Rica to San Diego. You’ll find plenty of greenery in the modern, jungle-inspired tasting rooms.

Pizza Port Brewing Co. – Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Bressi Ranch, Ocean Beach, and Imperial Beach

No matter where you are in San Diego County, there’s probably a Pizza Port nearby. There are five locations throughout the county, ranging from Carlsbad all the way down to the southern edge of the county in Imperial Beach. Ever since offering craft beer in its first Solana Beach location in 1992, the award-winning company has expanded and exploded in popularity – and is now considered one of San Diego’s best breweries. 

What’s on Tap: The rotating tap has a wide selection, so there’s something for everyone. You can’t go wrong with their IPAs. 

What Else?: Yes – they serve pizza! In addition to the many different pizza options, the Pizza Port menu includes salads and a range of different shareable sides. 

Vibe: Pizza Port is super laid-back, perfectly encapsulating the San Diego vibe. It’s also kid-friendly.

Viewpoint Brewing Co. – Del Mar

If you want to sip on a beer while enjoying a great view, Viewpoint is the way to go. Drink your beer of choice on the outdoor patio as you take in the views of the San Dieguito Lagoon. 

What’s on Tap: You’ll find a huge selection of beers on tap, including IPAs, pale ales, stouts, and more. You can also create your own flight, or pick from one of their pre-selected flights. 

What Else?: Viewpoint is also a full-service restaurant. They serve elevated versions of classic brewpub food, including fish tacos, burgers, ceviche, chicken pot pie, and plenty more. 

Vibe: Viewpoint has an amazing outdoor patio (some tables even have their own tabletop fireplace), as well as an inviting indoor space.

Burgeon Beer Company – Carlsbad, Escondido, and Little Italy

Burgeon first opened in Carlsbad in 2016, helping to establish a great craft brewery space in the North County area. Since then, it has expanded to Escondido and Little Italy. 

What’s on Tap: If you’re an IPA lover, you’re in luck – Burgeon has a ton of options on tap. For those that aren’t into IPAs, you’ll find plenty of other great options, including pilsners, sours, brown ales, and pale ales.

What Else?: At the Carlsbad and Escondido locations, they have food trucks on-site multiple times a week – you can find the schedule online. At the Little Italy location, they have a craft kitchen on-site, offering dishes like poke, calamari, pretzels, wings, and more.

Vibe: Burgeon is warm, inviting, and laid-back – everything you’d expect from a SD brewery. The Escondido space has a great outdoor patio, while the Carlsbad location has a bit more of a warehouse feel – but it’s decked out with plants and bistro lights.

Stone Brewery – Escondido and Liberty Station

Stone is a staple in the San Diego brewery scene. Both San Diego properties are massive, and feature uniquely decorated indoor spaces, as well as beautifully landscaped outdoor patios. It’s like you’re escaping into a craft beer oasis. 

What’s on Tap: The beer options at Stone are endless, and they are regularly releasing new brews. Some of my favorites include the Delicious IPA, Xocoveza Stout, and the Tangerine Express Hazy IPA. 

What Else?: Both locations are also full-service restaurants. I highly recommend getting the Bavarian pretzel and the brussels sprouts. Additionally, you can do a brewery tour at Stone Escondido to get a closeup look at the brewing process and enjoy tastings of some of their standout brews. 

Vibe: Stone truly is the Disneyland of breweries. From the indoor dining spaces to the outside gardens and patios, it feels like you’re transported to another world.