San Diego didn’t just join the craft beer movement—it helped shape it. With over 150 breweries across the region, the city has become a destination for hops lovers, IPA hunters, and anyone curious about how beer goes from grain to glass. In its best districts, you don’t just drink—you learn, explore, and sample straight from the source.
Here’s a list of 14 brewery tours in San Diego’s top craft beer neighborhoods.
Ballast Point – Miramar
One of the city’s most recognizable names, Ballast Point offers detailed tours through its large-scale brewing facility in Miramar. You’ll see the production process from mash to bottle, with tastings along the way.
The taproom has dozens of options, including limited-release beers you won’t find elsewhere.
Stone Brewing – Escondido
Stone’s flagship location mixes bold beer with a big personality. The tour covers the equipment and history, with insights into their focus on sustainability. Afterward, the beer garden offers a peaceful spot to sip, surrounded by native plants and running water.
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Modern Times – Point Loma
Known for creative flavor combos and artsy can designs, Modern Times runs tours that feel more like a walk through a funky lab than a factory. You’ll hear how they experiment with coffee, fruit, and hops. It’s as much about the vibe as volume.
Green Flash – Mira Mesa
This brewery keeps things transparent—literally. Glass walls let you see the process before the tour even starts. Guides walk you through their large tanks and explain the nuances of their West Coast-style IPAs. The beer garden out front is a great bonus.
Karl Strauss – Pacific Beach
The original location of Karl Strauss is compact, charming, and still one of the city’s best. The tour here feels more personal, often led by brewers or longtime staff. It’s a good intro for those just getting into craft beer.
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AleSmith – Miramar
Step into AleSmith, and both size and precision greet you. The tour includes their high-tech brewhouse and a look at the Tony Gwynn Museum inside. Strong stouts and Belgian-inspired ales make this one stand out in a city full of IPAs.
Coronado Brewing – Bay Park
With a laid-back coastal vibe, this tour offers a look at how a small island operation grew into a regional favorite. Their brews lean crisp and clean—perfect for the city’s year-round sun. The on-site kitchen adds a solid food pairing element to the visit.
Societe Brewing Company – Kearny Mesa
Societe takes beer seriously, with a focus on traditional methods and consistent quality. The tour explains why they avoid gimmicks and stick to clean fermentation and precise timing. Their tasting room is no-frills—but that’s the point.
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Thorn Brewing – North Park
This neighborhood favorite offers tours that explain how the community ties into brewing. You’ll walk through their tanks and barrels while sipping small-batch IPAs and rotating experimental beers. It’s casual, welcoming, and well worth the time.
Mikkeller San Diego – Miramar
Originally from Denmark, Mikkeller brought its global reputation to San Diego with a sharp edge. The tour here is small but informative, and the taproom often features beers from international collaborators.
Expect unusual flavor profiles and expert staff.
Lost Abbey / Port Brewing – San Marcos
Though technically north of the city, this dual brewery tour is worth the short drive. You’ll explore both the bold West Coast IPAs of Port and the Belgian-style experiments of Lost Abbey.
The contrast between the two styles makes this tour especially fun for varied palates.
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Pure Project – Miramar
Focused on sustainability and unique ingredients, Pure Project’s tour includes talk of eco-friendly practices and hard-to-find hops. You’ll taste beers brewed with things like coffee blossom honey and locally foraged ingredients.
Small scale with a big flavor.
Belching Beaver – Ocean Beach
Belching Beaver mixes good beer with a strong sense of humor. Their peanut butter stout is a local legend, and the tour walks through its creation alongside their other playful offerings.
The tasting room feels more surf shack than a factory.
North Park Beer Co. – North Park
This brewery tour doubles as a neighborhood walk—North Park has become one of San Diego’s most vibrant beer hubs. The team explains their brewing philosophy, which centers on balance and creativity.
Afterward, the taproom’s modern design and rotating taps make it a great place to linger.
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Where Foam Meets Community
San Diego’s brewery tours aren’t just about fermentation—they’re about identity. Each spot reflects its neighborhood, its brewers, and the people who keep showing up for a cold pint. These tours let you peek behind the tanks, ask questions, and taste the difference craft can make.
In a city where beer is serious business, the best part is how fun it still feels.
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