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Craft Culture
With more than 130 breweries , 100 wineries , a slew of small batch distilleries and specialty coffee roasters all over town , San Diego shines as a leading capital of craft . So raise a glass and taste the best of the best in San Diego .
Wine
For a fun and easy alternative to a day-long tour of San Diego ’ s vineyards , make your way to Little Italy , where urban wine tasting rooms rub shoulders with celebrity chef-led restaurants . Carruth Cellars Wine Garden offers a wide array of wine by the glass or flight , including award-winning reds , while Pali Wine Co . specializes in pinot noir and chardonnay . Don ’ t miss Vino Carta , a bottle shop and tasting room that stocks wines from small , family-run producers and employs an in-house sommelier .
Beer
North Park is a must-see spot for craft beer lovers . The hip ' hood is home to dozens of breweries , beer bars , bottle shops , and tasting rooms , all within a short stroll of each other . Top picks include North Park Beer Co ., a spacious brewery and taproom with Craftsman-inspired decor and a menu centered around housemade sausages , and the Modern Times Flavordome , an eclectic space with brews to match , like the ultra-hoppy Blazing World and Fruitlands , a sour beer amplified with passion fruit and
guava .
Spirits
In downtown ’ s East Village , You & Yours crafts inspired cocktails with gin and vodka produced on-site . The female-led distillery is chic and comfortable , with a gleaming marble bar and plush lounge furniture . Further afield in Miramar , Malahat Spirits pours delicious small batch rum and whiskey in a nautical-themed tasting room that pays tribute to the famous rum-running schooner from Prohibition days and feels
like a Hollywood movie set .
Coffee
Those who prefer the buzz that comes from a perfectly roasted bean should make a beeline to Lofty Coffee in Little Italy for an eye-opening assortment of caffeinated beverages like single origin espressos and lattes topped with housemade salted caramel alongside a variety of fresh-baked pastries . The WestBean Coffee Roasters is another popular pick for pour-overs and specialty drinks like the Kryptonite ( mint-infused cold brew with brown sugar and cream ). Find them downtown near Horton Plaza and in Liberty Public Market .