Going to be in California in late August. Most of our time will be in LA with family that lives there. I am sure they will have places they want to take us. Main question here is that we will be driving down to San Diego County specifically for beer adventures. I for sure want to see Stone. I know Lost Abbey is there, as well as Mission, Ballast Point. Alesmith, Pizza Port, and many more great breweries. How do I get the most out of less than 24 hours in San Diego County? What do I need to see that i have not mentioned if I only have a Thursday afternoon and evening, and Friday till early afternoon at the latest. For anyone that wants to say “Skip Stone.” thats not going to happen, Stone started my craft beer enthusiasm and I have to spend some time there.
I’m a neophyte on SD County, but from my limited experience, here goes until a local gives advice.
Lost Abbey is not far from Stone. Rip Current is also close by in San Marcos. Pizza Port Carlsbad is not to far, down highway 78 to the coast. Of course you should be thinking Alpine brewing.
I have been to 3 of the Pizza Ports, and enjoyed them all. All of the Pizza Ports brew on site, more of a brewpub. By the brewery, I assume you mean the Lost Abbey/Port Brewing facility which I have not been to.
Other great breweries that have won medals, but are north of LAX (vs. Long Beach, south of LAX) include Angel City Brewing and Eagle Rock Brewery (Glendale area).
Beachwood beers are good. (The BBQ is ok.) Monkish Brewing had some good stuff I tried at a festival. My #1 suggestion on LA is to prepare for spending a lot of time sitting on the freeway.
The Bruery is in Placentia in Orange County if their beers are your thing.
Stone should be a must even if you aren’t a big fan of their beers because they put lots of cool one offs in the taproom.
Thanks for all the help so far, lots of great input. I was not trying to diss on LA, I just know that my sister and brother in law(who have lived there for almost 20 years) will have some favorite spots picked out to take us to. San Diego is where I will get to do what I want to do. I do like the suggestion in LA of Beachwood, and will have to fit that in somewhere.
Is the taproom at the brewery? Or one of their other locations?
For a homebrewer, you should go to White Labs’ tasting room. Try one wort fermented on multiple strains of yeast. Huge knowledge opportunity, good beer and a great bunch of people there.
Love this tip seanoj! Thanks so much, would not have thought of this as a stopping place, but is right on with what I need in my brewing education right now!
I enjoyed the tap room at Coronado Brewing Co in San Diego. The tap room is open to the brewery so you can kind of check that out while drinking. That also makes it a bit loud at times.