The Prohibition Era<\/strong><\/p>\n San Diego\u2019s beer-brewing history dates back to 1868, when the region\u2019s first brewery \u2013 San Diego Brewery \u2013 began producing about 200 barrels annually. Beer production throughout the US later ground to a halt from 1919 to 1933, when Prohibition, which made it illegal to manufacture or sell alcohol, was in effect. In San Diego, brewing saw a renaissance in 1935, but craft brewing soon took a backseat as the large national breweries began to dominate the industry. Then, in 1982, California law legalised the brewpub, once again igniting interest in boutique beers.<\/p>\n What Ales You?<\/strong><\/p>\n Things haven\u2019t slowed since. Today, San Diego County boasts more than 90 craft breweries, where you can take a tour, talk to the brewers about the beer-making process and, of course, taste the local draughts. The region\u2019s\u00a0specialties\u00a0run the gamut \u2013 pale ales, Belgian ales, sour beers, porters, stouts,\u00a0pilsners, lagers, wheat beers and even some low-alcohol options.<\/p>\n Breweries<\/strong><\/p>\n As there are way too many great breweries to name in a humble\u00a0blog\u00a0post, I\u2019ve highlighted a handful of favourites here across each of the five regions within San Diego County. But if you\u2019re really serious about beer-hopping your way through San Diego, The San Diego Brewers Guild<\/strong> produces a comprehensive\u00a0list and map you can download<\/a>, or another\u00a0map from the San Diego Tourism Authority<\/a>\u00a0divides this enthusiastic beer region into three handy sections you can easily tackle on your holiday.<\/p>\n Beer Tours<\/strong><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to go it alone, or you want to leave the driving to someone else, there are also a number of tour companies specialising in the region\u2019s enthusiasm for craft beer. Check out\u00a0Brew Hop<\/a>,\u00a0Brewery Tours of San Diego<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0San Diego Beer and Wine Tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gaslamp Quarter, the historic heart of San Diego<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n A giant and a pioneer in San Diego brewing, Karl Strauss Downtown is a must-visit. When it opened in 1989, it was the first brewery to do so in the city in over 50 years. While you\u2019re here, take a tour, chat with the beer-loving and beer-knowledgeable staff and sample the 10 craft beers they have on tap, such as the award-winning Red Trolley Ale.<\/p>\n What\u2019s better than pizza and beer? Pair your craft draught \u2013 you can choose from more than 40! \u2013 with an equally crafty coal-fired pizza at Urbn St. Brewing\u00a0Co\u2019s\u00a0in-house brewery and restaurant. The place features about nine of its own creations alongside more than 30 \u2018guest\u2019 beers.<\/p>\n Relax and enjoy a brew or two at La\u00a0Jolla\u00a0Brewing Company in lovely La\u00a0Jolla. Choose from one of the breweries own concoctions \u2013 such as Sunny Jim\u2019s\u00a0IPA, Neptune\u2019s\u00a0Nitro, Glider Port Pale, Cove Side Stout or Bird Rock Brown \u2013 or try a sampling from the 24-tap rotating selection of other San Diego County craft beers.<\/p>\n In nearby Carlsbad, stop in to\u00a0ArcanaBrewing, where you\u2019ll find a beer menu divided between \u2018The Usual Suspects\u2019, such as Honey Pale Ale,\u00a0Headbasher\u00a0IPA\u00a0and Voyager English Ale, and seasonal specials, from summery Belle\u2019s Berry Ale to the hearty Dark Xmas Ale.<\/p>\n Get a true taste of the area\u2019s craft-beer culture with a visit to the Lightning Brewery Tasting Room in\u00a0Poway. Work your way through six sample sizes of Lightning\u2019s boutique beers while you have a chat and even learn a few bits and pieces from head brewer James\u00a0Crute\u00a0and his knowledgeable brew crew.<\/p>\n Quench your thirst and get comfortable at the Coronado Brewing Company\u2019s Brew Pub, where you can pair your handcrafted pint with delicious brewpub fare. Whether you\u2019re a beer novice or an aficionado, you\u2019re sure to find a sip to satisfy from the brewery\u2019s Core Series, Crown Series, Coronado Collection or Brewer\u2019s Series.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [tabs]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Best Time to Visit San Diego<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-light-up”]<\/p>\n Weather in San Francisco:<\/strong> From a weather perspective, visit any time \u2013 San Diego is blessed with an enviable year-round climate. The area rarely experiences extreme heat or cold, humidity is low and there\u2019s minimal yearly rainfall.<\/p>\n Best Time of Year:<\/strong> The busiest time to visit is from late May to early September, when American kids are out of school and people are flocking to the coast. Beer lovers may want to visit in November, when San Diego Beer Week takes place.[\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Where to Stay<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]San Diego\u2019s accommodation options run the gamut, from traditional B&Bs to high-rise metropolitan hotels to\u00a0beachside\u00a0resorts.<\/p>\n For beds on a budget, check out\u00a0California Suites Hotel<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Point\u00a0Loma\u00a0Inn & Suites<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a\u00a0mid range\u00a0hotel, try the\u00a0Best Western Plus Marina Gateway Hotel<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Blue Sea Beach Hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you really want to luxuriate on your holiday, splash out at the\u00a0Hotel\u00a0Solamar<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0The Westin\u00a0San Diego<\/a>.[\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”Getting To San Diego<\/strong>” icon=”entypo-address”]A number of carriers will get you from Singapore to San Diego International Airport (IATA\u00a0code: SAN), including American Airlines (with one stop in\u00a0Narita, Japan), Japan Airlines (also with a stop at one of Japan\u2019s airports) and United Airlines (with two stops: one in\u00a0Narita, Japan and one in\u00a0Los\u00a0Angeles).<\/p>\n San Diego is also just a two-hour drive south of\u00a0Los\u00a0Angeles.[\/tab]<\/p>\n [tab title=”San Diego Tours<\/b>” icon=”entypo-address”] You can pre book tickets and tours online for activities in San Diego. Among them, brewery tours, beer tastings and dinner cruises. If you’d rather not plan your beer-belly-first route yourself, book a tour and they’ll do the work for you. Plus you get to make some friends and say hurray to Murica<\/em> together.\u00a0Check out the latest food and drink tours running on the dates of your holiday in San Diego here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/tab]<\/p>\n [\/tabs]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Beer](\"https:\/\/travelblog.expedia.com.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/GettyImages-153516626.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n1. Central San Diego \u2013 Downtown and the\u00a0Gaslamp\u00a0Quarter<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n2. East County \u2013 El\u00a0Cajon<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. North Coastal \u2013 La\u00a0Jolla\u00a0and Carlsbad<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n4. North Inland \u2013\u00a0Poway<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. South Bay \u2013 Coronado<\/strong><\/h2>\n