10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Soledad Mountain

"If the fresh ocean air has you ironically craving BBQ, head over to the Coronado Ferry Landing for pulled pork, brisket, sausage, ribs, and chicken. Served as a sandwich or plate with your choice of three housemade sauces ranging from sweet to spicy, this casual spot is a popular choice to get your BBQ fix. Insider tip: Tables can be hard to come by during the lunch and dinner rush so come early or order online."

"When our friends at Humble Sea in Santa Cruz, California, recommended that we check out the beers from North Park, we didn’t hesitate. And the recommendation was spot on. North Park stands out from the San Diego pack by fashioning some of the most decadent, elegant stouts around."

"The North Park tasting room is open for curbside pick-up delivery of cans, crowlers and growlers. Local same day delivery available Thursday - Saturday for orders placed by noon. along with shipping anywhere in California."

"When you come to this brewery, you’re not just getting a tasting room — you’re also getting an incredible beer garden that you’ll want to stay in all afternoon. Established in 1989, this beer brewing company exemplifies the Southern California lifestyle with its refreshing brews and laid-back atmosphere. It’s also credited as being one of the first breweries to kick off the craft beer scene in San Diego."

"Their red trolley ale is my favorite and a great pick for first time visitors. Many convenient locations across San Diego (even inside airport terminal!) makes it a great option to try."

"The tasting room is open Tuesday - Sunday and is attached to The Cork and Craft which isopen for take-out and dine-in. Shipping available as well, order online here."

"Both of Stone’s expansive locations, in Liberty Station and Escondido, offer kid friendly environments where hip parents can sit back and enjoy a cold beer while the little ones run around and play games in the garden. The kid menu may not feature a lot of standard kid food (no chicken nuggets here!) but it’s perfect for little foodies in the making."

"Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is almost an attraction in itself. Sure, it's San Diego's largest craft brewery but there is much more to it than delicious beer. It's family-friendly by day."

"Stone brewery is a bit of a drive from San Diego but makes for a great half day trip. Stone is known for IPAs and the restaurant on the premises is pretty good as well."

"Hillcrest Brewing is more than just a great place to sample a wide variety of specialty beers, some far-above-average tavern food specialties, and a convivial atmosphere. Hillcrest can also lay claim to being the world’s first LGBTQ-owned-and-operated brewery in the world. So be sure to stop in to try a pint from among their deep range of tasty tappers and say hello to their “hunky brewsters."

"Globe-trotting chef Junya Watanabe fuses food and art with a westernized take on Japanese classics at his Kearny Mesa and more recently opened Little Italy sushi restaurants. Here you’ll find Instagrammers charmed by intricately constructed vegan sushi while hungry patrons slurp up silky, handmade ramen noodles floating in a creamy dashi. Celebrate seasonality with a chef’s selection bento box available for take-out exclusively at The Yasai’s Little Italy location."

"SOL CAL Café was founded by Jacob Bell, a former NFL player, who said it was his passion to bring healthy, affordable options to the community. The colorful shop offers juices, smoothies, sandwiches, breakfast foods, bowls, and coffee drinks. While not a strictly vegetarian restaurant, many of the dishes are already vegetarian, and most items can be made vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free upon request."

"SuperNatural's menu of seven "sea-to-sandwich" signatures - ranging from the garlic-shrimp Siren to the bacon and scallop-stuffed Neptune, plus "sinister" subs like Korean steak iteration Chimera – make it one of the fastest and tastiest lunch stops in Miramar. Sides include togarashi shrimp chips and a creamy scallop bacon chowder."

"For example, if you love animals or are traveling with kids, San Diego Zoo is in the park. It’s huge with many open areas for the animals, and also margaritas and craft beer for the adults. If you just love parks or nature, you can stroll through the park itself or one of its many gardens- including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a botanical garden. Note that some gardens (like the last two) close at night."

"San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles north of San Diego in Carlsbad, east of Escondido, and is a haven for some of the planet's most amazing animals. Get up close and personal to them in habitats that mimic their own. Situated on 1,800 acres, it's home to more than 3,500 animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, rhinos, and lions."

"The world-renowned San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and houses more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals. Plan to spend at least a half-day at the zoo to get the full experience, which includes shows and animal presentations. During the summer, Nighttime Zoo event series allows visitors to stay later into the evening."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."