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The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 7 Must-Attend San Diego Events In November That Will Shock Your Senses

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November 2025 in San Diego is not merely a transition month; it is a spectacular collision of world-class culinary, military, and cultural festivals that transform the city into an epicenter of vibrant activity. If you are planning a trip to Southern California this year, the first two weeks of November are particularly explosive, featuring the highly anticipated overlap of two of the region's biggest events: the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival and the 17th Annual San Diego Beer Week.

This guide provides the absolute latest and most confirmed dates and details for the must-attend events in November 2025, ensuring your itinerary is packed with unique, fresh experiences, from high-stakes horse racing at Del Mar to honoring the nation’s service members during Fleet Week. Forget the typical—this is when the city truly comes alive with a unique blend of high-end gastronomy, craft beer culture, and patriotic fervor.

The Culinary and Craft Beer Explosion: November 7–16, 2025

The centerpiece of San Diego’s November calendar is a massive, ten-day celebration of the palate, where the city’s status as a top-tier culinary and craft beer destination is cemented. This year, the two biggest food and drink events are running concurrently, creating an unprecedented feast for visitors.

San Diego Beer Week (SD Beer Week) 2025

Running from November 7 to November 16, 2025, the 17th Annual San Diego Beer Week is a county-wide celebration of the region’s world-famous craft beer scene. San Diego is often hailed as the "Craft Beer Capital of America," and this event showcases hundreds of local breweries, from titans like Stone Brewing and Karl Strauss to smaller, innovative nano-breweries.

  • The Core Experience: The week is not a single event but a series of hundreds of unique happenings across San Diego County. Look for specialty beer releases, "Meet the Brewer" nights, beer pairing dinners, and tap takeovers at participating breweries, bars, and restaurants.
  • Must-Attend: The annual Guild Fest, which traditionally kicks off the week, is the best way to sample a huge variety of beers in one location. Be sure to check the San Diego Brewers Guild official calendar for the confirmed 2025 date and location.

San Diego Food + Wine Festival 2025

Just as Beer Week kicks off, the prestigious San Diego Food + Wine Festival (also known as the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival) takes center stage from November 7–9, 2025. This is one of the largest and most celebrated food and wine festivals in Southern California, attracting celebrity chefs, sommeliers, and foodies from around the globe.

  • The Main Event: The Grand Tasting on the Embarcadero is the highlight, featuring hundreds of domestic and international wineries, craft beer and spirits, and gourmet food samples from top San Diego restaurants.
  • Beyond the Tasting: The festival includes dozens of intimate events, such as cooking classes, wine seminars, and exclusive chef dinners, offering a high-end, educational culinary experience.

Military, Motorsports, and Cultural Celebrations

November is also a time for honoring the military and embracing San Diego's rich cultural history, with events spanning the waterfront and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Fleet Week San Diego 2025

San Diego is home to the largest concentration of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel on the West Coast, and Fleet Week is a major annual event that honors and celebrates the men and women of the sea services. The main window for events runs from October 30 through November 9, 2025.

The ten-day schedule typically includes a variety of public-facing activities that offer a rare glimpse into naval life:

  • Ship Tours: The public can tour various U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships docked at the San Diego waterfront.
  • Military Demonstrations: Witness impressive demonstrations of military capabilities and technology.
  • Community Events: Events like the Enlisted Recognition Luncheon, the Military Band Concert, and the Veterans Day Boat Parade (often held on or around November 11th) are key components of the celebration.

Del Mar Fall Racing Season 2025

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, where "the turf meets the surf," extends its high-stakes excitement into the autumn with its Fall Racing Season, which begins in late October and runs through early December 2025. The season officially runs from October 29 to December 2, 2025.

The November calendar is particularly thrilling, as it often features the Breeders’ Cup, a two-day championship event that brings the best horses, trainers, and jockeys in the world to Del Mar. The Breeders' Cup is slated for October 31–November 1, 2025, serving as an electrifying kick-off to the month. Attending a day at the Del Mar Racetrack is a classic San Diego experience, combining fashion, sport, and a vibrant social scene.

Early November Cultural and Community Events

Beyond the major festivals, the beginning of November is rich with cultural and community events that mark the transition from fall to the holiday season.

Fall Back Festival in the Gaslamp Quarter 2025

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, as Daylight Saving Time ends, the historic Gaslamp Quarter literally turns back the clock. The annual Fall Back Festival transforms the downtown streets into a vibrant, old-timey fair. This free, family-friendly event features:

  • Live music and entertainment reminiscent of the late 19th century.
  • Period costumes and historical reenactments.
  • Food vendors and games that celebrate the heritage of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Día de los Muertos Celebrations

While the traditional date is November 1st and 2nd, the vibrant Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations extend throughout the first week of November in San Diego. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and other neighborhoods host elaborate events, including:

  • Processions and traditional music.
  • The building of beautiful, intricate ofrendas (altars) to honor deceased loved ones.
  • Face painting, sugar skull decorating, and traditional Mexican folk dancing.

Bikes & Beers San Diego 2025

For the active traveler, the Bikes & Beers San Diego event on November 15, 2025, offers a unique way to explore the city while enjoying its famed craft beer. The event features a scenic bike ride with various route lengths, culminating in a festival at a local brewery. Participants enjoy craft beer samples, live music, and a commemorative pint glass, perfectly blending fitness with San Diego's casual, fun-loving culture.

Planning Your November 2025 San Diego Itinerary

To maximize your time in America's Finest City, consider these key entities and tips:

  • The Overlap Strategy: Since the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and San Diego Beer Week run simultaneously (Nov 7–9), plan to attend the Grand Tasting for a high-end culinary experience, then dedicate the rest of the week to exploring neighborhood breweries for a more local, craft beer immersion.
  • Holiday Kick-Offs: Look for the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair in North County, which traditionally kicks off the winter festivities with vendors and live music. Additionally, holiday light displays like Lightscape often begin their run in mid-to-late November.
  • Veterans Day: November 11th is Veterans Day. Expect patriotic events, including parades and ceremonies, throughout the county, especially around the USS Midway Museum and the National Cemetery.
  • Balboa Park: While not a single event, November weather is perfect for visiting Balboa Park's 17 museums, the San Diego Zoo, and the beautiful botanical gardens, offering a quieter counterpoint to the city's festivals.

November is arguably the best time to visit San Diego. The summer crowds have dissipated, the weather remains comfortably warm, and the sheer density of world-class events—from the high-octane excitement of Del Mar Racing and Fleet Week to the indulgent pleasures of the Beer and Wine Festivals—creates an unforgettable experience. Plan ahead, book your accommodations early, and prepare to be fully immersed in the best of Southern California culture.

november events san diego
november events san diego

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