2026 California Wine Festival - Dana Point - April 24-25

2026 California Wine Festival - Dana Point - April 24-25 is a grand tasting wine festival held annually in Dana Point, California — a 2-day outdoor event featuring hundreds of California wines, live music, and complimentary gourmet food pairings. Tickets start at $155 for VIP access, with general admission pricing to be announced. The festival has been voted among the top wine festivals in the country and draws thousands of attendees across its Southern California stops.

The Dana Point edition spans two distinct events across the weekend. On Friday, April 24, the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on the Del Mar Lawn at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Hotel & Spa. On Saturday, April 25, the Beachside Wine Festival takes place at Sea Terrace Park along Pacific Coast Highway from 1 to 4 p.m., with VIP and early entrance beginning at noon. Both venues are fully outdoor. Attendees can sample hundreds of California wines with unlimited tasting privileges, accompanied by complimentary appetizers including artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, and breads. Live music and chef demonstrations are included with admission. Net proceeds from the silent auction benefit Sandy Feet Initiative, a local charity.

Sell-out attendance is expected, and the festival explicitly states that gate tickets will likely not be available — advance online purchase is strongly recommended, with savings of $10 to $20 per ticket compared to door pricing. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more by emailing info@californiawinefestival.com. Each ticket includes a long-stem wine glass and event program. Seating is available in the VIP Pavilion only; the main festival is a walkabout format, and beach chairs and blankets are not permitted. The event is 21 and older, strictly enforced by the Alcohol Beverage Control. Parking on Saturday is available at Salt Creek Beach for $1.00 per hour and at Strand Beach lot, approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk from the venue.

Dana Point sits along the Orange County coastline, and the Sea Terrace Park venue positions Saturday's tasting with direct proximity to the Pacific. California's wine regions — from Napa and Sonoma to Paso Robles and the Central Coast — are typically represented at events in this festival series, making the format well-suited for attendees who want broad exposure to the state's range of producers in a single afternoon.