California Wine Festival

California Wine Festival is a grand tasting wine festival held annually across multiple California coastal cities — the Dana Point edition runs April 24–25, 2026, across 2 outdoor venues. The 2-day event has been voted among the top wine festivals in the country and draws thousands of attendees for hundreds of California wines, live music, and gourmet food samples. Food and beverage tastings are valued at $25 per ticket for tax purposes, with that tax included in the ticket price.

The Dana Point edition spans two distinct events across the weekend. On Friday, April 24, a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting runs from 6:30–9pm 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 — a grassy, palm-lined outdoor venue along Pacific Coast Highway — from 1–4pm, with VIP and early entrance beginning at noon. Attendees receive unlimited wine tasting privileges along with a long-stem wine glass and event program. Complimentary appetizers are available throughout, including artisan cheeses, fresh cut fruits, breads, and olive oils. Live music accompanies both sessions. Seating is available in the VIP Pavilion only; the main festival is a walkabout format where guests move between winery and food purveyor stations.

Sell-out attendance is expected, and organizers strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance — advance buyers save $10–$20 per ticket compared to gate pricing, though tickets are unlikely to be available at the gate. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more by emailing info@californiawinefestival.com. The festival is 21 and older only, strictly enforced by the Alcohol Beverage Control. Bags are restricted to small purses, totes, and drawstring bags; backpacks are prohibited. Valet parking is available Friday at the Marriott for $20. Saturday parking options include city lots on Stonehill and Niguel Road, and Salt Creek Beach lot at $1 per hour. Net proceeds from the silent auction benefit Sandy Feet Initiative, a local charity.

Dana Point sits along the Orange County coastline, and the Beachside Wine Festival's location at Sea Terrace Park — adjacent to the Pacific Ocean — reflects the region's outdoor wine culture. The California Wine Festival also holds editions in Santa Barbara (July 17–18, 2026) and Huntington Beach (October 16–17, 2026), making the Dana Point stop the first of 3 annual coastal events in the series.