Rare reserve pours, hundreds of California wines and oceanfront views take over Paséa Hotel & Spa Oct. 16-17
Grab your sunglasses and your favorite resort wear, because the California Wine Festival is returning to Surf City USA. On Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, the oceanfront Paséa Hotel & Spa hosts two days of exceptional California wine, gourmet bites and live music just steps from the sand.
California Wine Festival Executive Director Emily Kaufmann describes the Huntington Beach stop as “a vibrant weekend celebrating California wine culture by the ocean,” and with views like these, it’s hard to argue. Whether you’re a collector chasing hard-to-find bottles or simply love a sunny afternoon with a glass in hand, there’s a pour here with your name on it.
Friday: Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting
Kick off the weekend in style at the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Paséa’s Sapphire Ballroom. This intimate evening is made for true wine lovers, beginning with a sparkling wine reception before guests move on to rare, reserve and limited-production wines, including hard-to-find trophy bottles that are often no longer in circulation. Top regional chefs serve hot and cold appetizers while live music sets the mood, so dress in your finest casual-elegant resort wear and settle in for a night by the ocean. Tickets for this event are limited and tend to sell out quickly, so don’t wait.
Saturday: Beachside Wine Festival
On Saturday, the party moves into Paséa’s indoor and outdoor oceanfront spaces for the signature Beachside Wine Festival, running from 1 to 4 p.m., with VIP guests getting in at noon. Thousands of wine lovers will sample hundreds of premium California wines alongside regional craft brews and a delicious lineup of bites, from artisanal cheeses, breads and olive oil to shellfish, salads, chocolates and cakes. A live band keeps the energy up all afternoon. VIP ticket holders also enjoy access to a dedicated pavilion with reserve wines, gourmet bites and oceanfront seating.
Who’s Pouring and Plating
The festival’s Huntington Beach winery lineup reads like a who’s who of California wine country, with names including Caymus Vineyards, Williams Selyem, Dry Creek Vineyard, Cuvaison, Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards, Navarro Vineyards and Priest Ranch. On the food side, participating purveyors include local favorites like Duke’s Huntington Beach, Cucina Alessá and Little Sister, plus sweet treats from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Miss Mini Donuts and Sisi Cakes.
Sip for a Cause
Your festival weekend gives back, too. Proceeds from the festival’s auction benefit the Sandy Feet Initiative, a nonprofit that supports siblings of children with special needs, disabilities and chronic illness through beach programs that include surf lessons, boogie boarding and coping skills. The festival is also committed to greener event production and diverted 90 percent of festival waste from landfills in 2025.
Tickets and Packages
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with options for every kind of wine lover:
General Admission Beachside Wine Festival: Saturday entry at 1 p.m.
Early Entrance Beachside Wine Festival: an extra hour of sipping with entry at noon, limited to 300 guests.
VIP Beachside Wine Festival: noon entry plus exclusive access to the VIP pavilion, with reserve-level wines, appetizers, cheeses and shaded seating.
Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting: Friday’s evening tasting, including a sparkling wine reception, all wine and food samples, live music and an 18-ounce keepsake wine glass.
Two-Day VIP Pass: Friday’s Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting plus a VIP Beachside Wine Festival ticket on Saturday, including noon entry and VIP pavilion access.
Every ticket includes unlimited tastings, food samples, live entertainment and a keepsake wine glass. Tickets may be available at the gate at higher prices, but a sellout is expected, and the Friday tasting and VIP Beachside tickets are both marked as likely to sell out. Refunds aren’t offered, but tickets are transferable. Groups of 20 or more can email [email protected] for group rates.
Want to make a weekend of it? The Sip, Swirl & Stay package offers 20 percent savings on a two-night stay at Paséa Hotel & Spa, plus two two-day VIP festival passes, front-of-line privileges and a welcome gift bag valued at $100. Visit the festival’s lodging page for details.
Keep the Party Going
The fun doesn’t end when the last pour does. On Saturday, festivalgoers are invited to continue the celebration at The Lighthouse in Pacific City, right next door to Paséa. Catch Mike Staggs & The Soul from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by The Flux Capacitors at 8 p.m. with the ultimate ’80s and ’90s party.
Plan Your Visit
The festival lists Paséa valet at $25 for the day and $40 overnight, though rates may vary, so call the hotel at 855.622.2472 to confirm. Next door, Pacific City’s self-parking costs $2 for every 20 minutes up to a $35 daily maximum, with the first two hours free Friday through Sunday with validation from participating merchants. Public parking is also available across the street at Pier Plaza for $1.50 per hour or $15 per day. Better yet, the festival recommends public transportation, a rideshare or a designated driver. All bags are searched at entry, and only small purses, totes and drawstring bags are allowed, so leave the backpack at home. Check the FAQ for full details.
Q&A
Q: Can I bring my kids or my dog?
A: No. All festival events are 21 and older, and infants, strollers and pets aren’t permitted on event grounds.
Q: How many wines can I taste?
A: As many as you’d like. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings of hundreds of wines, along with complimentary food samples, a keepsake wine glass and a program. Spit buckets and plenty of water are available, so pace yourself.
Q: What’s the difference between Friday and Saturday?
A: Friday’s Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., is an intimate indoor evening focused on rare, reserve and limited-production wines, with a sparkling wine reception and chef-prepared appetizers. Saturday’s Beachside Wine Festival, from 1 to 4 p.m. (noon for VIPs), is a bigger, sunnier celebration with hundreds of wines, craft brews, food samples and a live band.
Q: Can I buy tickets at the door?
A: Tickets may be available at the gate at higher prices, but a sellout is expected. Buying in advance on Eventbrite saves $10 to $20 per ticket. Refunds aren’t offered, but tickets can be transferred to someone else.
Q: Where should I park?
A: The festival lists Paséa valet at $25 for the day and $40 overnight, though rates may vary, so call the hotel at 855.622.2472 to confirm. Other options include Pacific City’s self-parking garage next door and public parking across the street at Pier Plaza for $1.50 per hour or $15 per day. The festival strongly recommends public transportation, a rideshare or a designated driver.
Paséa Hotel & Spa
21080 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
855.622.2472
www.californiawinefestival.com
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
