I will be in SD for the weekend. I will be staying @ the Hilton in Mission Bay. Im planning on going to Stone and Ballast but maybe a few locals can point me out to some nice bars/stores around the area ? Thanks in advance guys Cheers
Was just there a couple weeks ago, if you have a car definitely make the drive to Alpine. Alesmith is close too.
Let me be the first of many people to recommend you visit Churchill's Pub in San Marcos. It's close to a 30 min drive depending on traffic but worth it for sure. Also Slater's 50/50 restaurant has a huge tap list and isn't too far from where you are staying.
Should be a good time. Keep in mind Ballast Point and Stone are a decent drive from the Mission Bay area so give yourself enough time to make it work.
Pizza Port Ocean Beach is fairly close, as is Olive Tree. Go there, eat pizza, drink beer, then go get bottles.
The main Ballast Point brewery is, but not the superior Homebrew Mart location. Also, there is a great SD thread a few threads down you should skim through. ETA: Just noticed you are a Real Madrid fan. I now feel very dirty for trying to help and must shower.
churchills is great but if you want similar selection without the 40 minute drive go to toronado/hamiltons. as mentioned, alpine is a 30 minute drive but is so worth it.
Churchills has a lot of stuff that Toronado and Hamiltons don't have (not to say that those spots aren't great) - most notably CFH.
Since you asked for "around the area" here is a summary of what is good and fairly close to you (not a 40-45 min drive to San Marcos, and not a 30+ minute drive to Alpine... although if you could swing that you should make it a high priority). These three are the most sensible beer stops when asked whats "in the area" 1. Societe Brewing Co (big tasting room) in Clairemont Mesa as ddcapps said. 2. PB Taproom - usually a very good/large selection. Their website will tell you exactly what is on and how much is left in the keg. (by virtue of the area it's in it can have somewhat of a douchey/frat boy vibe to it, though I can tolerate it...actually kind of find it entertaining, best thing I've heard there from a mid-20's jarhead from Philly "I'm gonna crush shots with my weiner out!") 3. Pizza Port OB + Olive Tree Market as tyrsis said. 4. The Spot, La Jolla*. *Only throw this in based on the sole fact they always have Sculpin on, cold, and fresh. You know how out-of-towners go nuts for that Sculpin. Pizza Port and PB Taproom wouldn't be guaranteed to have it on tap I don't think. Actually now that I think about it, there's plenty of places on the Garnet strip of Pacific Beach that regularly have Sculpin on (Moondoggies, Tavern at the Beach, Cass St. bar and many more). Then just a tad further but still a quick drive, and highly recommended 4. Small Bar in University Heights - probably THE favorite place of many visitors I know. 5. North/South Park area bars like Toronado, Blind Lady Alehouse, Tiger!Tiger!, Ritual Tavern, Hamiltons.
