A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views

The California Wine Festival returns to the Orange County coast April 24 and 25, 2026, launching its season with a weekend of tastings, chef-driven bites and live entertainment. Set against sweeping Pacific views at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and the palm-lined lawns of Sea Terrace Park, the two-day event blends an elevated experience with a relaxed coastal setting.

Festival Details

Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting
Friday, April 24, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Del Mar Lawn

The weekend begins with an intimate evening overlooking the Pacific. Guests are welcomed with a sparkling wine reception before sampling a curated selection of limited-production wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles and beyond.

Designed for collectors and wine enthusiasts, the event offers opportunities to meet winemakers and proprietors while enjoying gourmet hors d’oeuvres in a refined setting. A silent auction featuring rare bottles and exclusive tasting experiences will benefit Sandy Feet Initiative, which provides beach-based programs including yoga, surfing and ocean play. Live music adds to the relaxed coastal atmosphere. With limited tickets and rare wines, the event typically sells out in advance.

Beachside Wine Festival
Saturday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sea Terrace Park

The festival continues at Sea Terrace Park, a grassy bluff above Dana Point Harbor. Beneath white tasting tents, guests can sample hundreds of wines, regional craft brews and a wide selection of artisan foods.

Participating chefs and specialty purveyors will serve bites ranging from cheeses and fresh breads to olive oils, chocolates and globally inspired small plates. VIP ticket holders receive early entry at noon with access to reserve wines and priority tastings.

Live music by Upstream, a Caribbean steel drum band, brings an upbeat energy to the afternoon, creating a celebration of wine, food and ocean views.

Festival Sponsors and Highlights

Sponsors include DreamFinder Travel and Virgin Voyages, Sommsation, Hyatt Vacation Club, Piper Sonoma, Leaf Filter, Lifestyle Remodeling, High Flyer, Priest Ranch, Renewal by Andersen, Lloyd Cellars and Hilton Garden Inn Doheny Beach Dana Point.

Participating restaurants and food purveyors include All Things Fabulous Catering, Brio Tuscany Grille, BeachFire Bar and Grill, Bluewater Grill, Gino Angelini Authentic Italian Sauces, Glasspar Restaurant, Krave Asian Fusion, Trevor’s at the Track, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamics, Sundried Tomato Bistro and Catering and other regional favorites.

Notable wineries include Akash Winery & Vineyards, Alma Rosa Winery, Aperture Cellars, Ascension Cellars, Barlow Vineyards, Bellante Family Winery, Bernardus Winery, Bezel from the Cakebread Family, Bouchaine Vineyards, Burtech Family Vineyard, Candoni De Zan Family Wines, Carol Shelton Wines, Cuvaison, Double Bond Wines, Familia Hicks Wines, Frisby Winery & Brewing, GC Lurton Family Vineyards, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Highflyer Wines, Kubani Wines, Lyons Vineyard, MCV Wines, Mizel Estate Wines, Navarro Vineyards, Pasmosa Sangria, Piper Sonoma, Priest Ranch, PRP Wine International, Rombauer Vineyards, Ramona Valley Vineyards, The Vinho, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Ysidro Sake Spritz and more.

California Wine Festival is a 21+ event. Tickets include all wine and food samples, live entertainment and a keepsake wine glass. For full event details, ticket information and lodging options, visit CaliforniaWineFestival.com. 

Earth Month Eco Challenge Returns to Discovery Cube Orange County

Discovery Cube Orange County kicked off its Earth Month Eco Challenge with hands-on activities and sustainability-focused exhibits taking place each weekend throughout April in partnership with OC Waste & Recycling.

Designed to educate and inspire the next generation, the experience features five interactive exhibits and themed programming centered on environmental awareness and science-based learning.

Guests can take part in a worm cart demonstration that shows composting and decomposition in action, along with a cloud watch activity focused on identifying cloud types and understanding their role in the water cycle. A microplastics awareness station highlights the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, while the windmill creation station invites kids to build their own models and learn how wind energy supports a more sustainable future.

The Organics Waste Lab, sponsored by OC Waste & Recycling, offers an interactive look at composting through games and exhibits that explore how long different food items take to break down and the important role worms play in the environment. In recognition of Earth Month, the exhibit also features new videos on vermicomposting, organic farming, the life cycle of a butterfly, and recycling and waste reduction.

Additional eco-themed programming will take place throughout the month, encouraging young visitors to explore sustainability through engaging, hands-on science.

Eco Challenge dates include April 10 to 12, April 18 and 19, and April 25 and 26.

2500 N Main St, Santa Ana. (714) 542-2823

Taste of Napa Comes to Huntington Beach and Returns to Napa Valley

Festival Napa Valley’s signature tasting event, Taste of Napa, will offer two opportunities in 2026 to experience the region’s wines and hospitality. For the first time, the event heads to Southern California in partnership with The Meritage Collection, with a coastal setting at Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach on April 12. It then returns to Napa Valley at The Meritage Resort and Spa on July 11. Tickets for both events are now available.

The Huntington Beach debut brings Taste of Napa to the oceanfront, where guests can enjoy live music alongside pours from more than 30 wineries and culinary offerings from Paséa Hotel & Spa. Participating wineries include Aperture Cellars, Blackbird Vineyards, Bouchaine Vineyards, Clif Family Winery, Duckhorn Portfolio, Grgich Hills Estate, Lewis Cellars, Peju Winery, PlumpJack Collection, Turnbull Wine Cellars and more. 

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with general admission priced at $175. Ticket holders also receive 25 percent off best available room rates at Paséa Hotel & Spa from April 10 to 13.

In July, the event returns to Napa Valley as part of Festival Napa Valley’s Summer Season, taking place July 4 through 19. The Taste of Napa at The Meritage Resort and Spa features more than 100 wineries, restaurants and culinary artisans, along with live music and craft beverages. 

The event runs from noon to 3 p.m., with general admission at $195. A Reserve Tasting Salon experience is available for $295 and includes early entry at 11 a.m., along with access to boutique wineries and curated culinary offerings in a private setting.

Guests attending the Napa event can also take advantage of a 20 percent discount on overnight accommodations at The Meritage Resort and Spa.

Tickets & Information 

Guests must be 21 or older to attend. To purchase tickets or for general information, visit festivalnapavalley.org/tasteofnapa.