Why Oceanside California is a Romantic Wine Country Destination

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Looking for a romantic getaway to the wine country? Have you considered Oceanside, California? As a Southern Californian (not to mention a wine writer), I’m always looking for getaways close to home where I can explore my interests. And I frequently find myself drawn to this coastal town. But these, days, Oceanside is more than a laid-back escape. It’s growing into a vibrant wine destination which, for me, is all the more reason to spend time in this northern San Diego County destination.

Although Oceanside isn’t considered prime California Wine Country, wine tasting Oceanside offers fun wines and unique experiences coupled with ocean breezes and stunning shoreline views. When it comes to romantic wine country, this Southern California town really has it all.

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Where to taste wine in Oceanside

Less than ten blocks inland from the beach, Coomber Craft Wines, is worth adding to your itinerary. And this is not just a tasting room. This is a true, working urban winery. And it’s right in the heart of this beach community.

But just down the street from Coomber Craft is what’s probably Oceanside’s best-known winery, Orfila Vineyards and Winery. Their tasting room features over 20 varieties. And the winery also offers small plate appetizers to pair with your tasting–they do a nice job with hospitality. Orfilia is a short walk from Coomber Craft and practically on the ocean’s doorstep. It’s a great stop before a romantic stroll and a visit to the iconic wooden pier.

Carruth Cellars Urban Winery also has an Oceanside tasting room at The Hangar76. (Note that this stop is a drive, not a stroll from the Oceanside waterfront.) Carruth has several tasting rooms but the Oceanside space is with their production facility. If you book in advance, you can enjoy a production tour as well as tasting. A relatively new entertainment space, I haven’t been to Carruth’s Oceanside tasting room or toured the facility myself. But I can tell you that their focus is hospitality-based and they look to offer a good time. If you visit them at The Hangar76, you can also enjoy beer tasting from Tipping Point Brewing and pizzas from Hangar Pizza.

For a more global wine-tasting experience, Oceanside also has a wine bar with the kind of wine program you might expect to find in one of California’s most sophisticated cities. The Privateer Marketplace and Wine Bar is the kind of place where you can taste wines from around the world. The wine bar offers flights as well as a nice selection of wines by the glass and bottle. You can also dine in on farm-to-table cuisine or stock up on provisions for a private dinner for two at your Air B&B or inn.

Romantic wine experiences beyond the tasting room

One of the things I like most about this beachside wine country is that there is wine-related fun to be had beyond the local tasting rooms.

For starters, there’s the Oceanside Adventures Harbor Wine Cruise. Offered the first Saturday of each month, it’s a romantic sunset ride with wine. The 90-minute catamaran cruise includes appetizers and a selection of three wines from Oceanside’s Beach House Winery. What better way to get acquainted with the local wines than while exploring the local coves with the one you love?

Or, for those with an even more adventurous spirit, there’s a new offering from Waverider Helicopter Tours. This journey will quite literally sweep you away on a 20-minute flight to Temecula’s Thorton Winery for lunch and wine tasting. Although the winery does not offer the caliber of wines you might find in Napa or Sonoma, it does offer a delightful experience and a unique way to spend the day.

Add a day date in Escondido

Of course, if Oceanside doesn’t offer enough wineries to whet your wine-tasting appetite, there are plenty of opportunities for tasting at one of the 20+ wineries in nearby Escondido. This northern San Diego wine-growing region is about a half-hour from downtown Oceanside.

It’s a small but interesting wine region. I favor it over some of the bigger-name regions because it’s a good place to find unique and good-value wines. Think of it more like a wine-tasting trip to northern California’s Napa Valley but with warmer weather and more affordable wines.

Where to stay

There are plenty of choices for romantic places to stay in and around Oceanside. I tend to stick with traditional hotels but there are also vacation rentals and even camping options. The only trouble you’ll have is choosing.

Visit Oceanside (a city-run tourism website), has a comprehensive list of suggestions for places to stay. I find this website useful for keeping myself up-to-date on local events, beaches and bike routes. If you want to plan a biking or hiking day, start here.

As for where to stay I do have a recommendation. If you’re looking for a little pampering within walking distance of all the wine-tasting action, check out the Mission Pacific Hotel. A 161-room resort on the water, this hotel offers oceanfront views and direct access to a classic, Southern California beach. The hotel is not so big that you feel overwhelmed by the crush of guests but not so small that you feel the staff watching your every move. And it has a good number of luxurious amenities. There’s a rooftop pool with private cabanas. But if the sand is more your speed, you can even have beach butler service. What can I say? I like my romantic wine tasting weekends with a side of pampering!

This article was written in 2019 and most recently updated in March 2024.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.