Sails & Ales: A Beachfront Beer Fest on Shelter Island

Overview

There are few better places to sip a local brew than the water's edge on Shelter Island — and that's exactly the pitch of Sails & Ales. Now in its sixth year, the Kona Kai San Diego Resort's beachfront beer festival returns on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m., with an afternoon of tastings and bites, a live DJ, and those sweeping marina and bay views the resort is known for.

It's a relaxed, sun-soaked San Diego afternoon: sample from local breweries and wineries, graze on food, and soak up the lively, laid-back atmosphere right on the marina. Whether you're a craft-beer devotee or just want a great excuse to spend a Saturday by the water, it's an easy yes.

What You Actually Need to Know

• Event: 6th Annual Sails & Ales Beer Fest, at the Kona Kai Resort
• Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 1:00–5:00 p.m.
• Where: Kona Kai San Diego Resort & Spa, Shelter Island (Point Loma)
• What's poured: Samples from local breweries and wineries, plus bites
• Vibe: Live DJ, beachfront/marina-front setting
• Ages: 21 & up (it's a tasting event)
• Tickets: Paid admission from $81 — check the resort's listing for current pricing

What to Expect

The whole appeal is the setting plus the sipping. You'll work your way through pours from a lineup of local breweries (and some wineries), with food bites to keep you going and a live DJ setting the tone — all against the backdrop of the Kona Kai marina and San Diego Bay. It's an afternoon event, so the light is beautiful and the pace is easy.

It's the kind of laid-back, scenic tasting event that captures San Diego's beach-and-brews lifestyle in one go — come with friends, take your time, and enjoy the views.

Good to Know

• Buy tickets ahead — it's a popular annual event with limited capacity, and advance purchase is the safe bet
• 21 & up — bring a valid ID [CONFIRM age policy]
• Pace yourself and hydrate — it's a four-hour tasting event in the afternoon sun
• Dress beachy-casual — you're on the marina, so a hat and sunglasses go a long way, with a light layer for the bay breeze
• Plan your ride — it's a beer-and-wine event, so rideshare or a designated driver is the smart call; Shelter Island parking fills up
• Make an afternoon of it on Shelter Island — the marinas, waterfront paths, and views make it easy to linger

However you pour it, Sails & Ales is a quintessentially San Diego afternoon — good beer, great views, and the bay breeze. For more happening around town, browse our full event calendar, or explore more of Point Loma.