Take your foodie credentials to the next level at the Central Coast’s ultimate gathering of the culinary world. First launched in 2008, the star- and spectacle-studded Pebble Beach Food & Wine has long been considered one of the nation’s top culinary experiences, set against a scenic Monterey County backdrop.

The annual Pebble Beach event always offers a grand lineup of culinary talent—James Beard Award winners, Michelin-star chefs, and plenty of culinary TV personalities, along with mixologists, sommeliers, and bottles from scores of wineries. Over the years, headliners have included plenty of Golden State talent too, like the offal-loving Chris Cosentino, Sacramento farm-to-fork chef Oliver Ridgeway, San Diego’s Claudette Zepeda, and L.A.’s Stephanie Izard and Antonia Lofaso.

Events During Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Every year, the festival offers more than dazzling kitchen skills and fabulous pours. Expert-led seminars let you boost your food-and-wine IQ, with past topics ranging from the art of Champagne blending to talks on the best wines to serve with tacos or mac ’n’ cheese. 

Given the festival’s proximity to some of the most scenic golf courses in the world (and home to the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am), it’s no surprise that this event also holds an invitational golf tournament. There’s plenty of time to book your own tee times too.

The festival kicks off with an opening reception traditionally hosted by a culinary luminary—such as James Beard winner Nancy Silverton, who presided in both 2024 and 2025—before continuing through the weekend with themed lunches, dinners, and walk-around tastings. Consider events such as a seminars focusing on histories of the region, tasting showcases by Michelin chefs, or food-and-wine pairing happy hours.

You could also enjoy a full festival experience just by exploring the Tasting Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, which features dozens of restaurants, wineries, cocktails, and immersive experiences on a giant lawn, paired with live entertainment.

How to Attend and Where to Stay During Pebble Beach Food & Wine

You can buy tickets to most festival events à la carte—but they tend to sell out fast, so reserve your spot ASAP. Or, choose from packages that bundle in anywhere from 5 to 18 events, as well as admission to the golf tournament or VIP perks.

Festival lodging options include hotel partners such as the onsite Inn at Spanish Bay and the Monterey Plaza Hotel, located a block off of Cannery Row in nearby Monterey. For more options, check out these other hotels and inns in Monterey.

Your event tickets benefit good causes too. Some proceeds go to the Pebble Beach Foundation, which has granted more than $19 million over the years to youth-focused nonprofits in Monterey County. One of the festival’s more recent partners is The Roots Fund, a nonprofit hospitality group that also oversees the festival’s sommelier program. The organization, which has established more than 190 scholarships since its founding in 2020, is dedicated to developing pathways for people of color in the wine industry.

Visit: http://visitcalifornia.com for tickets and information.

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   Look for my story next month on the Dubrovnik Wine Museum located in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The museum is fairly new and features a full menu of information on the many vintners in that part of the world.