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.
Recently, it was also one of the best comeback stories. Canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Pebble Beach event made its return in 2024 with an especially grand lineup. The 125 chefs included James Beard Award winners, Michelin-star chefs, and plenty of culinary TV personalities, along with mixologists, sommeliers, and bottles from 150 wineries. Culinary headliners included plenty of Golden State talent too, including 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 caviar-and-bubbly pairings 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 a Celebrity Chef & Winemaker Golf Tournament. There’s plenty of time to book your own tee times too.
The festival kicks with an Opening Reception traditionally hosted by a culinary luminary (in 2024 it was James Beard winner Nancy Silverton), then continues through the weekend with themed lunches, dinners, and walk-around tastings. Consider events such as a seminars focusing on histories of the region or a tasting showcases by Michelin chefs, or or food -and-wine pairings happy hours.
You could also enjoy a full festival experience just by exploring the Tasting Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, which features 100 restaurants, wineries, cocktails, and immersive experiences on a giant lawn, paired with live entertainment.
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. Festival lodging options include hotel partners such as Inn at Spanish Bay, the stately Lodge at Pebble Beach, 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 nearly $13 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.