Join in honoring Mexican culture, cuisine and camaraderie with the following Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Southern California.
May 5: Calaca Mamas Cantina
Anaheim
Join Calaca Mamas Cantina in Anaheim as the Day of the Dead-inspired eatery celebrates Cinco de Mayo in style on Sunday, May 5. The exciting celebration will feature an assortment of fun for all ages, including live mariachi performances, balloon artists, face painting and all the Mexican fare and margs your heart can take. Toast to the special holiday with one of the cantina’s signature sips, including six unique margaritas, 20 craft cocktails and the Del Maguey Mezcal Flight, a rotating exposition of mezcal. To eat, savor handmade guacamole, fresh ceviche and Tlayuda, a grilled flour tortilla topped with refried beans, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, pico de gallo, crema and cilantro. For more information, visit calacamamas.com.
May 4 and May 5: Miguel’s Cocina
Point Loma
With fiestas across all six of its locations, San Diego’s Miguel’s Cocina is the place to be for those looking for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Southern California. Pulling out all of the stops, the restaurant’s Point Loma location will transform its parking lot into a Cinco Beer Garden for a vibrant party with food and drinks specials, giveaways, prizes and more. All of the other locations will offer limited-edition Cinco de Mayo tacos and margarita specials. For more information, visit miguels-cocina.com.
May 4: City Tacos
Ocean Beach
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and a decade of flavor at City Tacos’ grand 10th-anniversary bash, taking place at the restaurant’s Ocean Beach location. Kicking off at 10 a.m., this exciting celebration event will feature free face painting for kids, stilt walkers, a live mariachi band, pug meet-and-greets (yes, you read that right! Pugs are the brand’s mascot) and specialty fare, including an anniversary taco and $10 beers. Plus, guests who bring in a pug will receive one free taco. For more information, visit citytacossd.com.
May 3 to May 5: The Smoking Gun
Prepare for a Taco Bell-inspired Cinco de Mayo celebration in Southern California with The Smoking Gun. From Friday, May 3, to Sunday, May 5, the spot will run specials inspired by the fast-casual concept, including the Berry Baja Mojito, Blast-a-Rita, Dope Wrap and Smoky Cheesin’ Crunch. Keep an eye out for more featured drinks and menu items on The Smoking Gun’s social channels. For more information, visit thesmokinggunsd.com.
May 4: Quiero Restaurants
San Diego
Quiero Restaurants and its neighbor, Mike Hess Brewing, are coming together to host a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Southern California. The fiesta will take place on Imperial Beach in Seaport Village, where an assortment of fare specials will be available, including two Mike Hess Fish Tacos and a pint for $12. These crispy beer-battered tacos are made with catfish and topped with cabbage, pico de gallo and a chipotle-lime aioli. Guests can choose from a lineup of beers, including options like Sunset Blood Orange IPA, Steel Beach American Lager and Grazias Amber Ale. For more information, visit quierorestaurants.com.
May 4: Novo Brazil Brewing Company
Chula Vista
A family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration in Southern California, Novo Brazil Brewing Company is set to host the ultimate fiesta on its patio from 4:30 to 10 p.m. This party is free to attend and will feature music from DJ Santamaria and food vendors, including Aldo al Forno Pizza, La Maja Paella, PotioN7 Creamery and Tijuana’s Tortas Washmobile by Pedro Fuentes. Little ones can celebrate with bouncy castles, sweets and other activities, while adults can cheers to the holiday and even catch the Padres game on an LED screen at 5 p.m. For more information, visit novobrew.com.
May 5: Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill
Mission Beach
Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like tacos and tequila—and Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill in Mission Beach has its amigos covered with drink specials on the iconic duo. These include $5 Tecates and $5 Mexican Candy shots, TKO Tacos with choice of protein, chipotle aioli, escabeche slaw, lime crema, spicy guacamole, crispy onion strings, fried cilantro and a cotija crusted flour tortilla. Those who order the bar’s signature house guacamole will be reimbursed if they save their receipt and return to the restaurant. For more information, visit sandbarsportsgrill.com.
May 5: barleymash
San Diego
In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, barleymash is gearing up for an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo celebration. The spot is partnering with Espolon Tequila and will offer specialty cocktails made with Espolon Blanco and Espolon Reposado. Each of these craft sips has a complementing food pairing, like the San Diego Iron Fries, with red-chili braised short rib, pepper-jack beer cheese sauce, sour cream, spicy guacamole and salsa fresca. For more information, visit barleymash.com.
May 4 and May 5: Barrio Star
San Diego
Head over to Barrio Star for a weekend-long fiesta from May 4 to May 5, featuring an assortment of indulgent specials for the holiday. Toast to Cinco de Mayo with a shot of house tequila and a beer for $15. Pair the drink with tacos a la carte crafted with housemade tortillas, chips and tomatillo salsa, and cap off the night with freshly fried house churros. ¡Salud! For more information, visit barriostar.com.
May 5: Park Hyatt Aviara
Carlsbad
Shake, stir and savor this Cinco De Mayo at 2 p.m. as Park Hyatt Aviara’s Miraval chef guides participants through the art of salsa and tortilla making. This hands-on class demonstrates how to take a favorite snack and appetizer to another level, as well as knife skills and flavor pairings, while guests sip specialty margaritas. For more information, visit parkhyattaviara.com.