The Best Cinco de Mayo Festivals, Parties, and Mexican Restaurants in San Diego!
While the majority of Cinco de Mayo celebraters wrongfully shake their maracas for Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo actually honors Mexico's victory over French forces in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. In the United States, the Cinco de Mayo holiday has come to honor Mexico's other cultural victories—such as the art of a perfect margarita, the culinary legend of carnitas, and of course the innovative style of the sombrero.
It's the thought that counts, right?
San Diego 's proximity to Mexico accounts for the abundance of Cinco de Mayo celebrations. From family festivals, to traditional Mexican restaurants, to Downtown tequila-mayhem, San Diego sure knows how to party. Check out these Cinco de Mayo fiestas — there's a San Diego-style party for everyone. Tip: B.Y.O. Sombrero, and keep the loco "Independence Day' chit-chat to a minimum.
Traditional Family Fun:
Old Town's Fiesta Cinco de Mayo
Old Town is San Diego's year-round mecca of Mexican arts, culture, food, history, and entertainment. So it's no surprise Old Town's two-day fiesta is the most authentic celebration in town. San Diego Avenue houses over 200 performances at eight different venues and more than 100 booths of specialty crafts and cuisine. Other highlights include stagecoach rides and a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla. May 6-7.
Balboa Park: Centro Cultural de la Raza
The Centro Cultural de la Raza is an interactive museum at Balboa Park that features the culture and art of Mexicans, Chicanos, and Native Americans. The museum will hold an evening of education and dance beginning at 6pm. Features include a chicken mole poblano dinner, historical narratives, costumes, and dances that illustrate the evolution of Chicano culture. May 5.
Chula Vista Festival
The Chula Vista Festival is an eclectic street fair offering mariachi music, crafts, authentic food and drink, dance and singing contests, and a fun zone for children—just minutes from the border. The festival takes place from 11am to 7pm in downtown Chula Vista. April 29.
Oceanside Fair
The Oceanside Fair honors Latino heritage with live entertainment, food, and festivities. The fair will be held from 11am to 5pm at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. May 6.
Tequila-Havoc Headquarters:
Cinco de Mayo Block Party: Five on Five in the Gaslamp
The Five on Five Cinco de Mayo Block Party in the downtown Gaslamp quarter is an annual fiesta that always gets a little loco. This event sizzles down 5th Avenue from 5pm to midnight with live local bands, DJ's, and go-go dancers. The five on five cover charge also gets you in free to affiliate clubs downtown. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. May 5.
Rowdy Restaurants:
Café Coyote in Old Town
Pre-party at Café Coyote Friday May 4th. To get the weekend party started, Café Coyote offers drink specials, giveaways, award-winning food, live entertainment, and promo girls.
Old Town Mexican Café
The Old Town Mexican Café serves sizzling plates of Mexican cuisine year-round. But the annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration kicks off Friday, May 4th. Old Town Mexican Café features beer gardens, live music, food, margaritas, and tequila shots. This year, the Café will offer a VIP room with lounge seating, appetizers, and music.
Fred's Mexican Café
It's always a Cinco de Mayo party at Fred's Mexican Café. Stop into the Old Town location of Fred's on May 5th for the real deal—if you can handle it. Cinco de Fred celebrates with Gringo Mariachis, $1.50 margaritas, and $1.50 cervezas from 4pm to close.
A More Mellow Tribute:
Tapenade Restaurant
La Jolla's French restaurant, Tapenade, features a classy Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5th. Enjoy creative cuisine options like the camarones con guacamole salada and braised ribs con pasilla chile pozole; while you jive to live Latin jazz rhythms from Mexican guitarist Jose Molina Serrano, who played with Carlos Santana.
