wine by firepits
14 Feb 2025

Sip Your Way Through San Diego’s Wine Scene

By builtbygcommerce

California is known all around the world for its amazing wines and vineyards and San Diego offers some amazing opportunities to sip your way through our wine scene and see what all the fuss is about! If you’re looking to impress your favorite wine lover with a fun and romantic date idea this February, a San Diego wine tasting or tour at one (or several) of our unique San Diego vineyards is the perfect choice.

Choose Humphreys Half Moon Inn for a romantic getaway near all the best San Diego wineries. Enjoy waterfront suites and urban resort-style amenities for your San Diego wine getaway, and be close to all the wineries near San Diego that are (or should be) on your Bucket List. From amazing restaurants and wine bars with fabulous wine lists and delicious dinner menus to tours of unique San Diego vineyards and exciting excursions, you will love wine-tasting San Diego style during your stay here at Humphreys Half Moon Inn.

Wine and Dine in San Diego at the Best Wineries Near San Diego

Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music (Onsite at Hotel)

waterfront dining table

Guests at Humphreys Half Moon Inn don’t even have to leave the property to wine and dine with fresh coastal flavors and breathtaking views at our waterfront restaurant and lounge. Choose from locally inspired dishes and an amazing wine selection for the perfect dinner, wine, and live music experience in San Diego.

The Wine Pub (0.5 Miles from Hotel)

This popular San Diego restaurant is just minutes from your room or suite here at Humphreys Half Moon Inn and offers a delicious food menu, along with over 60 new and old-world wines by the glass or bottle. Their handcrafted, artisan-style, food is available as small plates as well as full entrees, and they support local farmers and fishers for their menu options. Enjoy a great meal and spectacular wine flights for a fun wine-tasting experience San Diego visitors will enjoy.

Carruth Cellars (2.0 Miles from Hotel)

Located in Liberty Station, Carruth Cellars urban winery offers wine-tasting San Diego locals and visitors love to indulge in! Relax in the modern yet charming wine garden while drinking your favorite glass or bottle from wineries near San Diego. Their unique wine garden cheese shop menu offers plenty of choices for lunch or dinner and don’t forget happy hour every Monday through Thursday with 30% off your favorite beverages!

The Best Wine Tours of San Diego Vineyards

If you want to experience wine tasting San Diego style, there are a variety of San Diego wineries to try as well as wineries near San Diego to explore. Here are a few of our favorites!

Pali Wine Company (4.4 Miles from Hotel)

Located in San Diego in the Little Italy community, this family-owned winery highlights the diversity of the California wine-growing area. Specializing in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, Pali Wine Company's goal is to craft world-class, critically acclaimed, site-specific wines. Enjoy a tasting flight while dining on a delicious small plates menu or take a customized guided tour to experience one of the most popular urban San Diego wineries.

Bernardo Winery (28.5 Miles from Hotel)

Established in 1889; Bernardo Winery is one of the most popular San Diego vineyards. It is also the oldest family-owned and operated winery in Southern California. They specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel. Take a guided tour of the winery and old-world village in a tranquil setting with olive trees, gardens, and more. In addition to being the perfect place for wine tasting San Diegos finest, they also have Café Merlot, V’s Coffee Shoppe, and a variety of village shops.

Belle Marie Winery (39 Miles from Hotel)

This boutique winery near San Diego is located in Escondido and produces 30 different wines each year. The well-manicured grounds offer public tastings and tours and are perfectly situated on 3 acres surrounded by lush citrus groves, expansive lawns, and picnic tables to enjoy the sunny California weather. Guests will be in awe of the French-style chateau castle and will enjoy touring the unique Belle Marie Winery and all it has to offer.

Cordiano Winery (33.4 Miles from Hotel)

Situated in North County San Diego, Cordiano Winery is proud of its vineyard and the quality wines produced in the region. Enjoy wine tasting from their extensive wine list and delicious offerings from their Italian menu of baked breads, authentic pizzas, perfect pasta, scrumptious cannoli, and more. Take a tour of the grounds and find a new favorite wine during your visit to one of the best wineries near San Diego.

California Wine Tours (Miles from Hotel Varies)

From a chauffeured vineyard adventure and a winery train tour to an Old Towne Wine Walking Tour and Grape to Glass San Diego vineyards experience - San Diego Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tours has it all. This popular wine tour company will even pick you up from Humphreys Half Moon Inn, so there is no need to drive or book an Uber! Choose from a variety of wine-tasting San Diego tours to learn more about our unique wineries and vineyards in the area.

Wineries Near San Diego (Miles from Hotel Varies)

If you want to do a winery road trip, a tour to the wine areas of Temecula, Ramona, or even Valle de Guadalupe (if you have your passport handy) might be a great option for your San Diego winery tour adventure. GoGrape offers a variety of wine tours to different regions in the San Diego area and has raving reviews of their vineyard tours. Let’s Go Vino is a great choice if you’d like to explore Valle de Guadalupe. With over 180 wineries, the area offers a unique wine tour in one of the oldest wine-growing regions.

Are You Ready to Sip Your Way Through San Diego’s Wine Scene?

Book your suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn to be right in the middle of San Diego’s wine scene. Our secluded waterfront resort-style hotel on Shelter Island has everything you need for the perfect escape. Start your San Diego wine adventure onsite at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music and have an amazing weekend learning about all the fabulous local wineries and vineyards around the San Diego area.

Wine and cheese
aerial view of shelter island
01 Jan 2025

Winter on the Water: The Best Seasonal Activities in San Diego

By builtbygcommerce

With miles of beautiful coastline, not to mention our perfectly situated location on the San Diego Bay and nearby Mission Bay, there are TONS of ways to get out on the water in San Diego this winter.

Humphreys Half Moon Inn is a great place to get your winter vacation in San Diego started. Our waterfront hotel is the perfect combination of tropical vibes and resort-like amenities that make it the perfect winter escape. From the relaxing outdoor heated pool to the cozy onsite fire pits by the water, we invite you to indulge in the SoCal lifestyle during your winter getaway to San Diego at Humphreys Half Moon Inn.

There is so much to see and do this winter on the water in San Diego! Whether you want to do some whale watching San Diego style or grab a board and catch some waves San Diego surfing along the coast, you will have an exciting adventure during your winter vacation in California.

San Diego Whale Watching Tours (0.5 Miles From Hotel)

An orca surfaces with a sailboat in the background

Winter is considered to be San Diego whale watching season, so the best time for whale watching in San Diego is February through April. Next Level Sailing and Gone Whale Watching provides amazing whale watching excursions with experienced guides and some of the best whale watching tours in San Diego. Catch the boat from Shelter Island or Mission Bay, which is just minutes from your suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn and be prepared to be wowed by a variety of different types of whales and sea life on the tour. We have been lucky this season because the orcas and gray whales are especially active, and we have experienced some exciting sightings during our San Diego whale watching tours.

Sailing (0.5 Miles from Hotel)

Humphreys Half Moon Bay Marina with boats

If you want to feel the wind in your hair and soak in the California sunshine this winter, adding a sailing adventure aboard a luxury yacht to your San Diego winter vacation plans is a great idea. The experienced team at Next Level offers a variety of sailing opportunities, including charter, cocktail cruises, rental, and instructional services. In addition, guests can enjoy sport fishing, scuba diving excursions, whale watching and other ocean-going outings just a few minutes from your accommodations at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. Enjoy some time on the water and experience the San Diego Bay with views of the San Diego downtown skyline, Coronado Bridge, and Point Loma.

Dinner Cruises and Harbor Tours (4.2 Miles From Hotel)

HUMPHREYS HALF MOON- GCOMMERCE SITE- Experience Page & Misc Cont

The view of San Diego by boat is something you don’t want to miss during your winter escape to San Diego. Enjoy a variety of different dinner cruise and harbor tour options that are sure to please everyone in your group. From whale watching and harbor tours, to brunch and dining cruises, CityCruises gives you a unique view of the city and an experience you won’t soon forget. Take in all the most popular landmarks in San Diego while dining on delicious food and drinks and sailing on a luxury yacht along the California coast.

Surfing (Miles Vary)

Two surfers watching the sunset

San Diego surfing is some of the best! Make plans to get out on the water and show off your surfing skills…or learn some new ones! In addition to being a great place to catch a few waves, San Diego is also home to the Surfing America USA Championship featuring the best surfers and stand-up paddler boarders. You can also catch the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship in La Jolla, which spotlights the physically challenged surfers and their competition talents. If you’re looking to get out on the water and surf in San Diego, the best places to surf in San Diego include Black's Beach for the best waves for experienced surfers, Pacific Beach for surfing lessons, and Mission Beach for the chance to catch a wave as well as lots to see and do along the boardwalk.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving (Miles Vary)

La Jolla Cove

If you are looking to do some underwater exploring during your winter vacation in San Diego, La Jolla Cove offers an amazing snorkeling and scuba experience. This popular beach is known for its unique rocky reefs and sea caves which offers an exciting water adventure for locals and guests visiting SoCal. La Jolla Snorkels Up offers equipment rentals for a great day exploring the caves and Dive California is the perfect place for a guided scuba tour of La Jolla Cove for certified divers.

Are You Ready to Spend This Winter on the Water in Sunny San Diego?

Now is the perfect time to plan a winter vacation in San Diego and Humphreys Half Moon Inn is the perfect choice for your SoCal stay. Our prime location near all the best watersports in San Diego puts you close to all the things you want to see, do, and explore!

Choose from one of our special getaway packages for your stay at the best hotel in San Diego and get ready for sunny days out on the water this winter. Book your San Diego winter getaway today!

dining room
13 Sep 2023

Meet Percy Oani: Humphreys New Executive Chef

By builtbygcommerce

We are thrilled to introduce our new Executive Chef, Percy Oani, who has joined the Humphreys family with a wealth of culinary experience and a passion for creating delightful dining experiences. Chef Percy brings a diverse culinary background and a commitment to crafting dishes that cater to a broad range of palates. Let’s get to know him better and discover what he has in store for guests at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music!

Q: Can you please introduce yourself?

A: Hi, I am Chef Percy. I’m the new executive chef here at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. It’s really great to be joining this family of hotels and I’m looking forward to a very long tenure.

a dining table overlooking the water

Q: Can you tell us about your job experience/history before coming to Humphreys?

A: Prior to my arrival here to Humphreys, I was downtown as the executive chef for Hotel Republic. Before that, I was over at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club where I was a chef at the Shores Hotel. Prior to that, for an extensive period of time, I was the chef for Roy’s Restaurants, where I traveled to different locations.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I’m actually a Southern California native. I was born in San Pedro and I grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, so that’s where I had a lot of influence when it comes to food. There are a lot of different neighborhoods to go to, for all different styles of cuisine.

Q: How did you get into being a chef?

A: My dad was a cook in the Navy and he would come home and make all these different dishes. So I wasn’t exposed to just the Filipino food that my mom would cook, but I was exposed to different types of food. We also had a spice rack that my dad would always go to, and I was always curious to see what he was using the different spices for. That little spice rack is probably one of the things that piqued my interest in cooking most — trying to figure out what those little leaves were doing to food and how they would flavor it.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a chef?

A: To have humility. Not everyone’s going to enjoy what you’ve made, but you want to make sure that you’re trying to create food that’s going to be catering to a broad range of people – not just one person, but everyone. Be dedicated, because hours are long, and just be a student of cooking.

Q: What about advice for someone who just wants to get into cooking in their own home?

A: Get quality ingredients and cook when you’re happy. I was once told to never cook when you’re angry because the food’s going to come out bitter. That’s my biggest piece of advice – just cook from the heart at home, because it’s always going to come out better that way.

Q: Who or what inspires you, when it comes to cooking?

A: Definitely my father who pretty much got me into cooking, He inspires me ’cause I really want to make him proud too. I want to become the chef that he always hoped I’d be.

Q: What is your favorite dish to make?

A: My favorite dish to make is beef ribs – low and slow. Let it just go for a while. Smoke it, just wait, and be patient to let it come out nice and super tender.

Q: What about your favorite dish to eat?

One of my favorite foods to eat is poke – tuna poke. My kids love it too, it’s one of those go-to dishes in our family. Whenever we’re hungry, I get some tuna, cut it up real quick, make some rice, toss it in a bowl… The kids are happy. I’m happy. It’s all good. 

salad and champagne

Q: Other than cooking, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: When you start having kids, your free time is limited. It’s not about you anymore. It’s all about your kids. So, my son right now, plays a lot of baseball – a lot of our time is spent watching his baseball games and practices. My oldest daughter, she’s getting ready to drive so I’ve been taking her out to practice a lot. My middle daughter is now in the speech and debate team that just started, so I’m really looking forward to seeing some of her speeches and debates when she begins traveling to different high schools. So that all pretty much takes up all my free time!

Q: What do you have in store for Humphreys?

A: I want to put my personality on the plate. Being that I have grown up around and learned so many different types of cuisine, I really want to incorporate that eclectic mix here — Asian fusion, south-of-the-border influence, Mediterranean style… Casually fun, I don’t want it to be too stuffy. I just want people to come in, have a good time, and enjoy what we’re putting out there.

Q: Anything else you’d like guests to know?

A: Just come on by! Give us a try — I know it’s probably been a while for some people, but in the next few months, we’re going to start having some fun with this menu and I think you’re really going to enjoy it.

Stay tuned for exciting new menu updates and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on Chef Percy’s latest creations!

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