No brew lover's visit to San Diego is complete without a tour of one (or more) of our top areas of brew mastery. Here are the four best - and the must-see breweries to hit when you find yourself there - as recommended by San Diego beer legends.

With so many breweries producing such a wealth of different beers, it can help to focus your plans around a geographic region or even by the types of beers you want to experience.

Whether you’re taking in a Padres game, exploring Balboa Park, enjoying the beach or heading to one of San Diego’s world-class attractions, an abundance of great local beer is always nearby. Follow this itinerary to discover the brew-tiful bounty of one of America’s top craft-beer destinations.

Something amazing is brewing throughout San Diego. The region's craft/micro/nano breweries are turning out innovative beers, including the West Coast IPA (a local twist on the IPA), that have been pushing the envelope and sweeping award ceremonies at national and international contests.