Welcome to this comprehensive guide from the Food Truck Association of San Diego (FTASD). As the leading organization representing and connecting San Diego's exceptional mobile food vendors, we support event planners, couples, businesses, and communities in experiencing the best of our local food truck scene. Food trucks deliver fresh, diverse cuisines straight to weddings, corporate functions, private celebrations, film sets, school gatherings, and large festivals across San Diego County, from La Jolla beaches to downtown rooftops. Hiring a food truck for catering delivers a lively, interactive dining experience that sets your event apart from traditional options, often at a more affordable price point.

Pricing varies significantly depending on guest count, menu choices, service length, venue location, and cuisine type. Our goal is to provide transparent, actionable details to help you budget effectively while highlighting the excellent value and excitement food trucks bring to events. To illustrate this, let's consider a sample budgeting scenario for a corporate event with 100 guests, featuring a standard menu with tacos and sides. The estimated per-person cost is approximately $25. Therefore, the initial food cost is $2,500. Adding a flat service fee of $500 for staffing and operations, and accounting for a gratuity of 18%, brings the total to around $3,540. This scenario demonstrates how planners can use these figures to structure budgets, avoiding unexpected costs and ensuring a seamless experience.

San Diego's vibrant food truck scene features over 200 active trucks offering diverse options from Baja-style tacos and fresh seafood to gourmet burgers, fusion cuisine, vegan dishes, and sweet dessert treats. (Guide to San Diego, CA Food Trucks (December 2025), 2025) Whether organizing a casual beach party or a sophisticated corporate event, grasping these costs ensures informed decisions and a seamless booking process.

Food truck catering elevates events with made-to-order meals, visual appeal, and guest engagement. Attendees queue at the window, customize orders, and enjoy hot food, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for San Diego's laid-back vibe. Compared to traditional catering, which averages $85 to $100 per person for weddings, food trucks deliver savings alongside flexibility. (Food Truck Catering — San Diego, CA, 2025) Trucks arrive fully equipped, minimizing venue needs for tables, linens, or extensive setup. Cleanup remains simple, as vendors handle waste. FTASD members prioritize professionalism, with many specializing in events through customized menus, reliable service, and accommodation for dietary preferences. Booking via our association streamlines coordination, particularly for multi-truck setups offering variety.

customize menus or accommodate dietary restrictions to enhance guest satisfaction.
Popular venues for food truck catering in San Diego include Balboa Park for scenic picnics and events (a longtime favorite with ample space for outdoor gatherings), local breweries (such as Thorn Brewing in North Park, AleSmith in Miramar, and others that regularly host trucks for relaxed parties), corporate campuses in tech hubs like Sorrento Valley (ideal for employee appreciation lunches or office park events), and beachfront locations (from Mission Bay to La Jolla shores for stunning sunset receptions and weddings).

Food trucks align seamlessly with San Diego's year-round outdoor lifestyle, mild climate, and laid-back vibe, allowing guests to enjoy fresh, interactive meals al fresco while taking in ocean views, park greenery, or brewery patios. The city's diverse culinary influences, from authentic Baja tacos and fresh seafood to fusion and vegan options, perfectly match the eclectic menus available, creating memorable, casual yet vibrant experiences that celebrate the region's love for bold flavors, craft beer pairings, and community gatherings.

San Diego food truck operators employ flexible models to suit various events.

1. Minimum Guarantee or Flat Fee
Many require a minimum spend, typically $1,200 to $2,500, covering travel, staffing, propane, and operations. This applies to smaller gatherings under 75 guests. Hosts pay the difference if sales fall short, ensuring vendor viability.
This approach works well for private parties or corporate lunches with uncertain attendance.

2. Per Person Pricing
Larger events often use per-guest rates, ranging from $15 to $30 for standard menus like tacos, burgers, or sandwiches. Premium options, including seafood or fusion, reach $25 to $45 per person.
Packages include entrees with choices, sides, and sometimes drinks. Extras like desserts add $3 to $8 per person.

3. Guest Pays Individually
Attendees buy directly from the truck. Hosts might subsidize via vouchers. This reduces host expenses but can create longer lines.

4. Hybrid or Unlimited Service
Combinations feature a base fee plus per-person charges, or fixed rates for unlimited servings over set hours. Multi-truck events coordinate discounted packages.

Data shows average food truck catering packages cost around $1,500 per truck, with typical ranges of $800 to $2,500 (some premium or multi-truck setups reaching $3,000–$4,000).

Per-person costs generally range from $15 to $35, aligning with national trends but varying by location, event type (e.g., higher for weddings), menu complexity, and guest count. Basic options like tacos or burgers often fall on the lower end ($10–$20), while gourmet or premium cuisines (e.g., lobster, sushi, or organic fusions) push toward the higher end ($30+).

Smaller events (under 50–75 guests) typically incur higher effective per-person rates due to minimum spend requirements, which commonly start at $500–$1,500 per truck (and can go up to $2,000–$4,000 for peak seasons or weddings).

Cuisine significantly influences pricing: simpler, high-volume items cost less, while premium ingredients or specialized preparations increase expenses.
Standard service duration is usually 2–3 hours; extensions often incur hourly fees (e.g., $200–$500 per additional hour, depending on the vendor).

Travel fees frequently apply beyond a 20–50 mile radius (or sometimes from the truck's base), charged per mile ($2–$5 typically) or as a flat fee.

Additional costs include sales taxes (varying by location, often 7–10%), suggested gratuity or service fees (15–22%), and any required permits or venue fees. Always confirm these in quotes, as they can add 20–30% to the base total.

Weddings
Food trucks bring fun and informality to San Diego weddings, from coastal ceremonies to urban venues. Expect $2,000 to $5,000 for 100 guests, or $20 to $40 per person. Couples choose full receptions, late-night snacks, or dessert trucks. Savings over traditional catering prove substantial.

Corporate and Employee Events
Lunch programs, appreciations, or launches favor trucks for efficiency. One truck for 50 to 100 staff costs $1,200 to $2,500. Full or partial subsidies enhance morale. Multiple trucks manage bigger crowds.

Private Parties and Celebrations
Birthdays or backyard gatherings suit minimum or guest-pay models, totaling $1,000 to $2,000.

Film and Production Sets
On-location catering requires reliability. Costs mirror corporate rates, with emphasis on quick service.

Community and Large Events
Festivals negotiate bulk deals. Per truck costs stay consistent, but volume lowers per guest expenses.

Key influences include:
Guest Count: Larger groups reduce per-person rates; multiple trucks may be needed.

Menu and Cuisine: Premium ingredients raise prices.

Duration and Timing: Peak seasons or extended hours increase fees.

Location: Remote or traffic-heavy areas add travel; parking challenges impact downtown.

Add-Ons: Beverages, staffing, or setups elevate totals.

Number of Trucks: Variety delights but multiplies minimums.

Plan thoroughly. Use FTASD's inquiry form or platforms for quotes.

Compare options. Request bids from multiple vendors via our network.

Choose off-peak dates. Weekdays or non-summer periods often have lower prices.

Limit menu items. Streamline choices to speed service and cut waste.

Pair trucks wisely. Combine main and dessert for variety without extra full minimums.

Negotiate coverage. Corporate events benefit from full subsidies.

Review contracts. Clarify minimums, weather policies, and cancellations.

FTASD members note that accurate guest counts and early communication avoid surprises.

Trucks like Taco Love Mobile Catering earn praise for flavorful tacos and reasonable event pricing. Leilani's Food Truck offers Hawaiian-inspired menus with strong reviews for parties.
Platforms highlight bookings staying within budget through versatile selections.

Food trucks provide fresh, high-quality meals supporting local entrepreneurs. Made-to-order reduces waste, and options suit vegan, gluten-free, or allergy needs. In San Diego's dynamic scene, catering builds connections—guests interact while enjoying views. Professional vendors ensure compliance with health standards and insurance. FTASD promotes this affordable, exciting alternative to elevate gatherings.
Ready to book? Contact FTASD for tailored recommendations from our trusted members. We respond quickly to match your vision. Thank you for reading. San Diego's food trucks stand ready to make your event unforgettable!