The time is here! I have been waiting to bring CAKE PICNIC back to San Diego, and when the opportunity came to do it alongside Strawberry Shortcake. I said yes before they even finished the sentence!

This one genuinely means a lot to me. Strawberry Shortcake was such a big part of so many of our childhoods, and everything she stands for, kindness, creativity, community, and yes, an absolute love of something sweet, is exactly what CAKE PICNIC is about too. The fact that this is our first time ever partnering together makes it feel even more special. I want this day to feel like a reunion and a celebration all at once.

We are heading to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on April 25th, 2026 – an oceanfront campus in La Jolla with some of the most beautiful views in the city – and I honestly cannot think of a more perfect setting. Us, cakes, views of the ocean and the palm trees? And we might even catch the sunset together? Perfect.

San Diego, you have always shown up for CAKE PICNIC in the most incredible way. Come ready to bake, come ready to share, and come ready to feel something. I will see you there.

Follow me, there will be cake,

Elisa

CAKE PICNIC is a gathering for the love of cake. It celebrates cake in all of its forms. It brings communities and friends together for the sole purpose of breaking cake and enjoying the following butter and sugar highs. To be surrounded by as many cakes as there are humans is definitely something special, right? It is a moment in time where we come together for something truly sweet. Every attendee brings a whole cake. It is a feast for the ages and you just have to be there.

  • What: San Diego CAKE PICNIC 2026

  • When: Saturday, April 25 4-6pm

  • Where: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

TICKETS will appear on this page on April 15 at 10AM PST.

PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING TICKETS

This event is for those that are excited about sharing joy with others and bringing their absolute best cake(s) to the picnic. It will be sweetly chaotic with hundreds of cakes and waiting times. If you are choosing joy, time with community, and sweetness, this event is for you.

  • All tickets ($45 USD) are non-refundable, final sale, and non-transferable. No exceptions under any circumstances. The event tagline is NO CAKE, NO ENTRY meaning that if you are a living breathing human being, you must bring an entire cake to the event to enter, with your ticket.

  • Final sale. Tickets can not be resold. We will be checking for government-issued IDs to match the name under the ticket purchase. When checking out, make sure that you are using a credit card under your name (for example, do not use your husband’s credit card if he will not be at event registration with his ID).

  • Non-transferable. Please do not purchase a ticket from someone else as it will not be honored at CAKE PICNIC registration. Please do not sell tickets to anyone as they won’t be honored at the event. Every attendee will be required to show a government issued ID. For example, do not have a friend or boyfriend buy the ticket for you if they aren’t attending the event with you.

  • Group tickets: If you are purchasing a ticket for a group, please note that you personally have to be at the event registration to activate your tickets. If you are not 100% sure you can be at the event for your group, please designate someone else to purchase your group tickets. (i.e. Your daughter / husband / cousin / friend can not buy your ticket for you if they are not at event registration with their government-issued ID to activate the tickets).

  • Cake requirements. All cakes need to be a minimum of 8 inches wide and 3 inches tall. Do not bring cakes in aluminum / tin pans. All cakes served on the cake tables must be on cake boards for display and decorated beautifully. This event is for those that are excited about bringing their absolute best cake to the picnic. We want delicious, beautiful cakes! Bring your best so we can all eat well. This event is what we make it to be!

  • Kids at CAKE PICNIC: Kids under 8 years old do not need a ticket or a whole cake to attend and participate, with accompanying adult. Everyone else 8 years and older will need a ticket and cake to participate.

  • Dogs at CAKE PICNIC: Only service dogs will be allowed on site.

  • Food allergy: All cakes must be labeled with major allergens.

  • Accessibility. If you have specific needs and we’ll do our best to meet them. Please guide us regarding the most helpful way to assist you by sending an email to elisa@cakepicnictour.com after you’ve purchased your ticket. Accessible parking spaces are available at all garden area parking lots.

  • Weather: CAKE PICNIC is an outdoor event; the team will be monitoring the forecast and will make a decision about the event 48 hours before. If rain or severe heat is forecast, the event start time may be pushed back and you will be contacted in advance with further instruction.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does everyone need a ticket and a cake to enter the CAKE PICNIC area and participate in the event?

Yes. 1 ticket and 1 whole cake per person!

What is the latest I can arrive at the event?

You must be in line by 4:30 PM. After 4:30 PM, we will no longer accept anyone in the queue. If you miss this time, you will not be able to participate in the event.

I am buying tickets for me and my family but I will be arriving first. Can they check in after me?

The entire group must check in together for entry.

What does my CAKE PICNIC ticket look like?

Once you complete checking out, an email confirmation of your purchase will be sent to your email. That Squarespace email confirmation is your ticket to the event. Please be ready to show that at CAKE PICNIC registration to receive your materials. Pro tip: please make sure to check your spam folder and mark the message as important.

What kind of cakes can I bring?

Anything that feels special to you, homemade or from a local bakery. We’ve seen everything from chiffon cakes, upside-down cakes, meringue cakes, trifles, buttercream-layered cakes, to family recipes passed down for generations. The cake you bring becomes part of the story we share that day. The most popular cakes have been: pistachio, chocolate, strawberry, passion fruit, guava, black sesame, Russian honey cake, and savory cakes. Several stunning cakes featured at the event have gone viral!

Important: We want to eat well. Please only bring cakes that you are absolutely excited about and would be proud to share with others. If you have never baked a cake before, you should practice baking several cakes before the event to prepare. If you aren’t inspired to bring the best cake that you can, this event is not for you.

Are there any guidelines for the cakes?

All cakes must be a minimum of 8 inches wide and 3 inches tall. Do not bring cakes in aluminum / tin pans. All cakes served on the cake tables must be on cake boards for display and decorated beautifully. Cakes can be homemade or store-bought (please, please support our local bakeries).

What supplies will I receive at CAKE PICNIC?

Each ticket holder will receive a box for cake slices, a napkin, and a fork.

I have accessibility needs for the event. Who can I reach out to?

Please email elisa@cakepicnictour.com!

What is the agenda and schedule?

All ticket holders will receive detailed instructions, maps, and guidance days before the event to help prepare for CAKE PICNIC. Please make sure to check your spam to make sure you’re getting all of the event details.

Can I get a refund if I can’t attend?

Tickets are final sale, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Absolutely no exceptions under any circumstances.

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