From arenas to more intimate settings, San Diego’s many concert venues offer a wide variety of options for every type of music fan. Often referred to as “America’s Finest City,” the beautiful weather, pristine beaches, friendly people, amazing accommodations, and assortment of venues make San Diego an ideal place for both artists and fans.
Top Venues for San Diego Concerts
Non-mainstream, niche, and cult music can be found amidst the surf atmosphere of Belly Up Tavern, which often offers San Diego concerts for less than $20.
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House of Blues San Diego
In the former Woolworth building downtown, the HOB offers top acts and great food, and is reputed to have one of the top concert sound systems in town!
Humphreys provides a great summer concert series on the waterfront in an intimate setting. Have a boat? Freeload on the marina!
This 4,600-seat amphitheater on the San Diego State University campus has great sight lines and good sound. The theater often books emerging acts on summer tours.
This giant amphitheater in Chula Vista pulls in mega-acts with its 20,000 seat capacity, roomy facility, and large video screens.
Offering great seating and a classy atmosphere, Copley Symphony Hall offers amazing acoustics, as well as welcome relief from other pop music-laden venues.
Sycuan offers a small, intimate theater and hosts many top name acts.
How to Find San Diego Concerts
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Search the web! From venue websites to online ticket resellers, there is an array of options for learning about San Diego concerts online, such as www.SanDiegoConcerts.org.
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Friend ’em. Sign up for online newsletters or follow the social media pages of your favorite bands and venues.
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Grab a local newspaper or magazine, and peruse them for upcoming concerts. Here are some to check out:
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Visit local venues. In person or online, venues always have an upcoming list of performers. See the list above for a few top venue names and contact info for San Diego concerts.
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Ticket brokers. Love ’em or hate ‘’em, the big name ticket brokers offer easy access to lists of events at venues citywide. For example:
New to San Diego Concerts? Follow These Tips…
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Don’t get scalped. Purchase tickets for San Diego concerts from venue websites, band websites, or authorized ticked resellers, and compare prices between websites to ensure ticket prices are reasonable.
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Pick up your tickets early. Will call service enables you to pick up your concert tickets before or at the show, and you’ll need to provide the credit card you used and/or an ID. Some venues also offer online tickets that you can print beforehand, which eliminates the hassle – just watch out for service fees.
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Allow extra time for traffic, finding parking, locating seats, and purchasing concessions. Consider carpooling with friends to cut down on gas and parking fees.
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Bring cash. It’s easier, and some venues don’t take credit cards.
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Leave food, beverages, and any other material not permitted at home. Rules can vary depending on which venue you’re going to, so make sure to check their website beforehand so you know what to expect.
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Don’t get lost! Determine a meeting place and plan for after the show or if you get separated from your friends.
Listening to live music can be a phenomenal experience! Whether you are a refined, classical music fan or a mosh pit master, don’t miss out on the variety of musical experiences that San Diego concerts have to offer.
Photo by waves & leaves
Megan L.