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San Diego's

Live Music Scene

From stadium-filling acts to local bands to the symphony, see it live in San Diego

Photo By Chris Rov Costa

Come See a Show

When it comes to live music, San Diego rocks it as a prime tour stop and home to impressive local talent. From the central city, up to North County and to the east, dozens of San Diego music venues in all shapes and sizes host everything from acoustic folk and intimate shows to A-list rock-n-roll and big-production, elaborately choreographed pop. Not to mention, the city welcomes music festivals galore and also, there are a ton of San Diego live music venues as well.

The underground, independent music scene in San Diego also thrives, with clubs throughout the city hosting nightly shows. For more than 25 years, The Casbah in Midtown has been a prime spot to see up-and-coming acts. And just a little to the east in City Heights, the neighboring Soda Bar and SPACE have a similarly impressive calendar of shows.

In Downtown and North Park, respectively, the historic Jacobs Music Center (formerly Copley Symphony Hall), home to the San Diego Symphony, and the Observatory provide a picturesque backdrop for crowd-pleasing headliners. The Jacobs Music Center is quite the impressive San Diego music venue, located right near the bay and hosts fireworks after shows often. The Belly Up in Solana Beach and the Music Box in Little Italy are the top San Diego live music venues and offer the best chance to see big names in a small intimate setting. On Shelter Island, another great San Diego live music venue, Humphreys Concerts by the Bay pairs live music with a gorgeous waterfront view, not to mention dinner and hotel packages.

Even on college campuses, it's easy to find a great place to see a show. The CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre can be found in the center of San Diego State University's campus, and hosts big-name touring bands throughout the year. Or for a more intimate experience, grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable at The Loft at UCSD.

From stadium-filling touring acts to local bands in neighborhood bars, there's something for every music fan in San Diego and countless music venues and live music options to check out as well.

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San Diego Music

Things to do|

Jeff Terich’s Live Music Faves

Ready to see what all the buzz is about? Let local music critic Jeff Terich show you the way. The San Diego live music scene is packed with awesomeness and Jeff is sharing his favorite places to catch a show.

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The Sound of San Diego

From local bands at intimate venues to full-blown festivals with rockstar headliners, the San Diego music scene has one consistent beat, and that’s the upbeat. Regardless of performer or venue (and there are a lot of great ones to explore), a spotlight of positive vibes seems to shine on every performance.

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Music and Sunshine

The live music scene is popping in San Diego, and the venues are as exciting and eclectic as the artists who rock them. Many of these venues take advantage of the beautiful San Diego weather, hosting awesome shows on sun-soaked, outdoor stages. Local music critic Jeff Terich gives the scoop on some great places to catch a show, San Diego style.

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Things to do

View All

Jeff Terich’s Live Music Faves

Discover

The Sound of San Diego

Discover

Music and Sunshine

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Related Articles and Features

Explore Live Music

Neighborhoods

Music

Music

1. Center for World Music

Bringing the Best of World Music to San Diego

Center for World Music
(619) 363-3007
Neighborhood: East County
Music

2. San Diego Early Music Society

Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Music

San Diego Early Music Society
PO Box 82008
San Diego, CA 92138
(619) 291-8246
Neighborhood: Point Loma Peninsula
Music

3. La Jolla Symphony & Chorus

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
9500 Gillman Drive, UCSD 0361
La Jolla, CA 92093-0361
(858) 534-4637
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Theatre

4. Historic Balboa Theatre

100 Years in the Historic Gaslamp District

Historic Balboa Theatre
868 Fourth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 615-4000
Neighborhood: Downtown
Bars

5. Plaza Bar - The Westgate Hotel

Premier Piano & Cocktail Bar

Plaza Bar - The Westgate Hotel
1055 Second Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-1818
Neighborhood: Downtown
Music

6. Westwind Brass

Westwind Brass
PO Box 601501
San Diego, CA 92160
(619) 665-9125
Neighborhood: Point Loma Peninsula
Venues

7. Music Box

San Diego's Premier Live Music and Event Venue

Music Box
1337 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 738-0736
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Music

8. San Diego Young Artists Music Academy

San Diego Young Artists Music Academy
4125 Alpha St, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 264-2220
Neighborhood: Downtown
Venues

9. TERI Campus of Life

TERI Campus of Life
555 Deer Springs Road
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 826-9235
Neighborhood: North Inland
Venues

10. Quartyard

Your City Block

Quartyard
1301 Market Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 432-5303
Neighborhood: Downtown
Music

11. Opera NEO

Opera NEO
5285 Toscana Way #824
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 888-2233
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Nightclubs

12. Belly Up

Belly Up, Rockin' since 1974!

Belly Up
143 S Cedros, Suite T
Solana Beach, CA 92075
(858) 481-8140
Neighborhood: North Coastal
Venues

13. The Magnolia - Live Nation

San Diego County's Newest Home For Entertainment

The Magnolia - Live Nation
210 E Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 651-2004
Neighborhood: East County
Music

14. Camarada

Camarada
325 W Washington St, Suite 2-163
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 231-3702
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
Venues

15. Petco Park Events

Petco Park Events

Petco Park Events
100 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 795-5025
Neighborhood: Downtown

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