Must-see entertainment in San Diego

  • Gateway Arch, Gas lamp Quarter, San Diego, California. (Photo by: Education Images/Citizens of the Planet/UIG via Getty Images)

    Shout House

    San Diego

    Good, clean fun at this cavernous Gaslamp bar with dueling pianos. Talented players have an amazing repertoire, including classics, rock and more. We once…

  • The Belly Up Tavern is one of the most iconic live music venues in San Diego
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    Belly Up

    San Diego

    Live venue hosting a range of acts, local and international. Previous artists have included Ben Harper, BB King and Jimmy Cliff. Expect everything from…

  • DEL MAR, CA - July 16, 2006:  Horse gallops in front of the Del Mar Race Track grandstand. July 16, 2006 (Photo by Horsephotos /Getty Images)

    Del Mar Racetrack & Fairgrounds

    San Diego

    Del Mar’s biggest draw during summer months was founded in 1937 by a prestigious group which included Bing Crosby. It’s worth trying to brave the crowds…

  • APRIL 28, 2017: Exterior of the Old Globe Theatre at the Simon Edison Centre for the Performing Arts in Balboa Park.
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    Old Globe Theaters

    San Diego

    Balboa Park’s Old Globe Theater dates from the 1935 Exposition, and in the 1970s the main stage was rebuilt à la 17th-century Globe in England, where…

  • San Diego, California: Horizontal shot of the Balboa theatre façade and retro sign with some passers-by, 4th Ave, Gaslamp Quarter. .Balboa Theatre is a historic vaudeville/movie theatre built in downtown San Diego in 1924
San Diego, California: Horizontal shot of the Balboa theatre façade and retro sign with some passers-by, 4th Ave, Gaslamp Quarter. .Balboa Theatre is a historic vaudeville/movie theatre built in downtown San Diego in 1924
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    Balboa Theatre

    San Diego

    This elegant 1924 building began life as a vaudeville and movie theater, then presented Mexican films to a growing Latino audience in the 1930s before…

  • San Diego, California: Horizontal view of a woman pushing a shopping cart while crosses the 5th Ave in front of the House of Blues, Downtown
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    House of Blues

    San Diego

    This Gaslamp venue presents an eclectic lineup of concerts (some free), a good-mood-inducing Sunday Gospel brunch, raucous party nights and other events…

  • Quartyard

    San Diego

    Re-imagined colorful containers make up this new outdoor community space and stage in East Village, a short walk from Gas Lamp. Home to a coffee shop,…

  • Pechanga Resort & Casino

    San Diego

    This huge Native American–owned casino-hotel offers plenty of slots, blackjack and roulette. Entertainment includes stand-up acts in its comedy club, and…

  • La Paloma Theatre

    San Diego

    Built in 1928, this landmark – and central Encinitas’ main venue – shows arthouse movies nightly and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Fridays at midnight,…

  • Arts Tix

    San Diego

    In a kiosk next to Balboa Theatre, Arts Tix has discount tickets (up to half-price) for same-day evening or next-day matinee performances, and discounted…

  • Winston’s

    San Diego

    Bands play most nights, and each night has a different happening: open mike, karaoke, comedy, cover bands for the Grateful Dead and Red Hot Chili Peppers,…

  • San Diego Symphony

    San Diego

    This accomplished orchestra presents classical and family concerts at Jacobs Music Center. Look for summer concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South.

  • The Temecula Stampede

    San Diego

    Large country-and-western–style dance hall offering free early-evening line-dancing lessons, plus live music, mechanical bull-riding and a touch of rock…

  • National Comedy Theatre

    San Diego

    Performances and improv classes in Mission Hills and a regular 'whose line is it anyway' type show on Fridays and Saturdays (tickets from $18).

  • San Diego Padres

    San Diego

    San Diego's Major League Baseball team team plays in the handsome Petco Park stadium in the East Village. Tickets are usually available at the gate,…

  • San Diego Junior Theatre

    San Diego

    Theater productions for children with shows including everything from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to The Wizard of Oz and…

  • Casbah

    San Diego

    Bands from Smashing Pumpkins to Death Cab for Cutie all rocked the Casbah on their way up the charts and it’s still a good place to catch tomorrow’s…

  • Cinema Under the Stars

    San Diego

    This unique venue screens mostly classic American films in the open air in Mission Hills; during winter months the area is covered and the patio heated.

  • Horton Grand Theatre

    San Diego

    Situated in the Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grant shows popular musicals and other Broadway-style productions.

  • 710 Beach Club

    San Diego

    PB’s main venue for live music books a solid lineup of rock, karaoke and sometimes comedy.

  • Cygnet Theater

    San Diego

    A 246-seat theater situated in the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, showing half a dozen main stage productions a year, from musicals to classic…

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