Today’s Forecast

🎟 Your ticket to big concerts

6 huge live music venues in San Diego

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park illuminated in blue

Our music scene is glowing. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

This summer, San Diego’s music scene will make soundwaves.

The lineup includes many big names, and they’ll play to even bigger crowds at these local venues that can hold 10,000+ people. If you’re looking for smaller crowds, we’ve already checked out San Diego’s mid-sized and small venues.

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

This new, outdoor venue offers an immersive musical experience and holds up to 10,000 guests. It’s home to the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and the Embarcadero Marina Park South space also has a great summer lineup in the works.

Viejas Arena

You might head to this venue to watch SDSU basketball games, but it’s also home to live music. Acts perform to crowds of 12,400+, attracting a mix of rising artists and long-time favorites.

Pechanga Arena

Many of San Diego’s sports teams have called this Midway District venue home since it opened in 1966, but it also has a long musical history. Everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Britney Spears has rocked this stadium that can hold up to 16,100 people.

North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Some of San Diego’s biggest shows can be found at this Chula Vista venue that opened in 1998. Artists perform to crowds of up to 20,000 at the outdoor amphitheater.

Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego’s newest venue is already bringing the noise in Mission Valley. Not only is it home to San Diego Wave FC and SDSU Aztecs Football, but its 35,000+ seats make it the perfect arena for huge music acts.

Petco Park

The Padres bring in crowds of 42,000+ — and many icons have performed at the downtown San Diego ballpark. The Rolling Stones was the first act in 2005, and most recently, the venue said farewell to Elton John.

Summer music preview

Events

Wednesday, May 10

Fair@44 International Market | Wednesday, May 10 | 4-7 p.m. | The Fair@44, 4350 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego | Free | Eat global cuisine and shop locally at the neighborhood gathering place on The Boulevard.
The Amity Affliction | Wednesday, May 10 | 7:30 p.m. | The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., San Diego | $32 | The Australian metalcore band shreds at this all-ages show.
“Xanadu” the Musical | Through Sunday, June 4 | Times vary | SDMT Stage, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego | $25-$70 | A comedic, musical adaptation of the 1980 film.

Thursday, May 11

SD Connect Business Networking Group | Thursday, May 11| 5-8 p.m. | Toasted Barrel, 356 Sixth Ave., San Diego | $20-$99 | A gathering where professionals and business owners — from corporate to start-ups — can mingle and learn from one another.
Aaron Watson | Thursday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | Moonshine Beach, 1165 Garnet Ave., San Diego | $25 | The country music artist headlines this 21+ show, with special guest Chancey Williams.

Friday, May 12

O’Keeffe and Moore Symposium | Friday, May 12 | 4 p.m. | The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, San Diego | $20 | Listen to presentations by world-renowned experts about the life and work of Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore.
Laugh Outside | Friday, May 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego | $5-$10 | Local comics take the stage at this 21+ show.

Saturday, May 13

“Star Wars: A New Hope” In Concert | Saturday, May 13 + Sunday, May 14 | 7:30 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego | $56-$116 | Watch the inaugural “Star Wars” film as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs the iconic score live.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

The City of San Diego will open two safe sleeping lots near Balboa Park to provide space and resources for unhoused locals. The first site will open in July at a maintenance yard at 20th and B streets. The second is slated to open this fall at the “O” lot of the Naval Medical Center. (Times of San Diego)

Development

Construction on the Botanical Building in Balboa Park is getting in tents. Crews have covered the structure’s west wing as they start sandblasting, painting, and applying protective coating. This is a necessary step to retain the building’s original look from 1915.

Closed

The tip of Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach is closed to the public as crews assess the structure for damages after this winter’s storms. It will be reopened once deemed safe — a timeline has not yet been announced. (NBC 7)

Seasonal

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch will remain in bloom for an additional week. The North County attraction announced it has extended this year’s season through Sunday, May 21, attributing the ongoing blooms to this year’s rain.

Read

Local writer Derek Danziger released his first book titled “I’m Autistic and I’m Awesome.” Danziger, who has worked locally in public relations for 30 years, has a child on the autism spectrum. He hopes the book will inspire confidence and acceptance. (Times of San Diego)

Sports

Local runner Steven Martinez won the OC Marathon this past Sunday in record time. The speedy San Diegan finished the course in 2:18:06, over three minutes faster than the prior record set in 2011. (ABC 10)

List

If you’re looking for great chicken wings, fly over to Pizza e Birra in Middletown. According to Stacker’s list — compiled using data from Yelp — the spot ranks as San Diego’s highest-rated chicken wings restaurant. The wings are noted for their crunchy exterior and variety of sauces. (Stacker)

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.*

Drink

🍹 A mocktail moment

Recipe: a zero-proof Moscow mule

Add two ounces of pomegranate juice to your Moscow mule for an added tropical punch. | Photo by Michael D. Wilson via Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

If you love the occasional nightcap but hate the hangover that follows (or already enjoy concocting flavorful mixed drinks sans alcohol), Ritual Zero Proof’s spirits will be a great addition to your home bar kit. The award-winning alcohol-free liquors offer a 1:1 spirit replacement, so you can use them just as you would traditional spirits.

Ritual Zero Proof offers alcohol-free tequila, rum, gin, and whiskey that are made using all-natural botanical ingredients to mimic the taste and smell of liquor. Bonus: Ritual Zero Proof’s website has a slew of cocktail recipes we’re drooling over. We’re featuring one of our favorites below.

Traditional Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

2 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin
1/2 oz. lime juice
4 oz. ginger beer
Lime wedges (garnish)

Directions:

Fill a copper mug or tumbler with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir and garnish with lime wedges.

Bonus: Buy these copper mugs and the viral nugget ice maker to elevate your cocktail night.*

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, SD. I love San Diego’s music scene — both live and recorded. The city has many record stores where you can get new and used music. Recently, I found my favorite Christmas album at Flimzys Records in Bankers Hill, so I bought it. In my opinion, some holiday songs can be played year-round.

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