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    Summer Pops

    3.9 (44 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues

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    The intermission!  Yeah yeah yeah, I can't get a good shot in the dark, even if it is Into Darkness!  Hahaha!
    Kristal C.

    Expensive dinner, movie, and a live Symphony Orchestra! It just can't get any better than this!!! I have played in several symphonies myself from 4th grade and well into college, and these guys are top notch, as would be expected from Summer Pops. I still find it quite hilarious when people clap for when musicians are tuning though. It always made me laugh! Watching the Startrek movie with the real symphony. This is my 2nd time going to one of these movies with an orchestra playing the score. The conductor and musicians were flawless with timing! The emotion put into playing the music is apparent, something that you can't get from a record, because you can feel the music being played. I love these events! I wish I could go to more of these! If only I lived in the area! Whenever we go to comic con we get tickets for the movie and love music!

    Rebecca T.

    The summer pops has been a San Diego symphony tradition. Every year they'll play at Embarcadero on the outdoor stage for some fun, pop classical music. It was a fun event with affordable admission, although parking costs were high - $20 minimum and $30 if you want to park closer at the premium parking. It's a great event to introduce kids to classical music because they can make noise and move around when the atmosphere is more casual. Most of the summer pops programs also seem to cater to kids more like concert for Disney music, Dreamworks Animation etc. There were beverage vendors at the venue so if you feel like a glass of wine, it's right there. Bathrooms were outhouses but at least they were clean. Bring some warm jackets because it can be windy and cold at the bay at night!

    First sets of seats
    Jackie B.

    What a great event to attend. Who would've thought that they would offer a FREE event to feature not only local bands, family games/activities, but also the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performing Academy Award winning composer John Williams music. We were entertained by Raylee Nikole, The King Taylor Project, Todo Mundo and The San Diego Symphony Orchestra tonight and had a blasts. Tim and I's first time and we are both totally hooked. What can you ask for amazing venue, live music, you can bring in your own food if you wanted to. If not they have a great selection of food and drinks. The atmosphere is just fantastic. Bay to the left and the SD skyline to the right. SD always delivers a beautiful day. Such an amazing time listening to live music while the sun is setting. When the SD Symphony came out and played John Williams's scores, you totally forgot where you were. So mesmerized by the music that it made you feel like you were elsewhere. Tim and I sat in the last two seats on the right hand side of the front row. The bathrooms were steps away to our right. Which there was never much of a wait. There's two bars. The one nearest to our seats served food as well. And if you keep to your left, there's another bathroom area set up. There's a grass area that had games. And people brought their own picnic chairs and blankets. There's also bleachers. But that didn't get packed til towards the end since the sun was out and anyone who would have sat there would have had a nice burn on their skin. The show went from 4-9pm. It said 930. But we walked out at 830 and the symphony was playing the last score. Oh btw, we didn't buy a parking spot prior to the event. So we ended up parking at the convention center for $20. Which was pretty convenient. Not much of a walk. And there's a shuttle right outside of the parking structure if you really do not walk lol! Also brought a blanket per other reviews recommendation, but didn't end up using it. I was wearing a maxi dress and just needed a light sweater to warm me up towards the end (about an hour prior to the show ending). Great location. Great times. This was such a great introduction to the SD Symphony Orchestra. This definitely will not be our last time attending.

    Julia K.

    Review is for ** 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular ** - A Bayside Summer Nights Concert The concert itself was astonishing. It just can't get any better than this! This is now my favorite venue in San Diego for live music. Coronado on the left and skyline to the right. All around you is the bay with boats and yachts anchored to listen to live music while the sun is setting down. 5 stars for the venue, 5 stars for the concert we saw!! There were LOTS of people but the venue was small and made everything seem much more intimate. Not to mention it's open air so the cool breeze made the night that much more fantastic. RECOMMENDATIONS: - UBER to the event if you can - Bring snacks with you (they're allowed)

    Lauren G.

    It's never a bad time at the Summer Pops venue. The symphony is amazing and the staff is wonderful. I can't say enough good things about these events. It's exactly what summer is made of. Located right on the water, small boats pull up to hear the music. People have many seating options; on blankets, in chairs, at a personal-sized table near the stage. There's food and wine for purchase. Blankets and jackets to buy if you get cold and didn't plan well, as I so often do. It's perfect for any type of outing, family, friends or a date. I highly recommend Summer Pops. Try the kettle corn, it's amazing!

    The shell is beautiful and the sound gets an A+.
    Bonnie S.

    So far I've been twice to the new SD Symphony shell; once to see Gordon Sumner of the Police and once for Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Both were equally great concerts. I'm so glad that the symphony has finally reopened and the newly redone venue is AMAZING. No more portapotties is a plus and the local restaurants (albeit pricey) are delicious. I like the soups because they donate one bowl for each one ordered. The pizzas are also tasty. The down side is that they don't let you bring food in or picnic there anymore. You also can't bring in water bottles although you can bring in empty bottles and refill them. The venue itself doesn't have a bad seat in the house and plenty of leg room between rows. The best part is the sound which is utterly amazing. At one point, I thought the music was behind me and it's worth the cost of the tickets that have gone up in price. Regardless, I highly recommend going and supporting our symphony. A+!

    Mediterranean Platter and a Cabernet bottle. Always good times at Summer Pops!

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    1 year ago

    The music gets always exceptionally excellent. I look forward to going every summer and being part of the great best of activities.

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    7 years ago

    So much fun. Just being on the water, and seeing the beautiful view is worth going. Lots of good music choices. Worth your while.

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    19 years ago

    awesome venue, best outdoor place to see a show in San Diego. And its right in down town!! can't beat that!

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    12 years ago

    Italian sailboats slowly drifting by as the Italian pop singer sang. Spacious. Great picnicking. Nice crowd.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Summer Pops

    Review Highlights - Summer Pops

    I'm so glad that the symphony has finally reopened and the newly redone venue is AMAZING.

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    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

    Prohibition

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.4 miGaslamp
    $$

    So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

    I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    Prohibition - Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - John Legend

    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

    3.8(303 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We had a private carrie Underwood concert on Aug 11. To get to the front is a long walk especially…read morefor someone with disability. I am booked for a guaranteed ADA seating which we have confirmed with our sponsor upon registration check-in. At the entrance of the Rady Shell, we were told to go to the ADA seating. However, when ai got there, these 2 fat asian employees ( who are letting people in on the ADA seating) and a white gentleman with glasses told me I couldn't ( without even scanning my ticket) and was told it's only for wheelchair people. I looked at the people seated and some are very young (kids and teenagers, some doesn't look like they were in a wheelchair because they walk straight and healthy. The asian girls told me to walk up higher and seat in the grass. My husband has to argue that I do have designated seating because of my stroke. Just because me face is pretty and didn't get affected by my stroke does not mean I am not disabled ( which I am because of my limp and balance/ fall risk). I was at the point of looking for our company/ sponsor employees to complain, when the guy finally scanned my ticket/ name tag and let us in ( which they should have done in the first place and not tell me stupid comments). It was dark and was not able to take pictures of their names tags( which I should have to so I can post who they were).

    Went there this past weekend to see Harry Potter with the orchestral accompaniment. The show was…read morefantastic. The symphony orchestra was flawless and added so much magic to the viewing experience. The seats were comfy and from what I could tell, every seat had a good view of the orchestra as well as the screens. The food, while tasty, was so expensive. A burger, fries, and a can of Pepsi for my son came out to $45 after tip. The can of Pepsi alone was over $5! Yikes!

    Photos
    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - View of the skyline

    View of the skyline

    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - Sam Barber at The Rady Shell

    Sam Barber at The Rady Shell

    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - Panoramic pick

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    Panoramic pick

    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay - Concert at night

    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay

    3.3(431 reviews)
    3.6 miShelter Island, Point Loma
    $$

    I like this place as long as I get free tickets, lol. We used to come when I was younger with the…read morefamily to things like George Carlin, Chris Isaak, etc. We stopped coming as much when the prices got so high. If the price is $110 each, but you can drive to the OC fair and get $25 tickets and get into the fair, what would you do? They're infamous for having the which folding chairs ziptied together, which makes it not the most comfortable venue. And they now do standing only shows for younger audience acts, with no seating. They still have ADA seating for that if you need it. Parking is the other issue, since it's Shelter Island. Get here early for street or marina lot parking, just don't pay the high event price for the Humphreys lot.

    The venue is wonderful. Open air, by the ocean bay, great sound…read more The seats are HORRIBLE! The seats are plastic fold up chairs, zip tied to each other. If you are an average American (overweight) you can't fit in your chair and consequently take up your neighbors chair & space. Even when standing thete is NO room to let someone out in your row. The rows are so tight Im surprised they are to fire code. Had a hard time enjoying the awesome concert squished in my hard plastic chair.

    Photos
    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay - Seated shoulder to shoulder on white folding chairs.

    Seated shoulder to shoulder on white folding chairs.

    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay - Humphreys could be a great venue if the owners were not cramming us in so close to each other.

    Humphreys could be a great venue if the owners were not cramming us in so close to each other.

    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay - Entering the venue

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    Entering the venue

    Summer Pops - musicvenues - Updated September 2026

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